Julie Chen Moonves never thought Big Brother would become the pop culture phenomenon it is today.
“Season 1 was panned by the critics. There was talk that they would end the show mid-season live,” Julie, 56, exclusively told Us Weekly and a group of reporters before season 28 premieres Thursday, July 9. “I’m like, ‘Do they just open the door and go home?’ Like, ‘How does this work?’”
Before hosting the CBS reality show, Julie was an established journalist and anchor working at WCBS-TV in New York City and anchoring CBS Morning News and The Early Show.
“They had borrowed me from news. I was doing morning news, and I’m like, ‘My career is over,’” Julie recalled. “People from 60 Minutes were like, ‘They should fire her right away from news and just put a stamp on her and ship her out to the West Coast and be part of CBS Entertainment. She’s blurring the lines between news and entertainment.’”
Fortunately, Julie trusted the process. Now, she’s preparing to hit a milestone once season 28 airs this summer.
“Here we are, season 28 and making history with the 1,000th episode,” she shared. “We went from almost canceled to me almost fired to the 1,000th episode. … This is why I think Big Brother‘s so successful, because life is unexpected.”
For the uninitiated, Big Brother follows a group of contestants living together in a house. The strangers are recorded 24/7 and compete in various challenges to win the grand prize of $750,000.
Julie Chen Moonves CBS Broadcasting, Inc.
The show has turned ordinary Americans into beloved reality TV legends, with Dan Gheesling, Danielle Reyes, Janelle Pierzina, Cody Calafiore and many more going on to star on other shows.
“I never wanted to host reality,” Julie recalled about her unexpected involvement with Big Brother. “I wanted to be on 60 Minutes, single and travel the world. And God was like, ‘You’re gonna get married. You’re gonna have a child and you’re gonna host this show called Big Brother and people aren’t gonna remember that you were on the news.’ I don’t think they do.”
Now, Julie — who shares a son with husband Les Moonves — can’t imagine spending her summer doing anything other than hosting a show filled with must-see Power of Veto and Head of Household competitions.
“Bob Barker hosted The Price Is Right, I believe, 55 seasons, and I’m a competitive person,” she teased about her longevity as host. “I’m like, ‘Bring it, Bob Barker, I will do this to season 56, God willing.’”
Big Brother season 28 premieres on CBS Thursday, July 9, at 8 p.m. ET.
