'Big Brother 8' - Live Feeds, TV Squad, and WhatNot

Okay, I lied about the whatnot. Is that a penalty nomination or is it a vote?

I have two articles over on TV Squad awaiting publishing online. One is about the Allison Grodner interview with EW.com and the other is on Amber and Daniele's appearance on The Power of Ten (with a photo even!) next Tuesday at 8 PM. The Grodner interview should be posted by about 7:30 ET. I don't know about the other one yet.

I'll be live-blogging the live eviction show as it airs here on the East Coast. Everyone's invited! It begins at 8 PM ET, be here or be square hepcats.

As for the house happenings today -- it's been relatively quiet (the quiet before the storm?). They have to clean house today as if it's not on television every single day. I never understand that, but it could just be me. Each eviction night they get a feast sent in by the show -- this week they're having In 'n Out burgers. Lots of primping was going on, none by Evel Dick. He fluffed his hair, though.It looks like a definite Jen Go Home tonight and they discussed various ways they would like to send her off. We'll have to see if any odd send-offs come to fruition.

'Big Brother 8' - Live Feeds Into Thursday Pre-Dawn

<--- Daniele smiles at Amber during their late night chat in the HOH room.

Sigh. Again, it's been on the uneventful side in the house. It goes from explosion and vote-switching to the doldrums day by day this season.

Here's what's happened since I last reported from inside that Big Brother House of Calm Winds:

• Zach and Evel Dick had a fight about Eric and his responsibility for saving Dick in the game. Evel ended up apologizing. Zach seemed okay with it, but I don't think he'll forget how quickly Dick can go off.
• Jen told Jameka she's never gone this long without a massage before.
• Jen found more of her stuff which had been hidden by Dick.
• The HG were on an extended indoor lockdown and don't know why. Nothing seemed to change in the yard upon their return.
• Jen continues to eat and now seems resigned to the fact that she'll be voted out on Thursday although still balking at going to the sequester house.
• Jameka and Jen both worked on packing some of their things in preparation for the show.
• Amber asked Zach and Evel Dick if they've masturbated in the house. Both said no. Amber and Zach said Dustin did four times. Dick finds it odd they know such things.
• Amber told Jameka she's depressed.
• Amber thanked God for letting her be on the game show and see her cousin. (Perhaps her cousin was the back-up person they use? Not sure of the terminology they use for the "helper" if the contestant gets stuck.)
• Dick is angry that Daniele made a deal with Amber. They fight ... again.
• Jameka is looking forward to getting off of slop Thursday night.
  
• Daniele hates being there. (A huge surprise, eh?)
• Jameka cried and prayed.
• Amber and Daniele talked forever (still as I post this) in the HOH room.
  
• Daniele reminisced about Nick ... way too much, methinks.

Sneak Peek: TBS - 'World's Funniest Commercials'

My friendly FedEx guy knocked on my door today and gave me a screener for the upcoming World's Funniest Commercials on TBS. Cool. The BB feeds are kind of blah and depressing today; I needed to smile!

Set to air Thursday, August 30, and once again hosted by Kevin Nealon, this show is always fun! Last year it came to us from Times Square in New York City, this year it's Paris. Oui, you heard me, Paris! Kevin's wife, Susan Yeagley co-hosts the show.

With TV commercials from all over the world, and the funniest ones to boot, this show is a keeper with me. One of the things I enjoy the most about it is the plethora of commercials I've never before seen -- both the foreign and regional US ones (outside of my region).

"Nothing beats a sunset and a ginger lime..." Oh, my!

For me, funny ad campaigns are good ad campaigns. If a commercial is boring, I don't pay attention. Make me laugh and I'll always remember your product.

Remember -- Thursday, 8/30 at 9 PM (after BB!), on TBS. Be there.

'Big Brother 8' - Live Feeds Report - Wed. 8/22 So Far

Today has been on the uneventful side for the most part.









The biggest "excitement" for the houseguests was the time spent with the HOH digital camera. Above you see Zach and Jessica with glass bowls on their heads. They also took photos of the ants in the kitchen.

A thrill a minute, eh?

Jen ate and ate some more.

All of the others either all but pretended she doesn't exist or made snide comments to/about her. They've picked up with the "she cheats and doesn't follow the rules" and are running with it.

Daniele made Dick remove Jen's bags of stuff from the HOH room and told Jen they weren't in the room any longer.

Daniele went on about not knowing what to write in her HOH diary entry this time because she said it all the last time.

A few folks tired to pry information from Amber about the NYC trip, but Amber was pretty impressive in not revealing anything. I'm shocked. She didn't even cry about it.

Jen found her clothes, at least most of them. Dick didn't destroy them, just hid them from her. He told her she'd get the rest back five minutes before the live show. Her bikini top managed to come unclasped in the kitchen. Eep. Was it divine intervention?

While Jen was in the DR, Dick grabbed the final bag of her clothes from the HOH room and hid it in the tall dresser.

While taking pictures, Zach had a pink boa and Eric wore Dustin's crown. Amber was mad that they used the crown. @@

Jen fussed some more about not wanting to go to sequester as it takes her away from her life. (What does being on the show do? Take her away from her life and allow her to be on TV, eh?) Zach tried to tell her that being on the jury is as important as being in the game. No go. She don't want to go!

They have an indoor lockdown going on as I get this posted. Dick joked it was because a banner plane flew by which read "Jen save Jen."

All in all, not a day for the record books in the house. And, there's no sign of Amber or Daniele on The Power of Ten as I post this. I will post an announcement if they appear, but I think it's going to be next week. I could be wrong, of course!

UPDATE: I wasn't paying strict attention, but I believe they just said two Big Brother contestants will compete on the show next Tuesday.

'Survivor 15: China' - My First Impressions on the Castaways - Part One

I'll be blogging review/recaps of the new Survivor season over on TV Squad this year, but I want to let you in on the cast members and, more importantly, my impressions and predictions for each of them right here! Since there are sixteen of them, I'll be posting on just a few at a time until I finish. I'm going alphabetically by first name from the official website information. Ready?

First up is Aaron. Now, I watched his video on the CBS site and he turned me off right away by mentioning how hunky he is. But I'll try to forget that as I read about him on his bio page.

Well, at least he doesn't say how "hunky" he is on the bio page! He likes to surf and cook. In addition to being a surfing instructor, he manages a tapas restaurant and bartends. That sounds typical for a reality show contestant, doesn't it?

He's a Fruity Pebbles fan and has varied tastes in music and foods. He doesn't mention Survivor in his favorite shows list, but mentions Top Chef a few times on the page.

He thinks his strengths are his cooking knowledge and how to make edible things tasty, plus he thinks he's witty and fun (in addition to saying he'll be a show hunk in the video). A weakness? Well, he just might be too nice.

Oh, my.I'm just not getting good vibes from Aaron. No, I'm not wincing like I did when I read "Boston" James' page last season, but I think he might be a bit too full of himself. I could be reading him totally wrong, but that's my first impression. Physically, he looks like a contender.

Next we have Amanda. While she's into outdoors activities, she's also been modeling since she was sixteen and is leaning towards the show biz aspect, I think.

Amanda was Miss Montana USA in 2005 and Miss Earth in 2006. Me? I didn't even know there was a Miss Earth contest. Did it have mud wrestling? That would be earthy indeed! (I know. I'm bad. I'm just so not into beauty pageants.)

But then there's the physical aspects to this young woman. On paper (er, computer monitor), she's looking very good. She's into rock-climbing, hiking, all kinds of woodsy-related outdoor activities.

She thinks she's motivated, competitive, and determined. And, most important, she never leaves home without her cowboy boots. In looking at her favorites list, I see she lists Survivor first amongst her favorite shows. She's a Grape-Nuts cereal fan. (I always do my own psychological profile based on their favorite cereals, y'see.) That tells me she has common sense and is health-conscious, but doesn't go overboard.

I didn't watch her video yet, but I think she could very well be a strong female in the game. I predict at least the final half, probably further, for Amanda.

Okay, and then we have Ashley, the wrestler. This could be an interesting group of very physically strong women if we keep up the trend started by Ashley and Amanda.

Reading through her bio page, it looks like a lot of name-dropping going on. I'm really not sure on a personal level if admitting you were on Danny Bonaduce's show is a good thing at all.

She went to the same college as I did (SUNY), but it doesn't list the location. Let's see if she can do the SUNY system proud. I wasn't too keen on the last Survivor contestant who went to my location of the school -- Sean Rector from the Marquesas season.

Ashley thinks she's spunky, quirky, optimistic, happy, resourceful, creative, adaptive, and relentless. (Yikes, sounds like Jen of BB8 describing herself.) From her favorites, I see Survivor made her show list after two wrestling things, 24 and South Park, but at least it's there. Her favorite cereal is Kashi. Nothing against Kashi, but it tells me she's power hungry for power cereal and will most likely snub her nose at Fruity Pebbles eaters.

Her chances? Hmm ... physically, she looks good. But something tells me she may rub folks the wrong way. I haven't watched her video, so I could be totally off base, but there's something there. I predict mid-pack or less for her.

Do you have any predictions for these three?