Jerry O'Connell – CBS has confirmed that Big Brother: Unlocked returns for a second year, with past winners Taylor Hale and Derrick Levasseur back on the panel and Jerry O’Connell joining as a new celebrity panelist. The season also kicks off with a new interactive fan vote and
The summer TV schedule just got a little louder: Big Brother: Unlocked is back on CBS for a second year, and CBS confirmed the panel lineup on June 30.
Sitting in that familiar judging spot again will be past winners Taylor Hale and Derrick Levasseur. Joining them this season is a new celebrity panelist—Jerry O’Connell—making his way into the Big Brother universe he says is already running in his calendar.
In a statement, O’Connell reacted quickly to the news, describing BIG BROTHER as “my summer and rolls into my fall too.” He said he’s been watching on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, adding that CBS “is now paying me to do it.”
“It’s an absolute honor to sit next to Derrick—‘Champ. ’ as I call him—and Taylor. who is my all-time favorite BIG BROTHER winner (sorry. Jag). ” he said. O’Connell called the gig “a dream” and promised to be “the voice of the fans. ” while also reminding viewers to “expect the unexpected” as “Julie says.” He closed with a message he clearly wanted attached to the moment: “And most importantly. remember to love one another. I’m soooo excited to join the BIG BROTHER fam!”.
CBS also made clear this season won’t be a simple repeat. The premiere brings a new interactive fan vote that will “significantly influence the game,” and it marks the start of the show’s live studio audience format. That studio-audience feature will continue all summer.
The premiere schedule begins with a special 90-minute episode of Big Brother: Unlocked on Thursday. July 9 from 8:00 to 9:30 PM ET/PT. The main run continues Friday. July 10 with a one-hour season premiere of Big Brother: Unlocked from 8:00 to 9:00 PM ET/PT. followed by a 90-minute Sunday episode on Sunday. July 12 from 8:00 to 9:30 PM ET/PT.
For now, one major piece of the season is still missing: CBS hasn’t revealed details about the contestants or the theme. As the new panel takes shape and the fan vote is set to steer the game, the countdown is already on—starting with the live studio audience energy that kicks off July 9.
Big Brother: Unlocked CBS Jerry O'Connell Taylor Hale Derrick Levasseur Julie Chen interactive fan vote live studio audience season premiere July 9 2026