Jerry O'Connell: Big Brother More Relevant Than Ever

Jerry O'Connell, co-host of 'Big Brother: Unlocked,' is impressed by the show's current relevance and popularity, stating it's greater than ever before. He highlighted the milestone of reaching 1,000 episodes for the series.

O'Connell recounted stepping in as a last-minute host for Julie Chen Moonves during Season 26 in 2024 when she tested positive for COVID-19. This experience, he explained, underscored the show's importance to its viewers.

Now co-hosting 'Big Brother: Unlocked' with former winners Taylor Hale and Derrick Levasseur, O'Connell credits them as experts who provide invaluable insights. He considers himself a casual viewer, dedicating about five hours weekly to the show.

Furthermore, O'Connell believes 'Big Brother' is long overdue for an Emmy Award, emphasizing the immense production effort involved, including dedicated crews for house dynamics, live shows, and round-the-clock operations.

Upcoming episodes of 'Big Brother: Unlocked' are scheduled for September 4 and September 18, with the 'BB28' season finale set for October 1. The show celebrated its 1,000th episode with a special on August 27, 2026.