'Big Brother 7: All Stars' - Live Feeds Bulletin - POV Winner

Janelle has won the Power of Veto.

A full report of the day's events will be posted a bit later. Please stop back!

'Big Brother 7: All Stars' - Live Feeds Report - Overnight Into Saturday - 8/05

Whoa! Stop the spinning house and let me off! Well, no... if anything, I'm more interested in what's going to happen this week. I've been tracking these folks and I'm still at a loss over who's with whom, who's lying when and what's going on in the other room! But, I'll tell you what I think about it all!

Here are the late night and overnight events and/or important or confusing happenings from that Big Brother House of Goodness Gracious, Great Balls of Confusion:

• When Janelle told Will that Kaysar said he wouldn't use the Veto if he played and won, Will told her he was wussing out on some sort of high moral ground or didn't want to choose. Will told her that if he (Will) won it he wouldn't use it because Mike may be put up on the block.
• Will's working Janelle against Kaysar for some reason of his own. He told her if Kaysar didn't back her up now, he never would. He also said that if Kaysar is in the end, no one would win against him.
• Meanwhile, Erika and Kaysar seem to be bonding more. She doesn't want him to be mad at her; he claims he isn't mad. She told him she didn't want HOH. She wasn't targeting Howie, but wanted to make sure she was safe before she went down.
• James told Howie that Janelle is campaigning against him (which she doesn't seem to be doing at all).
• Danielle was called to the Diary Room and was expected to have some sort of announcement from Big Brother -- so we got flame/clouds.
• When the feeds returned, the houseguests were sitting with Janelle and James in the nominations chairs. Will was telling the others that he actually does like everyone in the house, but something must be wrong with them if they're in the house. [Editor's note: He's right. I certainly wouldn't be in that house!]
• Okay, they picked POV partners... some rather odd choices. Janelle chose Marcellas (with whom she's feuding and he told her he wouldn't vote to save her). Danielle doesn't understand the choice and neither do I. Mike is playing for James and Will is playing for Danielle. Eep. Don't ask why, I have no clue. All I know is there must be a plan going on!
• Danielle told Marcellas that if Boogie wins and takes Janelle off, she'll put Will on the block. She told him she won't warn Mike, she'll just do it.
• Danielle also told Marcellas that right now she's not sure she'd pick James over Janelle. [Editor's note: I'm sure Danielle knows exactly what she's doing. I think she's just not saying.] She seems to be planting the seeds to rally against James with him, but not outright committing herself to anything.
• Will dropped by the room where all of S6 (including James) were talking. Dead silence for a bit, but they told him to stay. I noticed James quietly got up and left as the plain ol' not game talk went on.
• Danielle told Mike Boogie that if Janelle wins Veto and saves herself, Kaysar would go up. [Editor's note: Seeds. Planting. All over the place!]
• Kaysar told Janelle she would (long pause) probably have his vote to stay. He seems to have fallen for James' tales of woe and betrayal by Danielle.
• Janelle said if she goes, S6 MUST work with Chill Town to stay in the game.
• Danielle and Kaysar talked. He told her that he wasn't surprised by her nominations and he thinks she plans ahead. She didn't confirm the planning ahead at all.
• Danielle told him that she thought he was honorable, but something was wrong within his group. She seems to be working on him to desert S6.
• Janelle really thinks she's going to be the one going this week. Me? I'd prefer James gone and Janelle to remain. But I don't get a vote.

Graphic by Zoetawny.

'Big Brother 7: All Stars' - Live Feeds Report - Friday Evening 8/04

<-- Mike still isn't allowed to get his foot wet due to the stitched cut.

Ah, but it gives me a reason to mention things I wish the houseguests didn't have! The hot tub. Exercise equipment. If you don't have the live feeds, it's almost impossible to imagine the noise they make drowning out some really neat backstabbing... er... conversations. Yeah, no knives involved. Well, not since Season 2, anyway.

I guess you want to know what's happened since the nomination ceremony in the Big Brother House of Acrimony:

• If he has any confidence in Danielle's objective to remove Janelle and not him, James didn't show it... fussing, immediately heading to the S6 group to complain, yelling at the cameramen behind the walls and so on. He is NOT a happy camper even if his safety was guaranteed. He did NOT want to be nominated for any reason. If he's acting , it's good. I think most of it is an act, but I think he's a bit worried, too. He had pleaded with Danielle not to do it.
• In her nomination speech, Danielle said something to the effect of "I'm not here to do your dirty work and I'm not going to stand around to be picked off while you decide what you want to do."
• Danielle told Erika she moved Marcellas' key more towards the end just to make him worry.
• Danielle is still going on and on about Janelle referring to her as a "weak player."
• Marcellas has now latched onto Danielle. That's odd. She's not blonde.
• Marcellas is worried that Janelle will want him to play for POV for her. [Editor's note: @@ Needs an eyeroll. He's not the strongest player she could choose and she doesn't really trust him as of late.] The houseguests seem to think they'll get to choose POV players this week, but I don't know if they have concrete news or if it's in their minds like someone returning.]
• Kaysar told Janelle that if he wins HOH next week, he plans to nominate Danielle and Marcellas, with Marcellas the target.
• Mike told Janelle and Howie that they've been good to them the last few weeks and if they want them to play for the Veto, just let them know. They'll do anything they want.
• James asked Erika if his acting was good. She thinks it is.
• Janelle fussed that no one wants to hang out with her now. She believes that James thinks it's all her fault for not putting up Will.
• Marcellas told her nuh-uh when she asked if she had his vote.
• Janelle told Will that even if she goes, Howie and Kaysar will work with them.
• Kaysar told Janelle he doesn't know what he'd do or who he'd save if he won the Veto. [Editor's note: I think he might save Janelle or leave the noms as they stand. I doubt he'd save James.]
• Kaysar also told her Howie wouldn't use it if he won it. They don't want to play favorites. [Editor's note: Hmmm... I have no clue what's going on there. I would think Howie would indeed use it to save Janelle.]
• The S6 Players are all acting like James is still a member of their alliance, even moreso than a week ago. I don't know if it's strategy or what since they've often said how much they distrust him.
• Will talked to Danielle for a long time. At one point he said, "I told them I was just trying to make a show here..." - FLAME/CLOUDS! They're talking like an alliance and best of friends, but I don't think either applies. She mainly talked about Janelle has to go.
• Will told Danielle that Marcellas should assume he wanted to save Janelle and he was setting the stage so if she stays, she goes after him (Marcellas). Danielle told him that Marcellas only wanted to go against Janelle because he thought she was in with Chill Town. [Editor's note: Dang, have they thought this all three moves ahead while I'm thinking one? It sounds a bit like Danielle and Will actually want James out, Janelle to stay and Marcellas to go. Oh, no. My head hurts now.]
• Danielle thinks Kaysar threw the HOH Comp. I barely caught him falling and it went to flame/clouds, so I can't say.
• Will told Mike, in front of Danielle, he's committed to folks in this order: Mike, Danielle, James. He said no one would ever think James because they act like they don't like each other. [Editor's note: I said my head hurts. It hurts more now.]

The more I listen, the more confused I get. I honestly think that Danielle and Will are playing out their own personal schemes in the house. At this point I could see them being the final two.

'Big Brother 7: All Stars' - Live Feeds Bulletin - Nominations 8/04

Danielle nominated James and Janelle, her original choices shortly after winning HOH. Kaysar was right - she had already decided.

I'll be posting a late night report after they do report-worthy stuff!

'Big Brother 7: All Stars' - Live Feeds Digest - Friday Daytime 8/04

Before I really get started, I wanted to address a few issues brought up in comments and email. A few folks asked about the expected coup d'etat - a twist which would enable one houseguest to overthrow the Head of House. Julie Chen mentioned it at the very end of the live show on Thursday night. I don't really know how it will work and I believe the houseguests are unaware it's coming. It was a teaser for us. For the person who asked about George being on BB Slop for sixty days, it was the price he paid for winning the POV which saved his butt in the house.

Another issue which was brought up is that this blog isn't exactly straight reporting or that I have a bias. No, it isn't and yes, I do. I do tell the events of the house and I often insert my own personal feelings in editor's comments. I'm not someone just going by rote here. I have my favorites and houseguests I'd like to see gone. While I do have a bias with the houseguests themselves, I welcome fans or dislikers (haters is such a strong term) of all houseguests. I won't/don't put others down for not thinking along the same lines as me. It wouldn't be as much fun if we all had the same favorites, I don't think. So, don't expect me not to be snarky about houseguests at times. But you can expect me to respect your opinion.

/soapbox and onto what's been happening today in that Big Brother House of Spiders And The Flies Who Get Caught In The Web:

• Marcellas told Danielle she should put up Janelle and Kaysar instead of Janelle and James, then put in Howie if the Veto is used. He said that he can't condone Janelle's behavior in the house.
• Will told Janelle that someone from S6 has to go this week. He said he's working on it being James to go. [Editor's note: Except when he's with James telling him Janelle should go.]
• Danielle asked Kaysar who she thinks she should nominated. He told her that he thinks she's already made up her mind.
• Danielle then asked him if he or Janelle had a deal with Chill Town. He told her they didn't. Danielle told him the events this past week have her confused and she really doesn't know what to do. [Editor's note: I don't think so! Danielle is one of the most clever and sneaky players in the house. I think she knows exactly what she's doing every time she speaks to anyone in there.]
• Chicken George isn't feeling too well today. It may be because of the real food last night after his time on BB Slop.
• Kaysar told Danielle that they didn't put up Chill Town first because there were other targets going around like snakes in the grass. He was "trying to position himself." He assured her that she was never a target of S6.
• Danielle told Kaysar that he's the only one she can trust as he doesn't lie. [Editor's note: I bet she says that to all the houseguests!]
• Janelle told James that Marcellas leaks information. [Editor's note: As if James doesn't...!]
• Janelle thinks she will go no matter who's on the block with her. She told Will he needn't try to push for James to go even though Will told he can't be trusted.
• Danielle told Marcellas she can't nominate Howie because she promised she wouldn't when he was on the web in the HOH Comp.
• Marcellas told Danielle just to let him know who she wants out and he'll vote with her.
• Will insulted Internet BB fans and, more specifically those who own a fat cat. Uh-oh!
• Will told Mike he can go ahead and have a showmance, but don't trust Erika -- she'd throw them both under a bus in a heartbeat. [Editor's note: I think so, too. She's a lot more scheming than given credit for at times. Just thinking of the HOH pass-off to Danielle... it keeps Erika in the shadows and will make Danielle a larger target the next week.]
• Will and Mike met in the toilet stall and maybe are playing the viewers, maybe not - Will said they should flip the vote and then target Danielle next week. I don't know. I'm just reporting that one.
• Danielle, at least now pre-nom, seems pretty set on nominating Janelle and James, with Janelle being the target. The nominations ceremony hasn't been held yet. That could be a red herring or reality. We don't know yet.
• They're in lockdown now. I'll post a quick update if it's the nomination ceremony and the names get mentioned.

Graphic by Zoetawny.

'Big Brother 7: All Stars' - Live Feeds Report - Overnight Into Fri. 8/04

Oh, a change in power! Danielle is the new HOH and we'll see how much stock she takes in James. Or how much James has in her now that he holds the power to nullify one eviction vote. Julie Chen told the houseguests on the show that the week ahead was a week of competitions and told viewers that a new twist coming will be the coup d'etat - a twist that could overthrow the HOH.

What happened overnight in that Big Brother House of Under New Management? Here's the more interesting bits:

• James is thrilled. He whispered to Mike that Danielle will "cut Janelle's throat." Not literally, I hope.
• The houseguests chowed down on pizza, even George (thanks to Marcellas giving him that slop pass). [Editor's note: If Marcellas loses in the food comp, we're going to see huge drama when he goes on slop!]
• Like with anything he does, Marcellas made the food pass to George a media event. [Editor's note: @@ - have to roll those eyes! I think he really didn't do it out of the goodness of his heart, more because the backlash from others if he didn't.]
• Now James thinks that there will not be a return of a previous houseguest. [Editor's note: I said I didn't think so. They don't ever listen to me!]
• Janelle and Kaysar feel sick. Both know they're probably targets.
• Danelle is thinking of putting up Janelle with (get this) James to make sure she (Janelle) doesn't win POV. She would need at least five votes because James could nullify one.
• Howie's very sore from the comp. Danielle and Erika did better because they weren't supporting as much body weight.
• Boogie thought James would have worked harder in the HOH Comp.
• Unlike past weeks, most of the houseguests stayed in Danielle's new HOH room for quite a long time - not just a look and go.
• It looks like the Big Bed will be Erika, Boogie, Janelle, and Howie. Interesting bedmates.
• They seem to think there will be no food comp this week.
• Erika thinks Kaysar threw the HOH Comp. She may be right. They kept cutting the feeds and he went down very unexpectedly... immediately the feeds were blocked.
• Erika told Mike that she'll be doing a lot this week to protect Chill Town.
• As James ranted to Danielle about Janelle, she broke the news of her plan to him, telling he's not going to be happy. She explained how he could save himself. If Janelle were to get off the block with the veto, either Kaysar or Howie could go up. [Editor's note: Or... hey, they could backdoor James!]
• James is not happy. Not not not happy.
• Marcellas told James he'd vote to keep him (James) over Janelle. [Editor's note: Amy was right!]
• George is just happy that he thinks Danielle is nice to him.
• When talking to Erika, Danielle was vehement about wanting Janelle evicted.
• When James asked George if he'd have his vote to stay, George told him he'd have to think about it.
• Will decided that he, Janelle, Howie and Kaysar are the Depressed Alliance.
• Mike told Erika he's getting upset with the way Will's playing the game. [Editor's note: Act or not?]
• Marcellas lied to Janelle telling her that he didn't think she was going to target the S6 Players. Perhaps George and Will. [Editor's note: Liar, liar, pants on fire!]
• Danielle said she doesn't want to sleep in the HOH and wants her regular bed. Howie will be the first taker. It sounds like they'll rotate.
• Will told Danielle that Marcellas should go before Howie or Kaysar.
• So many think that they're in Danielle's alliance that it could make you dizzy. [Editor's note: But who will have her loyalty?]
• As I get this posted, Danielle has been reading the Bible... perhaps seeking Divine Intervention? I don't know.
  

'Big Brother 7: All Stars' - Live Feeds Quickie Report

After initially tucking the Slop Free Week Pass in his drawer and fussing how he hates slop and needs it, Marcellas just gave George the pass. Marcellas had said while tucking said pass in the drawer, "I never promised to give up anything."

George was reluctant to take it and is almost in tears because of the kindness.

I feel a bit better about Marcellas now. And George can eat for the week!

'BB7: All Stars' - Live Feeds HOH Update - New HOH

Danielle faked that she was gone, but laughed and regrouped herself.

It's down to Erika, Howie and Danielle. Everyone's trying to get Howie to drop. Danielle is pleading. Erika is pleading. Howie says he wants HOH really bad. Erika swears Howie is safe. He's grunting.

Howie let go.
Erika yelled, "You've got it, Dan" and let go.
Danielle is the new HOH.

Quick recap to fill in what happened between flames:
The eggs --
Will and Kaysar - rotten
James - Nullify an eviction vote
Mike - $10,000
Marcellas - Slop Free Pass (which everyone said would go to George, but Marcellas hasn't committed that I know about)

Erika promised Howie he'd be safe, then threw the comp to Danielle.

'BB7: All Stars' - Live Feeds HOH Update

BB gave Janelle an envelope to read. It was making them use only their hands and legs literally hanging their bodies and head below the web.

James went down. He got the egg with the Overturn an eviction note.

I think someone else just went down.

Kaysar and Mike (10 Grand) are out. They say the Slop Free Egg is left.

11 PM ET - George is down. He should eat now!

Howie hanging in. Erika hanging in. Danielle is weakening.

'BB7: All Stars' - Live Feeds HOH Comp Update 10 PM ET

The web tilts and goo gets glopped on them.

Will told Janelle that he gave Diane the sympathy vote because she was so sad. He asked her not to tell anyone, but then decided that he didn't want James to get in trouble or mad... so he told them all.

Will also tried to sell Janelle on a Final Four split proceeds pact. Totally against BB rules. Janelle told him that Julie asked if she was in love with him.

I'll be posting this in a minute. So far, it's just Will out of the web.

'Big Brother 7: All Stars' - Live Feeds HOH Update/Screen Cap - 8/03

Will is down - got a rotten egg.

He claims he fell. He was fooling around a lot. He just told Janelle he quit. Mike is advertising for a new alliance.

All have agreed whoever gets the Free From Slop For A Week egg will give it to George.

As far as this comp goes, I'll post an entry every time someone is out. If no one falls, I'll post on the hour. So, if no one goes down between now and then, the next update will be at 10 PM ET.

'Big Brother 7: All Stars' - East Coast Update - HOH Comp Update - 8/03

It is an endurance comp. The HG have to stay up in a huge spider web raised off the ground. The Comp is called "Caught in a Web." The first five who fall can take a golden egg. One egg contains a weeklong Free From Slop Pass, another can cancel someone's eviction vote, another contains $10,000, two are rotten. A new Coup D'etat will be introduced next week - can overthrow HOH.

Now silly string is raining down on them. Or whipped cream. Will's messing around.

Okay, the show ended. I'll be switching to feeds and updating as best I can through the comp.

'Big Brother 7: All Stars' - East Coast Update - Eviction - 8/03

Live voting... remember these are votes to evict:

Kaysar - Diane
Howie - Diane
Marcellas - Diane
Mike Boogie - Diane
Will - Erika
George - Diane
Danielle - Diane
James - Diane

Interesting, eh? By a vote of a 7 to 1, Diane is evicted. Will... Erika? James... Diane? YIKES!

'Big Brother 7: All Stars' - Live Feeds Update and Live Show Blogging Schedule

Well, I shouldn't have betted two days for Janelle and Kaysar's go to bed early, get up early and eat healthy plan. They were up all night once again leading into today. How do they expect to win comps? I realize they have been, but sleep deprivation will catch up to them.

What's been happening today in that Big Brother House of Rising Suspicion?

• Will's still hungry.
• Janelle thought last year was more exciting and fun because of "all the hate." [Editor's note: Well, Marcellas and James seem to find it.]
• Janelle and Will talked about James' reaction to Diane's expected eviction. They also discussed, but didn't carry out, changing all the clocks to freak the others out. [Editor's note: BB1 had no clocks. Wasn't it George who made the potato clock? Remember that?]
• The wake-up song, played by BB at about 10:15 AM PT, was The Ramones "I Want To Be Sedated." Perfect!
• Lots of morning flame/clouds. At one point a glimpse of some show staff was seen. Woo!
• Mike Boogie told Kaysar that if he or Will get HOH, the rest will want them to do their dirty work and they refuse. He indicated Marcellas might be on their nom list.
• Mike also said he thinks the HOH will be either Kaysar or Danielle. [Editor's note: I doubt Danielle. She doesn't really play to win the HOH often. Best to let others win and for herself to just be supportive of whomever needs support.]
• James fussed again about S6 and Janelle's nominations. [Editor's note: Oh, James, just knock it off.]
• It sounds like we may be in for an endurance comp. Eep.

That's about it except for small talk and Jedi playing.

We have severe thunder storms going through here, expected to last the next few hours. Power staying (please!), I will post the big breaking news from the live show -- Eviction, HOH (if not endurance past show, regular feeds update if it goes beyond the show) -- in East Coast Updates as they occur here. So, tune in to get the breaking news and tell those thunderstorms to avoid me!

'Big Brother 7: All Stars' - Live Feeds Report - Evening/Overnight Into Thursday

<-- In an ancient Jedi tradition, Jedi Warrior Howie shaves Jedi Grasshopper George's body in anticipation of tremendous battle.

Er... or Howie shaved George because all the guys were shaving. Howie claims it's so he'll be lean and mean for tonight's HOH Comp. Please note, not ALL areas were shaved.

As the houseguests gear towards today's live show and the live eviction voting, life in the house went on... as did strategies and guesses of what's to come. Here are the evening and overnight happenings in that Big Brother House of Shaved Jedi Warriors:

• Diane hasn't given up, noting she has extra time to work on people to stay in the house. She told Howie he'd be surprised how many votes she has to stay. She told him he shouldn't let anyone "mind control" him. [Editor's note: I don't think the general concensus to vote her out has really changed at all. I think Will was playing her with his maybe.]
• Will told Howie a good final four would be ChillTown, Howie and Janelle. [Editor's note: Now, there's the "mind control" master, but Howie didn't seem to be really into the idea at all.]
• While not all areas on George were shaved, I can't say the same of Howie. Yipes.
• The houseguests are all hyped for the live show -- they wonder why the vote is live so early, think it may be a double eviction, think someone evicted may return and generally are driving themselves mad with speculation.
• Apparently goodbye messages were taped for the event as Janelle mentioned hers to Erika.
• Danielle got upset because Janelle criticized her alliance in her season and called it poor judgment.
• They really think someone is coming back into the house and kept on that theme, but then wondered if money will be offered to leave the house.
• At about 8:15 PM PT they were warned a long indoor lockdown is expected to last through the night and possibly up until showtime. Some headed out to enjoy the evening air before being confined.
• Diane ranted about Janelle calling her things I won't write here. Eep. Nasty pottymouth. She said she hates Janelle.
• Before 9 PM their time, the lockdown went into effect.
• James told Diane she should really be campaigning to stay.
• BB gave the houseguests wine and three decks of cards, so there goes a lot of the evening's feed tidbits. Whenever they play games, there isn't much game talk, if you know what I mean.
• James fussed more about Janelle's nominations to Howie and tried to convince him to keep Diane. [Editor's note: Yep, he's on a campaign.]
• James and Danielle talked about CT's code for switching the vote to keep Diane instead of Erika - "don't forget your flip-flops." [Editor's note: We'll have to watch for the phrase in the show tomorrow!]
• Janelle doesn't think Danielle is a strong player because she doesn't win comps. [Editor's note: Janelle! Neither does Will! They're the two strongest players in the game! Think, girl, think!]
• Danielle and James plotted to remove Janelle from the house if either get HOH. [Editor's note: How much do you want to bet Danielle won't get it and will let others do the dirty work and suffer the consequences?]
• George worked on a costume for the live show - Slop Man.
• Janelle tried to convince Marcellas that Danielle and James are doing a lot of lying to others in the house.
• Marcellas told Janelle that Diane is resigned to going home. [Editor's note: Even though she was campaigning to stay just a few hours before?]
• Diane moaned about the state of her life and all of her woes. Will tried to make her feel better to the point of offering her a job if she needed one. I think he was serious.

And that's where we stand. Some houseguests are still up, but it's not a wild party house as they look towards tonight's show.

Exclusive! My Interview With 'Big Brother' Executive Producer Arnold Shapiro

Bringggggg...
"Hey Boogie, it's Will."
"What's up now?"
"Do you know Jackie?"
"Is she part of ChillTown?"
"I don't think so, but maybe we can take her aboard. She got herself an interview with Arnold Shapiro for her blog!"
"Oh! We definitely need to talk to her!"
"Or maybe just about her!"

Arnold Shapiro, Executive Producer of the CBS show Big Brother (together with Allison Grodner and Rich Meehan) took time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions for me. I polled some of the show fans on message boards and in this blog to see what they really wanted to know and here's the skinny directly from Mr. Shapiro:

Q: In the opening credits for the show, as well as the intro/exit to commercial breaks, there is a close-up shot of a partial face and eye with the Big Brother logo. Whose eye is that? The talk has spread from a staff member to Mike "Boogie." Please settle one of the longest lasting silly 'BB' disputes ever for us.

A: Although I was not producing BB1, it's my understanding that the partial face and eye is not the exotic story that some have surmised. In fact, they belonged to someone working at the graphics house that designed the logo opening -- "just some guy down the hall who we grabbed for the shot." That's the real story. Nothing exotic or even interesting.

Q: Live feeds watchers, in particular, often hear the phrase "penalty nomination." I've watched the show since it started and don't recall one ever being used. If a penalty nomination were to be used, how would it work? Would there be three houseguests nominated for eviction? Why aren't penalty nominations used?

A: The possibility of a penalty nomination really exists. It's an option we've yet to use. Yes, it would probably mean that there would be three nominees up for eviction. I'm glad we haven't had to use it because it would mean that a houseguest really messed up and didn't follow our rules.

Q: Have you tasted the Big Brother Slop? Is the big problem with it that it's bland? (The houseguests always seem to be spicing it up somehow.) Is it an oatmeal blend? How many consecutive weeks can a houseguest be placed on the BB Slop restriction?

A: I have not personally had the pleasure of sampling the BB slop. I'm told it's nutritious but extremely bland. The longest time a houseguest would be required to eat only slop - after losing a food competition - is one week. However, George is on slop for as long as he's in the house because of a unique offer that he agreed to in the veto competition. So George will be the "slop record holder" of BB All-Stars.

Q: Is there any word about a Season 8?

A: We usually find out about whether we're picked up for another season in the weeks after our season ends so at this point there is no word on BB8. But our ratings are strong, the shows are good (in my humble opinion), and I feel optimistic that there will be a BB8 - with an all-new cast.

Q: You've had several show twists over the years, many involving a major twist to the season itself (Ex-Factor, DNA, etc.). What major twist did you find the most difficult to achieve and/or work with from the production end of things? Have you ever had to give up on a twist idea because it just wasn't workable?

A: Every twist that was created we have been able to pull off. If a twist idea is too unrealistic, we won't try it (mainly because of the time involved that would be wasted). The most challenging twist we achieved was "Project Do Not Assume" or "DNA" where we put a half-brother and half-sister into the house ("Cowboy" and "Nakomis") as well as the identical twin sisters who switched places every few days and fooled the house guests 10 times (Adria and Natalie). In the process of interviewing identical twins we found Drew and Diane who we put into the house as individuals.

Q: The Internet audience watching the live feeds makes Big Brother a show like no other. With websites reporting every breath they take and every move they make, what challenges does that present? Do you think the show would be as successful without the feeds watching (and reporting) audience?

A: Big Brother is unique because of the Internet feeds. I'm sure it contributes to our success. The only challenge the feeds present to us is that we have to block them from time to time because of competitions or if the house guests are doing something that presents a legal problem for us. And, unfortunately, the subscribers become angry and frustrated and call us with their complaints. But I can assure everyone that we do our best to keep the feeds on as much as we possibly can. When they are not on, there is a legitimate reason.

Q: Are there any houseguests (outside of the 20 choices) that you personally would have loved to see in with the current mix of the 'All Stars' house?

A: Even with 20 choices, there were still past house guests we liked and would have liked to include, but we had agreed that 20 was our number. My biggest disappointment - personally - was one of the 20 who did not make it in: Lisa Donahue. But, again, there were reasons for everyone who is in and who is not. But I personally wish that Lisa could have been one of the chosen 14.

Q: You weren't involved with the first season. Did you know what you were getting into with Chicken George? (I'm glad he made it this season.) He's a bit off-the-wall, y'know.

A: Although I did not produce season one, I watched it. I was quite familiar with "Chicken" George. Yes, we knew what we were getting ourselves into. But I must say, in interviewing him, he is one of the nicest house guests I've ever met, and he is truly honored to be a part of All-Stars. His antics are part of his "charm" (or whatever word you might want to substitute).

Q: Are there any houseguests whose behavior truly surprised you in the house -- a total change from when they were in casting?

A: Being in the house changes everyone to one degree or another. So, no, I'm not surprised by the way anyone has acted or is acting. The house makes everyone somewhat unpredictable. I guess you have to experience it to fully understand it.

Q: I realize the most recent season is often what stays in the minds of viewers. Therefore, there are four people from last season. Do you think they have an unfair advantage? (Or will Will and Danielle just take 'em down one by one?)

A: America voted in four people from Season 6. So whether or not they have an unfair advantage, it was a situation created by the viewers, not by us. It's too soon in the season to say whether they have an unfair advantage. Things change by the week - and the hour - in the BB house, so we won't know until the end about the advantages or disadvantages of being from BB6.

Q: My favorite comps tend to be the ones like the one transforming faces and/or ones which make me laugh aloud. An example of the latter was one where the houseguests had huge sponge outfits on a few seasons ago. Do you have a favorite competition?

A: I don't have one favorite competition, but, like you, I prefer the ones that make me laugh out loud, and several have done that -- too many to mention here. Remember, it's usually not the competition itself that's funny, but rather the house guests' reaction to it or the way they play it that results in audience laughter. We've had great competitions that were suspenseful, that required coordination skills, a strong stomach, agility, courage, etc. Our goal is to try and make each competition be something different to the house guests and to the viewers.

There you go, directly from Mr. Shapiro! I want to thank him once again for his time and may the best All Star win this season!

This interview is an exclusive running solely here and in this article of mine on Blogcritics.org. If folks copy it elsewhere, it must be linked back to either here or Blogcritics. Or I will find you. I'm in NJ. I know people, y'know.

And, for those who may not have read my show blog from last year -- I interviewed Jym Buss, the Supervising Producer/Competitions, regarding his work. He's not working for the show this season after being there for more than a few years, but the interview provides a neat inside look into the comps.

'Big Brother 7: All Stars' - Live Feeds Report - In The House Wed. 8/02

Oh, something's up. It surely is. It must be! After Diane spilled the beans to Marcellas and live feed watchers that the Diary Room told her they'll be voting live on tomorrow's eviction show, the houseguests are full of speculation. And, so are show fans.

A double eviction? Someone returning? A new twist? Alas, we won't know until the live show! The suspense... the suspense!

Here's the skinny on what's happened today in that Big Brother House of Bare-Chested But Rarely Macho Men and a George (thankfully clothed):

• Janelle and Kaysar not only stayed up all night, but then they exercised after the dawn by running laps back and forth across the lawn and aerobics. They plan to go to bed tonight by 10 (PT) and try to get into a normal sleep pattern. [Editor's note: Okay, the betting window is open. How long do you think they'll maintain a "normal sleep pattern"? I predict two days tops. You?]
• Today's BB House wake-up song was Michael Jackson's "Bad." Is it a clue?
• Will told Diane he's trying to flip the vote. If she hears the phrase "You forgot your flip-flops" - that's the code that the vote has flipped for her instead of Erika. [Editor's note: I don't think I believe him, but then I think of him voting to keep Nakomis just for the heck of it. With Will, you never know and, as they say, it is what it is.]
• Will thinks George is using too much protein powder in his slop shakes. Poor George.
• They got the HOH digital camera and went through the usual hyped photo shoots. Will did his best to avoid having his picture taken. I can identify with him except for the fact he's willing to be on the show.
• James spent much of the day looking sullen. [Editor's note: He's achieved the perfect Sullen Sourpuss.]
• Most feel someone previously voted out will return tomorrow.
• An interesting bit of conversation between Danielle and Erika - Danielle asked Erika how Diane would know that they didn't vote today because nominees don't get asked to vote. Maybe it's all something in Diane's head and the voting did occur? Marcellas had told her not to talk about DR sessions when she (Diane) mentioned it to him. Hmm...
• Danielle admitted to being jealous of Alison for getting on The Amazing Race. She would love to do that show.
• Marcellas and Danielle fussed about S6. I think Danielle mainly listens to others fuss to pick up info, don't you?
• Ah, Howie confirmed no voting was done in the house today. Hmm...!

And that's what it is so far today in the BB House.

Graphic by Zoetawny. She rocks, remember that!

'Big Brother 7: All Stars' - Live Feeds Bulletin - Live Voting Tomorrow

I interupt your regularly scheduled blog to report that Diane just said that the Diary Room told her voting will take place live on tomorrow's night show, earlier than in past seasons. The HG had been wondering why the voting hasn't started today and Marcellas hushed her telling her not to discuss DR sessions. He must think he's the Big Brother.

A full report will be posted once these houseguests do enough to make things post-worthy.

'Big Brother 7: All Stars' - Live Feeds Update - Evening/Overnight Into Wed. 8/02

Okay, we're talking past 8 AM ET or 5 AM their time... and a whole group is STILL up once again. Argh. Vampires, I swear they're vampires. Want to know why Will is so pale? It's because he's a vampire! That's it!

Yes, Will is with the Stay Up All Night Sleep All Day Crowd now. It's Danielle, Janelle, Howie, Kaysar, Mike (fell asleep on couch it seems) and Will. No James, but rest assured... I'm sure Danielle will tell him everything said. Not that they've been talking about much of consequence, mind you. It's been basically small talk, friendly, no scheming. Did you realize Will is hungry? Well, he is!

Actually, the evening wasn't a thrill a minute in the house last night, either. Perhaps they're burnt out from all the odd timing of competitions and their "exciting" luxury comp. I don't know. But, here's what's been happening in that Big Brother House of Fickle Fate and a Bitter Boy:

• Janelle confided in Kaysar that she's worried about Danielle and how close Danielle is with James. Kaysar doesn't seem to think it's a big issue or he's playing his own cards close to his chest.
• Both are concerned with James peeling off from S6 so soon.
• Will is still talking about someone coming back into the house with different scenarios about who it could be. [Editor's note: Be aware that the thought of someone returning is because evicted have returned other seasons. The HG have no basis for believing it except for past seasons. They should know to expect the unexpected. If they expect someone to return, it probably won't happen! I have no idea, myself.]
• Will says that if he wins HOH, he'll go to the five who have never been nominated and have the house decide who goes on the block and who would go up if a Veto is used. That way the whole house would turn on each other.
• Diane is still holding onto a dream (of not living in her car). She asked Howie for his vote and, he was nice to her but told her he already promised Erika.
• Howie and Janelle continued studying the house for future comps -- they counted the lamps, ducks, cabinets, furniture and more.
• Mike Boogie and Howie complained that Marcellas is so negative that he brings the whole house down. [Editor's note: They have a point. Marcellas is not a bundle of joy this season.]
• Even though he's on BB Slop, George cooked dinner for everyone who could eat - tacos. [Editor's note: Probably so he could lick his fingers afterwards!]
• Marcellas told James he would save him over any of the four... including Janelle.
• A Will Quote: "If you are watching this on the Internet now, there is something inherently wrong with you." [Editor's note: I never said there wasn't, Will. Nyah!]
• Will and Mike Boogie think the audience likes S6 and doesn't like them. Me? I didn't like Boogie in his season and was happy when he was evicted. I grew addicted to watching Will and cheered him on for the win. My favorite bit was when he tormented Nicole with the race car. This season? Well, I still don't like Mike Boogie, but it's not as bad as in his own season. And, I'm liking Will more and more. It's not that I dislike Janelle, Howie and Kaysar. James? He's bugging me. He can go away. He takes the whole thing too seriously and has way too high opinion of himself and his own gameplaying. Feh.
• James told Danielle that Mike said their alliance (Will, Danielle, Mike and James) is the Fantastic Four. [Editor's note: @@ I think Will and Mike are using James more than they're using Janelle. I have a feeling in the end that they'll be more loyal to Janelle... at least Will will be.]
• Janelle and Howie think Danielle will nominate them if she gets HOH. Howie says he'll hold James responsible if she does.

• Will's hungry. He would pay big money for food - $500 for a cheese pizza.
• Kaysar and Janelle are still talking as I post this. Eep. It's now about 6 AM their time. It's not even really strategy talk, per se.

Graphic by Zoetawny.

Screen caps by um... well, me. And them... the houseguests and CBS. I just snag 'em.

'Big Brother 7: All Stars' - Live Feeds Update - Daytime Tues. 8/01

When I last posted at 7 AM ET, several of the houseguests were still awake. Several remained awake. Several went to bed past 5 AM their time (PT). It reminds me of little kids on a sleep-over spending the night awake. No wonder they sleep most of the day. (And some don't do well in comps.)

Here are the happenings from today in that Big Brother House of "Give Me The Night" --

• Janelle told Howie that she wanted Chicken George gone before sequester. He disagrees. He thinks that George is a "fan" and would be a vote for them, especially because of Howie and James.
• Erika and Danielle got up before 9:30 AM their time even though both were up past 4 AM.
• At around noon (PT), Danielle told James Will wanted to talk to him.
• James told Danielle that Will always seems to be avoiding him. But, since Janelle "sold out their entire alliance" he would be interesting in joining up with them -- they would be the most "evil alliance" ever. He also told her that Diane was told by S6 she'd be safe (and they broke their word, implied). [Editor's note: How quickly the worm turns...!] He also claimed Janelle cheated on the HOH Comp.
• Danielle told James that Diane knows she's the one who's leaving this week.
• When he talked to Will, he told him that he would be "most likely overlooked" when it came to nominations next week.
• James told him he had only been after him because he (Will) had said he wanted to go home. He (James) decided that if Will went, Mike Boogie and Danielle would be his new alliance.
• Will told James that if he makes it through next week, then he's planning to be in it until the end.
• Now a bunch of the HG are creating a Big Brother movie script to go with their Big Brother soap opera.
• Ohhh! Big Brother gave them... CHECKERS! Hold onto your wigs and keys, kids. This is big-time excitement!
• James fussed about the food. He said he doesn't eat red meat or pork and BB hasn't replenished the supply quickly enough. He also fussed about the nominations.

Remember, tonight at 8 PM ET/PT in most viewing areas, it'll be the POV show plus the wake-up calls. It should be another good one!