'Big Brother 7: All Stars' - Live Feeds Update - Sunday 8/06 Daytime

Yes, things are still a bit odd in the house. But, if it weren't odd, it wouldn't be Big Brother 7: All Stars. Yes, I think that's the name of the game this season, forget the good versus evil smack talkin' and just call it odd. After all, it's as the houseguests say, it is what it is.

Here are the more interesting or entertaining or perhaps the scheme-worthy events from today so far in that Big Brother House of Delusional Despots:

• BB woke the houseguests early (so to speak) at 10:30 AM PT after sending them to bed early (so to speak) at 2:00 AM PT. Oh, my... up before noon! They're sure something has to be going on! There was an immediate outdoor lockdown after awakening them, perhaps a move mainly geared towards getting them out of bed. Danielle remained in her solitary confinement.
• The HG want an America's Choice contest. Will suggested it be Assisted Suicide - "These houseguests want to die! Which one would you decide to help commit suicide? It's America's Choice!"
• James and Erika talked about the need to get rid of one of the S6 Players. [Editor's note: How 'bout James? Yeah, that's the ticket!]
• James fussed about everything once again... in case we didn't hear him fuss the first million times.
• Mike Boogie thinks the show caters too much to the Internet. When he said that, we got flame/clouds. Um, no they don't. If they catered to us, they'd turn that horrible music down. That was a question I asked of Arnold Shapiro in my interview which he didn't answer - Why is that music SO LOUD?
• Will told Mike Boogie he trusts Janelle more than he trusts Erika.
• Will also told him that he hopes the houseguests don't talk to each other because they have individual alliances with all of them.
• Danielle is not a happy prisoner. She's pacing in there again today... not as much crying, but pacing for sure.
• James fussed to George about the game, the food and you-name-it. George remained George. He wasn't drawn in and didn't fuss himself.
• James said that if he gets out and people hate him more than they did last year, he doesn't care. [Editor's note: Is that supposed to be a shot at show fans or something? I don't care that he doesn't care!]
• James is pretty certain that he won't be going home this week. We'll see.
• Erika talked to Danielle through the door slot. Danielle seems to be a bit off in her concept of time. She thinks she'll be out two hours earlier than her actual approximately 5:30 time which makes 24 hours.
• Erika told Boogie that she wants Kaysar gone when he asked her. How true that is, I don't know.

And, that's it for now. Not a heck of a lot going on today. So far...

'Big Brother 7: All Stars' - Live Feeds Update - Overnight Into Sunday 8/06

I think my own personal keyword for this season will be "odd." It's an odd season indeed. We started with houseguests who already knew each other or, at the very least, knew the strategy styles of others. That's odd in and of itself as the show's premise is along the lines of "12 strangers locked in a house." And it's grown even more odd since the season got underway.

The houseguests, for the most part (you can exclude George here), are demanding. Being labeled "all stars" seems to make them feel that they're special and deserve more than houseguests in previous seasons. Then there's the talk that the producers are rigging the show. There's always that talk every season, but it does seem that this season's houseguests are complaining more about the production staff than in any season I've watched before. I've always had the live feeds and this season is unbelievable. The houseguests make a mere mention of "producer" and we're blocked in a jiffy. Odd, ain't it?

I think I'll be happy when, if the series is renewed, we're back to strangers in the house. I was never too keen on All Stars seasons for reality shows and, while I am watching and admit that I'm intrigued and want to see what happens, this season is just coming up... odd.

Oh, well... here are the overnight events from that Big Brother House of Oddness and Cots:

• Danielle has a port-a-potty in her Solitary Confinement. She spent quite a bit of time reading the instructions on how to use it. I can't see the concept being that complicated!
• Will turned the showmance charm on Janelle and drew her further into his web. He and Mike Boogie had said earlier it was time to turn up their showmances with Janelle and Erika (repectively) and, so Will did. Will Janelle fall for the charm that is the Ultimate PuppetMaster? I don't know.
• Marcellas sulked, then he moped. Then he sulked some more. He should be happy -- this season is perfect for a Drama Queen!
• Mike accidentally buzzed in to receive the not participating in POV next week (POV Comp yesterday). Apparently he thought he was buzzing in for $10,000, not ten points. He did win the $5,000 and in the HOH Comp on Thursday, $10,000. So, it's not like he hasn't won cash!
• Will talked to Danielle through her slot. He seemed to be trying to make her feel better, but he's Will. He had a reason. He tried to convince her to make a truce with Janelle and oust Marcellas.
• Shades of Shannon cleaning the toilet with Hardy's toothbrush, Mike Boogie wiped the floor with Marcellas' washcloth. He then turned to a camera and mentioned it was Marcellas' washcloth. BB yelled at him to stop.
• Will and Mike are actively campaigning just about anyone who will listen to get rid of Marcellas. Um... well, they haven't discussed it with Marcellas, mind you.
• James and Howie don't want to be stuck in sequester with Marcellas.
• Erika and Kaysar had another long heart-to-heart talk. "What am I doing here?" Kaysar seems genuinely troubled by this season and his choices. With Erika, I don't know. She puts on a good interested-in-listening face, she always did. But I get the feeling that she's always playing the game.
• No one seems to be happy. Aww. Poor babies. My heart bleeds for them. I don't know what they expected, caviar and fine champagne every evening?
• Erika told Kaysar that she was very upset that one houseguest seemed to rejoice about Danielle going into Solitary. She didn't mention which one, but my own personal guess would be Janelle (although I saw nothing of the kind). I don't know if this was an Erika strategy move or reality. Kaysar told Erika he wants to leave - he'd rather go clerk in a coffee shop.
• Will and Janelle had a hot water spray fight in the kitchen (the only hot water in the house) until BB yelled at them.
• At 1:00 AM their time, BB announced it would be lights out in one hour. About time this was enforced this season!
• Despite their (Janelle and Kaysar) vow to wake up at 7 AM for exercise, Danielle is the only one awake as I post this entry at about 9:30 their time. She's moping and pacing.

Graphic by Zoetawny.

'Big Brother 7: All Stars' - Live Feeds Update - Saturday Evening 8/05

<--- The cots do something to the decor, I don't know what. I'm surprised the floor isn't more littered with this crew.

Since I last posted, I've gleaned a bit more on the competition. Apparently, the POV competitors earned points for taking punishments. Before the comp, they agreed to go for the individual punishments rather than the whole or half house ones. The goal for the win was 50 points. Janelle did what she had to do to win - 55 points and whole house punishments. It was the only way the points would add up to enough to win the veto. The smaller personal punishments wouldn't add up to what was needed. Danielle took the solitary confinement, Mike Boogie gave up his right to compete in POV next week. It also seems that Mike won the Aruba vacation, not Will. I'm still piecing things together from what's been said.

Here are the events in the Big Brother House of Cold Water Only and a Prisoner:

• Danielle is really having a rough time with the solitary confinement even though others are shouting through the door and IT'S JUST 24 HOURS! Sheesh. I would take the time to get some actual sleep and think about my next moves. Instead, she's crying... and crying some more. She says she wants to go home.
• Will went to the Diary Room and came out looking like he had been crying. Or, at the very least, he looked very upset. Odd.
• Erika says she can't eat slop anymore and she wants to go home.
• Will talked Kaysar into thinking they (the two) are in a secret alliance. [Editor's note: Kaysar, don't let yourself get Jenned again. Will = Liar. I love to watch the guy, but he lies.]
• James groused about production and we got flame/clouds.
• Will took a spray bath in the kitchen sink, the only sink with hot water.
• Now James has turned the tide again against George. He says if he (James) gets HOH, he'll put up George.
• When Howie said that Marcellas was the most annoying person in the house besides himself, James told him Marcellas had him beat.
• Only four can attend the margarita party tonight. They got dressed up with sombreros and everything. Will refused to wear a sombrero. Janelle, Boogie, Will and James are the partygoers from the comp while George and Marcellas can participate as they both have Slop passes.
• Danielle is freaking out in solitary mumbling there must be a loophole and she needs to go to the Diary Room. [Editor's note: I simply cannot believe her reaction.]
• Will keeps complaining about the party - no ice, margarita machine doesn't work, etc. Whenever they bring up mention of the producers, we get flame/clouds.
  
  
  Like a prison it is, just eyes peeking though a slot--->

Will is still working on everyone, it seems. Perhaps that's why Danielle is so upset about a mere 24 hours alone - maybe she has a schedule!

Folks might be interested in looking in the comments of my previous entry. Reader Robin has some detailed information in there! Thanks, Robin!

'Big Brother 7: All Stars' - Live Feeds Report - Saturday in the House 8/05

It's been a day of sleeping late (surprise, surprise); a day of strategizing; a day of temptations. Oh, what a day it's been.

Without further ado, here are the important happenings from that Big Brother House of Who's On First:

• At around 10 AM their time, BB announced that the POV Competition would be begin in 2 hours. [Editor's note: Never set your watch by BB... these things almost always are delayed.]
• Mike Boogie mentioned that the comp is supposed to be about temptation. [Editor's note: That fits with Julie's hint about the upcoming week.]
• Danielle played her HOH CD loud enough for the feeds to pick it up. An apt song, perhaps more suited for Thursday night - Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust."
• James thanked Danielle for her kindnesses towards him. As he left the room, she said, "See you next week!" Then she added, "If you're still here."
• James for the 875th time told Kaysar that Janelle was only looking out for herself with her nominations last week. [Editor's note: C'mon, James. Give it a break. We know. Kaysar knows. The world knows.]
• Janelle told Marcellas that she chose him to play for Veto because he's the only one who said he'd try to win it for her.
• Starting about 12:15 their time, the feeds were blocked for nearly four hours.
• When they returned, Janelle was wearing the Power of Veto necklace. Aha!
• It sounds like everyone who competed won something. James won a phone call that he doesn't seem thrilled about. Will won a trip.
• They also seem to have lost something as they talk about having to take cold showers (hot water privileges removed?) and sleeping on cots.
• Oh, I'm all confused once again. Never mind me. I'll sort it out.
• They went to a backyard lockdown after the POV Comp feed block. It must be long... they have a Port-a-Potty out there. Hmmm...
• Boogie wants to campaign to have Danielle put up Marcellas. [Editor's note: I liked Marcellas in his season, but he's WAY too negative this time 'round. I wouldn't mind a Marcellas/James nomination. I'd prefer James goes as I feel he's always too intense, too serious, too bitter, too controlling. I don't find him any fun to watch.]
• Okay, a new thing. Danielle has to go into solitary confinement for 24 hours. That's odd.
• Boogie is happy that Janelle will target Danielle and Marcellas now that she's staying. [Editor's note: It's pretty definite she will not pull a Marcellas and she will indeed save herself with the Veto.]
• Um... now I hear that Janelle somehow put the whole house on slop for the week in the comp. Interesting. I wonder if George's pass will remain good. I would think it should. So, he'd be the only one eating? Karma, baby!
• Will and Boogie talked about how they threw POV and said something about it being James' fault for the $5,000. Say what? Have I mentioned how confusing these houseguests are lately?
• Mike Boogie can't play for Veto next week. But, on the other hand, it sounds like he won a plasma television.
• James took a margarita party? I dunno. I'm just getting bits and pieces here. So...
• James fussed that he wanted to go home. [Editor's note: Go. Just go.]
• Will told Mike to turn up the showmance with Erika and he'll do the same with Janelle. [Editor's note: Aha!]
• When James complained to Kaysar that the competition wasn't really a competition, it was more of a contest and he was frustrated, Kaysar told him it was all about good and evil. [Editor's note: That, of course, is the theme for the season. The problem is that it's hard to tell who's good and who's evil. And, most of the time, the evil is more entertaining!]
• Marcellas won't complain about giving George the BB Slop pass anymore - he won a slop pass for the rest of the season. Or, at least until he's evicted!
• Danielle told Will and James that she won't put up Howie and she's reluctant to put up Marcellas. Then, after they left, she whispered to herself, "I have to put up Kaysar." [Editor's note: Hmmm... if Kaysar and James are on the block, I think James would be evicted. That would be okay with me.]
• Marcellas told James he would put up George next week if he got HOH. [Editor's note: Oh, Marcellas! How come you fussed about Janelle not putting up Chill Town? How come you said you'd put up Janelle? And, now you say GEORGE? Feh!]
• Eek! The lockdown ended... the HOH room has a cot in it and the exercise room is Danielle's solitary confinement room. Yipes.
• James fussed. James whined. Then he fussed some more. At least he's rotating it a bit. Complaining that the competitions were no good. Complaining that Janelle put them on slop. Complaining that the show's no good. [Editor's note: Such a bundle of joy.]
• Ah, but Will and Mike are also complaining that the gym equipment is gone. But, Will has a trip and Mike has a plasma TV (not in the house, of course). They said James was foolish to spend his points on a margarita party and a call, whatever that means.
• Apparently, the houseguests had tried some sort of uprising against BB and weren't going to go with the comp, but as James brought it up FLAME/CLOUDS!
• Howie still has the baggie of Kaysar's hair! Kaysar has told him to throw that out several times - he doesn't want Howie to sell it on Ebay.
• Danielle came out of solitary to get her robe and Bible. She was crying and mumbling, "idiots." Hmmm...
• Erika told Marcellas that James is dangerous and cannot be trusted.

That's pretty much where we stand right now. I'm just getting bits and pieces about the Veto comp, but Janelle definitely won it. Some comments were asking about James' right to nullify an eviction vote. In my understanding, it's only good for one vote in all. Say that he and Janelle remained on the block. If the vote was 4-3 for Janelle to stay, he could use it to bring things to a tie to be decided by Danielle.

This is a very odd day amongst odd days in the house. More later!

Graphic by Zoetawny.

'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.