Allison Grodner Interview: Failed Puzzles, Bad Guys, & Best Season Vibes

Kaitlyn in the Bonus Life Puzzle

This was an amazing outgoing week of Big Brother 20 with all the high points hit with great drama and excitement. What started out as a potentially slow week with Sam presiding over what appeared to be a moot week took us through the max drama Veto and ended with another blindside vote and most of all a failed Bonus Life challenge.

Word had it that production absolutely did not expect a fail at this puzzle to the point that they weren’t even ready for Julie to host an interview with the evictee. Obviously, Kaitlyn just wasn’t up to the task and lost her chance to get back in the game. So what went wrong? We put that question to Big Brother’s Executive Producer Allison Grodner along with her thoughts on who could be the next BB20 “bad guy” and why she thinks this season is turning out to be the best in years.

Big Brother Network: How shocked were you that Kaitlyn didn’t pull off the victory in her Bonus Life challenge? Do you think Kaitlyn threw it after that 9-1 vote reveal?

Grodner: The Bonus Life gave someone a “chance” to come back and was never a sure thing. The challenge may have seemed simple but you have to factor in the emotion of just being evicted and feeling betrayed. I do not think Kaitlyn threw the challenge but I do think she became too overwhelmed under the pressure to think through the puzzle rationally. Kaitlyn is smart and competitive so I am surprised she couldn’t figure this out but I am definitely not surprised that her emotions got the best of her in the situation.

BBN: Kaitlyn is gone far too soon this summer and we’ll miss her developing role as that archetype “villain” every season needs. Who do you think may pick up that mantle and become the next “bad guy” for Big Brother 20?

Grodner: The “villain” of every season is always unexpected and never just one person. It is so interesting how people can go from being most loved to most hated in the course of a week. Sam just had one of those weeks as she shared her views on the women in house and let the power of HOH go to her head. She could stir up more trouble in the house if she continues down that path. I also think there is a possibility that JC or Brett could intentionally start messing with the houseguests’ heads and creating chaos – something that I think Kaitlyn did unintentionally with some of her impulsive decisions in the house.

BBN: Fans on social media are calling BB20 the best season in years. How do you and your team feel about this season so far and what do you think is making it such a hit for fans?

Grodner: What I like best about this season is that it is different from all other seasons. It still amazes us that after 20 summers every one of them is distinct. Every single person in there is playing the game and has come to play for the 500k, not just to make jury. There are people who made a lot of noise out of the gate but even some of the quieter ones are playing in there and that is fun to see.

BBN: Thank you!

What do you think of Big Brother 20? Is it a great season for you? Why or why not? Share your thoughts!

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