Big Brother: Renewed for Season 21! Will Julie Chen Return?

Despite rumors to the contrary, Big Brother will remain on CBS for Season 21!

The host, Julie Chen opened up about casting details for next summer's edition of the reality hit during Thursday's eviction episode.

In typical pre-finale fashion, Chen directed viewers to a casting website, confirming the show would still be around next year.

Like most shows this year, there has been some erosion in the live ratings, but over 5 million viewers and a 1.5 rating among adults 18-49 still make the show a hit.

But what about Chen?

There have been conflicting reports that she could be on her way out of Big Brother ever since she exited The Talk after nine seasons earlier this week.

Her departure from the show came following her husband, Les Moonves being fired from the network following multiple allegations of sexual harassment.

If you think the show would not be the same without Julie, then we may have some good news for you.

According to Deadline, Julie's contract runs through fall 2019, and the website states that she will "continue to work on Big Brother and looks forward to hosting the show for years to come."

Julie has been part of the series since it debuted back in 2000, so we think it's fair to say that fans have grown fond of her over the years.

However, there have been countless rumors that producers are lining up a replacement in case Julie leaves the show, or in the event CBS doesn't want her to return.

Upon her return to CBS last week, Chen stirred up controversy when she seemingly paid tribute to Moonves just days after he was fired from the network.

“I’m Julie Chen Moonves. Goodnight,” she said at the conclusion of last Thursday's episode of Big Brother. Before that installment, she typically said her name was "Julie Chen."

Switching things up was met with a polarizing response from fans of the series, with some feeling like she should have continued on the show as normal, without changing anything.

While her future on Big Brother was uncertain, there was really no question about whether she would return.

The question was when she would announce her departure.

Julie was nowhere to be seen when the talk show returned for Season 9 last week.

“I am taking a few days off from The Talk to be with my family,” she said in a statement when the season premiere went out.

“I will be back soon and will see you Thursday night on Big Brother.”

However, a pre-recorded message was played on The Talk earlier this week, confirming her exit.

“I have been at The Talk since the day it started nine years ago, and the cast, crew, and staff have become family to me over the years,” she said.

“But right now I need to spend more time at home, with my husband and our young son, so I’ve decided to leave The Talk.”

While it's good knowing Julie is contracted through fall 2019, but there's a lot of time between now and next summer's edition.

With a sophomore run of Big Brother: Celebrity Edition in the works for midseason, we should have a more definite answer from the network about her future in the coming months.

Would you like Chen to remain with the series, or do you think it's time to have some new blood hosting the show?

Would you even watch without Julie?

Hit the comments below.

Big Brother continues Sunday on CBS.