Another summer means another season ofBig Brother.But it’s a critical time for the long-running CBS reality franchise.
were booted at the very start of the season.
Many were surprised when the series was renewed after that disastrous first outing.
Julie Chen Moonves of ‘Big Brother’.CBS
No, better than good.
(Thank you, Dr. Will.
)Big Brotherhas chugged along ever since.
Julie Chen Moonves of ‘Big Brother’.Monty Brinton/CBS
JULIE CHEN MOONVES:Okay, that was not my fault.
And yeah, I’d say that’s going to open.
It sounds like there are tons of moving parts on the live premiere.
Tell me what you might about what’s going down.
This year, the 16 brand new Houseguests are going to be forced to play in teams.
These teams will form on the opening night.
The minute a group of four moves in, they’re going to have to compete right away.
It’s a double or nothing.
So that’s a pretty big deal.
It’s the summer of big risks and big rewards.
So it’s a good season if you’re a gambler.
I think the team element could help change that.
Yeah, I never like a unanimous vote on live Eviction Night.
I think with this, forced teams, it kind of makes that very hard.
Oh, I’m excited about it.
AndBig Brotherfolks likeOvi KabirandDa’Vonne Rogers, as well as some other contestants, have talked about this inBig Brother.
So hopefully we’re going to have a more equal playing ground moving forward.
Even if it’s like, “Hey, your name is Julie too?”
Something as silly as that.
You might have nothing in common other than that name.
But yeah, it will be interesting to see how that plays out.
I’m excited about it.
Race has obviously been something we as a country have been struggling with for a VERY long time.
Well, we’ve never shied away from addressing any racial issue that comes out.
And for better or for worse, that person gets judged and tried on the internet.
And the hope is that people will own it, learn from it, and move on from it.
And everyone can move on from it.
If someone truly changes and apologizes, who are any of us to judge?
What’s this time like for you now as you’re getting ready for the premiere?
I imagine you’re probably familiarizing yourself with the players and the new twists.
I’m always nervous about, okay, 16 brand new names.
And we’re playing so many competitions on the fly.
I have to say, “Oh, you’ve been eliminated.
Congratulations, blank.”
The most nerve-wracking thing for me is knowing the right names for the Houseguests.
And somehow, someway, by opening night, it all just comes together.
So that’s the big challenge right now, is knowing 16 brand new people in one night.
Do you have little flashcards of the Houseguests that you make for yourself?
And I keep that as my scorecard, it’s like a bingo card.
And it just sort of fades from color to greyscale.
I like that idea.
What else can you tell me about season 23?
We have a brand new competition that we are unveiling on the first Sunday night show.
So that’s something that I’m excited about.
And that adds a whole new element and level to the game.
So Sunday night won’t just be about “Who did the HOH nominate?
Who are the two people?”
There’s also a new competition that we are unveiling.
And I just think it’s a season this year with no risk, no reward.
Did I team up with the wrong people?"
But now you have us asBig Brotherproducers of the show presenting you with these big risk decisions.
So it’s kind of do-or-die time this summer.
You had to stand in certain places.
What about this summer?
Obviously, we have the vaccines out there.
What’s been the process for you guys in terms of preparing?
It is the same exact protocol.
So again, no live audience this summer, everyone gets tested every week.
Everyone still works in pods.
Everyone still has to wear a mask the entire time.
So that’s one thing that’s different.
We’re obsessed with your fashion on the show.
Have you picked out the premiere outfit yet, Julie?
I have picked out the premiere outfit, but it’s still in the works.
The hem is coming along as we speak.
There is a drop-off tonight and hopefully, I will fit into it.
So I have a few more days to do some crunches and some leg lifts.
Expect the unexpected when it comes to Julie Chen’s wardrobe.
