This 28th season marks a milestone for Big Brother as it becomes the first primetime series to reach 1,000 original episodes
This 28th season marks a milestone for Big Brother as it becomes the first primetime series to reach 1,000 original episodes
Published Jul 07, 2026 • Last updated 1 day ago • 2 minute read
Julie Chen. Photo by Matthew Taplinger /CBSSee more Toronto Sun on Google — save as a Preferred Source
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Big Brother is doing whatever it has to do to keep host Julie Chen Moonves safe — even if it means beefing up security.
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Ahead of its Season 28 premiere on Thursday, Chen Moonves spoke out about the incident from one year ago, in which she was snatched from the Los Angeles soundstage by what Entertainment Weekly dubbed “an evil entity known simply as the Mastermind.”
Aside from a single high heel left behind, the houseguests had to try to “find” Chen Moonves — which she eventually was, during a competition, of course, by Zach Cornell.
The host was returned safely, the Mastermind’s supposed lair was blown to bits, but questions remain including how did the kidnapper access the show’s studio and set, did they have an accomplice, and given they got away, could another attempt be made?
“You know, that’s a trigger for me,” Chen Moonves told the publication after being asked how she was doing one year later. “So I’m just gonna breathe it out right now.”
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She added: “I believe that God protects me from bad memories, and I totally forgot about it until you brought it up. But I’m gonna breathe through this one.”
The host went through a few calming exercises before asserting that she’s not worried about another attack on her or the show.
“I am not concerned,” she said. “Look, we learned from our mistakes. I’ve been assured that security’s been stepped up.”
The Chenbot also confirmed she hasn’t “heard boo from the Mastermind,” though wondered aloud if he was still trying fix his lair.
“I feel pretty good. I’m good,” she assured fans.
“Season 27 Houseguests Move-In Date” where host Julie Chen Moonves is abducted from the stage. (Sonja Flemming/CBS) Photo by Sonja Flemming /CBSShe went on to confidently confirm that additional security measures have been put into place, including undercover protection.
“Here’s the thing, they don’t have to wear a jacket that says ‘Security’ to be my security,” Chen Moonves pointed out. “I mean, is that the person who does my hair and makeup, or is that security? You don’t wanna find out.”
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This 28th season marks a milestone for Big Brother as it becomes the first primetime series to reach 1,000 original episodes.
This week’s 90-minute premiere features a “Time Trip”-themed house where decades of old collide, and where “time is fractured, unpredictable and constantly in motion,” CBS touted.
The second part of the Big Brother premiere will continue with another 90-minute episode on July 12. All the Wednesday episodes will also be 90 minutes while Thursdays and Sundays will be an hour long, post-premiere.
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