Everything You Need to Know from Julie Before the BB Finale: Host Julie Chen Reveals Who She Thinks Deserves to Win

As the season of twists comes to a close, it has at least one more major surprise in store: Who will the Houseguests vote to take home the $500,000 prize? We talked with the woman at the hosting helm of it all, Julie Chen, to find out who she thinks has played the best game and is positioned to get the necessary votes tonight during Big Brother’s 90-minute season finale.

It’s been such a superb season in so many ways but we’re sure you have your favorites. How did this season stack up against them?

Up until this season, I would say my favorite season was season two. It was still a new game to the public and the Houseguests and we had new rules. In season one, America voted out contestants; in season two, houseguests voted out each other.



This year, I’m blown away by how smart the Houseguests were at playing the game and how no one got on a petty level of “this side vs. that side.” Everyone playing had their eye on the prize and didn’t let emotions get in the way. The only one to lose focus was Caleb because he was lovestruck but as soon as Amber was eliminated, he regrouped his thoughts and focus to try to win. This is my second favorite season.



Another aspect that added to the intensity and dynamics of the game was the Battle of the Block. How do you think it impacted the season?

It was amazing. You have two losers and two victors. Not only are they feeling like a million bucks and triumphant, they suddenly have a new target. The new target is the HOH who nominates them and now has been dethroned. You had built-in tension automatically. You are partnered up with someone you may not particularly like or respect and are forced to bond and play as a team.



Are you surprised Derrick has been able to keep his job as an undercover cop under wraps this long?

Yes and no. This guy is so mature that it shouldn’t be surprising. His wife, colleagues, friends, family… they’re probably not surprised at all. He has 5 years doing undercover work. He’s trained to not spill the beans.



It’s a little surprising though because Big Brother has a tendency to make people forget that they’re on TV all the time and that they have friendships that seem genuine. Professionally, he’s been trained that way to trust no one. I applaud that that he didn’t trust Donny. He played it brilliantly.



Who do you think deserves to win this season?

No question - Derrick deserves it. He kept his cool, made everyone else keep their cool. He deserves this money for his wife and baby girl. He was smart. Slow and steady wins the race.



Big Brother has a very engaged social audience. How would you describe this season in a hashtag?

Hmm… #duplicitous.



Which Houseguest did you personally find the most entertaining?

Zach and Frankie. It’s a tie between the two of them, separately. Frankie’s mind works so quickly and he’s very sharp and entertaining and funny. Zach is a little off the wall and zany. Together that’s like a third character in the house which is equally entertaining.You wouldn’t have put them together as bosom buddies but yet they’re so compatible. We saw an entire gamut of feelings of an 18-month relationship in 18 days. It was hilarious.



Speaking of Zach... would you rather endure one of his outbursts or one of Caleb’s tall tales?

I would probably take Zach’s outbursts, even if I’m a victim. He’s not a bad guy. He’s doing that for show, for theater and its comical. If you called him out on his shortcomings, he’d probably say, “Fair enough.” Having to listen to Caleb, you just have to quietly roll your eyes and say, “Uh huh, uh huh.” Caleb’s not a bad guy either… it’s just a personality flaw. He’s innocent enough.



Were you disappointed at how many women were sent home early on? Should they have made an all-female alliance?

I’m very disappointed in the women. I’m disappointed that once Joey left that the women didn’t open their eyes and say, “Okay, we as a group, need to secretly form an alliance and agree if we get to the end, each for herself.” There’s something to be said about women and society that women for some reason feel like they’re the weaker sex and act accordingly. If Joey was a better politician, she could have been more persuasive, but her tactic was all wrong. She should have gone to Brittany and get Amber in and slowly form the alliance, not haphazardly.



Casting is open for next season, so what advice would you give fans who want to be future Housegusts?

If you want to be a future Houseguest, you have to speak your mind, be outgoing, be social, be headstrong. You have to be competitive and have that competitive DNA in you. You also have to have a healthy ego.



Are any of your co-hosts on The Talk fans of Big Brother?

Sara Gilbert usually watches but she’s been busy (she’s pregnant). Sheryl Underwood is a Big Brother fan so I talk with her about it a lot. She’s fascinated by human behavior. She has all these questions about different Houseguests. It’s fun to discuss with her.

Don’t miss the 90-minute season finale of Big Brother tonight at 9:30/8:30c, when one Housegest will be crowned the winner of Big Brother, and one fan-voted player will win America’s Favorite Houseguest.