Dr. Will Kirby. Monty Brinton/NBC
Dr. Will Kirby hinted at plans to move on from reality TV after season 2 of Deal or No Deal Island.
“This is a young person’s game,” Dr. Will, 52, told People on Tuesday, January 14. “I really love what I do for a living. I love reality television and I have been part of it for 25 years. But nothing in life is sadder than a reality television person who doesn’t know when to retire.”
After competing with the next generation of reality stars, Dr. Will added, “If I’m being really transparent, I think it’s time to pass the torch. And this is the best group to pass the torch to.”
Fans met Dr. Will on season 2 of Big Brother in 2001, which he won. He returned for Big Brother: All Stars in 2006 and came in fourth before becoming the jury roundtable host on the CBS reality show.
Dr. Will hosted the show’s jury roundtable segment on and off from 2013 until his exit last year.
“I can confirm that I will not be serving as the Big Brother jury roundtable host this season,” Kirby told Parade in a September 2024 statement. “It’s simply time to hang up the proverbial cleats. The run I’ve had on the show, first as contestant and then as a host, is practically unheard of but nothing lasts forever; I am ready to pass the reality television baton!”
Dr. Will Kirby and Joe Manganiello on ‘Deal or No Deal Island.’ Monty Brinton/NBC
Over the years, Dr. Will has discussed how emotionally draining the hosting gig could be, exclusively telling Us Weekly in 2020, “Every jury has an element of bitterness. And why would we expect otherwise? You would be bitter too if you just lost half a million dollars. But the right person always wins. He or she did whatever it took to have the most keys come out of the box on finale night!”
Dr. Will weighed in at the time on whether he believed he was the best player to ever participate in Big Brother.
“Please let me address your question with a question of my own: What other non-scripted television show cast member is still relevant nearly two decades after his or her first appearance?” he noted. “I laid the foundation for the antihero gameplay that fans relish today, I was the architect of alliances and I’m well-rounded in every aspect of strategic gameplay.”
Dr. Will continued: “Moreover, I provided pure unadulterated entertainment enveloped in a comedic shell. On top of all that, I literally created the word ‘showmance.’ So, yes, unequivocally, I’m the best to ever play.”
Dr. Will Kirby on ‘Big Brother.’ Sonja Flemming/CBS
Following two decades away from competitive reality TV, Dr. Will joined Deal or No Deal Island during the Tuesday, January 14, episode.
“I was well aware of my reputation,” he told People on Tuesday. “So I came in hot, guns blazing. I wanted to win people over.”
Dr. Will said he “couldn’t be who” he really is on the show, describing himself as “meek and quiet and introverted” and “a guy who reads books and goes to bed at 9 [o’clock].”
“Not only is that not good for the show, it’s just not what people would’ve believed,” he continued. “So I came in just screaming and yelling. I came here to entertain.”
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