Big Brother 27 is just around the corner, and with the season including a new set of companion episodes every other Friday to unpack the game, Big Brother: Unlocked has a ton of BB alumni to choose from for their hosts. Throughout the run of Big Brother, the show has had different styles of aftershows and follow-up interviews that gave viewers more insight into the game after a houseguest had been eliminated. While things like House Calls and Big Brother’s interviews on the now defunct Early Show are long gone, the network is reviving a new type of BB aftershow.
Big Brother 27, which is surely hopeful it can hinge on the success of the previous season, is bringing in a whole new concept for gameplay analysis in Big Brother: Unlocked. The show, which has yet to reveal its trio of BB alumni hosts, will bring players back to unpack the game every other week, giving them substantial time to work through what’s been happening in the house. With the show looking to give viewers insight into the strategic gameplay they may miss from fast-paced episodes that can’t show everything happening in the house, Big Brother: Unlocked needs BB experts.
10 Derrick Levasseur
Big Brother 16
As one of the most praised Big Brother winners of all time, Derrick Levasseur has made a name for himself unpacking the game he played masterfully. While some feel that Derrick’s “perfect” BB performance broke the game in some ways, others have enjoyed revisiting his time on the show consistently in the last decade. Appearing on Big Brother 16, Derrick used his real world skills as an undercover police officer to his advantage in the game, adapting to the people he was talking to, situations he was in, or challenges he was competing in. Derrick’s social mastery was tremendously impressive.
While Derrick took home the grand prize of $500,000, his gameplay being as incredible was it was for the time has made him a bigger name than taking home the win. As he’s continued in his post-Big Brother life, Derrick has hosted podcasts about the show and true crime, sharing his takes on deception in various shades. Currently hosting a reality TV competition podcast, The Winner’s Circle, with his BB ally, Derrick has done a great job moving from being a player in the game to a host who can analyze the game
9 Rachel Reilly
Big Brother 12 & 13
An incredible player in her own right, Big Brother 12 houseguest and Big Brother 13 winner Rachel Reilly would be a phenomenal host for Big Brother: Unlocked. Rachel first appeared on Big Brother 12, where her showmance with Brendon Villegas and her competition prowess put a massive target on her back quickly. A well-rounded game player, Rachel was a threat to the rest of the house too quickly and wound up eliminated prior to the jury phase of the game. When she was invited back with her Brendon, who’d become her fiancé by the following season, she changed her game.
8 Cody Calafiore
Big Brother 16 & 22
As Derrick’s partner throughout Big Brother 16, Cody Calafiore became the most intensely followed second-hand man in the 2010s era of Big Brother. While he was a competitor in his own right, Cody’s social strategy wasn’t as adept as Derrick’s throughout the season. Instead, Cody was a physical competitor who did a great job at standing out in competitions, and made social connections where he could to ensure that he and Derrick were safe in the game. Coming in second place, Cody came back to Big Brother with something to prove and was able to move through the game successfully.
7 Janelle Pierzina
Big Brother 6, 7, 14, & 22
One of the earliest Big Brother legends, Janelle Pierzina first appeared on Big Brother 6 and shocked viewers when there was so much more to her than met the eye. A social strategist and competitive player, Janelle held the record for most competition wins for nearly 20 years. An incredible player, Janelle is one of the only Big Brother legends to achieve such high praise and hasn’t won the game. After placing third on Big Brother 6 and 7 in consecutive seasons, Janelle took a break before returning to Big Brother 14, then Big Brother 22, where she left pre-jury.
6 Dan Gheesling
Big Brother 10 & 14
Winning Big Brother 10 and nearly winning Big Brother 14, Dan Gheesling is a player many consider the best to have ever played the game. Happily risking it all to try to keep himself safe, Dan is known for his adept gameplay and his ability to think creatively in tough situations. With a target on his back, albeit of different sizes, during both of his seasons of Big Brother, Dan was able to create major moves out of thin air, changing the way the game was played entirely.
A masterful social strategist, Dan was able to pull out wins when he needed them, but relied less on competitions than most Big Brother players do. Overall, Dan's ability to move through the game has made him an icon in the BB community, and hearing him discuss gameplay would be a great get for the show. If Dan could be a part of Big Brother: Unlocked, it would be incredible for viewers.
Big Brother 26
As the most recent winner of Big Brother, Chelsie Baham's still got fresh eyes for the game and appears to be open to chatting about her thoughts based on her social media presence. One of the best players to play in recent years, Chelsie's social strategy was a masterclass throughout Big Brother 26. She was able to build bonds and create alliances when necessary, spun stories and convinced her fellow houseguests to trust her consistently, and won competitions when she needed to.
As a winner, Chelsie has been lauded as one of the most deserving overall, as her gameplay and love of Big Brother brought her to the finish line. While her time in the house was only a year ago, it's possible that Chelsie would be able to bring a fascinating perspective to the panel. Though she may not be used to discussing other players strategies, seeing Chelsie on Big Brother: Unlocked would provide a fresh perspective.
4 Jag Bains
Big Brother 25
Winning competition after competition, Jag kept himself safe after nearly being evicted and then being put back on the nomination block several times. Working hard in the game to maintain his sense of positivity, as well, Jag was able to own some of the tougher moments he had in the house after the game's end. Bringing Jag into Big Brother: Unlocked would allow viewers to get another chance to see him unpack strategy in a distanced way, which would be great for those who potentially struggled with him on the show.
3 Danielle Reyes
Big Brother 3 & Big Brother 7
A Big Brother legend, Danielle Reyes has been able to play the game twice, nearly winning during her run on Big Brother 3. While Danielle didn't win during her first run on the show, she was able to create such a masterful social strategy that it inadvertently tanked her game once houseguests were evicted. Because of Danielle's season, Big Brother began sequestering houseguests who were part of the jury so they wouldn't be able to watch the show back at home and vote with malice, which many felt they did when voting against Danielle on BB 3.
Danielle's gameplay has always been cut-throat, and it was clear during Big Brother 3 and Big Brother 7 that she was able to move sneakily throughout the game, getting others to do her bidding. Danielle's competitive prowess was both mental and physical, which made it clear she was a tough competitor from early on. Like Janelle, Danielle is one of the best to have never won the game overall. Despite facing some backlash from her seasons, Danielle's been praised as a BB icon for years, and seeing her unpack the gameplay on Big Brother: Unlocked would be a privilege.
2 Will Kirby
Big Brother 2 & Big Brother 7
As one of the first winners of Big Brother and an iconic reality TV personality, Dr. Will Kirby probably wants nothing to do with the idea of Big Brother: Unlocked. Even so, the Big Brother 2 winner has recently made the journey back to reality TV on Deal Or No Deal Island, and he'd be a great fit to scrutinize what's happening with the current houseguests. As a genuine reality TV enjoyer, Dr. Will was arguably one of the most difficult Big Brother houseguests for his fellow cast mates to live with, but his strategy was masterful to watch otherwise.
1 Taylor Hale
Big Brother 24
As one of the most iconic Big Brother winners in recent seasons, Taylor Hale could be a great pick to be one of the hosts of Big Brother: Unlocked. In recent seasons, Taylor's taken over hosting the BB jury roundtable from Dr. Will, and she's been a part of Big Brother's recaps and live shows since her own win. Taking a controversial turn on Big Brother 24, Taylor faced major adversity throughout the season and ultimately came out victorious. Consistently working to build herself up in the house, Taylor was one of the most inspirational players in years.
While she didn't come into Big Brother knowing the game very well, Taylor's social strategy worked as she moved through the summer, and her competitive prowess won her competitions when they were necessary. As Taylor's gone through the game and made herself a part of the Big Brother community in the aftermath, she'd be a wonderful addition to the new aftershow. Taylor could be one of the main voices of Big Brother: Unlocked.
Big Brother 27 premieres July 10, 2025, at 8 p.m. EDT on CBS.
Source: Taylor Hale/Instagram
