Chenbot Rules: Six Reasons to Love Reality TV's Most Awkward Hostess

By Sandy Deane

It really does takes a special skill to be an outstanding reality TV host -- a skill that Julie Chen clearly lacks, yet she makes our hearts leap with joy season after season on 'Big Brother.' What makes Chen so special is that she's just so consistently bad at what she does. After eight seasons of live episodes, HOH competitions and eviction interviews, the Chenbot remains blissfully unchanged. Here, six reasons for our sick obsession with TV's most robotic, predictable, awkwardly lovable reality hostess.

1. 'But First ... '

It may not seem like much of a catchphrase, but Julie owns it in a way only she can. She's uttered this 'BB' line time and time again, during every episode to ever air, and yet each time she delivers it the exact same way: with the same nod of the head, with the same robotic delivery.

2. The Fun of Flubbing

She's been a TV news anchor for more than 16 years, but Chen still stumbles, stutters and flubs her lines. Sure, it can be nerve-wracking hosting a live primetime show, but she's on-air every morning doing 'The Early Show' duty and she makes the same mistakes there. But the day the Chenbot slows down and starts enunciating will be a sad day for us all.

3. And the Winner Is ... Who?

One of the key parts of her job as reality TV hostess is leading the contestants through their live competitions. This trips up the Chenbot again and again. She has a hard time keeping track of who's left in the game ("Oh, there's only two of you!") and who's winning. She's incorrectly called the winner of the Head of Household competition before -- and she'll surely do it again.

4. Awkward Pause

Chen does a fine job interviewing lifestyle experts on 'The Early Show,' but for some reason her quick chats with 'Big Brother' contestants are filled with awkward pauses and lack obvious follow-up questions. Are her producers whispering distracting nonsense into her earpiece, or is she just so bored she can't bring herself to pay attention?

5. Body Glitter

Yes, she wears body glitter ... lots of it. Sometimes it's pink, other times gold, always awesome. Chenbot is clearly the most sparkling primetime host of all time.

6. That's Mrs. Moonves to You

Chenbot is the smartest woman in show business. Nothing cements your place in broadcast TV history quite like marrying the boss. In 2004, Chen wed President and Chief Executive Officer of CBS Corporation, Les Moonves.