Big Brother 28 is right around the corner, and hosts Mike Bloom and Taran Armstrong are breaking down everything we know in this Recap and Pre-season Preview. With the mysterious “time trip” theme shaking up expectations, the house is buzzing with rumors—will old competitions or reality TV legends show up, and how will the houseguests handle new twists before the game even begins?

Mike and Taran dig into CBS’s big announcements, teasing a summer filled with time travel, wild house décor from the Jurassic era to the 1980s, and a theme that promises “the ultimate twist.” They talk through Julie Chen Moonves’ hints at controversial figures, speculate whether fan favorites or villains from Survivor, The Traitors, or even other reality shows could enter the BB house, and debate if these guests will compete or just stir up drama for a week. The hosts discuss what the return of Blockbuster means for evictions, why classic comps like Pressure Cooker might (or might not) come back, and share their honest thoughts on whether nostalgia-based twists really impact the game or just offer fun callbacks. Social media clues, cast rumors, fan voting on Unlocked, and a sneak peek at the revamped house layout set the stage for another unpredictable season.

• Julie Chen Moonves hints at “controversial” reality stars joining the cast or popping in for wild competitions
• The time trip theme brings nostalgia and speculation about returning competitions and game twists
• CBS confirms Blockbuster will return, leaving houseguests to strategize through late-Thursday drama
• Possibilities swirl about Survivor, The Traitors, or other reality icons shaking up the cast
• New house features, from sci-fi bunk beds to a time-traveling “Jacuzzi,” have superfans analyzing every detail

Old alliances and rivalries may not matter this season, as time, twists, and the unknown keep everyone on edge before the premiere. Will Big Brother 28 change the course of reality TV history—or just give us another wild summer to remember?

Tune in for the full breakdown, wildest predictions, and everything you need to know before the BB28 houseguests walk through the doors.

Chapters:
00:00 Big Brother 28 Theme Revealed
06:22 Time Travel Competitions and Throwbacks
12:15 Blockbuster Twist Returns to Big Brother
13:15 Controversial Players Join Big Brother 28
18:52 Reality Stars Join the Big Brother House
26:43 Big Brother Unlocked Returns, New Vote
34:10 Unlocking Behind-the-Scenes and Fan Access
37:39 Exploring the Big Brother 28 House
56:04 Celebrating 1000 Episodes of Big Brother
59:02 Anticipation for Big Brother 28 Season

Never miss a minute of RHAP’s extensive Big Brother coverage!
LISTEN: Subscribe to the Big Brother podcast feed
WATCH: Watch and subscribe to the podcast on YouTube
SUPPORT: Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks!

Big Brother 28 launches with new faces and a few familiar faces from both Survivor and Big Brother, all navigating the first waves of shocks and alliances. Rob Cesternino and Taran Armstrong welcome guest Christian Hubicki ( Survivor: David vs. Goliath; Survivor 50) to dig into the season premiere and unpack how these reality veterans and rookies may adapt to the unique intensity of the Big Brother house. The main question: Can Rick Devens, known for bold moves on Survivor, settle into Big Brother’s blend of patience and chaos?

The discussion spotlights Rick Devens’ surprise and adjustment as he faces new twists, the reactions within the house, and the unique struggles of moving from Survivor’s survivalist competitions to Big Brother’s endurance games and social tests. Christian recalls Cirie’s warnings about the difficulty of Big Brother and debates what kind of game Rick might play, from lying low to rallying his own cult-like crew, and whether he can build trust or paint a target on his back in a house packed with gamers. The podcast also covers strategy ideas, alliances, and how Rick’s secret weapons (like strong challenge skills and the ability to entertain) could shake up the BB formula.

• Christian recommends Rick Devens lean into his charisma to gather allies, rather than playing passively or sticking too hard to Survivor habits.
• The panel ponder Rick’s ability to shift from Survivor’s aggressive play to Big Brother’s long-game approach.
• The group highlights how production rules in Big Brother limit strategic bluffing with fake powers, potentially handcuffing Rick’s usual gameplay.
• Christian points out Rick’s popularity post-Survivor 50 might earn him valuable support in early fan votes, possibly giving him an edge.
• The hosts compare Survivor’s hardships to BB’s “slop” punishment, with consensus that Rick can easily handle the adjustment.

As the weeks go on, will Rick Devens’ bold gameplay style blend with the slower, more social BB28 pace, or will it put him at risk before the jury phase? Catch the full episode for all the insights and predictions as the season begins.

00:00 Big Brother 28 Premiere Excitement
03:28 Rick Devens Joins Big Brother 28
07:35 Survivor Strategies Meet Big Brother
12:37 Rick Devens and Dee’s Dynamic
17:20 Rick Devens’ Big Brother Gameplan
23:10 Fan Vote Twist and Survivor Links
28:40 Survivor Strengths in Big Brother House
34:06 Zingbot and Big Brother Traditions
39:07 Finale Thoughts on BB28 Cast

Never miss a minute of RHAP’s extensive Big Brother coverage!
LISTEN: Subscribe to the Big Brother podcast feed
WATCH: Watch and subscribe to the podcast on YouTube
SUPPORT: Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks!

In this “How to Win Big Brother” preseason strategy guide, host Taran Armstrong teams up with BB27 champion Ashley Hollis to pull back the curtain for anyone hoping to snag the BB28 crown.

Ashley walks through exactly how she weighed big endgame decisions, like the nerve-wracking choice to cut Morgan, and how she mapped out every possible jury scenario to secure the win. She details surviving as an early outsider, using late-night detective work to spot secret alliances, and why listening more than talking builds unbreakable trust. Together, they decode the Blockbuster twist’s impact on alliance power and HOH strength, highlighting how new twists demand a flexible, forward-thinking approach. Ashley also opens up about the careful dance of revealing personal secrets to lock in loyalty, leveraging social dynamics, and using different personalities in the house to her advantage. Throughout, the conversation is packed with actionable tips for BB28 hopefuls, from prepping speeches to reading the room, making the tough cuts, and seizing those moments that can turn the whole game around.

• Ashley breaks down her game-winning plan for endgame choices, showing listeners how to get into a finale mindset early.
• Insights for underdogs: How late-night strategy tracking, social listening, and well-timed honesty get you off the bottom.
• Jury management: Advice on bringing people into your decisions and connecting personal promises to final speeches.
• Blockbuster twist lessons: How flexible alliance play and vote math matter more than ever when the power shifts weekly.
• Tips for balancing emotional influence and honest gameplay, and why knowing yourself—and how others see you—can keep you off the block.

With BB28 around the corner, these winning secrets, social tricks, and strategic insights from BB26 and BB27 reveal what it really takes to come out on top. Who will risk everything, and who will build steady bonds in the race to become the next Big Brother champ?

Get the full “How to Win Big Brother” breakdown now—perfect listening for anyone prepping their game for BB28!

Chapters:

0:00:00 Introduction and welcome
0:02:19 Ashley’s final competition decision
0:03:12 Strategic endgame planning
0:06:07 Analyzing opponents’ strengths
0:09:46 Influencing jury votes
0:13:14 Managing final two expectations
0:17:09 Hiding lawyer identity
0:20:16 Building trust with secrets
0:26:27 Learning from strong players
0:28:31 Recovering from early setbacks
0:33:19 Blockbuster twist impact
0:39:37 Houseguest consensus and lying
0:44:47 Reading personalities for strategy
0:47:40 Maintaining self-perception
0:52:03 Prioritizing game over friendship
0:58:24 Final advice to contestants

Never miss a minute of RHAP’s extensive Big Brother coverage!
LISTEN: Subscribe to the Big Brother podcast feed
WATCH: Watch and subscribe to the podcast on YouTube
SUPPORT: Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks!