Julie Chen Moonves on Big Brother Season 1 Advice She Needed

Big Brother’s Julie Chen Moonves isn’t afraid to admit that she could have used some advice before hosting the reality TV show’s inaugural season.

“I would say don’t let those words come out of my mouth unless it’s something I would say,” Julie, 56, exclusively told Us on Thursday, August 27, in celebration of Big Brother’s 1,000 episode. “I was just so eager to, like, do a good job that [my] phrasing didn’t feel right. But you know, I didn’t argue back enough to say, ‘Let’s change the script.’ I mean, I was barely 30 years old.”

She added, “I was just like, ‘Okay, let’s say this.’ And I’m like, ‘I would never say that. I don’t think it sounds good. But maybe, what do I know? I’m just a person from the news.’”

Julie, a former news anchor and producer for CBS who took on the reality TV hosting gig in 2000, said she eventually found her footing and voice in the entertainment space — so if she could she’d go back and tell herself to simply listen to her gut.

“I would tell Julie Chen, season 1, ‘Don’t let them make you say it if it’s something you wouldn’t say or if it doesn’t feel right,’” she added.

Now that Chen has 1,000 episodes of Big Brother — and two Guinness World Records — under her proverbial belt, she told Us she’s simply “take one day at a time” after making television history.

“Most of all, I feel humble and grateful because I never would have dreamt it,” she continued, before dishing on what can still surprise her inside the drama-filled house all those seasons and episodes later.

“I am still surprised every day at the level of trust,” she revealed to Us. “You know, it’s like you’ve all watched. You should be a little bit more paranoid, but every season — I guess it’s kind of beautiful, because it shows that humans want to trust and believe other humans.”

As she reflected on her time hosting the series, Julie admitted she has some favorite players she would love to see return to the house.

Related: Julie Chen Moonves Teases ‘Controversial People’ in ‘Big Brother 28’

Julie Chen Moonves is dropping some major hints about what — or who — season 28’s “time travel” twist will bring to the Big Brother house. “That could go forwards or backwards, and that will play into some of the competitions. Does that mean we’re going to bring back some competition you haven’t seen since […]

“I have a soft spot for Chilltown,” she said of the iconic alliance between Dr. Will Kirby, Mike “Boogie” Malin and Shannon Dragoo during Big Brother season 2. “So if, like, Mike Boogie or Dr. Little Kirby want to play again — but it has to be a package deal, and they have to deliver us this classic Chilltown.”

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As for who is impressing the host with their gameplay today, Julie said she’s certainly paying attention to how Taylor Brown is handling the house this season.

“Taylor, because she gets it,” Julie explained. “She’s a thinker, and she knows when to stay quiet. She knows when to give Lala [LaTrice Verrett] advice, and she just is entertaining me like there’s no tomorrow. She so gets this game.”

Big Brother season 28 airs on CBS Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 8 p.m. ET.