Frankie Grande Defends Big Brother 28 Camp Premiere
Get the Culture newsletter
Daily culture — film, music, books, the trends and ideas worth your attention. Free.
- Big Brother Season 28 premiered July 9 on CBS with former reality stars Rachel Reilly, Angela Murray, and Rick Devens appearing for a dinosaur-themed time-travel twist
- Rachel Reilly, the BB13 winner, was eliminated after a velociraptor pushed her into a volcano, making it 'the most unexpected season premiere in the history' of the show per Julie Chen Moonves
- BuzzFeed Canada blasted the show as 'the most embarrassing show on TV right now,' criticizing its 'absurd choices' and asking why viewers still tune in
- Frankie Grande, a BB16 alum and Ariana Grande's brother, fired back on Instagram telling the outlet to 'shut up' and insisting 'camp is part of its DNA and charm'
- Dee Valladares of Survivor 50 was revealed on Friday's Big Brother: Unlocked as Reilly's replacement, making her the third Survivor alum to compete on Big Brother after Cirie Fields in 2023
Why it matters: The clash exposes a real fault line: CBS is doubling down on absurdist spectacle (a volcano elimination) while critics increasingly call it embarrassing. Reilly's viral exit sets the tone for a season leaning into camp rather than restraint, and Grande's defense signals alumni are publicly willing to fight for the format.
