Julie Chen says Corey Brooks Has No ‘Big Brother’ Game


Corey Brooks may be in a good spot on Big Brother 18 right now, but host Julie Chen still doesn’t think he has what it takes to be crowned the next champion of the CBS reality competition. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Chen said Corey Brooks’ showmance with Nicole Franzel could cost him the Big Brother grand prize—and that’s not his only game-related problem.

Chen said she thinks Corey and Nicole have less of a chance of winning the top 2 Big Brother spots than fellow showmancers, James Huling and Natalie Negrotti, and it’s all due to R-E-S-P-E-C-T, or lack of it.

“James and Natalie are more respected and liked in the house than Nicole and Corey,” Chen explained.

“Nicole has her enemies that she double-crossed (like Da’Vonne) and Corey is kind of a big lug who’s not the brightest bulb on the tree.”

In addition to her cutting comment about his intelligence, Julie previously said Corey Brooks doesn’t seem like he can make a decision on his own in the Big Brother house, as was evidenced by his short-lived Head of Household win on double eviction night.

“Corey can’t make a decision on his own. I normally love eavesdropping on the strategy sessions and seeing people try to cut deals or beg for safety, but Corey was so lost on what to do. I wish we had a rule tonight that said once you win HOH you have to make your nominations right away on the spot! Get your head in the game, man!”

As for that showmance with Franzel, Julie isn’t buying that either. She told ET Online Brooks and Franzel‘s relationship won’t go anywhere once the game is over.

“Forget about Corey and Nicole,” she said. “That’s a one-sided thing. He looks like her as a kid sister. I think he adores her, but not in a romantic way.”

Despite Julie’s prediction, Corey Brooks has been very wrapped up in his BB showmance. Still, before he headed into the game, Brooks told ET he wasn’t looking to be on “a dating show or anything like that.” In fact, Corey Brooks initially was more interested in a bromance, something he ultimately found with the now ousted Paulie Calafiore.

“I think guys are gonna run the house this year,” Corey told ET. “Get a couple good guys on my side, win the competitions … it’s gonna help me form alliances.”

Brooks hasn’t exactly succeeded in the all-guys alliance department (the all-male Executives alliance was extremely short-lived), and he’s been seemingly oblivious other times throughout the game, including his overly- confident attitude when he was on the chopping block. (BB 101: Pawns can and do get sent home.)

TV Guide posted a list of Corey Brooks doozies that prove his head isn’t always in the game, including his lame game talk with Michelle Meyer and the time he opted to make out with Nicole instead of studying for the Power of Veto competition because he didn’t think he had much on the line. (Note: He was on the block at the time!)

Of course, while Julie Chen has her doubts about Corey, America doesn’t. Corey Brooks—SPOILER ALERT!—won the fan-voted final America’s Care Package, so he’ll have $5,000 to bribe another player this week. According to CinemaBend, the BB bribe is binding, meaning the recipient of the cash must stick to his or her word, so Corey can use this thing to a serious advantage in a game-related deal.

Take a look at the video below to see Corey Brooks talking about his past dating life—and see Nicole’s reaction to his story.

[Image: CBS Big Brother Twitter]

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