By RICHARD HUFF 
                   Daily News Staff Writer

                   A top CBS executive has rejected conspiracy theories
                   popping up on the Internet that the network and producers
                   of "Big Brother" are manipulating the outcome of the reality
                   series. 

                   "We don't have any part in that," said executive producer Douglas
                   Ross.

                   In recent days, fans and others have raised the notion that CBS
                   orchestrated the exit of Brittany Petros from the show and that the
                   network has coordinated some of the viewer voting that results in
                   someone getting kicked out every two weeks.

                   "We are keeping our hands very clean of this stuff," said Ross.
                   "Ultimately, it could come back to bite us."

                   Despite the denials, show-watchers have compared the goings on
                   at the house — there have been banners flown overhead, balls
                   thrown into the courtyard and call-in campaigns — to the
                   quiz-show scandals of the '50s.

                   "I think all the speculation on the Web, with the conspiracy
                   theories, we think that speculation and the chat about it only helps
                   propel people to watch the show," Ross said.

                   Perhaps, to a point. Ratings for the show have not been what
                   either CBS or the producers had hoped for. In versions of the
                   show that have aired in Europe, the show has gripped entire
                   countries. Here, there appears to be a loyal core audience but not
                   much more.

                   Ten people entered the specially built "Big Brother" house on July
                   4. Their every move is captured by cameras and microphones.
                   Every two weeks, at least two housemates are nominated for
                   banishment, with viewers voting who gets sent home. 

                   The ratings struggle has led the producers to devise challenges to
                   get the housemates to turn against each other. So far, that hasn't
                   panned out, either. 

                   "We are cooking up an extreme-style challenge," Ross said. 

                   Another, expected to have happened over the weekend, was
                   designed to allow one housemate to attend last night's Emmy
                   Awards.

                   Kaye Mallory, who has been dubbed "Ms. Megaphone" because
                   she has shouted information to "Big Brother" inhabitants, said the
                   show suffers because there is no nudity, sex or strong language.

                   "First off, put it on cable television, get some people who are
                   horny and attracted to each other," Mallory said. "What gets
                   ratings is sex, conflict and drama."

                   It was Mallory who messed up the producers' attempt last week
                   to dangle cash before the housemates in order to get one to leave. 

                   "The whole thing was a bad idea," Mallory said of the show. "The
                   European ones, they fight, they get in conflicts, they have sex."

                   According to Ross, outsiders have attempted to contact the
                   housemates in past versions. However, the network has expanded
                   its circle of security, making it tougher for folks like Mallory to
                   infiltrate the series.

                   Starting this week, there will be live episodes of "Big Brother" on
                   Wednesday and Saturday, which will continue up to the Sept. 30
                   finale, when a winner will be crowned.
 

                   Original Publication Date: 9/11/00