Julie Chen

CBS has renewed Big Brother for summer 2014, the network announcedThursday. Big Brother: After Dark, which airs on TVGN, has also been renewed.

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Big Brother, which recently aired its 500th episode, averaged 7.29 million viewers this season, an 11 percent increase from last summer. The bump may be attributed to this year's controversial cast, many of whom came under fire for racist, homophobic and generally offensive behavior.



The final three houseguests will compete for the grand prize in a special 90-minute finale on Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 9:30/8:30c on CBS, following the premiere of Survivor: Blood vs. Water.

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