For nearly 20 years, Sharon Tharp has been breaking news, landing exclusive interviews, and covering reality television’s biggest stories. On The Exclusive, she takes fans behind the headlines with insider analysis, exclusive conversations, and behind-the-scenes access they won’t find anywhere else.
322: Michelle Costa Looks Back on Big Brother 10
Jul 30, 2026
Show notes
Big Brother 10's Michelle Costa joins The Exclusive for this edition of Memory Wall to break down everything from Keesha's birthday and her now-iconic "unitard meltdown" on live eviction night. The self-proclaimed Portuguese princess reflects on "clocking" Dan as America's Player long before anyone in the house believed her, the kitchen scene so tense it felt "like a funeral," and the surreal Catalina Island date where Dan told her, "This isn't Rhode Island, but it's paradise." Michelle also revisits the infamous jury house bomb she dropped just because she was "bored" — telling the house she'd vote for Memphis to win — and weighs in on whether Dan's game still holds up nearly two decades later. She wraps by explaining why, 18 years later, she still has "a lot of unfinished business" and is ready to run it back for another season in the house.
321: Big Brother 28 Week 3 Recap: Omar Zaheer Reacts to Kamu's Flawed Tea Party Plan
Jul 27, 2026
Show notes
Survivor 42's Omar Zaheer joins The Exclusive to recap Week 3 of Big Brother 28, breaking down Kamu's Head of Household reign, the controversial Tea Party plan, and why he believes the house could be on the verge of imploding. Omar shares his thoughts on Dee and Rick Devens' games so far, whether the veterans are overplaying their positions, how the Diamond Power of Veto could reshape the season, and why players like Lyric, Barrett, Taylor, and Mallory may be in better spots than fans realize. Plus, Omar reveals his current winner pick, his biggest dark horse, and explains the strategic move he'd make if he were trying to take down the vets.
320: Monica Bailey Looks Back on Big Brother 2
Jul 25, 2026
Show notes
Big Brother 2 legend Monica Bailey joins The Exclusive for a wide-ranging in-studio conversation, revealing the real reason she believes she was cut from All-Stars at the last minute and why she says CBS still "owes her one." Monica revisits the surreal experience of learning about the 9/11 attacks—and the disappearance of her cousin—while sequestered in the Big Brother house, and reflects on predicting years before The Cookout that a Black houseguest couldn't win the game. She also opens up about her decades-long friendships with Dr. Will Kirby and Mike "Boogie" Malin, shares whether she'd ever return to Big Brother, and reveals she's already thrown her hat in the ring for The Traitors.
319: Jerry O'Connell Calls Out Big Brother 28's 'Messiest' Player
Jul 24, 2026
Show notes
New Big Brother: Unlocked panelist Jerry O'Connell joins The Exclusive to share his unfiltered thoughts on the explosive second week of Big Brother 28. The actor and longtime superfan explains why he believes one houseguest is playing the "messiest" game in the house, weighs in on the growing power of the Icons alliance, and reveals the move he thinks the newbies need to make before it's too late. Jerry also reacts to Rome's eviction, shares why he's impressed with Taylor's loyalty, and opens up about why he'd jump at the chance to compete on Celebrity Big Brother.
318: Big Brother 28 Exit Interview: Rome Seymour Reveals Secret Haley Deal, Reacts to Lyric's Vote
Jul 24, 2026
Show notes
The second houseguest evicted from Big Brother 28, Rome Seymour, joins The Exclusive to break down the mistake he believes cost him the game. The pickleball coach reacts to Lyric voting to evict him, explains why he has no regrets about their showmance, and reflects on putting too much trust in Rick Devens during his Head of Household reign. Rome also reveals who he planned to target had he stayed in the game, the surprising alliance he hoped to build had he survived the Blockbuster competition, and why he's already ready for another shot.
317: Big Brother 28 Week 2 Recap: BB27's Jimmy Heagerty Reacts to an Explosive Week
Jul 20, 2026
Show notes
Big Brother 27's Jimmy Heagerty joins The Exclusive to recap an explosive second week of Big Brother 28. Jimmy shares his thoughts on Angela's game so far, Rick Devens' chaotic Head of Household reign, the formation of new alliances like The Toolshed, and the strategic fallout that has already reshaped the game. He also weighs in on the growing divide inside the house, the players making the biggest mistakes, who's in the best position moving forward, and whether this wild week has permanently shifted the balance of power. Plus, Jimmy reveals which houseguests he's most impressed by—and who he believes could be in serious trouble as the season continues.
316: Big Brother 28 Exit Interview: Ashley Trail Reveals What Really Tanked Her Game
Jul 17, 2026
Show notes
Big Brother 28's first evicted houseguest, Ashley Trail, joins The Exclusive to break down what really went wrong during her first week in the house. Ashley opens up about the unanimous vote that sent her packing, why campaigning by naming the "other side of the house" ultimately tanked her game, and the alliance she hoped to build had she survived the Blockbuster competition. She also reveals who she would have targeted, shares which houseguests she believes are playing the strongest games so far, reacts to Rick Devens winning Head of Household, and explains why she'd jump at the chance to play Big Brother again—with a very different strategy next time.
315: Julie Chen Explains Why Dee Gets Big Brother—and Why Rick Devens Doesn't
Jul 15, 2026
Show notes
Julie Chen Moonves joins The Exclusive to break down the first week of Big Brother 28, and she isn't holding back. The longtime host explains why she believes Rick Devens made his biggest mistake of the season, reveals why Dee Valladares has completely won her over, and shares which houseguests she's already rooting for. Julie also opens up about the show's biggest premiere in five years, what she thinks is fueling the ratings surge, teases what fans can expect from the milestone 1,000th episode, and reveals the classic Big Brother twists and punishments she'd love to see return.
314: Big Brother 28 Week 1 Recap: Survivor 50 Winner Aubry Bracco Breaks Down Dee & Devens' Games
Jul 13, 2026
Show notes
Survivor 50 winner Aubry Bracco joins The Exclusive to recap the wild first week of Big Brother 28 and share her unique perspective on former tribemates Dee Valladares and Rick Devens. Aubry explains why she believes Dee was "made for" the Big Brother format, breaks down Devens' chaotic but loyal gameplay, and weighs in on the powerful Crossovers alliance, the Red Corner, and the emerging battle against the returning reality TV veterans. She also shares her thoughts on Angela Murray's surprising position in the game, the players who have impressed her most so far, and reveals her early winner pick for the season.
313: Rachel Reilly Reveals the Story Behind Her Surprise Big Brother Return
Jul 13, 2026
Show notes
Big Brother 13 winner Rachel Reilly joins The Exclusive to reveal the story behind her surprise Big Brother 28 appearance, from secretly entering the house and forming alliances to being dramatically thrown into a volcano by a Velociraptor. Rachel shares behind-the-scenes details from filming the premiere, explains how production pulled off the twist, and reacts to Angela's surprising celebration after her exit. She also weighs in on Dee's first HOH reign, Jason's strategy of targeting the returning players, the season's first showmance, and why she's optimistic about the Big Brother 28 cast—and even teases whether she'd ever return to compete again.
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