Julie Chen Moonves Teases ‘Controversial People' in 'Big Brother 28'
Julie Chen Moonves is dropping some major hints about what - or who - season 28's "time travel" twist will bring to the Big Brother house.
"That could go forwards or backwards, and that will play into some of the competitions. Does that mean we're going to bring back some competition you haven't seen since season 3,2,4, [or] 5? I sure hope so," the Big Brother host, 56, exclusively tells Us Weekly and additional outlets during a preseason roundtable. "I'm pretty sure you're gonna [be], like, ‘Oh, they haven't done that forever.'"
According to Chen Moonves, that's not all that the incoming houseguests will be forced to endure.
"And then with [the] time travel theme, maybe we'll do the new twist, which you loved that competition in season four, but they have to be in, like, I don't know, surrounded by dinosaurs, who knows, and controversial people will be factored in," she shares.
Chen Moonves adds that what Big Brother has cooked up for season 28 will please the fans.
"It's good TV, and if you love reality television beyond Big Brother, yes, there are other shows beyond Big Brother, you'll be excited as well," she says.
Big Brother's time travel theme was revealed on Wednesday, July 1, when the official house tour dropped.
"For season 28 we're throwing out all the rules of time and space and sending our houseguests on a journey unlike anything you've ever seen before," Chen Moonves said in the trailer for the upcoming season. "From prehistoric times to iconic decades, and unforgettable moments from Big Brother history, this house is packed with surprises around every single corner."
Fans will have to wait a little longer to see what Chen Moonves meant by "controversial people" being "factored" into the game, as the official season 28 cast has yet to be revealed. Rumors have swirled online that former houseguests could be returning to the game.
Several alums have spoken out before and since the reveal, warning fans that they should not expect to see them in the house on premiere night. Legendary player Janelle Pierzina posted online that she doesn't have the bandwidth to play the reality TV game for a fifth time.
"No, I'm not doing #BB28," the four-time player, 46, wrote via X last month. "Between selling houses, running Airbnbs, raising three kids, and pretending I know what day it is, I don't have time to be locked in a house for 100 days. You guys can fight over slop without me. 😂."
Another iconic old school player, Danielle Reyes, also shared that she has other obligations this summer.
"I'm working. I'm not doing Big Brother 28," the Traitors alum, 54, said in a video shared via X last month. "I know, I know. I appreciate you guys hoping but I haven't been contacted by the producers. I am excited that this season is going to be the 1,000th episode of Big Brother. How exciting is that? And I haven't been invited to do anything for this. So you guys more than likely won't see me."
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This story was originally published July 1, 2026 at 2:22 PM.