Big Brother Not Renewed And Julie Chen Exiting? Chaos Behind the Scenes at CBS Explodes

Big Brother 20 fans take notice! Julie Chen and the fate of our favorite reality series is at risk. CBS head honcho Les Moonves is officially OUT at the network. Mounting #MeToo accusations have ousted the highest-paid CEO in TV land, but why would that affect BB? For those that don’t know, the embattled and much-accused exec is Julie Chen’s husband!

Her husband, Les Moonves, ousting from the network impacted Julie Chen’s work at CBS – and could affect her fate at Big Brother.

Julie Chen MIA from The Talk – Big Brother Next?

Today was the season premiere of The Talk, CBS’ daytime hit talk show, and Julie Chen was notably absent, noted Variety in a recent report. Chen released a statement that read, “I am taking a few days off from ‘The Talk’ to be with my family. I will be back soon and will see you Thursday night on ‘Big Brother.”

That sounds reassuring for Big Brother fans, but insiders behind the scenes at the network hint at more trouble ahead. Even before her husband was ushered out the door after a final settlement on Sunday, September 9, it’s clear that Julie Chen’s fate is undetermined. The accusations against her husband are ugly and some overlap the timeline where she was his partner.

BB has still not yet been renewed for Season 21. After a summer of issues, most all are panicking, a lot.

Les just resigned and Julie's team has not told producers if she would come back even if/when it is renewed, no deal is in place for her on more seasons.#BB20 #SaveBBUSA

— REALvegas4sure #bb20 (@realvegas4sure) September 10, 2018

Will Les Moonves’ Messy Exit Take Down Julie Chen’s Career?

Moonves has been running the network for more than 25 years. Dating and then marrying the CEO of CBS was likely always a boon to her career – until now. The initial allegations against Moonves were ugly and on Sunday, six more accusers came forward. Ronan Farrow initially broke the story and fanned the flames publishing accounts of new accusers in The New Yorker this weekend.

Julie is in a very tough spot…
From what I understand, they have talked a LOT about all the MeToo stuff on The Talk. So now, if she isn't critical of her husband, she will come off like a hypocrite. IF she is even on the show tomorrow. Who knows… we'll see.#BB20

— EvelDick (@EvelDick) September 10, 2018

The Talk co-hosts Sarah Gilbert (also from Big Bang Theory) and Sharon Osbourne supported Julie in recent statements. However, both their statements were about their personal relationship with Julie and both acknowledged that the accusations against her husband are troubling. Will Julie wind up paying the price for her husband’s sins? Are her days at CBS numbered?

If Julie Chen Doesn’t Come Back to BB20 – Who Takes Her Place?

Although Julie’s statement said she’d be at the Big Brother live eviction this Thursday, that doesn’t mean she will. If the firestorm around her husband intensifies between now and then, she might not be there. Even if Julie knew nothing about her husband’s antics, she might be tainted by association (whether that’s fair or not) – it’s just the reality of things. If so, who will step up?

I can't imagine BB without Julie Chen, but I'm not ready to lose the whole show because CBS might be losing her. Big Brother has been a huge part of my life for TWO DECADES, and I want it to be a summer staple for two more. Please @CBSBigBrother, #SaveBBUSA.

— Katy Wellhousen (@KatyWellhousen) September 10, 2018

Some social media suggested Derrick Levasseur as a possible replacement host – either in the short-run or permanently. As a past Big Brother winner, he’s a solid choice. He’s got hosting experience with his crime show Breaking Homicide, but that’s quite different from live TV. A far better choice might be Celebrity Big Brother winner Marissa Jaret Winokur and her Off the Block co-host Ross Matthews.

Could Ross Matthews and Marisa Winokur Replace Julie?

The Big Brother after-show Off the Block has been engaging and funny. Both are superfans of the show, both are very experienced hosts, and the fan base already knows them. If Julie Chen takes a break from BB20, they are ones to consider. But there’s also the fact that Big Brother wasn’t yet renewed for Season 21. With this controversy, would CBS scuttle the series?

And of course, snarky BB fans have already begun the double eviction memes. Trouble is, it might happen. We’ll have to wait and see.

So Les Moonves didn't get the Power of Veto and is getting evicted. Looks like Julie Chen is heading out in the Double Eviction. #BB20 pic.twitter.com/2KyGjvweWQ

— Beece (@beece68) September 9, 2018

The show is produced by Endemol so the company could simply take it to another network if CBS decides to cut ties. No doubt many other networks would love to snap up a show that’s a money maker and crowd-pleaser for the ordinarily slow summer viewing season. As of now, Julie Chen says she’ll be there for the live eviction, but it remains to be seen whether she shows or the negative press is too much for her.

Julie Chen hasn’t inked a new deal to host Big Brother for another season, so she has no contract in place. Is this the end of an era or just a bump in the road for Big Brother fans?

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