'Big Brother' Fans React to New 'Unlocked' Season

A New Take on Big Brother: Unlocked

Big Brother fans have always known to expect the unexpected, and with the debut of Big Brother: Unlocked, that expectation has been met in a unique way. The show premiered on Friday, July 25, following a dramatic week in the house, sparking a wide range of reactions from viewers. Fans shared their thoughts on whether the series is necessary, what they think of the hosts, and more.

Big Brother: Unlocked airs every other Friday on CBS and Paramount+ at 8/7c. The show is hosted by Season 16 winner Derrick Levasseur and Season 24 winner Taylor Hale, who bring a mix of expertise and personality to the table. Each week, they welcome a celebrity guest who is a fan of the show, along with previous Big Brother players and the most recent evictee, Amy.

The premiere episode featured the hosts, alongside Season 26 winner Chelsie Baham, forming their Fantasy Drafts for the season. They also had a conversation with Amy about who she thinks will win and who she would have targeted. Throughout the show, Levasseur and Hale showcased funny clips from the Diary Room or moments where contestants made deals for final twos. Each week brings new skits and guests, keeping the content fresh and engaging.

The hosts also discussed the past two weeks and shared their thoughts on the houseguests. To wrap things up, they invited fans to participate in a poll where they could vote for which houseguest had the worst fashion sense. The one with the most votes would get "gooed" as a fun reward.

Fan Reactions: Mixed Feelings

Fans had a variety of opinions about the new show. Some found it unnecessary, while others were excited about the format. One user on X wrote, “This #BigBrotherUnlocked show might just be the most unnecessary show ever #BB27.” Another Reddit user commented, “The vibes are all wrong. They’re trying to make it like ESPN, which is the last thing I think most BB viewers want to see.”

One fan expressed disappointment with the set design, saying, “I knew it the second I saw the set with Derrick and Taylor and Bobby all spread out at this enormous desk/table without being able to look at each other directly and Derrick pivoting side to side.” Others questioned the choice of hosts, with one person stating, “I’ve never sat at home pondering ‘Hmmm I wonder what Taylor and Derrick think about things!’”

Some fans suggested alternative host pairings, noting, “Derrick would have worked better with Danielle Reyes or Brittany. Taylor would have worked better with someone like Derek X or Kyland.” Others found the show boring, adding, “It was boring,” according to a Redditor.

Positive Feedback and Enthusiasm

On the flip side, many fans praised the first episode of Big Brother: Unlocked. One user on X said, “I really really liked the first episode of #bigbrotherunlocked!!! They covered all my favorite things that have been all over bb twitter!! I love that CBS is giving us this #bb27.” Another fan compared the show to a mix of Love Island: Aftersun and SportsCenter, saying, “Big Brother: Unlocked is giving Love Island: Aftersun meets SportsCenter! And @TheTayMack & @DerrickL are the perfect hosts to bounce off of each other and their guests! I’m loving this!! #BB27 #BigBrotherUnlocked.”

Another viewer noted, “#bigbrotherunlocked is really entertaining!! I feel like I’m watching sports yay.” A Reddit user shared, “I’ll say that I’m a casual BB viewer (along with my mother, and grandmother) and my mother and I really enjoyed the show. It was cute! We liked the draft. We could tell that both Taylor and Derrick really loved Big Brother, and love talking about the game/strategy.”

Some fans even gave a simple but positive review, saying, “#BB27 #bigbrotherunlocked Good show. Good hosts.”

Final Thoughts

What did you think of the new series? Let’s hear your take in the comments. Big Brother: Unlocked continues every other Friday at 8/7c on CBS.