“Should have an Emmy”— Jerry O’Connell praises Julie Chen after stepping into her shoes as temporary Big Brother season 26 host

Big Brother, the popular CBS reality TV series, has been a summer staple for viewers since its debut. The show revolves around contestants living together in a house, with their every move captured on camera. They compete in various challenges, face evictions, and engage in strategic gameplay.

For 26 seasons, Julie Chen Moonves has become synonymous with the show, hosting its live eviction episodes and guiding the audience through each dramatic twist. Recently, Jerry O’Connell, actor and co-host of The Talk, was unexpectedly called upon to serve as the host for an eviction episode of Big Brother Season 26, due to Moonves testing positive for COVID-19.

In a candid statement from an interview with Parade on September 13, O’Connell remarked,

“Julie Chen Moonves should have an Emmy for hosting that show. Everyone else on that show should have an Emmy for producing it. I was in awe of the moving parts of that show. It was, hands down, the hardest, most technical thing I've ever done.”

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Jerry O’Connell’s unexpected hosting role on Big Brother

Jerry O’Connell was notified early Thursday morning that he would need to host the evening’s Big Brother episode after Julie Chen Moonves contracted COVID-19. This gave him less than 12 hours to prepare for the live broadcast. O’Connell stated,

"My first reaction was definitely fear. But you know what? Julie Chen Moonves immediately started texting me and surrounded me with her staff...But through text messages and the phone, she took my hand and gently guided me through what ultimately was the scariest night of my life, but ended up being the best night of my life."

O’Connell found the hosting role to be technically complex, noting that despite his familiarity with the show’s format, the responsibilities were more intricate than he anticipated. The episode included the eviction of Quinn Martin and was noted for its connection to O’Connell’s past work, such as references to his role in Sliders and the film Kangaroo Jack.

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Viewer reactions and ratings

The episode featuring O’Connell as the host saw a notable increase in viewership, with CBS reporting a 12% rise in total viewers compared to the show’s average. The episode performed well in the Adults 25-54 demographic and saw a significant increase in streaming on Paramount+. These statistics indicate a strong audience engagement with the show, even with the change in host.

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Julie Chen Moonves’ impact on the show

Jerry O’Connell highlighted the demanding nature of hosting Big Brother, specifically pointing out the technical challenges involved. He acknowledged Julie Chen Moonves for her exceptional hosting skills and stated that she should be considered for an Emmy for her work.

O’Connell described his hosting experience as highly technical, involving managing live feeds, coordinating with houseguests, and handling unexpected changes. He said,

"I mean, I know, I know all the lines, but I did not know technically how much goes into it. And it just goes to show you somebody like Julie is not just a performer. They're actually there's so much that goes on."

He also commended the production team for their role in ensuring the show’s smooth operation, emphasizing that their meticulous preparation and coordination are critical to the show’s success. He stated,

"They were very helpful in guiding me, very helpful. And, by the way, it's also a testament to how well that show is run."

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Stay tuned to Big Brother for more dramatic twists and turns in season 26. To watch the latest episodes and experience all the action, tune in to CBS or stream the show live on Paramount+.