Julie Chen Moonves Critiques Rick Devens’ Strategy on Big Brother
Julie Chen Moonves is not particularly impressed with Rick Devens’ approach to gameplay in the Big Brother house.
“I know people adore Devens, and he was fantastic on Survivor,” Julie, 56, remarked during an interview with Entertainment Weekly published on Thursday, July 16. “This isn’t Survivor, honey. This is Big Brother.”
As the host of CBS’ long-standing reality series for 28 seasons, Julie has witnessed a wide array of contestants and strategies.
Prior to the current season’s start earlier this month, Julie expressed optimism that Devens, 42, would impress her.
“I thought, ‘Alright, I was cheering for you at the beginning because you’re a former morning news anchor, just like me,’” she shared with the outlet. “But with his loose tongue, he quickly lost my support. I thought: ‘No, dude.’ And when I saw Dee [Valladares] look at him like, ‘You did what?!’ I was like …”
In the opening weeks of the competition, Devens chose to disclose his alliance with Dee, 29, to fellow contestants Angela Murray and Drew Campbell.
“It was a disaster. I thought, ‘Go back to the island, dude! I’m going to snuff out your flame,’” Julie commented. “I’m astonished by how little Rick Devens understands this game compared to how much Dee does, and she grasped it right away.”
In June, Us Weekly had the chance to chat with Dee and Devens at the Newport Beach TV Festival. When asked about their potential reality show preferences after Survivor, both contestants kept fans guessing.
“You know what? I might try my luck on Traitors and perhaps Big Brother,” Dee hinted to Us. “On Big Brother, I’m eating, so it can’t be worse than Survivor in terms of physical toll. Any game is a blast. I’ll try my luck in any game, just because it’s so much fun.”
Devens didn’t mention Big Brother in his response, stating, “I’d really love to do The Amazing Race with [Survivor co-star] Christian Hubicki, or with my wife, Becca. That’d be an enjoyable experience.”
Although it’s still early in the competition — with the first eviction of the season anticipated on Thursday night — Julie remains focused on the contestants who bring their own reality TV experience.
“You know, I initially had reservations about two former Survivors joining the game,” she said, “but now I find myself rooting for Dee because she really gets it.”
Big Brother airs on CBS Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays at 8 p.m. ET.
