This fall, have you noticed that the broadcast networks are heavy on reality TV? After a hiatus on Disney+, Dancing with the Stars is returning. Both Survivor and The Amazing Race have been extended to 90 minutes each. Additionally, Big Brother, which was once only broadcast throughout the summer, is now airing into November.
Naturally, the majority of that is attributable to the strikes by actors and writers that halted the production of scripted material. It’s also unclear when original scripted programming will return to broadcast television because of the ongoing SAG-AFTRA walkout. What backup plan do networks like CBS have in case they are unable to air any series bearing their initials, such as NCIS, FBI, or CSI?
In light of this, we inquired with presenter Julie Chen Moonves about the possibility of a Celebrity Big Brother winter season two. Since it debuted in 2018, the shortened version has been broadcast three times, with two of the seasons serving as the Winter Olympics’ counterprogramming. The network informed EW there were no plans for any celebrity editions of the program when we contacted CBS about it back in January, but that was months before Hollywood closed.
When we questioned Chen Moonves about the possibility of an early 2024 celebrity season, given the uncertainty that still surrounds television schedules in that year, the host said that she had been wondering the same thing. “I have been poking around with the producers asking the same question,” she explains. “I think the SAG strike could position Big Brother to be in demand, but they have not made the call yet.”
Chen notes, “Now we can book the celebrities,” suggesting that even with the strike still in place, the show would draw a wide range of well-known individuals. They have the same opportunity to compete in this as they have in Dancing with the Stars. They are now available, and people are eager to work.”
It was confirmed by the union in a statement that actors were allowed to participate in the current season of Dancing with the Stars, saying, “Our members performing on Dancing with the Stars are working under the Network Code agreement, which is a non-struck contract. We assist them in carrying out their contractual duties, they are obligated to report to work, and they are not in breach of the SAG-AFTRA strike regulations. Under a different agreement, the show is a SAG-AFTRA non-dramatic production and is not governed by the union’s strike order.
Athletes, musicians, comedians, and other reality stars—who typically make up the majority of a Celebrity Big Brother season—could still be drawn to the show even if the union changed its position or actors decided to stay away. However, Chen is genuinely proposing an alternative type of condensed winter installment. “I don’t believe there will be a celebrity run,” the presenter states. However, it’s possible that we’ll have something unique for a whole month. Since Legends are the true Big Brother superstars, perhaps you should bring them back.”
In June 2022, none other than Rachel Reilly, the winner of season 13, brought up the idea of a Big Brother Legends season to EW. “I think the Big Brother fan base would love to see Rachel, Janelle, Danielle Reyes and Vanessa play together,” Reilly told EW at the time. “This would be my ideal scenario realized! Perhaps that might wait for a “best of” season on Celebrity Big Brother. In a three-week season, I believe we could all pull it off. CBS, give me a hint.
It appears that Chen is now singing the same song. “It could be a quick, one-month version,” the host remarks. Or perhaps starting in January or February, we receive three months’ worth. Perhaps you do need a month of Big Brother merely to fill in, as even if the strike ended right now, nothing would start production until January.”
It would almost seem impossible for Big Brother not to have a winter season given the probable dearth of scripted television at the beginning of the year. In the event that they are unable to lure back celebrities such as Rachel, Dan Gheesling, Taylor Hale, Dr. Will, and others, Chen Moonves believes that a celebrity edition would be successful. In that scenario, who would she wish to see inside the house? “In my unrealistic dream season, it would be Tom Brady, Taylor Swift, Kim Kardashian, Snoop Dogg, Martha Stewart — that whole group.”