It’s almost that time. Big BrotherIt’s back for the summer Julie Chen Moonves is teasing what’s in store for season 24.
The longtime host, 52, opened up about this year’s theme, house design and twists, keeping details very vague, ahead of the live premiere.
“I think the big headline is [that] the first live eviction night is going to be unlike any eviction night we’ve ever had because it may not be one of the people that you think that ends up getting bounced that night,” she exclusively explains to Us Weekly. “These houseguests aren’t going to learn of this new twisted twist until that night. So your head is gonna be spinning this season.”
Julie Chen Moonves. CBS
To clarify, it is possible that the houseguests nominated may not be the ones who go home. “There are so many twists and turns this season and challenges that are so much harder that you’re gonna have a hard time just figuring out how to survive in the house,” she says.
While we have yet to meet the cast of “16 brand new houseguests” or see the newly designed abode, Julie says the house has a very “mid-century Palm Springs feel” with neon lights. “We’re calling it the ‘BB Motel,’” she adds. “You can check in, but you can’t check out. You don’t really wanna check out (laughs). You don’t wanna get evicted. You want to stay at the BB Motel. This year, it has a retro feel. Retro.”
In addition to the house concept, she says there will be a weekly theme of the summer called “the BB Fest,” explaining, “Every week throughout the summer, you’re going to see different themes, like a music fest, a comedy dest, a renaissance fest. But my personal favorite – I think most people will agree – is going to be the Zing Fest.”
The premiere will once again feature a live move-in of all the houseguests and “as soon as these groups move in, they’re each gonna have their own unique competition,” Julie reveals without saying much else other than that they won’t exactly be in teams but “kinda?”
“I’m just excited for the fans to see these new twists and turns and challenges,” she adds. “Like we always say, expect the unexpected, but this really is next level like we’ve never done before. It’s going to keep all of us on our toes, not just the houseguests, but us viewers.”
View our complete interview with Julie Chen Moonves, or scroll down for the full transcript.
Big Brother 24Premieres on CBS Wednesday July 6th at 8 p.m. ET/PT
‘Big Brother 24’. CBS
Us Weekly: Hello Julie! What can you tell us? Big Brother 24?
Julie Chen Moonves: You’re gonna see 16 brand new houseguests on premiere night, which is a 90-minute premiere. As soon as they get in the house, it’s game on. This season, the challenges are beyond comprehension. It is brand new challenges you’ve never seen before. You will need to be tough in order to succeed in the Big Brother house. I believe the headline is [that] the first live eviction night is going to be unlike any eviction night we’ve ever had because it may not be one of the people that you think that ends up getting bounced that night. These houseguests aren’t going to learn of this new twisted twist until that night. This season, your head will be spinning.
Use: So if you’re on the block, it doesn’t mean you’re necessarily going home?
JCM: Correct.
Use: Will this be revealed on the premiere night or at first eviction?
JCM: No, no. I don’t even think to the audience until probably earlier in the hour of live eviction night, and then later in the hour on live eviction night to the houseguests. There are so many twists and turns this season and challenges that are so much harder that you’re gonna have a hard time just figuring out how to survive in the house.
Us: What’s the summer theme?
JCM:There is a theme. I mean, it’s not, like, secret summer or whatever. The theme this year is “the BB Fest.” Every week throughout the summer, you’re going to see different themes, like a music fest, a comedy dest, a renaissance fest. But my personal favorite – I think most people will agree – is going to be the Zing Fest. It’s gonna be the funniest one at least.
Use: How about the house? Have you seen the house? What do you think?
JCM: No, I haven’t been to the house yet because of COVID protocol. We’re trying to keep everyone in their bubble until it’s go time. But I do know that the theme of the house is this very Palm Springs, mid-century Palm Springs feel – neon lights. We’re calling it the “BB Motel,” you know, you can check in, but you can’t check out. You don’t really wanna check out (laughs). You don’t wanna get evicted. You want to stay at the BB Motel. This year, it has a whole new feel. Retro.
Use: They changed the stairs recently, we’ve added a door to the bathroom … Any other major structural changes like that?
JCM: Yes. We’re gonna have a tiki bar at the bridge upstairs outside the HOH suite. And we’re going to have a gym that feels like it’s a spin class. There’s lots of bikes and a rowing machine. These are just a few of the many options available. Big BrotherHouseguests need to be entertained.
Use: You mentioned the twist for eviction day. Is that something we will be doing more of or is it just once?
JCM: Well, that’s a good question. I don’t know the answer to that (laughs). I think it’s something that’s going to be a twist, if you will, that will last for, like, the first half of the summer. Cause that twist, you know, I don’t think you can do, based on numbers, until you get past like the halfway point or almost the halfway point of the summer.
Use: We have a live-in again. Tell me more.
JCM: We have a live move-in, which is the third time we’re doing it. That was at the start of the pandemic. It was a difficult task. So live move-in. As soon as these groups move in, they’re each gonna have their own unique competition.
Use: Are they then divided into teams?
JCM:So far? No. Kinda? Kinda with other teams?
Use: By move in groups or?
JCM:I don’t know anything about move-in groups. ‘Cause we have to kind of give them the choice to make.
Use: And we don’t have live audience for this premiere, right?
JCM: Right now, it’s not a live audience. I hope that this changes by the end. We were going to try to start with the live audience, but we had to scrap it at the very last moment.
UseThis season will last for 80 days. What do you think of shorter seasons?
JCM: I don’t have a preference. You’re right. It’s shorter. Because of the live load-in, and we’re premiering in July, as opposed to, we used to not do a live load-in [and]It would be around June 19th, 18th or something similar. Then, we would make you guys wait. The story would develop in the house, then we would present the premiere and just go from there. One week is probably like a month for house guests. I think whether it’s 82 days or 92 days, they probably could not tell the difference.
Use: I know you mentioned it’s an all newbie season. Have you seen the cast yet? Do you see any casting twists or omissions?
JCM: I have seen the cast and I’m excited about this cast. What I love is seeing how they present themselves when they’re trying to get picked to be on Big BrotherYou will then discover who they really are after the season begins. You go in, you think, “Oh, I love this one and this one I’m not so sure about.” And then you have to expect the unexpected. People, you never know what they’re selling and if they’re really selling who they are, and then your opinion changes of them a couple of weeks in. Some people will disappoint. Some people will be pleased. But that’s always exciting getting to know these new personalities and see seeing how their chemistry, you know, what develops between people and hopefully showmances.
Use: I asked fans to tell me what they would like to hear from you. They’re curious what you think about big alliances that tend to run the game. Is there a way around this? Do you ever feel frustrated watching them and rooting against the underdogs.
JCM: I’m always rooting for the underdog, I think. Two strong alliances are necessary to overcome that. They must be equally matched up with one another. That’s a dynamic that’s hard to create because strong players tend to bond with the other strong players, and then form a quick group. But you never know. You never know. Celebrity Big Brother. The numbers were available to the other participants. Todrick [Hall] Miesha [Tate]They kind of ran the show. It didn’t help that some of the numbers on the other side were literally learning the game as they were going through the motions, you know?
Use: The Cookout made it to the finals last year. They were the first Black winner in history. How does that impact the gameplay of this season, if at any point?
JCM: Well, I think everyone’s gonna try and model that, whether or not they can pull it off. The Cookout almost didn’t pull it off. We witnessed dissension between the participants, people wanting to go into business for themselves, and maybe not being completely on the up with their alliance members. Is that possible? People will try, I believe. But all you need is one fly in the ointment. Only one person can go rogue. That’s really hard. You mean for three months? Good luck. We’ll see. Expect the unexpected.
Use: I have a pitch for your company. We know finale night is live and we’re short on time. But as fans, we’d love to see the jury segment be longer and for them to get more questions. We’d also love to see the final two not be super rushed with their speeches. We can make that happen.
JCM: I will put it more than just in the suggestion box, I’m gonna ask why don’t we do it this way.
Us: Just a little longer for the finale…
JCM:Do you want to see more of the live jury asking questions? We usually pre-pick who gets asked and the group agrees on four questions. Do you want more?
Use: That, yeah. And then, hearing from the last two. We’d love for them to answer questions and really be able to explain their games to the jury after three long months.
JCM: I’m going to ask. I don’t disagree with you and the fans. I feel that they feel rushed after their last speeches. I mean, it’s three quarters a million dollars. Give them another 30 seconds.
Use: Exactly. Thank you. And I gotta ask – what do you think about these Big BrotherPlayers going on The Challenge?
JCM: I’m very proud of them. I’m impressed. I think that they’re gonna represent well because I don’t think there is any other reality show that is quite as grueling as Big Brother, because it’s not only physical, these challenges have gotten tough, but it’s mental and there is no escape. You can hide in a bush to decompress but all eyes are always on you. Big Brother. So I think it’s flattering that they asked who they asked, and I think they’re going to do well because of what they’ve been through on Big Brother.
Us: I know that we must wrap up, but any final teasers would be appreciated. Big Brother 24? Anything you’re excited for fans to see?
JCM: I’m just excited for the fans to see these new twists and turns and challenges. Like we always say, expect the unexpected, but this really is next level like we’ve never done before. It’s going to keep all of us on our toes, not just the houseguests, but us viewers.
