Julie Chen Teases Big Brother Season 28 Twists and Cast

The new season premieres Thursday, July 9, at 8 p.m. ET, but even Chen claims to be largely in the dark about specific production details. While she has traditionally provided house tours, this year’s setup remains shrouded in secrecy. Chen admitted that some rooms in the house sound “horrendous” and “not fun,” though she noted that contestants must endure such conditions to compete for the $750,000 grand prize.

Beyond the living quarters, the architecture itself serves as a gameplay mechanic. Chen revealed that the dining room table features a specialized Lazy Susan that is “integral” to the game’s theme. Regarding the “Time Trip” concept, she cautioned that the challenges have been significantly leveled up to counter contestants who arrive having practiced extensively at home.

As for the potential return of familiar faces, Chen stopped short of confirming a cast list but suggested that viewers should prepare for a significant reaction. She hinted that fans of reality television in general will be pleased with the lineup, promising a result that will provoke strong responses from the audience when the game begins next month.