While not confirming those pesky rumors that a new season of "Big Brother" could start as
 soon as February, CBS has opened up casting for the reality favorite.

CBS announced Thursday (Nov. 15) that "Big Brother 9" will have organized casting calls
 in 17 cities (some very close to each other) between Saturday, Nov. 17 (in Los Angeles
 and Columbia, South Carolina) and Saturday, Dec. 8.

Additional information is available through the CBS website.

CBS also announced the return of Allison Grodner and Rich Meehan as executive
 producers and Julie Chen as host.

While there had been rumors of a celebrity season, the show\'s format appears to be
 unchanged: A group of strangers will share a house bedecked in cameras for three
 months, voting people out every week. The last houseguest wins a prize.

The one thing that isn\'t revealed is when "Big Brother 9" will premiere. The CBS release
 only says that it "will be broadcast in 2008 on dates to be announced."

CBS didn\'t announce the eighth season pick-up for "Big Brother" until this past February,
 before premiering the show in July. The early start means that at the very least CBS will
 be ready to start "Big Brother 9" early in the spring should the writers\' strike continue and
 should the network have an emergency need for adult 18-49-friendly programming
 possibly filling three primetime hours per week.

Your casting call opportunities:

Nov. 17 -- Los Angeles -- Exclusive Casting Studios, 7700 Sunset Blvd., (12 Noon-3 PM)
Nov. 17 -- Columbia, S.C. -- WLTX-TV, 6027 Garners Ferry Road, (10 AM-2 PM)
Nov. 18 -- New York -- NY Castings, 243 West 30th Street, 3rd. Floor, (12 Noon-8 PM)
Nov. 23 -- Houston -- Meridien, 1503 Chartres St., (7PM-10PM)
Dec. 1 -- Houston -- Moes Grill & Bar, 5000 Katy Mills Circle, (2PM-5PM)
Dec. 1 -- Schaumburg, IL- Woodfield Mall, "Cool Waves" Nordstrom lower level, (12PM-3PM)
Dec. 1 -- Atlanta --America\'s Mart, 240 Peachtree Street 1st Fl. Rm. A, (12 PM-3 PM)
Dec. 1 -- Brooklyn, NY -- Duff\'s Brooklyn, N. 3rd Street & Kent Avenue, (7 PM-10 PM)
Dec. 1 -- Charlotte, N.C. -- Cans, 500 West 5th Street, (12 PM-3 PM)
Dec. 1 -- Chicago -- Ontourage, 157 W. Ontario Street, (10 PM-12:00 AM)
Dec. 1 -- Hillsboro, Ore. -- The Streets of Tanasbourne, 19350 NW Emma Way, (12 PM-3 PM)
Dec. 1 -- Kansas City, MO -- Screenlands Crossroads Theater, 1656 Washington St., (1 PM-4 PM)
Dec. 7 Columbus, Ohio -- Spice Bar, 491 N. Park Street, (10 PM-12:00 AM)
Dec. 7 Scottsdale, Ariz. - Suede Lounge, 7333 E. Indian Plaza, (12 PM-3 PM)
Dec. 8 -- Boston -- Felt, 533 Washington Street 3rd & 4th Floor, (12:00 Noon -3 PM)
Dec. 8 -- Broomfield, Colo. -- FlatIron Crossing, 1 West FlatIron Crossing Drive In the Dillard\'s Court, (10 AM-1 PM)
Dec. 8 -- Columbus, Ohio -- Park Street Patio, 533 Park Street, (2 PM -- 5 PM)
Dec. 8 -- Tampa, Fla. -- The Dubliner Irish Pub, 2307 W. Azeele Street, (12 PM- 3PM)