CBS launched a fresh companion series to Big Brother 27 called Big Brother: Unlocked, bringing together two champion contestants as co-hosts. Taylor Hale and Derrick Levasseur now guide viewers through exclusive content and behind-the-scenes moments every other week. The show premiered Friday, July 25, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
Big Brother: Unlocked offers never-before-seen footage from the main show alongside special interviews with current houseguests. The series features regular segments including "BB Fantasy Draft," "Big Move/Bad Move," and "Binge Worthy or Cringe Worthy." Mystery celebrity guests and former contestants will join the hosts throughout the season to analyze gameplay and share insights.
Taylor made history in season 24 as the first Black woman to claim victory, while also earning America's Favorite Houseguest. Derrick dominated season 16 without facing elimination until the final three, using his background as an undercover detective to his advantage. Their combined expertise provides viewers with unique perspectives on current strategies and house dynamics.
Who is the celebrity mystery guest on Big Brother: Unlocked?
The premiere episode of Big Brother: Unlocked teased a mystery celebrity appearance through an elaborate clue campaign. Producers dropped hints during the July 24 live episode and across social media platforms. Levasseur described the guest as someone "good at adapting," while Hale noted their experience with live television.
The first clue showed a red superhero cape with text reading:
"It's a floater! It's a veto champ. No, it's a Big Brother Superfan."
This alluded to common gameplay terms familiar to longtime viewers. A second visual featured a red frying pan, initially leading fans to think of Josh Martinez from season 19. However, CBS clarified the guest would be a celebrity rather than a former houseguest.
Instagram provided additional context, warning Big Brother: Unlocked fans not to jump to obvious conclusions about the frying pan clue. The final hint revealed "SNL alum" alongside an image of the Brooklyn Bridge. This combination pointed strongly toward Bobby Moynihan, a Saturday Night Live veteran known for his Big Brother fandom.
Moynihan promoted his show 'Me, Myself, & I' and humorously recreated Josh Martinez's signature frying pan antics. This connection between the comedian and the red pan clue strengthened fan theories about his return.
Reddit users quickly connected the dots between Moynihan's past appearance and the current clues. His Brooklyn background aligns with the bridge imagery, while his SNL credentials match the final hint perfectly. The comedian has openly discussed his love for the reality series in interviews and social media posts.
Big Brother: Unlocked establishes recurring segments designed to engage viewers between main episodes. The BB Fantasy Draft allows hosts to predict contestant moves and outcomes. Big Move/Bad Move analyzes strategic decisions made by houseguests during the week.
Binge Worthy or Cringe Worthy segments review memorable moments from both current and past seasons. Celebrity guests and alumni appearances add variety to the format while providing different viewpoints on gameplay developments.
The expansion of the Big Brother universe
The companion series Big Brother: Unlocked represents CBS's effort to extend viewer engagement beyond the main show's three weekly episodes. The show is also available to stream on FuboTV, DIRECTV, and Paramount+, making it easily accessible for cord-cutters. Promotional offers from various platforms help attract new audiences to the franchise.
Taylor and Derrick's hosting partnership combines different strengths and perspectives from their respective seasons. Their analysis helps casual viewers understand complex strategies while entertaining superfans with insider knowledge and exclusive footage from the current season.
Big Brother: Unlocked premiered Friday, July 25, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS—with new episodes airing every other Friday, plus streaming live or on-demand via Paramount+