Big Brother host Julie Chen is a staple of the long-running program, as the curator of the weekly eviction ceremonies and first interviews with ousted house guests. It is upon their initial entry into the house that contestants get their first glimpse of Julie, and there are remote-video conversations throughout the season. But it’s not until they lose or win the game that they get to have that one-on-one, in person chat with Ms. Chen.
Frankie J. Grande, when he used his power of veto to backdoor his once-close ally Zach Rance last Wednesday, alluded to the hallmark event that usually ends a Big Brother contestant’s season. “Rapping” his veto speech, and as recounted by Hitfix , Grande said:
“So Zach, my friend, go and have a seat / It’s time for you and Julie Chen to finally meet.”
Chen sometimes offers her opinions on what’s happening in the game, while house guests are safely in isolation — either inside the Big Brother compound or the jury house. She gives regular tidbits to Entertainment Weekly about the previous week’s events, and yesterday she was dishing on the showmance between Frankie and Zach. Asked whether she was surprised the two men turned on each other, Chen was blunt:
“Zach was so erratic that no one ever knew what he was going to do. That being said, I WAS surprised he turned on Frankie. But Frankie also turned on him. This is what makes this season so interesting to watch. These are true gamers who care more about their game than temporary fast friendships.”
As for the broader significance of Frankie and Zach — a.k.a. “Zankie,” — Chen was more thoughtful:
“This was a friendship between two incredibly fascinating people. Like attracts like. Both men are so full of life and energy and define the opposite of boring. This is why they loved each other’s company so much. Together they were like two peas in a pod. Twins separated at birth. The best thing about this showmance is that it showed people at home how two men, one gay, one straight could love each other so much and so quickly.”
Chen also spoke up last week in her Entertainment Weekly chat about Frankie’s season-long anticipated announcement that he is Ariana Grande’s older brother . She was realistic about the effect Frankie’s “trump card” had on the game:
“I think it helped him for about 5 minutes and now that the dust has settled, people are over it.”
Big Brother airs Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays on CBS.
[Image: CBS/Big Brother]