Big Brother: All Stars is almost here, but the show’s 22nd season may be missing a popular component. Fans have been waiting for CBS to confirm the return of Big Brother: After Dark, which aired late-night on POP for the last several seasons. After Dark began during Big Brother 8, which was preceded by the series’ first iteration of an All-Stars season. If this year truly marks the end of After Dark, then the program will have been sandwiched between Big Brother‘s two All-Stars seasons.

Speculation regarding the retirement of After Dark began when CBS confirmed that the live feeds would begin immediately after the airing of the live premiere on the West Coast. Big Brother: All Stars will be the first season, aside from the online-only Big Brother: Over the Top, to launch its feeds on premiere night. Typically, fans have to wait days (if not weeks) to become a fly on the wall of the Big Brother house. Perhaps the early opening of the feeds made CBS more comfortable ditching After Dark.

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In a recent press release, CBS outlined its multi-platform programming for Big Brother: All Stars, which included the episodes, as well as the extras provided via CBS All Access. Notably absent was POP’s Big Brother: After Dark, which had been included in similar announcements for previous seasons. Fans were already concerned about the future of After Dark, as the Twitter account for Orwell the Owl, the program’s mascot of sorts, had been silent throughout the preseason. With no mention of Orwell in the press release, nor any update from his Twitter account, the fate of After Dark seems to be all but sealed. Orwell (@BBADOrwell) hasn’t posted on Twitter since his “HOOO-RAY” tweet on September 29th, 2019.

The loss of After Dark is a big one for the Big Brother community. The program allowed those who didn’t already subscribe to CBS All Access to experience the live feeds late at night. The program became particularly popular after eviction nights, and houseguests often put together comedic performances and skits when they knew the program was on-air. Of course, the motive for CBS is rather obvious. Without After Dark, viewers are more likely to subscribe to CBS All Access to take full advantage of the 24/7 Big Brother live feeds. Besides, the announcement regarding the immediate start for the show’s live feeds should excite fans enough to quell any lingering concerns over After Dark. With a cast of former players who should engage in a wide range of conversations, this unprecedented access to the house will surely be welcomed.

While there still has been no official word from CBS regarding the future of Big Brother: After Dark, its days seem to be numbered. But with wild rumors dominating the BB 22 news cycle for Big Brother: All Stars, viewers will have plenty of other developments to focus on when the series premieres Wednesday, August 5th at 9pm.

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Source: CBS

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Cory Stillman
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Cory Stillman is a Movie/TV Features Writer at ScreenRant. He also contributes to Film Cred, and writes a biweekly Substack newsletter covering a whole host of pop cultural and political topics. An avid collector of both comic books and Criterion Blu-Rays, Cory is just as likely to talk your head off about why Aquaman is obviously the coolest superhero as he is to rewatch every Terrence Malick film for the umpteenth time. When he’s not writing, Cory enjoys playing video games, reading, and learning the electric guitar. You can nerd out with Cory some more on Twitter @CorsLight25 or over on his newsletter, Cory’s Reads.

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