Another Big Brother Summer is fast approaching as we have a confirmed two-night premiere date of Wednesday, July 17th, and Thursday, July 18th — each with a one hour episode. Host, Julie Chen, is returning for her 26th season, one that’s being teased to incorporate AI into the summer’s twists. Not much other information has been released, so we are left speculating what might be in store for this season of Big Brother!
Last year, the on-going writer and actors strikes heavily influenced the productions and filming of all shows and movies, like our beloved Big Brother. Fortunately with the fast-acting production team at CBS, they were able to get a season going only a month or so after its normal release date with twists and themes that incorporated old players and CBS friends like survivor player, Cirie Fields, who made it to final 5 of last season. With this said, already having an announcement for a premiere date and theme for #BB26 this early on makes me optimistic that we will have a cast release and house reveal sooner rather than later.
Knowing this season will be themed with AI, it can be assumed that there might be certain implementations of technology in the house or the game — like Sam’s BB20 Robot, or the Hacker Twist in the later half of the BB20 season. So some type of influence will take effect on the house this summer, as Julie is already teasing it will be a season like we have never seen before. I just hope that they don’t go too heavy on the twists because season after season productions prioritize these Nickelodeon-type twists that only end up affecting the gameplay in ways we as the audience don’t usually appreciate. For example there is some speculation online already from past winner Evel Dick that some returning players are being approached for BB26:
Although this could easily be a rumor, it wouldn’t come as a surprise as last year we did get Cirie from Survivor on our screens, which in-contradiction to Evel’s statement, was in fact very well received by the general audience. So it is likely we could see some returning players — or players that have a relationship with CBS like people who have played on Survivor before. Although I love Cirie, I personally wouldn’t prefer this again, as anytime we see a legend-type player come on a season of newbies it heavily affects the gameplay — hence Paul BB19. I would just love to see a back-to-basics season where it is all new people, no twists, and literally just the game of Big Brother like what we all used to know and love before production prioritized implementing these twists that often make Big Brother come across as a Kids show and not competition of physical and social strategy — in the edited episodes at least. Because the live feeds are always real and entertaining, and yes they are returning this year!
So until we have more news, #BB26 will soon approach the July 17th release date! Hopefully soon we will get more information about the twists, house, and cast — but until then keep searching #BB26 on twitter to get excited!