Rick Devens Wins Big Brother Season 28, Becoming First Survivor Alum to Claim Title

Key points

• Rick Devens won Big Brother Season 28, defeating Taylor Brown in a 6-1 jury vote.
• Devens became the first former Survivor contestant to win Big Brother.
• The finale featured a dramatic betrayal where Devens evicted his close ally Drew Campbell.
• Devens won a total of $810,000, including the $750,000 grand prize and additional bonuses.
• Devens also won the America's Favorite Houseguest award, earning an extra $50,000.

Background

Rick Devens, a 42-year-old broadcast journalist and Survivor alum from Blacksburg, Virginia, had previously come up short in Survivor seasons 38 and 50. His win on Big Brother Season 28 marks a significant milestone in his reality TV career. The season featured several other notable contestants, including Taylor Brown, a 28-year-old elementary school counselor from Deerfield Beach, Florida, and Drew Campbell, a 22-year-old surgical dental assistant from Temecula, California.

How outlets are covering it

The Washington Post highlighted the drama of the finale, noting that Devens's victory addressed whether reality TV veterans had too many advantages in the game. Deadline provided detailed coverage of the final challenge and jury vote, emphasizing Devens's strategic gameplay. USA Today focused on the financial aspects of Devens's win, detailing the total prize money he received. All sources agreed on the outcome but differed in their emphasis on the strategic and financial aspects of the win.

Why it matters

Rick Devens's win on Big Brother Season 28 is significant as it marks the first time a former Survivor contestant has won Big Brother. This crossover success highlights the growing overlap between reality TV franchises and the strategic gameplay that can carry over between shows. The dramatic betrayal and strategic decisions in the finale also underscore the evolving dynamics of reality TV competitions.

What to watch

Big Brother has been renewed for seasons 29 and 30 on CBS. The next season will likely feature new contestants and potentially more crossover players from other reality shows. Fans can expect continued strategic gameplay and dramatic twists in future seasons.