Big Brother: Unlocked: Derrick Levasseur, Taylor Hale returning

With the premiere of Big Brother 28 a little more than a week away, we are thrilled to have more news to share! We anticipate more throughout the week but for now, it is worth getting more into the status of the Unlocked aftershow.

First and foremost, is anyone shocked that it took this long to confirm that Derrick Levasseur and Taylor Hale are both coming back? The two are going to be returning as hosts for the competition show and beyond that, they will be joined by actor Jerry O’Connell, a longtime superfan of the show who also has the rare distinction of filling in for host Julie Chen Moonves. We do think this works better than having some random celebrity every week — you can establish more consistent chemistry, which is incredibly important for a series like this to work.

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In a statement, here is what O’Connell had to say about joining Unlocked in an official capacity:

“BIG BROTHER is my summer and rolls into my fall too. I’m already watching on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, so the fact that CBS is now paying me to do it is kind of amazing … It’s an absolute honor to sit next to Derrick – ‘Champ,’ as I call him – and Taylor, who is my all-time favorite BIG BROTHER winner (sorry, Jag). This is what we call in showbiz a dream gig. I’ll do my best to be the voice of the fans, but as Julie says, expect the unexpected. And most importantly, remember to love one another. I’m soooo excited to join the BIG BROTHER fam!”

Per a new CBS press release, the Aftershow may actually matter a tad more than it has in the past:

BIG BROTHER: UNLOCKED will break down gameplay, evaluate the competition and share exclusive insider perspectives. The premiere episode launches a new interactive fan vote that will have a major impact on the game and kicks off the season’s live studio audience experience, a new addition that will continue throughout the summer. Featuring new and returning fan-favorite segments, the series will offer exclusive content, inside-the-house footage, behind-the-scenes access, extended interviews, at-home packages, surprise visits from past BB favorites, unparalleled access – and the return of the coveted BBies Award Show.

What do you think about the lineup for Big Brother: Unlocked this year?

Be sure to share right now in the attached comments! Once you do just that, remember to come back for some additional updates.