Long-standing fan desires for an all-winners season of Big Brother are closer to reality than ever, with CBS reportedly considering a shortened winter installment and past champions showing keen interest.
For years, Big Brother superfans have voiced a singular, fervent wish: an all-winners season. This hypothetical showdown, pitting the game’s greatest strategists and social maestros against each other, has remained a dream. However, recent insider reports and producer discussions suggest this long-held fantasy may be on the verge of becoming a thrilling reality, possibly sooner than expected.
The call for an all-winners season is not a new phenomenon. Diehard fans have wanted to see this ultimate competition for a very long time. Even Big Brother host Julie Chen Moonves has publicly advocated for the idea, revealing in July 2022 that she had pitched the concept to producers. Her vision included a shortened, “celebrity-style” season, which could make it more appealing for past winners to return.
Insider Rumors and the Path to Reality
In October 2023, rumors gained significant traction when Big Brother insiders on X (formerly Twitter) reported that “things are definitely in the works” for an “all winners” version of the popular competition series. These claims indicated that CBS was reportedly considering such a season for an upcoming installment. One key factor potentially accelerating this timeline? The ongoing Hollywood strikes, which made scripted content difficult to produce, increasing the reliance on reality television. This context provides a unique opportunity for a high-profile, pre-packaged season like an all-winners edition.
Should an all-winners season materialize, it’s highly anticipated to be a “winter” season, a shortened version of the game. This format addresses a common concern among former houseguests who, despite their love for the game, are often hesitant to commit to the lengthy duration of a classic season. A condensed timeframe could successfully lure some of Big Brother‘s most iconic champions back into the house.
Producers also have a contingency plan if not enough past winners are available. Should they be unable to secure a full cast of winners, insiders suggest that “they are reaching out to potential HGs that were already in the pipeline for summer ’24.” This opens the door for other possibilities, such as a season featuring all veteran houseguests or a compelling mix of winners and non-winning veterans, offering another chance for beloved past contestants.
Who Could Return for an All-Winners Season?
With 24 winners crowned over the show’s history, speculation runs rampant about which former champions would return to prove they are the greatest Big Brother winner of all time. Many have openly expressed interest or are considered strong candidates:
- Jun Song (Season 4 winner): Enthusiastically tweeted, “it’s high time i return to the diary room,” indicating her readiness.
- Rachel Reilly (Season 13 winner): A fierce competitor who previously wanted to compete on Big Brother 22: All-Stars while pregnant, making an all-winners season an ideal opportunity for her return.
- Taylor Hale (Season 24 winner): A recent fan-favorite winner.
- Josh Martinez (Season 19 winner): Known for his energetic gameplay.
- Nicole Franzel (Season 18 winner): A strategic player who has competed multiple times.
- Kaycee Clark (Season 20 winner): A competition beast.
- Xavier Prather (Season 23 winner): Made history as the first Black contestant to win.
Other past winners fans would love to see include Dan Gheesling (Season 10), Lisa Donahue (Season 3), and Ian Terry (Season 14), all of whom left indelible marks on the game.
Recent Returns and Spin-offs: A Glimpse into the Future
While a full all-winners season has yet to be officially announced, Big Brother has recently brought back fan-favorite players in various capacities, hinting at the network’s willingness to tap into its rich history of houseguests.
For instance, season 27 saw the celebrated return of Rachel Reilly, a former winner, competing against new players. Her charismatic presence added significant “vim and vigor” to the season, as noted by executive producers Entertainment Weekly. Before Rachel, the last time the show mixed old and new players was during Paul Abrahamian’s return in season 19.
Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty
Paul Abrahamian returned as a veteran player against new houseguests in Big Brother 19.
Beyond traditional seasons, CBS also launched Big Brother: Reindeer Games, a six-episode spin-off event series. This festive competition featured nine beloved former houseguests, including winners Cody Calafiore (Season 22), Nicole Franzel (Season 18), and Xavier Prather (Season 23), alongside other popular veterans like Britney Haynes (Seasons 12 and 14) and Josh Martinez (Season 19 winner). This spin-off offered a different format, focusing on winter-themed challenges without traditional voting or communal living, concluding with a $100,000 prize for the champion, as reported by Entertainment Tonight.
Additionally, a special episode of Big Brother (during Season 26) featured past winners Cody Calafiore, Taylor Hale, and Jag Bains (Season 25) entering the house. However, they weren’t there to compete, but to analyze the season’s gameplay, offering their unique perspectives on the biggest moments and power moves.
Producer Perspectives on Returning Players
While the recent returns have fueled fan excitement, Big Brother executive producers Allison Grodner and Rich Meehan maintain a cautious approach to bringing back former players. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Grodner emphasized, “we don’t necessarily like to repeat ourselves all the time either.” She explained that the decision to bring back players typically depends on fitting a specific creative theme for the season, rather than being a default choice. For instance, Rachel Reilly’s return was integrated into a “mystery element” for season 27.
Meehan echoed this sentiment, stating that the creative theme usually dictates whether a returning player twist is implemented. He noted that they often look for “something that is a little bit zeitgeisty that we can parody” in a “very Big Brother way,” such as the multiverse or AI themes in past seasons. This suggests that while fan demand is strong, a compelling narrative concept is paramount for producers when considering future all-star or all-winners seasons.
CBS
The enigmatic Mastermind, a twist featuring past players behind the scenes, exemplifies the show’s creative use of returning personalities.
Even if players don’t return to compete directly, they often appear in other capacities. Season 27 famously revealed three Masterminds—Jessie “Mr. PEC-Tacular” Godderz, Frankie Grande, and Eric Stein—who had been “controlling” the season from behind the scenes, demonstrating the show’s clever ways of integrating beloved personalities. Producers assured fans that Dr. Will Kirby, initially involved in the Mastermind plot, was “immediately freed and cleared of all charges” after the trio’s reveal.
What It Means for the Fan Community
The prospect of an all-winners season generates immense excitement within the Big Brother fan community. It promises a higher level of gameplay, strategic depth, and a definitive answer to who might be the greatest winner of all time. The discussions among fans often revolve around dream casts, potential alliances, and how different winning strategies would clash in such a high-stakes environment.
While official confirmation remains elusive, the strong insider reports, coupled with producer openness to incorporating past players under the right creative circumstances, paint a hopeful picture. Fans will undoubtedly continue to eagerly await a formal announcement, holding onto the possibility that their ultimate Big Brother dream will soon come true.
