Big Brother 17: The Aftermath and Steve on 'The Talk'

The Austin/Vanessa "talk"

I want to thank all of the people who hung out here on the blog through BB17 and a special thank you to those who hit that Donate button! Unlike other sites, I don't get a percentage of the cut from live feeds and such. So, the Donate button helps make up a bit for the amount of lost sleep and such through the live feeds. It also makes me very happy to know that people are enjoying themselves here enough to make donations. I really appreciate it!

That said ... let's get to business.

I stayed up way too late last night watching all of the Jeff Schroeder backyard interviews. (Especially when I had to get up early this morning for work, then stop at the library after work and not get back home until nearly 7pm. Eek.)

I'd say almost all of them handled themselves fairly well. Some don't know their language should be G-rated in these things -- Audrey, Vanessa and Austin come to mind. Johnny Mac seemed honestly touched that Jeff had seen his guitar videos and that many fans like them. Jason was realistic and said it's back to work and living in his mother's basement. Steve was the excitable lad we all know him to be. Austin said kind words about Steve and didn't act like a jerk. He must know how to turn off the Jerk button, I guess.

Then there was Vanessa. Oh my gosh ... while I think she played the best game all season until she didn't win that final HOH, she reminded me of headache times on the live feeds. Mind you, I didn't really say I like her -- I said she played the best game through the season. Vanessa actually drove me a bit bonkers on the live feeds! She talked a mile a minute in the interview, tried to rationalize everything she did, repeated herself (over and over again) and I thought Jeff was going to go cross-eyed in a trance or something.

For a moment I thought there was going to be a brouhaha ... or a kerfuffle ... or maybe fisticuffs! Austin came and gave Vanessa a whack just as she was starting her interview with Jeff. He was a bit heated, but she begged and rationalized and he realized that Jeff had turned and they were filming this. They hugged and made up, at least for the cameras.

Over the next few days I'll be posting or linking interviews with the hamsters.

Once again, thank you all for another fun season on the blog!

Big Brother 17: Season Finale Blog Party

The Final Three bid adieu to us

Liz spelled it out, Sneaky Steve nudged it

Well, this is it. We're at the season finale, another summer of voyeurism finished. This morning, before the live feeds shut down, the final three said farewell. Liz was the most excited and happy. Steve said the fact he's there proves that if you really want to be on the show, you can do it. Vanessa was a bit more like Tommy Chong. She's not a morning person.

Before we get on with the show, we have a few bits o' bizness to attend to:

• Both the Survivor and The Amazing Race blog pools are open for signing up. Please do not sign up on this BB17 season finale post! The sign up posts are at: Survivor Blog Pool and The Amazing Race Blog Pool.
• As for this season's BB blog pool, the remaining contenders are:

Liz - Skyriverblue, jo Chapman, monty924

Steve - KelseyNY, Carrie, K

Vanessa - Chacha, Heather Reyes, T-Town Chick

As the show airs here on the East Coast, I'll be updating this post with the major events (and perhaps a few minor thoughts thrown in). Refresh the page to get the latest news. As always, the real party is in the comments section! Come join in on the fun!

We have to get through the season recap first. Oy. Finally, we should be getting to the first part of the final HOH ... please! Please? Finally! We're to the swinging and dunking apple hamsters. The winner of this round skips round two and vies in part three with the winner of two. Got that?

All three are still up when a taunting voice tells them to slide down from the disks and sit right atop the apples. Please note this voice was never on the comp in the live feeds! Steve is out first. Vanessa sats that she can hang on for longer to psych out Liz ... claims she has another ten hours in her. She mouths final two at her while Steve's back is turned. Liz drops. Vanessa wins Part One!

Liz thinks she HAS to beat Steve in the next part, so she isn't trusting any deal with Vanessa.

It's onto Part Two. It's crossword puzzle format. Steve is thrilled because he likes puzzles. It's BB-related and they have to climb up to put their answers in. It's timed and Steve went first.

The time:
Steve - 28:22
Liz - 31:11

Steve wins Part Two and will go against Vanessa in Part Three!

Dr. Will's Roundtable with the jury! Yes! Johnny Mac joins them. Heh. Austin is shocked that Liz is working with Vanessa against Johnny Mac. Will brings up that he's being hypocritical. Heh. Jackie and Shelli talk about how much Vanessa is playing the game. James thinks she's been playing very well.  Austin and Becky seem bitter.

Shelli thinks Steve did brilliantly social. Johnny Mac calls him a rat. Julia thinks he's cowardly. Jackie thinks highly of Liz's game. James thinks Liz should win because she's in the house and they're all out there. Johnny Mac thinks other people (Vanessa) ran Liz's game.

Final Part of the Final HoH Comp! Vaness and Steve are on Scales of Just Us, have to prove how well they know the jury. A statement with two possible endings. Eight questions.
1. Steve 1, Vanessa 0
2. Both wrong
3. Both right
4. Both right
5. Both wrong
6. Both right
7. Vanessa right. A tie.
8. STEVE

STEVE WINS THE FINAL HOH!

To the living room. Steve EVICTS VANESSA! He went on about her being such a strong player and the move he had to make. Liz is in shock.

Vanessa admits to Julie that she wasn't going to take Steve to the final two had she won HoH.

Julie introduces the jury for the interrogation. They're happy to see Vanessa join them. They've agreed to three questions.

Johnny Mac - You relied on me or Vanessa for all you decisions. Tell me why I'm wrong. They can't hear him in the studio. We can.  He defends making the friendships, split the twin twist, work with Jackie, etc.

Becky - Liz, Austin created and influenced your strategy. What was your strategy? Liz says she aligned with Austin and Vanessa, target on back, did own campaigning.

James - Steve, sitting next to a player while you floated. Steve denies floating. Steve is defending himself quite well.

Liz - Biggest game move as individual? Aligning with strong competitors. (Um, individual?)

Jackie - Biggest function was a vote. Dang, he's being so well-spoken. The kid is prepared.

Austin - Why do you deserve to win the money over Steve? The twin disadvantage, want the money.

Well, Steve certainly after his initial nervousness, answered very well. Liz, not so much.

Final Plea time.
Liz - Not a big gamer, grew to love the game, Julia, incredible summer, three wins.
Steve - Prepared speech, played the game while Liz was in hotel, four HoH reigns, made moves making his own decisions, Liz followed others.

Voting time.
Shelli, loves both. Voting with heart.
Jackie - Congrats, proud of both, one who dreamed of it their entire life.
Becky - One person I'm proud to vote for.
Meg - Heart is torn, give credit to big moves.
James - Both amazing, let Jesus take the wheel.
Julia - My vote is obvious, but I love you both
Austin - Liz, love you. Steve, proud of you, Heart wants what it wants.
Johnny Mac - Choose between worst alliance ever member, can't think of insult for Liz.
Vanessa - No offense Steve, my vote goes for the person who I think best represents what this season stood for.

Non-jury hamsters time on stage. Da'Vonne disses Austin. Heh. Vanessa admits to being a millionaire poker player. Yawn. Jason gives Vanessa kudos for maneuvering through the game but disses her for not owning her game. Audrey is having time of her life, warm responses, gets teary.

The vote reveal --
Vanessa - Liz
Johnny Mac - Steve
Austin - Liz
Julia - Liz
James - Steve
Meg - Steve
Becky - Steve
Jackie - Steve

STEVE WINS BB17! Shelli also voted Steve.

Favorite Houseguest  -- Johnny Mac, James and Jason.

JAMES wins favorite houreguest.

Steve says he'll spend the money wisely and didn't expect to win.

Big Brother 17: Live Feeds into Wednesday - September 23

They're going all poignant on us

Once again, not much in the way of news. So, I'll give you screen caps instead.

• A scrolling banner tells us the live feeds will stop at 9:45am PT. They'll probably barely be up by then!
• The banner also promises backyard interviews after the live show airs on the East Coast -- 8pm PT or 11pm here. As I work tomorrow morning, I'll probably have to play catch up with them. Since those interviews are on the live feeds only (initially), in the days to come I'll be posting links and such for interviews everyone can watch.
• After all, we all want to see Austin again.
• Right?
• Heh.
• As for action yesterday and overnight in the house ... um ... um ... they played cards, cooked, packed, cleaned some, Steve shaved his beard and the girls touched up their dark roots.
• No kerfuffles. No fisticuffs. No brouhahas.
• And, no new game talk.

Late night slumber party

Three people yet a messy kitchen

Good thing Liz is there. She cooks.

And, she cleans

Coco is reluctant to give up the dream

Steve shaved

Vanessa touched up her roots

Big Brother 17: Live Feeds into Tuesday - September 22

Shut it down, Steve!

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Biding Time:

• For the most part, all has been amiable with little game talk.
• They've played cards together, cooked, eaten, had lots of small talk.
• BUT ... when there is actual game talk (about this season and the inevitable end of it), somehow it's always Vanessa.
• Vanessa talking to Steve.
• Vanessa talking to Liz.
• But never at the same time.
• Vanessa had an extended talk with Liz, pointing out how Steve has betrayed her and, while she likes him as a friend, he's not worthy of the win.
• She's had similar talks with Steve about Liz, pointing out all the reasons Liz shouldn't win.
• She has promised them both the final two and told them not to tell the other.
• She's promised them both the final two and told them if they hear anything different, it's because she had to say it.
• Her reasons? (That is, as far as I can tell.) -- She obviously wants Steve to take her to the final two if he wins Part Three. Plus, if it's not HER choice ... she probably thinks she will have Liz, Julia and Austin in her corner in the jury.
• And, if she (Vanessa) wins Part Three, she can have her choice and I think she thinks that she has a better chance against Liz in the final two. She will then point out all the flaws in Steve's game and betrayals to the jury.
• However, the problem with Vanessa is that she is hard to read. She doesn't talk to US. Over the season, I've kind of figured out what she'll do. But it's still tough. I can never say for sure what's going on in her mind.
• On the other hand, Steve does talk to US (or, to himself) a lot. We know that he's planning on dumping Vanessa if he wins Part Three. So far, he's been covering it well with both Vanessa and Liz. He's made no promises to Liz and Vanessa thinks he'll never choose Liz over her.
• And on it goes ...

Play your cards right, Liz

Yes, Liz. There's a camera there.

If she wins Part Three, she should win

If he wins Part Three, he needs to carry through on his plans

Big Brother 17: Live Feeds into Monday - September 21

Thinking on his feet

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of It's the Final Countdown:

• Again, most of their time together was spent playing cards, eating and small talk.
• Except for Steve, that is.
• He was up a good portion of the night pacing the backyard, hammocking and talking to himself/us.
• He went over his whole strategy for the game.
• He went over his speech to evict Vanessa (if he wins Part Three).
• He went over all of the reasons he's done what he's done in the game.
• He all but explained the Meaning of Life and Everything.
• I'm sure Vanessa is also thinking out her final approach to the game.
• But she doesn't vocalize.
• Meanwhile, Steve has been pressuring Vanessa to commit to telling Liz that she won't take her to the final two.
• Vanessa hasn't/won't do so.
• Steve is wisely taking that as an indication that Vanessa would take Liz over him.
• So, he keeps studying and planning.

Thinking on the hammock

Thinking while diagramming

Big Brother 17: Live Feeds Sunday into the Evening - September 20

Liz sleeping

I really don't have much for you tonight. Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Prolonging the Agony:

• They napped a lot.
• They ate a lot.
• They did not fight.
• They played cards.
• Liz did the cooking again.
• Vanessa and Steve ate Liz's cooking.
• No one died.
• Vanessa and Liz did facials.
• Steve doesn't like potatoes nor fish.
• Now, there's some deep insight, eh?
• Vanessa is still playing physically injured although having playing cards available perked her up some.
• No real game talk.

Vanessa sleeping

Playing cards

Scary Vanessa

Scary Liz

Big Brother 17: Final HoH Part One, Season Review Show Blog Party - September 20

Good evening! Ready for a blog party? While many of us already know the results of the final HoH Part Two comp, tonight's episode will focus on the reveal of the HoH winner from Part One. I suppose they might show the second part, but I think they'll do the review of the season (ah, the memories of the way they were!) instead. 

Off BB17 for a moment -- if you want in on the Survivor blog pool, please sign up on the pool sign-up post. (Don't sign up on this BB17 post, please. We might miss your name.)

The show is running late due to football here. I'll be posting this at the regular 8pm ET although word verification won't come down until it starts here (about 8:27pm ET). I'll be updating this entry with the major happenings as it airs here on the East Coast. Refresh the page to get the latest. As always, the real party is in the comments area. I hope to see you there!

Although 60 Minutes just ended here (8:26pm ET), obviously the show started on time elsewhere as seen in the comments at the party below! 

And ... we're starting! Recap, recap ...

Vanessa has made final two deals with both Liz and Steve. They celebrate with the champagne. Vanessa denies making a final two Liz deal to Steve. She's telling him what he wants to hear, but he doesn't really seem to be believing what he's hearing.

More champagne and the fancy reminiscing breakfast segment now. The twins exposed by Da'Vonne comes first. Jeff downfall with the Vanessa set-up for it. Audrey calling out Vanessa. Lots of fingers pointing at Vanessa, crocodile tears and Vanessa on defensive. Ew ... Austin/Liz segment. Ah, the Zing was worth it.

Ah, onto James and Meg. They were more fun to watch, for sure. To the Nerdmance -- Steve and Johnny Mac. Shelli and Clay now. (Along with their ten-year age difference.)

Becky hit in the face by the train re-tell. Clay's mumbling and Audrey's transgender thoughts. Then onto the real weirdness of Oddrey ... the lies she spread to create dissent in the house. James's pranking, WhackStreet Boys ... okay, I'm just about reminisced out.

The Diary Room segments with Audrey are a hoot, though.

Finally, to the Part One of the HoH comp. Carnival set-up. "How 'bout them apples" is the name of the comp. They have to sit on hanging giant candy apples being dipped into red liquid and slammed into a wall. They won't show the end of this until during the finale on Wednesday night. It's a good thing we already know.

Big Brother 17: Live Feeds into Sunday - September 20

Will someone take her to the Final Two?

They are stretching this out way too long! Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Biding Time:

• Vanessa says her pain pills (from the comp the other night) make her feel loopy.
• I'm wondering if it all might be an act heading into the final part of the HoH on the live show Wednesday night.
• Due to Vanessa being loopy and napping a lot, Steve and Liz have spent a lot of time together.
• Steve keeps giving us hints that he's ready to turn on Vanessa if he wins the final HoH part. 
• Lots and lots of small talk.
• BB gave them playing cards and Vanessa came to life.
• They also have the yard once again and will probably have it until Tuesday night or Wednesday morning when it will need to be set up for interviews.
• Thankfully, Steve won the second part of the HoH comp as there would be controversy had Liz won -- she told him that BB gave her a clue because she kept saying she wasn't in the house (Julia) when a certain comp answer happened. BB told her it was the one she won.
• Hmm.
• Of course, that went to fish and we got blocked.
• Liz remains the main cook for the crowd.
• Well, they do say three's a crowd, right?
• Vanessa told Steve he's the most buff guy in the house.
• Heh.
• That's like when my father used to tell me I was his favorite daughter.
• Steve is the ONLY guy in the house now and I was the ONLY daughter.
• Not much game talk at all.
• Three more days of this.

Brief foray for Mistress of Pain

Feels better with pain meds

Will he turn on Vanessa if he can?

Thankfully, usually has a shirt on

Big Brother 17: Live Feeds, Final HoH Part 2 Winner - September 19

This is Vanessa on pain meds

Not that it's a big difference from Vanessa not on pain meds when she's in a napping mood! She doesn't talk as much. But, with it down to the three, she doesn't need to continually run around in paranoia. Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of What Do We Do For Four Days Now?:

• I didn't give you an update yesterday evening because nothing much happened other than lots of napping and lots of studying for the comp.
• Oh. And lots of fussing and complaining about pain from Vanessa.
• The big action, Part Two of the Final HoH comp didn't start until nearly 10pm their time.
• Make that 1am my time!
• Ack.
• Naturally, it was blocked to the live feeds and we got Jeffish instead.
• Am I the only one who wishes they'd just go back to the theme music in the long feeds blocks? When it was music, I could nap and when their voices took over, that would wake me up.
• Anyway ... STEVE won Part Two of the HoH Comp.
• He was giddy beyond belief for a while, but eventually calmed down.
• Liz, on the other hand, was quasi-calm with occasional extended bouts of tears.
• From their talking, it seems the comp was BB-related crossword puzzle format with them in harnesses.
• Liz pointed out that Steve's harness left a big red mark on his lower back.
• Steve thinks Vanessa will win Part 3.
• Hmm. If he has the distrust of Vanessa he's voiced to us in the past and he's a true BB fan, he'd better work his butt off to win Part 3 so it's HIS choice who goes to final two.
• I'm hoping he's not going to trust Vanessa to take him there!
• Maybe she would, maybe not.
• The time limit for the comp was 90 minutes. 
• They finished it in 30.
• Feeds were blocked for nearly 90 minutes anyway.
• They're all asleep now.

I did it! I did it!

Sorry, feeders, I'm emotional tonight.

Big Brother 17: Live Feeds into Friday - September 18

Studying

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Sweet Strategies:

• When I last saw the bathroom floor, that roll of toilet paper featured in my last update was still there. No one has bothered to pick it up.
• If that was here, my cat would have taken care of that immediately!
• The girls slept most of the day. 
• Steve napped a lot on and off between roaming the house, mumbling and laying out candy and Froot Loops to memorize house happenings.
• Liz eventually got up and studied, often asking Steve for answers.
• She eventually went to her own candy plan-o-grams.
• They're all still hurting from the candy apple comp Wednesday night.
• Vanessa is fussing the most, then Liz, then Steve. That's the reverse order of how they came down.
• Steve and Liz have gravitated more to hanging out together. 
• Maybe it's because Vanessa is so out of it.
• Maybe it's because they just might both dump Vanessa if they have the choice?
• Over the past few days, Steve has mumbled different versions of evicting Vanessa if he wins HoH.
• Hmm.
• I would think, if they're thinking win, Vanessa isn't one to take with you.
• Then again, it might behoove either Steve or Vanessa to take Liz over each other.
• But I could be totally wrong.
• All three had to get dressed appropriately to answer fan questions for BBAD.
• The questions were along the line of favorite foods, what they miss from home, etc. 
• Yawn.
• That took up a good fifteen minutes!
• They're sleeping.

Studying

Such fun times

Answering questions for BBAD

Maimed for life?

Big Brother 17: Live Dead Feeds Thursday, Survivor Cambodia Second Chance

Well, this is new and different

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Inanimate Objects:

• I really got nuthin' for you.
• They were awakened early (9am their time) after the exhaustion of last night's first part of the HoH comp.
• Apparently, I'm guessing here, it was for filming the BB walk down memory lane bit as we had Jeffish for a few hours.
• They've been conked out ever since.
• The camera people keep focusing on odd things along with a two-cam view of sleeping hamsters.
• More exciting is the Jeff Probst Survivor: Cambodia - Second Chance cast assessment video posted below the BB still life shots!

How exciting!

Worldly, even!

The new Survivor season leads into the BB17 season finale next Wednesday night. I'll be watching. How about you?

Big Brother 17: Live Feeds Final Three HoH Part 1 Endurance Comp Updates - Sept. 16

Playing a waiting game ...

Once they get started, I'll be updating this post -- refresh the page to get the latest.

It's 10:10pm ET. They finally took the time off the banner. That had been reading to stay tuned for it to start at 9:00pm ET. 

11:00pm ET - We have Jeffish interviews/highlights.

11:30pm ET - Still Jeffish 

11:43pm ET - finally ...

They're swinging on giant candy apples and dunking into red liquid. They're periodically being slammed into a wall. 

11:51pm ET - A new thing, a blast of powder. 

11:58pm ET - All three still in, by the way. Liz looks the most uncomfortable.

12:10am ET - All still in.

Steve said that it's exactly the kind of comp he's wanted -- endurance, but not overly physical, a "how bad do you want it" kind of comp.

12:24am ET - Steve slipped, now sitting directly on the apple instead of above it. He uses the dunk to get back in the right position.

12:27am ET - Although Steve had his slip (and fixed it), it really looks like Liz is having the hardest time with this comp.

12:34am ET - Finally the BB voice yelled at Steve for singing (humming). It was driving me bonkers.

12:45am ET - All three still in it.

1:00am ET -- All three still in.

1:15am ET -- All three still in. Am I a bad person for wishing one of them, any of them, will fall soon?

This is REALLY BORING. One better fall soon!

1:38am ET -- Some kind of goopy white gunk sprayed on them. All still in.

If no one is out by 2am ET, I'm going to take a nap or an outright sleep and catch up with this in a few (or four) hours. This must be one of the most boring comps they've ever done.

Steve down 12:18am PT

Vanessa wins HoH Part 1 at 12:31 their time

That's, of course, 3:31am for me! She just wore down Liz, telling her that she needed to win this part because it's the only one she'd be good at, she has a good ten more hours in her and more.