BB21: Live Feeders vs. Aired Show Fans vs. Hamsters

Yes, I know that I still owe you the rest of the Ika ET Canada videos and my commentary on them. Yes, I know I need to post an informative post on how this blog works with the show, the feeds and stuff like the show scheduling. But first … this stuff here keeps going through my mind as I watch the cast interviews and such. 

I've been actually blogging about BB since BB5 -- unfortunately those entries were on the now long ago sunsetted AOL Journals blogging platform and this BlogSpot blog kicks in with BB7. Due to the AOL blogging, I got a paid freelance gig following the show for Weblogs, Inc./TV Squad/AOL Television for a number of years. That brought about the changes to this blog with the live show parties, etc. 

Before blogging became a "thing" I was a part of the AOL team monitoring chats and message boards for the show since Season ONE -- a season in which  Julie Chen was not well known at all, not to even mention Julie Chen-Moonves! AOL was the platform for the live feeds and practically ran the show environment. I recall things like 70k comments during an aired show at the time. Incredible! As time went on and the BB online community grew, I followed other sites like Joker's and Hamsterwatch. I lost my paying gig writing about the show and feeds when AOL TV was taken over by HuffPost. Sigh. 

With all that said, I guess I would qualify as some sort of super-super-fan, even more so than some of the largely followed sites since I've been actively involved since even before the first show of the first season even aired! Yes, setting up the message boards and stuff like that. But, no. I would never be in that house and, if I was, I'd truly suck at it. I don't do surrounded by people and chaos well.

So … why all this history? Well, in looking at this cast, I see recruits, some that have watched the show for a few years, some "big" fans who may have watched for ten years or so and only one who mentioned the live feeds. Say WHAT?!?! The online fan community for BB is tremendous and may be the forefather of various online fan communities for other shows -- both reality and scripted --since its inception. Yep, that's what I think.

There are distinct differences between regular show fans, live feeders and the hamsters themselves and here are my thoughts:

Aired Show Fans

This category of fans seem to be who the producers think they want to impress with showmances, twists, house themes and more. But they're the least knowledgeable about the show of all the fans. They see edited versions of "reality." They don't see the downtimes (or doldrums as I often refer to them). They only see edited versions of brouhahas or kerfuffles, often not with a full story of what led to such chaos. They see so little of the day to day happenings and interactions of the house that it disturbs me that so many new hamsters never see anything but the aired shows. They're being robbed!

The Hamsters Themselves

Once in the house, obviously their experience is different from other fans, aired show or feeders. No matter super fan or newbie, we cannot know what it's like to actually be in there. I think I might safely assume it's a mix of Highway to Hell or an Amazing Life Experience. But I don't know. I do know that even the hamsters themselves don't see the big picture of what's happening within the house. They only see part of it through their own confidants and allies. That ends up giving them each a skewed version of things. Thankfully after Danielle Reyes lost in her season due to the others seeing her Diary Room interviews, hamsters don't see them until after the season ends. So, while they have an insight into the show that no just fan will ever have, they aren't as knowledgeable about what's going on as are my last category --

Live Feeders and Online Community Fans

Yep, we practically know it all! We are privy to conversations that neither the show fans hear, nor all of the hamsters themselves. We get to see them pop their pimples and have wardrobe malfunctions. The only things we don't see are the first week in the house because they delay the live feeds until after the premiere. By that time the hamsters have already a week under their belts. We also don't get to see the Diary Room sessions although on some rare occasions there have been an audio leak or two. I doubt we'll ever get to see them because the producers won't allow us to see prompting, leading questions or retakes. Also, as live feeders and involved with the online community, we tend to get all the dirt from internet sleuths who track down the backgrounds and lives of the hamsters. All in all, we know it all … except what it's like to actually be a house hamster. 

What are your thoughts? 

BB21: House Tour and Theme

I just don't know about this. I know someone earns big bucks coming up with this stuff. Others who earn big bucks have to approve these things. I obviously chose the wrong career path. 

The theme for this summer is Summer Camp. And, the house supposedly reflects that. I do believe we just might have the worst, tackiest and most unappealing BB house in the history of the show.

That said, it is looking more and more like there's a "secret" theme this season. It looks like it may be a pairs thing going on. Christie had a long time relationship with Tommy's aunt. Holly and Kathryn are Facebook friends. Many others (two by two) went to the same colleges and stuff. Hmm.

Oh, well. Here's the Julie Chen-Moonves house tour --



I think I'm speechless. What do you think of the house?

I'll be continuing my ET Canada Ika cast interviews with commentary tomorrow. Please don't forget to jump in the blog pool at this post!

BB21: The Ika ET Canada Interviews - Part 2

Greetings, fellow hamster watchers! This is part two of my commentary on the ET Canada interviews with Ika, a previous BB Canada hamster herself. You can find part one right here.

Also -- don't forget to sign up for the blog pool on THIS HERE LINKED POST! You need to sign up on that post only. If you put your name in on any other post, Facebook or Twitter, it might be missed.



Okay, Kemi, I do see the hair being a problem. Can you imagine that in a wall comp with goop flying all about? Kemi seems like either a recruit or someone who decided last year she was going to make the show. Watched ten seasons in a year? Yeah, it's doable on CBS All Access. But you don't see the live feeds, you don't see the whole online aspect by just watching. She thinks she's a big fan although it's recent. She also thinks of herself as a New Yorker even through she moved to Brooklyn six months ago. She thinks she will win the money. I don't think so.




Christie seems to be about as big of a fan as we get this season. At least she has watched the show since Season 8. Again, no mention of live feeds or internet community for the show. She comes across better in this interview than in her bio or the Jeff interview. One interesting thing to note (from the internet, mind you) -- supposedly one of her relationships was with fellow hamster Tommy's aunt. Do they know each other? I mean, it's a small world, but …! I think she might do okay in the long run. But my own empath vibes aren't screaming out WINNER!



Another HUGE fan -- he's been watching since Season 17! I'm SO impressed/ I guess I shouldn't be snarky about the Jersey Boy, huh? But he's feeling the need to lie about his job. We all know how well that works out for most. And, the lie isn't even a great one. It's still similar to what he does. He's in his late 20s and has never been apart from his mother for more than a week. What's up with that? Plus, he says "you know what I'm saying" much too much. All that aside, he named Vanessa as a good player and does have insight into the game. On the whole, I think he might be a bit boring in the house. An interesting thing in the Jeff interview is that he said he'd call out anyone bullying, etc. Hmm. I just don't know. But I know at the age of 27 I wasn't calling myself a "kid."



Yep, a definite recruit and, at least he admits it. He's binge watched the show for the last 100 days. He apparently thinks the strategy of laying low at the start and making friendships is some sort of new one for the books. Me? I'm tired of people saying they're going to lay low. The only real success at that in several years was Kaycee. As a feeds watcher, I agree with Ika about BORING. However, I think his game might go off his strategy a bit. I don't know why I'm thinking that, but I am. I could be wrong. I do think his instant crying is very cool. Instant laugh, not so much. David comes across as a likable guy in the interviews. But is it all to fall apart in the house? We'll see!

The Amazing Race 31: Episode 10 Blog Party

We're getting down to the wire for the season now. It's all previous TAR teams and one rather surprising BB team left in the race. Who would have thought that Victor and Nicole would get this far?

Before we really get going here tonight, I'd like to remind you that the sign-ups for the BB21 pool are in full swing! You can sign up on this here linked post -- and only on that post, please. If you sign up on this TAR post, it might be missed. Sign up now while you're thinking of it!

I'll be live blogging the major events as tonight's show airs here on the East Coast. Refresh the page to get the latest update! As always, the party is in the comments area -- I hope to see you there!

Next week is the two-hour season finale starting at 9pm ET/PT after the second night of the BB21 season premiere.

Here are the latest blog pool standings from Lifeguard SueGee:

From Big Brother
Nicole & Victor -- Jackie, Jennifer, Jenna G

From Survivor
No One Has Survived!

From TAR
Colin & Christie -- Donna NY, Petals
Becca & Floyd -- Merrilee, Judi Sweeney, Glenn Allen
Leo & Jamal -- Kelsey NY, Indiana Jane, Cheryl in NC
Tyler & Korey -- Sharon N, Ed in Ohio

Philiminated
Art & JJ
Rupert & Laura
Corinne & Eliza
Janelle & Britney
Rachel & Elissa
Chris & Bret

Are we ready? Five teams remain. Who will be eliminated next?

Teams are flying to Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Tyler and Korey have won first place four times in a row. But, as we know, the only leg win which really counts is that final leg. This is one of those bunching up bits in which the teams all start out at the same time at their destination.

They have to ride a bike, then hike to get their next clue. They get tandem bikes which have a bit of a learning curve. It's Nicole's birthday, so she thinks they need to do well. 

Detour -- High or Dry. Raise a cow up a bell tower or go to a farm, vault across ditch, pick up cheese and eggs, go back across the ditch with all intact. The Dutch way to cross the water-filled ditch is a pole vault. Victor is great at it, Nicole not so much. And, the cows in the other part are fake cows.

Double U-Turn ahead! Yikes!

The first two teams there -- Colin/Christie and Tyler/Korey -- don't use the U-Turn figuring the Afghanimals were sure to use it. Leo/Jamal plan to get even and U-Turn Nicole/Victor if they can.

Aww, they did U-Turn Nicole and Victor who in turn U-Turned Team Fun. 

Team Fun is currently in last place. 

The teams must race by boat to the next Pit Stop. But Nicole and Victor are a bit lost looking for their cow. It looks like Team Fun is going to pass Nic/Vic as both teams vie for second to last place. Er, no … not so quick. Team Fun has to return to the Detour for another egg because one of their eggs were cracked. The suspense builds. Nic/Vic aren't doing well raising their cow.

They have to pull a boat from their boat in the race to the Pit Stop. So, it's not going to be easy to go through the canals. Leo/Jamal are having boat troubles while Nicole/Victor get to the last clue box before Becca/Floyd.

Pit Stop
1. Colin and Christie - won $7,500 each
2. Tyler/Korey
3. LeoJamal
4. Nicole/Victor
5. Becca/Floyd -- Philiminated

I really like them. 

BB21: The Ika ET Canada Interviews - Part 1

For those who might not know -- Canada not only has its own Big Brother show, they can also watch the USA version. Ika was on their version and, although she didn't win her season, she might have parlayed it into a more overall lucrative career with ET Canada. She interviews the new USA cast each season and, although her interviews are a bit formulaic, they're legally available on YouTube unlike the Jeff interviews for All Access which end up getting pulled. 

I will be posting these in four parts, four hamsters at random, along with a bit of commentary from me. Please feel free to voice your thoughts in comments!

But first … don't forget to sign up for the BB blog pool by going to this linked post. Only entries on that post will get into the pool. It's going to be a hot summer -- get in the pool now!

Hmm … I like that Analyse mentioned Daniele, Angela and Kaycee as admired and not Rachel. Heh. There aren't a lot of long-time show fans on this season. And, since she's only 22 and the show's been airing almost her whole life, ten or so seasons practically make her a superfan this season. That said, it doesn't seem like she has ever watched the live feeds or participated in anything online with the show. In my book, that makes her a bit of a pseudo-fan and she doesn't really know what she's getting into here. My jury is out on her.



Yes, Jack … you may face a situation where they might want to shave your head! Be very scared. Obviously a recruit, possibly for the Aquaman resemblance, mentioned in the Jeff interview, but not this Ika one. I would guess he's only been watching the show since he got the word he might be on it. At least CBS Access has all the seasons of the aired TV shows. But they don't have the live feeds from previous seasons stored. He deems like a nice enough guy. His eyebrows can look Vulcan-ish at times. He ain't gonna win.




A gay Broadway performer? Well, that's new and different. Heh. To be honest, I think I like Tommy as opposed to my first impression of the previous hamster with a similar background. Tommy is upbeat and pleasant. Of course, he does have the infamous Staten Island accent, often mistaken for New Jersey. For this season, he's a long-time fan of the show. Yeah, season 14 and on counts as long-time for this cast. No mention of the live feeds. I think he just might last a long time. I bet his social game will be very good!




The press calls her Isabella, but she calls herself Bella. So, she's Bella to me! Another recruit who tried to learn about the show after the "opportunity arose." It seems like she's probably only seen some of BB20. She's definitely going in oblivious. That said, I kind of like her. I think she's going to be fun to watch on the live feeds/ She seems to have an interesting and fun personality. Will she win it all? I doubt it. But, I'm here for the entertainment value anyway.

Big Brother 21: Blog Pool OPENS!

It's that time of year once again -- time for our summer obsession. BB21 makes its season debut next Tuesday evening. Between now and then I'll post the proposed scheduling and definitely more about our new hamsters.

But this isn't about that. Nope. This is WHO WANTS TO JUMP INTO THE BLOG POOL?

What's it all about?

Our esteemed and accomplished Lifeguard SueGee (AKA SqueeGee) will randomly match up pool entrants with the hamsters in the habitrail. Once matched up with a hamster, you need to cheer that one on until they're evicted or win it all. Yeah, even if they're obnoxious. Deal with it!

What will I win?

Well, IF you win, you'll be pleased to know there is NO CASH PRIZE! Nuh-uh. No way. That would cheapen the whole thing, don't ya think? Instead of paltry prizes, you get BRAGGING RIGHTS. Yep! From now through all eternity YOU will be a blog pool winner here. Feel free (and I encourage it) to put your win in your sign-off signature so that everyone can oooh and ahhh. Can't you hear the crowd now?

How do I get in on this wild action?!?!

You just need to sign up in the comments of THIS POST and THIS POST ONLY. If you put your name in on another post or Facebook or Twitter, it might be missed. If you come here as anonymous, you must come up with some sort of name in you comment. Otherwise, we can't tell the anonymous folks apart. Well, except for the unruly ones, maybe. 

When is the deadline for joining the pool?

The deadline for signing up is MONDAY JUNE 24 at NOON Pacific Time (that's 3pm ET). Don't put it off! Sign up TODAY!  

Big Brother 21: Cast Revealed Today!

Once again, the internet rumors were just that -- rumors, not factual at all. I thought it would be a cast of newbies as the television promos kept saying "total strangers." I should have posted my own rumors!

So, I did the exercise in aggravation known as the CBS All Access Live Feeds Big Brother cast interviews. Sigh. We sat through a blurred guy vacuuming and waited forever with a blurred Jeff Schroeder between interviews. They started late and went on forever -- mainly in wait time. Once the Ika interviews are online, I'll post them.

While I do like the newbies, BB is still casting one older person along with a bunch of kids. While this one does seem to have a good sense of humor, they're almost always out soon. We also have a gay Broadway dancer. Oh noes! Not a Frankie! Thankfully he doesn't come across like Frankie. We have a first in a plus-size model this season. We also have a good-looking man-bun dude. Hmm.

I'll be posting more on these new hamsters soon ...

Holly Allen, age 31

Cliff Hogg, age 53

Nicole Anthony, age 24

David Alexander, age 29

Analyse Talvera, age 22

Jack Matthews, age 28

Bella Wang, age 22

Jackson Michie, age 23

Christie Murphy, age 28

Nick Maccarone, age 27

Jessica Milagros, 30 (or so)

Ovi Kahir, age 22

Kathryn Dunn, age 29

Sam Smith, age 31

Kemi Faknule, age 25 

Tommy Bracco, age 28

The Amazing Race 31: Episode 9 Blpg Party

It seems like soon all we will have remaining on the show will be all previous TAR teams. BB hung in better than did Survivor, but now we're down to one team from each on the show. 

Speaking of BB -- if you missed it, I made this announcement the other day.

I'll be live blogging the major events as the show airs here on the East Coast. Refresh this page to get the latest updates! As always, the real party is in the comments area. I hope to see you there!

Before we get started, here are the latest blog pool standings from SueGee --

From Big Brother
Nicole & Victor -- Jackie, Jennifer, Jenna G

From Survivor
Chris & Bret -- Paula B., Megan in NC, SueGee

From TAR
Colin & Christie -- Donna NY, Petals
Becca & Floyd -- Merrilee, Judi Sweeney, Glenn Allen
Leo & Jamal -- Kelsey NY, Indiana Jane, Cheryl in NC
Tyler & Korey -- Sharon N, Ed in Ohio

Philiminated
Art & JJ
Rupert & Laura
Corinne & Eliza
Janelle & Britney
Rachel & Elissa

Six teams remain. Who will be eliminated next? Remember. all the non-Philimination legs have been run. 

Teams are flying to Croatia and there they'll meet up with a traveling gnome on the beach. Although the gnome is such ad placement, I always enjoy its involvement in the show. 

Colin and Christie have grown so much. Well, he has anyway. They're not holding grudges over the U-Turn votes. 

It looks like teams are actually going to be split on the flights for the first time I recall this season. So far it's split between two flights, but Vic/Nic seem to be being left behind. On noes!

Wow! They got a flight and might end up ahead of some of the teams on one flight! Yay! 

Bret and Chris make it there first -- they have to serve six drinks to beachgoers and collect their Roaming Gnome to get the next clue. Then they have to help the gnome deliver a loaf of bread to local monks.

Vic/Nic get in after the first few teams. The remaining teams have a delay even making matters worse for them. 

Bret/Chris first to Detour -- race up beach memorizing a tongue-twisting poem. Or, underwater treasure hunting.

Right now it's Bret/Chris, Tyler/Korey and Vic/Nic in the lead with all three teams at the detour. 

Vic/Nic are making progress on learning the poem while riding rough waters. Tyler/Korey give up the treasure hunt and are going for the poem. The remaining teams finally arrive in Croatia. 

Wow! Nicole and Victor take over the lead! But it seems like Tyler/Korey are right on their tails. Bret/Chris switch to the poem. They find out that's really hard too, so they head back to the treasure -- they do still have the coins they found there so far. But now the other teams are getting to the Detour. 

Roadblock - Who's ready to get their marching orders? Teams must keep track of five soldiers. Tyler/Korey got there before Nic/Vic. They liken it to a shell game trying to keep track of the soldiers.

Now Bret/Chris switch back. Meanwhile the last three teams are there at the Detour. 

Vic/Nic finish the Roadblock first and are heading to the Pit Stop. Now Tyler and Korey are heading there. It's a race!

Pit Stop
1. Tyler and Korey -- won a trip to Mexico
2. Nicole and Victor
3. Becca and Floyd

Yikes! Colin and Christie have to go back for their gnome after completing the Detour. Bret/Chris still doing poorly. 

Leo worked with Christie to do the Roadblock.

4. Colin and Christie
5. Leo and Jamal
6. Bret and Chris -- Philiminated.

They handle it well.

Big Brother 21: Cast Reveal Next Monday!

The Big Brother 21 cast reveal will be on the live feeds next Monday, June 17, starting at 11am ET -- 8am PT The live feeds are/will be on CBS All Access. As always, there are rumors all over the web about whether it will be an All-Star, all new hamsters, some new and some old. Until we hear from CBS, we do not know -- no one knows. 

In other news, Jeff Schroeder is returning to his role of interviewing the cast. I know some people don't care for him, but I certainly liked him better on the finale interviews. Nothing against Ross, but …! We already know Julie Chen Moonves will be back at least for this coming season.

Here's the announcement made today on Twitter --

He's back! Meet the new Houseguests in ONE week with @jeffschroeder23. ☀️ #BB21 pic.twitter.com/A09cjCluxn

— Big Brother (@CBSBigBrother) June 10, 2019

The Amazing Race 31: Episode 8 Blog Party

Well, I think we just might be out on non-Philimination legs with the save on Nicole and Victor last week. Hey, I ended up with them in the blog pool, so I'm not complaining! I do like them and they're doing better than I had thought they would. Tonight's show, according to promos, has some kind of public voting U-Turn. Will Rachel be feeling the love (or lack thereof)? Or, will they go for a stronger team? Hmm.

As tonight's show airs here on the East Coast, I'll be updating this entry with the major events. Refresh the page to get the latest update! As always, the real party is in the comments area. I hope to see you there!

The latest from World Traveling Lifeguard SueGee and the blog pool --

From Big Brother
Rachel & Elissa -- Delee, Nickelpeed
Nicole & Victor -- Jackie, Jennifer, Jenna G

From Survivor
Chris & Bret -- Paula B., Megan in NC, SueGee

From TAR
Colin & Christie -- Donna NY, Petals
Becca & Floyd -- Merrilee, Judi Sweeney, Glenn Allen
Leo & Jamal -- Kelsey NY, Indiana Jane, Cheryl in NC
Tyler & Korey -- Sharon N, Ed in Ohio

Are we ready? Let's GO!

Seven teams remain. Who will be eliminated next? The teams seem to be remaining in Switzerland. They're driving to the next clue. Rachel is going on about making the record for the most legs on the race. Well, if they'd stop putting her on shows …!

The teams have to wait until 7am, so it will be a bunching point. Rachel tries to make amends with the Afghanimals. Heh, Elissa threw Rachel under the bus. They're telling us they were rubbed the wrong way by her, too much drama. But they don't say quite that to the Reillys.

Ah, Phil is there. He tells them everyone gets to vote. It's only fitting to have a U-Turn vote -- out loud and in front of each other. This should be good! 

Two teams will be U-Turned.

No more non-elims.

Rach/Elissa -- Colin/Christie
Nic/Vic -- Afghanimals
Colin/Christie -- Rach/Elissa
Jamal/ -- Colin/Christie
Team Fun -- Colin/Christie
Tyler/Korey -- Nic/Vic
Chris/Bret -- Rachel/Elissa

Rachel is obnoxious about it. So, Colin/Christie and Rachel/Elissa are U-Turned.

Detour
Cut a lane of grass, stack it or dress cows (flower headpiece) up for a festival.

Nic/Vic have to take down, fold 26 flags and delivery.

Tyler/Korey and Team Fun are leading the pack. Colin's cow isn't quite as broken as his ox was … yet.

Hmm. Rachel/Elissa finished the cow and are heading to the second part, but left the clue on the table. They're asking other teams to read their clues. No one wants to give them the clue. They follow what others are doing.

Roadblock --
William Tell theme shooting an apple off of a scarecrow.

BRET took over the lead by shooting the apple! It's onto the Pit Stop for him. Tyler/Korey on their tails.

Leo/Jamal are lost.

Rachel/Elissa finished the mowing. Nothing was said about losing the clue. Hmm. Will they face a penalty at the mat? Or nothing? I don't think the show would really have mentioned it if nothing is going to come of it.

Leo/Jamal just finished the apple with Rachel/Elissa on their tails.

Pit Stop
1. Tyler/Korey in a foot chase - won a cruise Vietnam/Cambodia
2. Bret/Chris
3. Colin/Christie
4. Becca/Floyd
5. Nicole/Victor
6. Leo/Jamal
7. Rachel/Elissa -- Philiminated

Rachel cries … of course. Hopefully, this is the LAST time I'll have to watch her on a show! 

The Amazing Race 31: Episode 7 Blog Party

Due to violent storms coming through the area -- if I disappear, it would most likely be a power outage. I'm sure I'm still alive. Well, I think so anyway.

As the show airs here on the East Coast, I'll be live blogging the major events and constantly updating this entry. Refresh the page to get the latest news! As always, the party is in the comments area. Feel free to join in on the fun!

Here are the latest standings in the blog pool as World Traveler SueGee is out and about --

From Big Brother
Rachel & Elissa -- Delee, Nickelpeed
Nicole & Victor -- Jackie, Jennifer, Jenna G

From Survivor
Chris & Bret -- Paula B,, Megan in NC, SueGee

From TAR
Colin & Christie -- Donna NY, Petals
Becca & Floyd -- Merrilee, Judi Sweeney, Glenn Allen
Leo & Jamal -- Kelsey NY, Indiana Jane, Cheryl in NC
Tyler & Korey -- Sharon N, Ed in Ohio

Philiminated
Art & JJ
Rupert & Laura
Corinne & Eliza
Janelle & Britney

Let's go! 

Seven teams remain. Who will be eliminated next?

Teams are heading to Zurich, Switzerland from Uganda. Teams seem to have a wait for their flights, so they mingle a bit. Team Fun and the Afghanimals share a bit of a dislike for Rachel and Elissa … until they show up. They talk about who to U-Turn next. When Nicole/victor come up, the BB gals aren't into it. They would prefer to U-Turn Team Fun as Team Fun are actually talking about not U-Turning them. Oy.

First, they need to take a train. Rachel told Nicole that Team Fun wanted to U-Turn them. Nicole/Victor are a bit suspicious. Now, because Nic/Vic don't really buy it, there's a rift between the BB teams. Meanwhile, the other teams pep talk Nicole/Victor.  

They have a 3k run to snag their next clue. Roadblock -- Who wants to take the scenic route? They must freefall then find a clue in a raging gorge.

From there, they're off by helicopter to get their next clue. Tyler and Korey are still in the lead.

Nicole was scared to take the jump, but she did it. 

Detour -- Ride steepest something, reading clues, must ride up and down until they get it right … or canyoning. 

Rachel/Elissa are only ahead of Bret/Chris still doing the Roadblock.

Leo/Jamal have taken over the lead and are the first heading towards the Pit Stop. Rachel/Elissa seem to be the nemesis of more and more teams. It's more Rachel's doing than Elissa's. Surprising, I know.

Leo/Jamal have to wait for the doohickey to return for them (cable car?). It's possible they might have lost their lead to Korey/Tyler who completed the other task.

Pit Stop
1. Tyler/Korey - won a spa day
2. Colin/Christie
3. Becca/Floyd
4. Leo/Jamal
Note top four are TAR
5. Rachel/Elissa
6. Chris/Bret 
Rachel has tied most number of legs run
7. Nicole/Victor got lost

Bret/Chris and Rachel/Elissa have no clue where they're going. The girls are following the lost guys. Victor/Nicole horribly lost.

NONPHILIMINATION! Nicole/Victor still in it although facing a Speed Bump next leg.

The Amazing Race 31: Episodes 5 and 6 Blog Party

Yep, we have two hours of the race going on tonight! I hope you all have your snacks and adult beverages prepped! We aren't all that far into the season, but I find it rather surprising that only one team from Survivor is left while all three Big Brother teams remain in the race. I think the prior TAR teams have an edge, however even one of those teams is gone before the BB teams!

I'll be live blogging and updating this post with the major events throughout the show as it airs here on the East Coast. Refresh the page to get the latest news! As always, the real party is in the comments -- feel free to join in on the discussion!

Without further ado, here's where we stand with Lifeguard SueGee in the blog pool:

From Big Brother
Rachel & Elissa -- Delee, Nickelpeed
Nicole & Victor -- Jackie, Jennifer, Jenna G
Janelle & Britney -- Donna in FL, David, Monty924

From Survivor
Chris & Bret -- Paula B., Megan in NC, SueGee

From TAR
Colin & Christie -- Donna NY, Petals
Becca & Floyd -- Merrilee, Judi Sweeney, Glenn Allen
Leo & Jamal -- Kelsey NY, Indiana Jane, Cheryl in NC
Tyler & Korey -- Sharon N, Ed in Ohio

Philiminated
Art & JJ
Rupert & Laura
Corinne & Eliza

Are you ready? Let's GO!

Eight teams remain. Who will be eliminated next? The teams are heading to Dubai. All are on the same flight.

They are now among luxury cars and drink tea with the locals. They're directed to look into the cars, then travel by taxi headed to the next clue. They're going to the Dubai Frame, a huge building that looks like a frame. Um, okay.

It's like a picture frame with old Dubai on one side, new on the other.

Detour -- sky diving jump master, parachute down to pick up a clue. Or, largest dinosaur park searching for five different colored eggs to return to their nest(s?). Only two teams can jump at one time, so some are going to the eggs just to avoid the wait. Rachel and Elissa are having issues with their taxi driver. Once they get to the eggs, they decide to switch because too many teams are there. Those looking for the eggs have to wear those neato T-Rex costumes.

Whoa! The jump is actually a virtual reality game in which they have a task to complete, not a simple jump. There's even a test at the end of it. If they fail, they have to take it over. So, there's a wait there, too.

Bret and Chris finish the eggs first, then Colin and Christie the jump. Britney and Janelle put all their eggs in the wrong nest. It does seem like the nest folks are finishing easier.

It's a Roadblock next. One with all wearing headphones. The racer has to listen to the music and decide who is dancing to the dj's music. It's a silent rave party.

Becca and Floyd got through the silent disco first thanks to Floyd's beats background. They're headed to the Pit Stop. They have to fly in there Superman style? Hmm.

Leo/Jamal and Rachel/Elissa are both lagging behind the others. Oh, geez, after finishing the dance Roadblock, we get Rachel's tears of drama again.

It seems many are heading to the Pit Stop right in a row. They have to take a marked elevator, then take a zipline over Dubai.

Pit Stop order:
1. Becca and Floyd! Also each won $5,000 
2. Chris and Bret
3. Colin and Christie
4. Tyler and Korey
5. Nicole and Victor
6. Janelle and Britney
7. Leo and Jamal
8. Rachel (still crying) and Elissa … it's NON-PHILMINATION! They're still in it.

In the teaser for the next hour, they're heading to Uganda and the Head to Head Challenge returns. Oy.

Eight teams remain. Who will be eliminated next? Deja vu.

Sure enough, heading to Uganda and then to the capitol. All teams are right together once again pretty much starting on a level playing field. Tyler and Korey are a bit concerned about a possible bias against gay couples. 

Rachel/Elissa and Janelle/Britney have dubbed themselves as the Mom Squad.

They're headed to the National Mosque. The Afghanimals are looking forward to seeing animals. They have to change into acceptable clothes for the mosque. They have to count 272 steps they need to climb. Gah, Tyler and Korey read research about the mosque and didn't count but the count they remembered was wrong. Apparently the Minuret (sp?) is different than the mosque itself, Ah it's between marked spots.

Teams then have to head to a market to find the next clue. 

Rachel is whining again climbing the stairs.

Traffic there is ridiculous! In the market there's a Speed Bump for Rachel and Elissa.

Roadblock -- teams have to shop for ingredients and make a special sandwich.

Nicole and Victor are leading. Then the teams head off to the Gava Strip or something to that effect. 

The Speed Bump has Rachel and Elissa doing laundry and finding a place to hang it.

Janelle is still looking for a Rolex watch when the Roadblock is actually Rolled Eggs. Rachel and Elissa killed the laundry task.

Ah, a Detour is next -- either salting fish or loading wood and delivering on a bike. Janelle is so lost still at the Roadblock.

The delivery Detour is tough with muddy dirt roads. Tyler and Korey think they're getting a lot of positive energy. But I'm wondering if people are even realizing they're gay. Colin is maintaining his cool unlike in his season.

Janelle finally found the rolled eggs counter. They're way behind.

Tyler and Korey head to Head to Head. Drums must be moved one at a time into four colored stacks, winners head to Pit Stop. Losers battle the next team and so on. Last loser is Philiminated.

Elissa/Rachel seem to be the only ones doing salty roll instead of stacking and delivering the wood. They're actually pretty well-versed at it having had to clean fish from childhood.

Tyler/Korey are against Colin/Christie for the first Head to Head.
Tyler vs. Colin. Tyler wins!

Nicole/Victor against Colin/Christie
Victor vs. Colin (drums restacked)
Colin wins.

Nicole/Victor vs, Bret/Chris
Victor wins

Bret against Floyd
Bret wins

Floyd against Leo
Floyd wins

Jamal against Rachel
Jamal wins

BB Battle now --
Rachel vs Britney
Rachel wins

Pit Stop
1. Tyler/Korey - won a trip to Singapore
2. Colin/Christie
3. Victor/Nicole
4. Bret/Chris
5. Floyd/Becca
6. Leo/Jamal
7. Rachel/Elissa

Britney and Janelle are Philiminated. There are tears but they don't go out bitter or nasty like Eliza/Corinne did.