BB18: Live Feeds into Tuesday - August 23

Looking Christine-like. Ew.

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Failed Friendship:

• I don't have a heck of a lot to report for you today.
• So, you get more screen caps!
• Michelle spoke how much she admires Amanda Zuckerman. She also likes Christine. I never cared too much for either. If those are her choices of fantastic BB players, I can't think of her as any sort of superfan.
• Paul continues to alienate any friendship he had with Michelle, Natalie and James.
• Well, he can be annoying! He needs to stop thinking he's all that. Because he's not!
• More information into Michelle's self esteem issues -- she says she almost had a breakdown over weight and food addiction issues. I do see her eating a lot. But I also don't see that she has any sort of serious weight issues. 
• Oh. And BB Superfan Michelle said she stopped watching BB17 on the 1st of August last year. Pshaw! That is NOT a superfan! Superfans stay through at least the backyard interviews!
• Paul is mad at all the girls for various reasons.
• That's okay. They want to avoid him anyway.
• He just can't stand Michelle!
• The feeling is mutual.
• I say -- issue them boxing gloves! We need fisticuffs!
• Michelle says she'll do another "famous call-out" on Paul on Thursday if he doesn't win HoH.
• Paul thinks they'll all gang up on him if Victor goes this week.
• Y'think?
• Bwahaha!

James at the pool, but not in the pool

You don't prank well, Corey

Kissyface

Not kissyface

He knows he's probably going

Can't mix up those HoH robes!

James is surrounded!

BB18: Live Feeds into Monday Evening - August 22

I'm seeing no friendship here

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Hapless Hamsters:

• Paul thinks this coming care package will be the "mother" of care packages. So, he wants to see friendship from America and be the recipient.
• Let me know how that goes, kid.
• Actually, if enough show only viewers vote, he just might get it. They don't have to put up with him on the live feeds.
• The veto meeting was relatively early for them. It's a wonder they were out of bed.
• Despite the fact that she'd prefer Nicole out for personal reasons (and her idea that Nicole will "skate" to the finals), Michelle put Corey on the block when Paul saved himself with the veto.
• Michelle has developed a Paulphobia. She doesn't want to be anywhere near him.
• Of course, he was her original target.
• How will she achieve Paulvoidance? 
• Apparently by hogging the bed in the HoH room day and night.
• She's not avoiding Victor. He even told her that putting Corey up was the better strategic choice.
• Paul and Victor plan on telling Michelle that Corey, Nicole, James and Natalie have a final four pact.
• Um, unless she's blind, she can see that. She might have to win HoH, not have it fall out of the sky!
• Paul is sure that unless he wins HoH or veto this week, he's a goner next week.
• Well. Yeah, that's about right!
• Interesting ... Victor said he had to speak to a psychiatrist before they let him re-enter the house.
• Now, if one has to talk to Paulie if he wins re-entry, he just better mention that claustrophobia issue!
• Victor cleaned the kitchen and played pool. He mingled.
• Paul had little to no friendship.
• He tried talking to Nicole and just irked her and got no satisfaction.
• Victor is holding out hope that he can get James to save him.
• I doubt it.
• James would save him if it was Paul on the block with him though.
• No friendship there!

Cool enough for the bunny hat

"Paulie planted seeds."

I'm a re-nom. What's a re-nom?

BB18: Live Feeds into Monday - August 22

Holding onto safety ... for now.

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Dwindling Numbers:

• No real action in the late night hours.
• No kerfuffles.
• No brouhahas.
• Certainly no fisticuffs.
• Mostly small talk went on, with a few revealing bits and pieces.
• Y'know, Paul is so great ...
• ... how great is he?
• Why, he's so great that he doesn't think there's any problem if he texts and drives?
• Attn: Police departments all over -- be on the lookout for this!
• Victor seems to know he'll be the one going out the door.
• James is worried that he might go up as a replacement nominee.
• If he did, he'd have Nicole and Corey voting for him to stay. Victor would only have Paul.
• If the scenario is Corey on the block, James and Nicole would vote to keep him. Paul would vote for Victor to stay.
• If it's Nicole on the block, just substitute Corey and James for keeping her.
• Whatever scenario plays out, only three people can vote.
• And Victor goes home.
• The main reason James is worried is because Michelle mentioned possibly putting up Nicole as the replacement with the line that she hasn't been on the block yet.
• Of course, she's telling this to James ... who also hasn't been on the block.
• Natalie advised James to please come to her for advice and not to have any one on one talks just before nominations. 
• She thinks he only gets himself in trouble when he does that.
• She's right. While James has been playing a quiet game, he's occasionally spoken up and exposed his cards at inopportune times.
• Michelle seriously needs to stop calling herself a superfan.
• She just doesn't qualify as such in my book (and the book of many who have seen every episode and watched the live feeds since the first season).
• I think she perhaps has three or four seasons under her belt.
• That's no superfan.
• Paul told Victor not to say anything confidential to Michelle because she'll run and tell "them."
• Hey, why would Victor care now? Paul will save himself, not Victor.
• Not that I'd blame him for saving himself.
• Victor talked about getting up at the veto meeting and saying, "Friendship."
• Victor tried to tell Michelle that if she put up Nicole, he (Victor) would go home. But if she put up Corey, he (Victor) would stay.
• I don't think so. Victor is too great of a target (no matter how much people like him) in the game. All scenarios lead to him going home.
• I think Paul and Victor both know that and they're grasping at straws.
• James put in a request for America - "Please send Corey the next care package, not Paul."
• Who knows what the aired TV show fans will do?
• They might think Paul is a hoot and want to reward him.
• Yeah, he can be funny. He can be interesting at times. But he's also very annoying.
• So, they can send a package to either a dullard or an annoying guy.
• What a quandary!
• Victor kept trying to get closer to Michelle. Um, dude ... she has no vote this week and Paul ain't you. She doesn't like Paul at all and he will save himself this week.
• Victor went on about truth in the game and how he'd rather know than not know if he's the target.
• James told Natalie that he'll tell Victor on Wednesday that he's voting him out.
• Of course, we all know the real target was Paul this week.

Yes, I can laugh. I cry, too.

We wish it was Paul going away

You need to listen to MY advice, James!

Reminiscing about the early days of BB18

BB18: Live Feeds into Sunday Evening - August 21

Needs to get his game on!

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Bamboozled Bros:

• Nicole and James talked about how much harder this season is than they had expected.
• No, it's not summer camp, Nicole.
• James thinks if the next care package comes to Corey, it will show that America thinks Paul and Victor are villains.
• Hmm. I think America might think that of Paul. Victor? Not so much.
• James, Corey and Nicole want to target Paul and Michelle next.
• That is, if they themselves get through this week intact!
• On the whole, the day was rather uneventful.
• Lots of talk from Natalie, Corey, Nicole and James about Victor going home and final four plans.
• Victor put on a fun, albeit a bit adult, puppet show with Baldwin.
• That was the hit of the day for me!
• Paul, of course, is scheming to get Michelle to put Corey on the block.
• Not that she needs much convincing, mind you.
• Michelle locked the door of the HoH room to take a nap and wouldn't let anyone in ... not even Natalie, the person who won the role!
• Victor cleaned the bathroom.
• He can come over here and clean mine, too!
• It's pretty certain that Michelle is going to put up Corey as the replacement nomination as it seems that move will create fewer problems in her own game.
• The James/Natalie/Nicole/Corey plan is to act like Corey's going home ... like James and Natalie have turned on him, then Victor goes home.
• They really wanted PAUL out.
• This week, James is the swing vote. He will definitely vote to keep either Corey or Nicole rather than Victor.

Oh, he's just so cute. Just ask Nicole.

Talking showmances

Being friendly

Baldwin's puppet performance

Scheming to keep Victor in the game

BB18: HoH Comp, Nominations Show Blog Party - August 21

Hamster watchers ready?! After Friday night's non-show clip show, this one should be interesting!

As the show airs here on the East Coast, I'll be constantly updating this entry. Refresh the page to get the latest news! As always, the real party is in the comments area!

Let's start off with a recap! 

The scariest HoH yet is ahead. Michelle is going in with an advantage of some sort from the pie-eating contest at the backyard carnival.

In the Black Box, it's smelly and sloppy. They can't see anything. They have to hold a button until a voice tells them they have 30 seconds to search for disks. It's coming back to me -- Michelle has an extra 30 seconds search. 

In a pre-HoH comp segment, Nicole (accurately) reports to James that Paul came to them about targeting James. So, there is more reason for James to move targets to Paul or Victor.

Michelle gets her 30 second advantage. She blows it and gets nothing except a decoy disk. Nobody seems to be doing well. 

Michelle accidentally lets go of her button and is eliminated. She whines.

James slipped and fell with four disks in hand more than a few hours into the comp. It's soon over and they go to the yard to tally their disks.

Paul - 5
Nicole - 5
Corey - 10
Natalie - 10

It's a tie for the win. The tiebreaker is when they brought the tenth disk back. Natalie wins by four seconds!

That puts her and James in a bit of a dilemma -- they will have to choose which side of the house they're on. 

Victor is worried they might flip on him and Paul. Nicole is worried, too. Nicole tries to talk to Natalie and James. She's pushing for a four with them (and Corey). Natalie sees sense in the idea. Nicole thinks Paul is the more dangerous of the two and that Victor and Paul together are really a team to worry about. 

Paul talks friendship, but Natalie doesn't think targeting James is friendship. In an awkward moment, Victor goes to HoH to talk to Natalie and she's in there talking with James and Corey. He reports back to Paul. 

After a Friendship Time with Paul, it's the arrival of this week's care package. It's for Michelle! Tissues, brownies and CO-HOH power! She's safe and gets to name one nominee. Nicole is super worried!

Natalie and Michelle talk. Michelle says she wants Nicole out. Natalie says they need to nominate the two strongest players in the house. Paul interrupts them. Michelle remembers that Paulie warned her that Paul is sketchy. Michelle is certain that she wants Nicole up. Natalie pushes the Paul/Victor ticket. Even Corey tries talking to Michelle. 

Michelle feels there are three duos in the house and then there's her. Natalie says that she'll put Victor up since Michelle doesn't want to do that deed. She sees the long term game sense in getting Paul out rather than Nicole. 

Nominations ceremony time! Another red alert and Paul has to do his stuff. Natalie nominates Victor. Michelle nominates Paul. Natalie tells Victor to win PoV. Michelle makes it clear that she wants Paul to go home. 

Michelle is keeping in the idea of backdooring Nicole.

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - August 21, 2016

Good morning! Since it's Sunday morning, it's time for my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way. If you're here for Big Brother news, everything I have for you can be found at this link. I'll be posting another live feeds report late tonight as well as live-blogging the aired show. But this ain't that. This post is a year-round regular "feature" while Big Brother is a summer obsession. Or, something like that.

Gah. Although I took some photos I really like this past week, it's been yet another hot, sweaty, painful and exhausting week. My appetite has been off, probably due to the heat and humidity. That's okay -- losing a few pounds is always a good thing. Unfortunately, the sciatica has been hanging in and, I believe that due to it, my right knee has given out on me twice. I didn't fall either time. I don't think it's a problem with the knee replacement itself. I do think it's the sciatica affecting my use of the knee. And, people wonder why I'm so anxious for retirement ...!

There was a horrific NJ Transit bus accident with two fatalities in Newark one morning this week. It was a t-bone type accident with the driver of one bus passing away. The second fatality was a passenger on the other bus. The bus which crashed into the other was a 59 bus, the bus route I take for jaunts across town or into Westfield. When I saw photos of the deceased driver, I've been on his buses before. While I didn't know him well (as I do some NJ Transit train and bus folks), he wasn't a crazy driver at all. I'm thinking it might have been a medical issue. He was 70 years old. Either that or the other bus ran a light. Very sad.

I really don't have much more for you other than the photographs. For some reason, this week turned out to be Bird Week. Hey, I shoot what I see! Clicking on an image will bring up a larger version ...

Yes, I see you

An American Goldfinch in its autumn colors looks at me as I take his photo. His black cap is gone, with just a hint of ashy grey in its place. It's good to actually see the New Jersey State Bird for a change!

A seagull now guards North Avenue

While there is a similar pedestal for birds on the east side of the Chotola Apartment building on North Avenue in Plainfield, this one on the west side of the building is always the prize perch. Last week I shot pigeons there, this week it's the seagull.

A crow poses for me

I've read and heard on nature shows that the crow is one of the most intelligent of the wild birds. They supposedly remember individual people. I wonder if this one will remember I made him famous on the internet! Plainfield Train Station.

Then there was a bunny

I always get a kick out of rabbits standing still thinking I can't see them! Bridgewater Train Station.

**CLICK THE 'READ MORE' LINK TO SEE THE REST OF THE PHOTOS**

BB18: Live Feeds into Sunday - August 21

The target is safe, or will be safe

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Faux Friendship:

• Now, the target this week was Paul.
• But, since Paul won the veto, the focus is shifting to Victor.
• At least, if James can do anything about it.
• It's not that he doesn't like Victor. It's that he's actually thinking.
• Y'see, they must start thinking end game. Victor is almost impossible to get out.
• You evict him; he comes back.
• Not only does he come back, but he comes back stronger than any returned hamster in the past -- winning HoH comps, getting in good graces with folks, winning Vetos ...
• He could possibly win comps until the final two.
• If he got that far, in a fair world, he'd deserve the win as the Comeback Kid who wouldn't give up.
• Since Paul was Michelle's (co-HoH) nomination, they're leaving it to her to make the renom.
• Natalie and James have decided that whoever the renom, they will vote Victor out.
• The only renom possibilities are Nicole or Corey.
• Michelle seems to have this feeling that other women are threats to her in the game ... so, she'll probably want to put up Nicole.
• James and Natalie told Nicole and Corey that they want to target Victor this week.
• If they don't blow it by acting like they feel too safe and are too happy, the plan should go down.
• Personally, I'd kind of like to see Victor go. He could then battle for the jury return against Paulie. I'd rather Victor win that than the thought of Paulie ever coming back into the house!
• In other news, they all went to bed to early. The veto comp was watery and exhausting, whatever it was!
• Victor got up and roamed the night alone.
• He first exercised in the once again open backyard. Then he visited the hot tub. Then he showered and walked around the house.
• Finally, the sole hamster returned to bed.
• And, all are asleep as I post this.

It will be her decision, Paul was her nom

All alone exercising

All alone in the hot tub

BB18: Live Feeds into Saturday Evening, PoV Winner - August 20

Should the noms remain the same?

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Exposed Egos:

• Victor thinks it's funny that within a half-hour after putting him and Paul on the block, Natalie and Michelle were apologizing.
• A whole lot of studying (in hopes of a memory comp) went on today.
• A whole lot of napping, too.
• James and Corey were picked to play veto along with Michelle, Natalie, Paul and Victor. Nicole will host.
• If the nominations remain the same, it's likely that Paul will go home.
• He irked Natalie last night by taking over the HoH bed.
• He irked James by being like a "dictator."
• And, gosh darn it, they just like Victor better!
• I don't know. To me, Victor is the bigger threat to win it all.
• And, he does have some irritating qualities himself. I understand he's a clean freak. But he's so "put upon" when he feels he needs to clean. Plus, now he won't eat pie because he doesn't want diabetes.
• @@
• James thinks that, no matter who wins the veto, either Paul or Victor must go (instead of Nicole or Corey).
• For the majority of the day, in between odd Jeff highlights clips, it was just Natalie and James talking.
• James said that if he doesn't win, he wants Natalie to win.
• It was going for 5:30pm here East Coast time when the feeds went to extended Jeff and the PoV comp.
• I'm waiting it out to give you the winner.
• I'll just sit here and whistle while waiting for the feeds to return.
• I'm tired of whistling.
• I'll hum.
• Sigh. Here, feedsy feedsies ... c'mon home to mama!
• Finally, after 10pm here ... PAUL won the Power of Veto!

Memorizing stuff

Play strategically, not emotionally

Thinking of the possibilities

Paul wins the Power of Veto

BB18: Live Feeds into Saturday, Nominations - August 20

Stroking her nominee?

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Broken Friendships:

• As you know from my previous posts, Natalie won HoH and Michelle received the care package giving her a co-HoH position.
• Oh my.
• Michelle's own thoughts on the nominees had Nicole and Corey sitting in the chairs.
• But she wants to acquiesce to Natalie as it's "really Natalie's HoH."
• James told her to think of the end game and who the biggest competitors are.
• According to James -- Victor can win comps and Paul can talk.
• Well, yeah.
• I myself am so displeased with Nicole focusing her game on yet another showmance this season that she can go away.
• But, if I were IN the house, I'd bring her to the final two and point out all she did was showmance and be cute. Then I'd collect the half-million.
• So, technically, Victor and Paul with Corey trailing way behind, are the biggest targets left in the house.
• We have no real clue what Corey can do since he's a robot. We've seen him pull a few wins out of his hat, but sometimes you have to wonder if there are even bats in that belfry or just empty space.
• The nominations came through ... VICTOR AND PAUL are on the block!
• Natalie is beside herself, thinking she's made the wrong decision. After all, she's never trusted Nicole and Corey.
• Natalie cries.
• And cries.
• James comforts her (of course) and points out that they can still backdoor Corey if veto is used.
• Paul is livid; Victor not as livid but definitely not a happy camper.
• Paul says that Nicole is behind the nominations and manipulated them.
• Nicole says that Paul is the biggest liar and manipulator in the house (now that Paulie is gone).
• A late night kerfuffle had Paul and Nicole going at each other with most of it being Paul. Victor and Corey just sat there kind of quietly through most of it.
• Corey only spoke up when Paul said he (Corey) had been throwing comps.
• "I have not! I'm just inept!"
• Okay, he didn't say those words exactly. But I'm paraphrasing here.
• Natalie cried some more and talked again about backdooring Nicole or Corey. James assured her that he can put them up next week. Hmm.
• James told her to go with her gut and that it's her HoH. Hmm.
• Paul is sure that Victor will be voted out.
• But, if he doesn't shut up, he's surely doing his own game in.
• Victor thinks he'd be good at Survivor. Well, he'd be good at the challenges, but I don't think he can take the dirt and unsanitary conditions!
• After many talks back and forth, some raised voices ... it seems to James and Natalie that it might be a good time for a blindside.
• The odds number-wise are for one of them to win veto over Nicole/Corey.
• Then a backdoor can be put in place.
• They seem to be focusing more on Corey than on Nicole.
• We'll see what the veto comp brings to the board.
• Of course, if Nicole or Corey win it, no way will it be used and it will be either Paul or Victor going home.
• And the beat goes on ...

On the block! Bamboozled!

It's such a hard decision. Wah!

On the block!

Paul and Victor try to work it

Watching the spy cam Nicole/Paul argument

Paul and Nicole go at each other

BB18: Mystery Carnival Whatever Special Blog Party - August 19

As the show airs, I'll be live blogging the events. I'm not all that sure what will be happening other than they won some prizes, heard some music played and the start (if not the finish) of the HoH comp will be shown.

If you want to see who won HoH and the care package HoH, hit the BB18 label link at the bottom of this post. The last two posts cover those. Since some of the people reading the show posts don't follow the feeds, please try not to post spoilers on this show post! Merci!

A recap of Paulie tears and the punishments from the veto. Heh. "Paulie threw himself a pity party." Recap, recap ...

Okay, the Final Seven vie for prizes, a Ziggy Marley private concert and the HoH comp BEGINS. (It's actually over, but ...!)

They're acting like this happened after Paulie was evicted. But this took place at the beginning of this week. Oh my gosh ... did they delete him from the scenes?

The backyard is done up as a carnival. Let's play a game ... let's see if they actually left a shot of Paulie in it!

There are life-size cut-outs of the previous hamsters. They're reminiscing about Jozea now. Ick. Uh-oh. This is reminding me of the Survivor walk where they say things about the folks booted. Clips of Zakiyah now.

I won't be covering each memory of each former hamster. They are, though. I don't live blog clip shows!

Darts for Dollars game, they're popping balloons with darts. So far, small dollar amounts. There is a $5,000 prize in there. No one won it.

Natalie calls James to the Kissing Booth. Aw, ain't that just too darn sweet? But it leads into more old clips of James/Natalie. Then James calls Nicole/Corey over, so we get to see old showmance clips of them. Now into clips of Paulie and Zakiyah. Gah!

An appearance by Jessie (Mr. Pectacular) Goddard. How exciting. They each get five attempts to Dunk a Hunk, The winner gets a 50 inch TV, a tablet and more.  Corey dunked him. Victor go him twice. He wins!

More clips. Now they're playing pranks previously played on Big Brother.

Pie eating contest. Paul worries about his beard. One pie has a an advantage. Victor got a Have Not.

Time for the HOH comp ... the backyard has a giant black box. Enter in darkness, press button once in lane, search the horrors that is black box. Retrieve and collect discs for thirty seconds when announced. Two hours inside. Advantage announcement -- 30 second solo search time goes to Michelle. It's smelly. It's nasty and Nicole is acting like a little girl. @@

That's all they showed of the comp. And the show is over.

BB18: Live Feeds Care Package/Co-HoH Bulletin - August 19

Who is the co-HoH?

Natalie, as I previously posted, won Head of Household.

The care package this week is a co-HoH power. And, it goes to ...

MICHELLE

BB18: Live Feeds into Friday, HoH Winner - August 19

WHO won HoH? Really?

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Goopy Gaddabouts:

• I'm glad I didn't stay up waiting for action. The feeds were blocked for more than they were shown since the live show ended.
• While the feeds were indeed blocked a long time, they were active after the show ended.
• Not much of any real importance happened.
• Natalie was upset that someone (Paulie, maybe?) called her a "princess" when she's had to work hard for everything in life coming from a family with little money. (Definitely Paulie as revealed when she mentioned it again post-comp.)
• Paul went on about how that envelope called his name.
• @@ (Although I did find it fitting that he had the right one since he was the first to figure out the clues.)
• James and Natalie talked about not really trusting Paul.
• They do trust Victor, though. Hmm ... they probably made a good call there. Victor is a bit malleable; he'd more than likely be able to listen to them than Paul would be. They think Paul is bringing down Victor's game.
• Then the feeds were down ... like FIVE hours!  
• But they did finally return and I was able to catch up.
• Oh my.
• NATALIE won HoH!
• And it was even a tough comp!
• It was a goopy search for stuff -- in the dark most likely comp.
• Paul claims he didn't give 100% because he didn't want that stuff in his beard. 
• Victor went on and on to Natalie about how great she must feel winning a comp on her own. He said it wouldn't have been the same feeling if he "gave" her the comp in which they were vying for the win.
• So far the HoH room reveal hasn't happened, nor the announcement of the co-HoH from America's Care Package.
• Natalie told James that she made a promise to Nicole that she and Corey would be safe or, at least, both won't be put up together. Hmm. It really doesn't leave a lot of possibilities. Paul? (Probably.) Michelle? Hmm. Corey, not Nicole? Hmm.
• It's kind of unclear who she will nominate.
• We'll see!
• Victor is freaking out about the goopy mess in the shower and has started cleaning.

Goopy stuff

There she is ... Ms. HoH!

He would have hated the goop