{"id":2132580,"date":"2025-11-03T15:53:12","date_gmt":"2025-11-03T15:53:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2132580"},"modified":"2025-11-03T15:53:12","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T15:53:12","slug":"unlocked-return-in-2026-producers-share-their-thoughts-exclusive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/unlocked-return-in-2026-producers-share-their-thoughts-exclusive\/","title":{"rendered":"Unlocked\u201d return in 2026? Producers share their thoughts (exclusive)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/big-brother\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Big Brother;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><em>Big Brother<\/em><\/a> keeps getting\u2026\u00a0well, bigger. The show not only extended its regular Wednesday night episodes to 90 minutes this past season, but also introduced a new brand extension with the debut of <em>Big Brother: Unlocked<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Essentially a <em>Big Brother<\/em> talk and interview show \u2014 as well as an updated version of the franchise\u2019s previous internet discussion show <em>House Calls<\/em> from 2004 to 2008 \u2014\u00a0<em>Unlocked<\/em> featured former winners <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/tv\/big-brother-taylor-hale-finale-interview\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Taylor Hale;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Taylor Hale<\/a> and <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/the-traitors-derrick-levasseur-responds-dirty-scumbag-liar-interview-8787856\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Derrick Levasseur;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Derrick Levasseur <\/a>welcoming celebrity guests (such as <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/person\/lance-bass\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Lance Bass;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Lance Bass <\/a>and <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/snl-alum-bobby-moynihan-reacts-to-cast-changes-advice-11836893\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Bobby Moynihan;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Bobby Moynihan<\/a>) and former <em>Big Brother<\/em> luminaries (like <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/big-brother-chelsie-baham-winner-finale-shocked-unanimous-victory-interview-8727039\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Chelsie Baham;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Chelsie Baham<\/a> and <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/the-traitors-britney-haynes-never-malicious-internt-danielle-interview-11692871\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Britney Haynes;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Britney Haynes<\/a>) to chat about the latest event inside the house. It also included interviews with the most recently evicted houseguests.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<div style=\"max-height:none;overflow:visible\">\n<p>cbs<\/p>\n<p> Lance Bass, Derrick Levasseur and Taylor Hale on &#8216;Big Brother: Unlocked&#8217;<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The spinoff aired five times on CBS throughout <em>Big Brother<\/em> season 27 (four times on Friday and once on Sunday) and made its biggest splash when nabbing <em>Superman<\/em> director (and BB super fan) <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/person\/james-gunn\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:James Gunn;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">James Gunn<\/a> as a guest for its Sept. 19 finale.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">But now that season 27 of <em>Big Brother<\/em> is firmly in the rearview mirror, it\u2019s time to look ahead. And when looking ahead, does <em>Big Brother<\/em> in the year 2026 once again involve <em>Unlocked?<\/em> Executive producers Rich Meehan and Allison Grodner sure hope so, although they have gotten no indication as of yet from the network.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cWe haven&#8217;t heard officially,\u201d Meehan reveals. \u201cWe hope that it continues on. It&#8217;s a fun extension of the show.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The way the producers see it, the first season of <em>Unlocked<\/em> was something of a testing ground to see what works, and should the show return, they plan to keep tinkering with the format.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cIt will evolve and get better the more we do it,\u201d says Meehan. \u201cTaylor and Derrick were great, and we had some really fun guests, so that&#8217;s something we&#8217;d like to continue doing and evolving, so hopefully it will come back.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cOverall, we were really happy with it,\u201d adds Grodner. \u201cIt seemed to be well received, and people came to watch.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Grodner also notes that it takes time for a dedicated audience to form \u2014\u00a0even for something part of franchise like <em>Big Brother,<\/em> which has been on the air for 25 years. \u201cWe need to teach people to find it and learn where it is. But I think we were getting there by the end, and it was great to get those [celebrity fans as guests]. I mean, to have James Gunn! And what a fan he is. Geez, who knew?\u201d (Apparently Taylor Hale, who pretty much booked the director herself.)<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"CBS James Gunn on 'Big Brother'\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/IubUpgmUr.jgGopopQKZgw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/entertainment_weekly_785\/2fb60f5a6b5439b1ea5faa54c2e84438\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<div style=\"max-height:none;overflow:visible\">\n<p>CBS<\/p>\n<p> James Gunn on &#8216;Big Brother&#8217;<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong><em>Want to be kept up with all things Survivor? Dig deep and sign up for Entertainment Weekly&#8217;s <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/survivor-weekly-newsletter-11805993\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:free Survivor Weekly newsletter;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">free Survivor Weekly newsletter<\/a> to have all the latest news, interviews, and commentary sent right to your inbox.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Of course, the decision on whether to bring <em>Unlocked<\/em> back as part of <em>Big Brother<\/em> season 28 in 2026 ultimately lies with CBS, and our source close to the network says no official decision will be made on that for quite some time. You would think that airing the show on Paramount+ might also be an option if the broadcast schedule was all booked up, however the network has long ignored our pleas to put such bonus content for shows like <em>Big Brother<\/em> and <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/survivor\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Survivor;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><em>Survivor<\/em><\/a> on their streaming platform.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">So while the producers remain hopeful they will get another shot to air segments such as \u201cThe BBies\u201d and \u201cGetting Jaggy with it,\u201d only time \u2014\u00a0and perhaps <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/the-mastermind-big-brother-speaks-exclusive-interview-11782033\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:the Mastermind;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">the Mastermind<\/a> \u2014\u00a0will tell if their <em>Big Brother<\/em> companion talk show will remain truly\u2026 unlocked.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Read the original article on <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/will-big-brother-unlocked-return-2026-producers-share-thoughts-exclusive-11837945\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Entertainment Weekly;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Entertainment Weekly<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Big Brother keeps getting\u2026\u00a0well, bigger. The show not only extended its regular Wednesday night episodes to 90 minutes this past season, but also introduced a new brand extension with the debut of Big Brother: Unlocked. Essentially a Big Brother talk and interview show \u2014 as well as an updated version of the franchise\u2019s previous internet [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2132581,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25172],"tags":[405819,365741,339842,41332,338354,405820,339843,405821],"class_list":["post-2132580","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","tag-allison-grodner","tag-big-brother-season","tag-derrick-levasseur","tag-james-gunn","tag-lance-bass","tag-rich-meehan","tag-taylor-hale","tag-unlocked"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Unlocked-return-in-2026-Producers-share-their-thoughts-exclusive.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2132580","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2132580"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2132580\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2132582,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2132580\/revisions\/2132582"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2132581"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2132580"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2132580"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2132580"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}