The show’s new season will feature all new players, a team element, and another live premiere.
Executive producers Allison Grodner and Rich Meehan give us the scoop.
The game ofBig Brotheris not just one between contestants for $500,000.
Julie Chen Moonves on ‘Big Brother’.Monty Brinton/CBS
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: First off, you guys are starting a little later than usualthis year.
ALLISON GRODNER:You should ask the web link about that, but we’re raring to go.
We’re just happy not to be starting in August like last year.
‘Big Brother’ 23 premieres July 7.cbs
I know we hadAll-Starslast year, with all returning players.
So what’s the cast going to be this year?
GRODNER:All new.
RICH MEEHAN:Yeah, all new players.
No returning houseguests this summer, at least not playing the game.
Let’s talk about casting.
You have the new CBS initiative that all reality show casts must be50 percent people of color.
How did that impact the casting process for you?
GRODNER:Listen, we’re always looking for the best people and the best mix.
It’s 50 percent, if not more.
MEEHAN:Yeah, we’re really excited.
It’s an amazing group.
A lot of really fun layers.
People have unexpected elements of their personalities.
Did you have to widen the casting net and do more recruiting?
What can you tell me about season 23 ofBig Brother?
MEEHAN:Once again, we are going with an all-live 90-minute premiere, which means anything can happen.
Last year the Have-Not room door was locked unexpectedly.
Sorry, but I loved when that happened.
That’s the fun of live TV, when something goes wrong.
That’s what makes it exciting and gives it a bit of danger.
What can we expect this year in terms of a house design, competitions, or gameplay themes?
GRODNER:Well, the theme this year is theBig BrotherBeach Club the BB Beach Club.
We want this year to feel that way.
Our houseguests are coming in and going on a bit of a vacation.
Think about a beach club meets Vegas meets Monte Carlo.
It’s a boutique hotel in its decor, and it’s aspirational.
MEEHAN:Yeah, it’s equal parts beach club, and, I would say, casino.
There’s going to be a lot of fun gambling elements this summer.
Who are you going to align with?
Who do you betray?
Do you throw a competition?
This season, our theme is full of risk-versus-reward dilemmas.
You had all these COVID protocols you had to implement last season.
You really had to rethink a lot to pull it off.
What about this year?
MEEHAN:Most of those systems are going to stay the exact same way.
We need to double-check when the houseguests go in, everyone is safe.
Once they get in the house it’s pretty good, because they are in their own bubble.
It’s really the safest place to be.
What does that mean for the Battle Back Competition?
Obviously, there was not one last year because of COVID-related complications, I’m assuming.
MEEHAN:As for opportunities to get back in the game, we’ll have to wait and see.
It just seems like really safe gameplay.
Have you guys seen that?
And if so, what do you do to shake things up?
MEEHAN:The development and the creative always start before the season, then we let it go.
Once the season starts, the creative we set up plays out.
Look, it has been very interesting the last couple of seasons.
We absolutely look at those things when developing the creative for this season.
There will be a twist that forces them to play in teams.
They’re going to be vying to be team captains as well as Head of Household.
We think that fun team dynamic will be interesting to watch.
Can you elaborate on what that’s going to look like?
MEEHAN:Well, on opening night there will obviously be live challenges.
We have to control it a bit.
Otherwise, it’s just noise if there are 16 people running around in the house.
That team captain competition is going to be how they’re selecting their team.
It should be a fun way to build the teams.
Anything else it’s possible for you to tell us about what’s coming up this season?
GRODNER:An offer it’s possible for you to’t refuse.
The first time ever at the end of the episode.
MEEHAN:A double or nothing offer that should be exciting to watch and see what happens.
