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.
312: Everything Big Brother Fans Need to Know About BB28's Survivor Players—With Rizo Velovic
Jul 11, 2026
Show notes
With two Survivor stars officially joining the Big Brother 28 cast, Survivor 49 and 50 player Rizo Velovic joins The Exclusive to give Big Brother fans the ultimate crash course on Rick Devens and Dee Valladares. Having played alongside both of them on Survivor 50, Rizo breaks down each player's biggest strengths and weaknesses, how their Survivor games could translate to the Big Brother house, and why Dee and Rick could become two of the season's biggest threats. He also shares behind-the-scenes insight into their personalities, strategy, and relationship outside the game before making his predictions for their Big Brother 28 journeys.
311: Big Brother 28 Cast Assessment with Jun Song
Jul 09, 2026
Show notes
Big Brother 4 winner Jun Song joins The Exclusive to break down the entire Big Brother 28 cast before the premiere. The reality TV legend shares her first impressions of every new houseguest, reveals who she thinks has the best chance to win, predicts the first boots, and explains which contestants she's already skeptical of after digging through their social media and LinkedIn profiles. Jun also weighs in on the season's returning reality TV veterans, discusses the evolution of modern Big Brother casting and reflects on why she never returned to play again.
310: Big Brother 28: First Impressions of the New Cast!
Jul 07, 2026
Show notes
Big Brother 28 is officially underway, and host Sharon Tharp is sharing her unfiltered first impressions of the first 14 houseguests entering the game. From superfans and recruits to potential showmances, early winner contenders, and players already giving "early boot" energy, Sharon reacts in real time to each contestant's introductory video and breaks down who stands out, who raises red flags, and who could surprise once the game begins. She also weighs in on the cast overall, the apparent lack of hardcore fans, and how the incoming mystery players could shake up the season.
309: Josh Martinez on Racism, Almost Quitting & Life After La Casa de los Famosos
Jun 30, 2026
Show notes
Josh Martinez joins The Exclusive for his first in-depth interview following his fourth-place finish on La Casa de los Famosos. The Big Brother winner and The Challenge veteran opens up about surviving 115 days inside the house and why he says it was the hardest reality competition he's ever faced. Josh reflects on the emotional toll of the game, the racist and anti-Latino comments he says he endured, the two moments he nearly quit, and how seeing his mom during a family visit gave him the strength to keep going.
He also discusses the overwhelming support he received from the Big Brother and Challenge communities, breaks down some of the biggest controversies from the season, shares where he stands with his fellow houseguests today, and reveals what's next after breaking into the Latin American reality TV market. Plus, Josh teases future projects, explains what it would take for him to return to Big Brother, and shares why The Traitors remains at the top of his wish list.
308: Padma Lakshmi on Reinventing Food Competition TV With America's Culinary Cup
Jun 18, 2026
Show notes
Padma Lakshmi joins host Sharon Tharp on The Exclusive to discuss creating and executive producing America's Culinary Cup, the ambitious new food competition series she designed to challenge the conventions of reality television. The Emmy-nominated host opens up about taking creative risks, eliminating many of the genre's most common tropes, and why she refused to sequester contestants during production.
Lakshmi also reflects on reinventing the cooking competition format, creating a high-end environment for chefs to perform at their best, the strategic elements inspired by shows like Survivor, and the lessons she's learned from decades in television. Plus, she shares candid thoughts on leadership, imposter syndrome, and stepping into a larger creative role behind the camera.
307: Top Chef 23 Exit Interview: Jonathan Calls Seiger's Judges' Table Confrontation 'Very Uncomfortable'
Jun 10, 2026
Show notes
Chef Jonathan Dearden joins The Exclusive following his elimination from Top Chef Season 23 to reflect on his journey through the competition, the ambitious pumpkin and brioche dish that ultimately sent him home, and why he believes the judges were forced to nitpick as the field narrowed. Jonathan opens up about the pressure of cooking alongside his brother Brandon, shares his unfiltered thoughts on the controversial challenges, and reveals why he was surprised to find himself on the bottom. He also discusses Sieger's heated Judges' Table confrontation, calling the moment "very uncomfortable," explains what viewers didn't see from the exchange, weighs in on Rhoda's eventual victory, and reveals whether he'd return to the Top Chef kitchen for another shot at the title.
306: Top Chef 23 Exit Interview: Anthony Jones Disagrees With Judges' Elimination Critique
May 29, 2026
Show notes
Chef Anthony Jones joins The Exclusive following his elimination from Top Chef Season 23 to reflect on his journey, the rabbit challenge that sent him home, and the judges' critiques that he still questions. The chef opens up about why he found the "disjointed" criticism of his Michelin-inspired plating "odd," weighs in on fellow contestant Sieger's decision to push back at Judges' Table, and shares his thoughts on some of the season's most controversial challenges. Anthony also discusses the shrinking margin for error as the competition progressed, the advice he received from former Top Chef winner Tristen Epps before filming, and whether he'd return if Top Chef called him back for another shot at the title.
305: Survivor 50 Finale Recap: Morgan Pope on Aubry’s Win, the Bitter Jury Debate & Jeff’s Big Slip-Up
May 23, 2026
Show notes
Big Brother 27 finalist Morgan Pope joins The Exclusive to recap the Survivor 50 finale after attending the live reunion in Los Angeles. Morgan reacts to Aubry Bracco’s emotional win, explains why she believes Aubry’s adaptability earned her the title, and weighs in on the online debate over whether the jury was truly “bitter” toward Jonathan and Joe.
Morgan also shares her firsthand reaction to Jeff Probst accidentally spoiling the fire-making challenge result live in the theater and what the atmosphere inside the room was actually like during the chaotic moment. Plus, Sharon and Morgan break down several “what if” scenarios from the finale, including whether Tiffany could have won the season, who wins a Rizo vs. Jonathan vs. Joe Final Tribal Council, and whether Aubry still dominates if Rizo makes the end instead.
304: Top Chef 23 Exit Interview: Brandon Deaden on Restaurant Wars & Fighting With His Brother
May 22, 2026
Show notes
The latest chef eliminated from Top Chef Season 23, Brandon Deaden, joins The Exclusive to break down the Restaurant Wars service that sent him home. Brandon reflects on taking the line cook role to help his team succeed, why he believes focusing too much on service hurt his individual dish, and the inconsistent rice pudding mistake that ultimately sealed his fate. He also opens up about the behind-the-scenes chaos viewers didn’t fully see, including communication breakdowns during service and why he believes timing and luck can play a huge role in Restaurant Wars. Plus, Brandon also discusses competing against his twin brother Jonathan, the sibling bickering and trash talk that didn’t fully make the edit, and why the two intentionally tried to “put on a show” whenever the cameras were rolling.
303: Top Chef 23 Exit Interview: Oscar Diaz Breaks Down the Mistakes That Sent Him Home
May 22, 2026
Show notes
The latest chef eliminated from Top Chef Season 23, Oscar Diaz, joins The Exclusive to break down the small mistakes and kitchen chaos that led to his exit. Oscar reflects on the pressure of the combined Quickfire and Elimination challenge, the turmeric spill that left his face “on fire,” and why he thinks the judges misunderstood the intention behind his rice dish. He also opens up about the mental toll of filming, constantly moving locations, and trying to stay calm while cameras followed every move in the kitchen. Plus, Oscar shares what viewers didn’t fully see about the cast dynamic, how being disconnected from phones and social media changed him during filming, and why he’d absolutely return for another shot — this time “coming for everyone’s jugular.”
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