TV Newsy Bits - Wednesday, July 11, 2007

First and foremost, I'd like to thank everyone for their kind words regarding my TV Squad writing gig. I wouldn't have been hired if not for all the folks who have faithfully read this blog (and previous ones). You've made it into a community and it's you who kept me going!

I'll still be writing East Coast Updates here on the blog -- letting folks know who's going home on Thursday nights, so make sure you tune in tomorrow! I'll also be continuing coverage of the boot (East Coast time) on So You Think You Can Dance. Here, the feeds reports will continue in a bulleted list format while I'll delve deeper into things and cover more extensive material there. I'll probably not roll my eyes a lot there, but you know I want to! Eventually, when I can get my volume woes worked out on my BBReloader, I should be posting YouTube clips of feeds here.

Onto the TV Newsy Bits I found "out there" --

• Can't get enough of Melissa and her soul-patch? Reality Check with Gina and Fans of Reality TV both have interviews with the most recent chef ousted from Hell's Kitchen.
• Several sources including EOnline! and Zap2It have articles about the return of The Apprentice on NBC.
• I received a press release from the CourtTV folks today. Remember, a while back I mentioned they have a brand name change and lots of other changes planned for early 2008. Um, the new name of the channel will be truTV. No, I would not lie. It's true. Or tru. Or truTV.
• The OC Register has some tidbits on the upcoming Survivor: China. Interesting reading!

'Big Brother 8' - Live Feeds Report - Daytime 7/11

Wednesdays in the Big Brother house are traditionally a bit boring. I forgot about that. The big events of the day are voting which we don't see and they aren't allowed to discuss and the HOH camera.

The one thing I'll really remember about today is the overuse of the word "whatever." I swear it's been said 482 times from everyone ranging from Carol to Dick to Kail. Stop it.

Whateva!

Here are the not-so-thrilling thrilling events from today in that Big Brotherly House of Brotherly Love (just check out the Mutual Admiration Society amongst the guys!):

• Zach and Kail had a hushed conversation in the Storage Room about Dick. Kail thinks Dick is a loose cannon. Zach thinks it's wiser to get rid of Daniele first, then Dick won't be as dangerous.
• Kail plans on collecting Dick's IOU for a favor if he becomes HOH - don't put her up will be her request.
• Kail has no idea who "Mrs. Roberson" is because she never saw the movie. Zach at least knows the song and was singing a few bars. (Where do they get these houseguests? Under rocks? I can't believe a woman her age isn't at least a bit familiar with The Graduate or the song... one or the other! Roberson!)
• The HOH camera came to life and fun was had by all. Yawn.
• Nick and Daniele's showmance is hitting tough times. Too bad, so sad.
• In talking with Daniele, Amber said that Zach is a floater and must go.

Mind you, folks... that's the big news since my last post. Whatever! At least we know tomorrow will be an interesting night. The daytime hours will be quiet, but this group is much tidier than past casts. They won't have as much housecleaning to do for the live show.

'Big Brother 8' - Live Feeds Blurbs - Overnight Into Wednesday 7/11

Just the facts, ma'am.

I'm posting this update a bit late, so it's going to be as short and to the point, yet catching the news up.

Here are the important quickie updates from that Big Brother House of Hopeless Hamsters:

• I can't believe most of the HG aren't familiar with the book 1984, sort of the impetus for the concept of the show. Only Dick and Dustin seem to really know much about it. @@
• Nick told Joe that Daniele told Dustin (follow that trail) that she's just using Nick for her game. When Nick asked her to pinky-swear, she wouldn't. She's acting differently to him today.
• Eric told Carol that he's not sure of how he'll vote. "I'm not a swing vote, I'm an unknown vote." He must be planning to vote with our choice... which I think will be to oust Amber.
• The voting is in process, but they can't talk about how they voted.
• Jen primped a lot for her DR session. Now, that doesn't surprise you, does it? ;-)
• Mike wants the house to see him as a floater, not a part of the Mrs. Robinson alliance.
• I think Dick and Kail are the two real hardcore players this year. Kail is so Maggie and Dick is the one who sees it.
• Right now there aren't any new indicators on the vote. It still looks like it's too close to call.

So, Where Have I Been This Morning?

I apologize for not posting the latest news from the overnight... that will be coming soon.

But I have news. Big news. News so big, I should probably use a larger font.

I've accepted a paying blog position with the folks at TV Squad. Right now, I'll be writing feeds wrap-ups perhaps three times a week, some Big Brother episode recaps/reviews for them.

What does that mean for this blog? Well, there will be a few changes - a lot will go on as it has been. This won't affect reviews of any other shows I write about, or Newsy Bits, or the community here on the whole. It does mean that reviews I write for them will be in a synopsis form here (and linked). The content I write about the show there isn't going to be duplicated here and vice versa. They're giving me leeway to post about the show in this blog, but it's going to be different from what I write for them. Here, the tomfoolery and @@ will remain!

At the moment, there's a lot going on and it's all new to me (and them), but in time we'll get it all worked out. I'm very excited to make the ranks of "professional blogger" and it's all due to the folks who have supported me in my endeavors over the past few years. Thank you... and you know you guys rock!

To read my first posted article there, check this out (and feel free to comment!). In addition, for the folks who used the AOL TV Big Brother feature to get here, this blog's feeds will no longer be posted there... but I have my own little box for the TV Squad articles!

'Big Brother 8' - Live-Blogging 7/10 Episode

The show has started here on the East Coast. This entry will be updated as it airs. So, it's going to be a bit rough - typos and missplellings <--- might occur!

So far they've had a recap. Kail, in reference to her reasons for nominations, thinks she's "scotch-free" from blame. Huh. I wonder if she has gin?

Kail is getting insight into Dick. She sees what I've seen. The guy inside doesn't match his exterior.

Now it's to a Nick is so great segment. He's flirting with Amber and professes his affection for Amber as perhaps a "dirty girl." Shomance alert! Jen is shown as looking quite perturbed, and very likely jealous when Nick cuddles with Daniele. To stir the pot, Joe told Nick that Jen was saying he was making out with her. Jen, in her own Jen-World as Joe puts it, has herself believing they made out when it didn't happen.

Jen is confronting Nick in the storage room. It's an odd situation. She's an odd girl. Now all of the houseguests are talking about her. They are "so over" Jen. Heck, so am I! Amber suggested to Kail putting Jen on the block if Carol wins the PoV comp (which we've known about since Friday). Amber prays for divine intervention.

It's time to pick the players for the veto competition, only six will participate. The two nominees and HOH are drawing the others at random. There is a wild card available. Kail got it - Houseguest's Choice - she chose Daniele. Carol chose Nick, Amber chose Jameka. Kail chose Jessica as host, most likely for her stunning voice.

They must all stash vetos somewhere in the house. The last veto found ends up winning for the hider. Daniele is youngest and smallest, but she's determined to win. She put hers in the bucket of slop. The others aren't nearly as imaginative.

Just a note -- now I can see why the house was such a mess and the comp took five hours on the live feeds.

As the comp goes on, the ones not participating are locked in the HOH Room. Dick is going off on Jen. Heh, they let the HOH crowd out to see the disaster. Amber's veto was first found, Nick's was second. Third was Carol's. Jameka's was next. Kail's was found, so it's a victory for Daniele!

It's time for Eric to make up his sob story and tell Kail. Yep, what we saw on the feeds! Kail fell for it hook, line and sinker.

It's to the Drama Mamas... Joe and Dustin. Dustin is being a bit reasonable. Joe accepted an apology. Back to the Jen fussing... or fussing about Jen from the other houseguests and into commercial.

Daniele is taking the veto decision seriously, weighing the pros and cons of her actions. It's time for the veto meeting. Kail doesn't want her nominations changed. Carol says she wants to compete longer, not ready to go home. Amber says she deserves to be taken off the block, mentions the jounrey, and her family. Daniele talks about stirring the house up a bit, dramatically pauses, then keeps the noms the same.

In a DR brief, Jessica said "Bye, Carol. See you at high school reunion in ten years." Aren't these girls about 23 if memory serves? They've been out of high school for a good six years or more. Perhaps she thinks the 17th Year Reunion is a really big gathering?

America's Player vote is up and running at the official show website. Who should Eric vote for to go home? Carol or Amber? Get your say in!