julie chen has an inside connection to CBS—she’s married to the network’s bigwig boss, Les Moonves—but that’s not the only reason why the former news anchor will always be tied to “Big Brother.” In an interview with TV Insider, Chen revealed that the signature CBS summertime reality show has become like her “left arm.”

Chen, affectionately known as Chenbot by “Big Brother” devotees, has hosted the CBS reality competition since 2000 and the show has already been renewed through 2018, so that means she ahs at least two more seasons to add to her hosting resume.

While Julie told TV Insider she does sometimes miss “the great camaraderie among newsroom colleagues," she has no regrets about leaving the daily news grind to take on the daytime chat fest “The Talk” and the annual “Big Brother” gig.

Why Julie will always be a part of BB

Chen says that after 18 seasons (19 counting last fall’s online edition of the show, ‘Big Brother: Over the Top”) the reality show is “such a well-oiled machine at this point that it doesn’t even feel like work.”

Chen says her “Big Brother” role, which includes at least one live show throughout the summer, feels more like a vacation. Chen calls the fun gig her “guilty pleasure,” and admitted that she could never sit at home and watch the show with someone else as host because she feels that it is her party.

Last year, just ahead of “Big Brother: Over the Top” debut, Julie revealed that there would be no “Big Brother" without Chenbot. At the time, CBS confirmed that Julie Chen would host the digital version of the show to be streamed on Cbs All Access.

The network touted the show's "incredible success” and noted that the “Big Brother” live feeds are some of the most popular content on CBS All Access, according to celebrity site JustJared. While Julie admits that she could never be a “Big Brother" houseguest herself because it would be too difficult for her to be away from her husband and her young son, Charlie, she loves being a big part of the game.

The secret to the show’s success

As to why the show has lasted so long, Chen says she doesn’t fear that the show will ever lose its magic, even in today’s vast reality TV landscape. In addition to twists and turns that constantly shake up the "Big Brother” game and keep it feeling fresh, Julie says “nothing can ever compete with putting 15 strangers together in a house with one bathroom.”

"Big Brother" returns for its 19th season with a two-night premiere starting Wednesday, June 28 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
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