Big Brother host Julie Chen made a big confession today that helps shed some light on why CBS was forced to cancel last weeks planned cast reveal.
In an interview with CBSN, Chen confirmed more than one invited player tested positive for COVID-19.
“We flew in a bunch of people, more than 16,” she said. “And some people I thought were definitely going in the house, they tested positive for COVID-19 so they couldn’t go in. And I thought, ‘Well, expect the unexpected.’ … I’ll just find out when I need to find out.”
On July 12, JimHeath.TV questioned how Big Brother could be recorded and aired during a pandemic.
There are rumors that two previous winners of Big Brother – Josh Martinez, winner of Big Brother 19, and Kaycee Clark, winner of Big Brother 20 – both have tested positive for COVID-19.
However, Martinez denied that today, while acknowledging he’s not participating.
“There’s been a lot of speculation about me being on this season of big brother Allstars,” Martinez tweeted. “I can say that I will not be on this season. Many rumors have been said in the past few days about me that I couldn’t address but to be clear my health is great.”
There’s been a lot of speculation about me being on this season of big brother Allstars. I can say that I will not be on this season. Many rumors have been said in the past few days about me that I couldn’t address but to be clear my health is great. #bb22
— JOSH MARTINEZ (@JOSHMBB19) August 4, 2020
Martinez added that fans shouldn’t believe everything they read on social media, but he did not deny he had not previously tested positive for coronavirus.
There has been no word yet from Clark, but sources say she is not on the show.
Chen said that each potential competitor was set up in their own rented home for the last two weeks to ensure proper social distancing.
Each of the all-stars were “constantly” given tests to determine whether or not it would be safe for them to join other members in the house for season 22.
“We were the original quarantine,” Chen teased of the show’s premise. “We did this 20 years ago and it’s like, we were ahead of our time. And now we’re all living in quarantine. … It’s going to be interesting. They’ve played this game before, some of them know each other from the Big Brother world and some of them don’t. But I’m sure they’ve all heard of each other.”
Chen said she doesn’t know the entire makeup of the cast yet, but confirmed there will be eight men and eight women.
In order to comply with evolving health and safety guidelines amid the pandemic, CBS shared that houseguests are undergoing a quarantine period prior to being sequestered in the house with each other.
During this quarantine, they will be tested for COVID-19 “several times,” and then once inside the house, they will continue to receive weekly testing during the season.
Any supplies delivered to them during the run of the show will be disinfected prior to being dropped off.
CBS also said the houseguests will not have contact with any crew members, and all staff and crew will also be given COVID-19 tests prior to beginning work.
They will be screened daily for symptoms and required to wear PPE and work in pods to enhance social distancing.
For the first time, the show will be hiring a COVID-19 compliance officer to monitor and enforce all health and safety protocols.
In addition, for further safety, the live eviction show will not feature a studio audience this year.
Those strict coronavirus protocols are already affecting how the game will played this summer.
One of the networks other mega reality shows, “Survivor,” was bumped from the fall schedule because it has yet to find a way to safely start production on its new season.
Big Brother: All-Stars will premiere on CBS Wednesday, August 5, at 9 p.m. ET.
It will air ‘live’ only on the East Coast.
Mountain and Pacific viewers will watch the cast reveal on tape delay.