'Big Brother 8' - Season Finale - Live-Blogged from the East Coast

I screen-capped this image from the blocked feeds and kind of took it over! I received a note from Zoetawny (posting from an Internet cafe) -- she's sorry to miss the end of the season.

Here on the East Coast, the show is starting. As it airs, I'll constantly (well, very frequently) be updating this entry. Please feel free to comment and have a good time! Please forgive any typos as I'm watching the show, too!

We're into a brief season recap now. Dick just re-won the final HOH. And the show should really begin soon.

Look! The blocked feeds are on the plasma screen!

Zach arrives at sequester after Dustin least wants to see Zach. Jen wants to see Dick walk through the door ... and it's ZACH! Eric tells him he would have won six to one.

America's Player -- Who should Eric campaign and vote for to win? Dick. Eric thinks we chose wisely. The jury doesn't seem to like Eric's idea. He goes into car salesman mode, talking up Dick and down Daniele. Amber looks like she's going to cry. Jen is very against Dick, but all of a sudden Amber is defending Dick and telling Jen whe flipflopped.

They start looking at the game the two played. Zach brings up the competition winning. Eric brings up Dick's victories. Amber says Dick played for two people. She said Dick played "awesome." Jessica is pro-Dick win, too. Daniele is the pimp, E.D. is the ho according to Jameka. Evel or Evel Spawn will win comes from Dustin.

The jury questioning -- help me in comments if I don't type fast enough, guys.

Dustin -- Dick, knowing that your daughter said I'll carry my daad with me because he's a terrible person and I'll win. Dick is hppy, strongest team.

Amber for Daniele -- Why give the vote, you're a pathetic person for doing what you did to your BF with Nick. D -- I don't want your vvote if based on personal life.

Jessica -- Who other than Daniele to sit with (to Dick) -- Pnly Daniele. Tough decision.

Eric -- Dick -> each jury member deserve to be in the final two? Dustin, Jen, Amber.. do not deserve, mentions Amber and good people. Jessica didn't bloody hands, Eric played best, Jameka was given chance, Zach almost made it.

Zach - What have you learned from each jury member -- Daniele will take Eric's humor, Amber heart and Mom of the house. Dick learned from Dustin to be careful with power, says Jen has a real person down in there, Jameka best hearted person, Zach run for the money don't underestimate will and heart.

Jameka - Not using your father to advance in the game, biggest move. Eric thing, backdooring Jen

Jen -- Hello, it's me, don't respect you as people. Dick did you build relationship with Daniele? Dick shocked w/question beginning to build normalcy, ends with if you don't know you're an idiot. Daniele thinks they made a lot out of it and there's no one esle she wants to sit next to. Dick played the game hard, strategy to work with Jessica and Eric. He feels the worse about turning on Jessica and Eric. He did a lot of the dirty work. We won.

Speech session over, D&D alone -- she accuses him of campaigning against her.

Jury coming in. Amber looks HORRIBLE! Jessica and Jen look nice. Eric looks Eric-y, Jameka very pretty. Zach looks Zach-like. He should have worn a bunny suit.

D&D are in the house, Julie is out with the crowd and the jury. Daniele says it was nice to spend time with her Dad and she's happy. Time for the jury to cast their votes.

Jurors put each key in the box, one statement.

Eric -- 1 - Clearcut choice good luck
Jameka - 2 - Vote for one whose game she respects
Dustin - 3 - Based on strategic action, not just words
Jen - 4 - I'd rather not, but must
Zach - 5 - Longest, blah-blah
Amber -6 - Congrats, close to both, based on game strategic purpose, whoops
Jessica - 7 - Voting for the person I enjoyed more in the house, may the best Donato win

The first five evicted will be coming in next.

Julie is with Dick's Mom and his son Vincent -- Daniele's grandmother who raised her and her brother. Charlotte is happy that they made strides in rebuilding the relationship. Vincent says he's always like that but it got him where he is in the game.

Nick's hair has grown in. He gets to talk to Daniele. Awkward says Daniele in a high voice.

Carol is asked about Jessica -- kind of proud, but there were some personal words. Joe said he liked watching Dustin fall apart, but congrats ... you got far. Dustin doesn't reply. Mike was rooting for Zach. Kail not surprised that Dick made it that far.

Time to reveal the big twist -- America's Player. Tells jury and Donatos. "One of you has a secret, one has not played alone, one is not who you appear to be."

This is HILARIOUS! I couldn't type through it.

Jessica is speechless. Not mad at him.

Dick benefited from the AP -- Julie talks to Dick. He thought he made a great power play and it was all Eric. Awesome, wow!

Daniele -- Knew mustard and votes, hilarious.

Dustin -- Eric can sell anything, enjoyed paradise. Jameka says it makes sense to her, she never could trust him. Jen now understands America mustarded her shirt. Eric tells Dustin and Amber he's sorry. Eric tells Jessica that he wanted to tell her for so long, but everything he said to her about them was true.

Julie tells them Eric cast the vote for America tonight.

The reveal of the votes...

1. AmERICa -Dick
2. Jameka - Daniele
3. Dustin - Dick
4. Jen - Daniele
5. Zach - Dick
6. Amber - Dick

Dick wins BB8!!!

Last vote not read yet as only four needed to win. Daniele taking it well.

Last vote was Jessica voting for Dick to win. Dick's going on a trip. Daniele is in the WE WON mode and is ecstatic.

Nick looks fat for Nick. Daniele asksed Julie if she'll be at the wrap party. I think she's starstruck ... over Julie Chen? Puh-leeze!

Y'all happy with this outcome? I think this was actually one of the better season finales. The America's Player reveal was better than the twist itself.

'Big Brother 8' - Live Feeds ... or lack thereof

The live feeds have been blocked all day since I posted my TV Squad update. Since we're about an hour before showtime, I don't expect them to unblock.

At about 9 PM ET I'll put up the start of a live-blogging post which I'll update throughout the finale as it airs here in the NYC area.

The weather is clear but a bit cool ... please bring a sweater or light jacket to the comments party.

And snacks, don't forget snacks!

May the best Donato win! And, I hope to see you there ... at the post, that is.

BB8 Live Feeds Screen Cap - TV Squad Stuff

Although both Daniele and Dick are now asleep as I post this -- the screen cap is from a few hours ago as Dick packed some more of his things.

I have the latest Big Brother 8 update with the overnight happenings up over on TV Squad.

I also have a post about Amazing Race season two winner Alex Boylan and his latest television/world travel adventure up over on TVS.

'Big Brother 8' - Live Feeds - The Last Evening in the House

Believe it or not, Daniele and Dick have actually made me smile on and off as they spend their last night in the house together. The BB voice has even been funny at times.

Here's what's been happening in the Big Brother House of No Longer Dueling Donatos:

• Daniele misses seeing animals. Apparently she regularly goes to a pet store to see animals and has missed them while in the BB house.
• She also misses her cellphone.
• Daniele dyed Dick's hair -- nothing new, just fixed the red dye in it.
• They talked about the competitions they enjoyed the most. Daniele liked the pasta one while Dick liked Slop Pong. Dick didn't like Butter Me Up because he was mad at what Jen said to him and got stuck on the pump.
• Daniele liked the JanelleOVision comp, Dick liked the fact that Janelle was there.
  
• They talked about the other houseguests ... again.
• They mentioned how cold it's gotten and how recently they had the heat wave there.
• BB stocked the storeroom for them so they could eat well.
• Daniele's first words when she was a baby were "Hi Dad." Vincent had said it and she repeated it.
• They wondered what made the air and what didn't.
• They said the Hide and Seek Veto probably sounded better on paper than it worked out. It took the over six hours and it was hot.
• They played cards, had ice cream and cake.
• And, they actually enjoyed each other's company. Dick must be tickled pink. Daniele doesn't want him to go to bed -- wants him to stay up with her.
  

'Survivor 15: China' - My First Impressions on the Cast - Part Four

Welcome to Part Four of my take on the new castaways! I've created a separate section for these on my sidebar (over there ---->) and you can get to all of my Survivor 15: China content by hitting the hyperlinked label at the bottom of any post about the season.

Keeping with my first name alphabetical order for these, it's James. He has one almost typical Survivor applicant job while his other job is something he really digs. You got it -- he's a bartender/security at nightclubs and weddings ... and a gravedigger! (Why can't I think of that profession and not think of the Dave Matthews song?)

The interesting part is, according to his video on the CBS site, he loves gravedigging. He started when he was ten years old working for his father, socialized very little while growing up. Being in the clubs has made him more social.

His bio itself is brief and to the point. In the bio, he mentions being athletically gifted, socially adaptive, and physically attractive. Hmmm ... with the exception of mentioning how strong he is ("Gravedigger, when you dig my grave...") in the video, he didn't mention anything about his looks. He thinks he'll adapt well.

Onto his favorites -- Ah, good. He lists Survivor amongst his favorite television shows. That always makes me feel better about a castaway. His outdoor activities include football, cooking, and drinking ... interesting, no? For cereal, he lists grits. I may be mistaken, but I don't think grits are a staple food in China.

My thoughts? Well, gee ... I don't know. He thinks he'll stay on well in the beginning because he's strong and they'll want him to win challenges. I think he's right. But, if he's that strong and does that well in challenges, that will put a huge target on his back going into the merge. I think I want to like him, but I don't think the others would let him get to the end.

Next up is Jean-Robert. Here's a guy with an interesting approach to the game. In his video he said he plans to approach it like a poker tournament (he's a professional poker player). He'll spend some time in the start analyzing his competition -- strongest, weakest, etc. Then he'll ally, but be ready to change his table.

He admits he's overweight and out of shape, but he thinks that the game is just as much, maybe more, of a mental game as it is a physical one.

In his bio, he certainly does seem to be a pro poker player as that's the majority of the bio. He thinks he's charismatic, fun, and loud. I found him a bit charismatic in his video, but hopefully he can control the loud aspect. If he's constantly loud at camp, they will get ticked off at him. He doesn't really list any qualities which would help him survive in wooded areas.

To his favorites -- Hmmm... no Survivor listed. His choices of cereal are Honeycomb and Corn Pops. That tells me he doesn't take things too seriously and enjoys life. (Remember, I have a degree in Psychological Cereal Indicators.)

His possibilities on the show? For some reason, he's reminding me a bit of Richard Hatch, but a smoother player. I actually like his approach and I'm sure we'll see his poker face and some bluffing along the way. I think he could make final four as long as he isn't too physically inept. He said he's overweight, but he doesn't look all that out of shape for me. He just might be my early favorite for the win. That may change down the line, but I'm gonna call it now.

Leslie has tried to get on the show for eleven seasons. I can't help but wonder why she didn't make it ten times and they took her on for this season.

In her video, I believe she mentioned she's a Christian at least eight times. That's not a really good sign for me. Although she said she's human and makes mistakes, she thinks it will give her an edge to have faith. Maybe, maybe not. She also thinks of herself as a professional interviewer which should help her get to know and get along with her fellow castaways.

Heading to her bio page, I see that she's probably very physically fit. She teaches fitness classes three times a week in addition to her radio host job. She thinks she energetic, passionate, and overwhelming. Overwhelming? That doesn't sound like a good quality to make it to the end when you're deserted with a bunch of strangers!

Over to her favorites -- Survivor is listed first and in caps, no surprise there! She enjoys camping, that's a good thing. Her cereal? Raisin Nut Bran. That tells me she likes to be regular. She might miss that being on the show.

I'm not getting Sole Survivor screaming at me about Leslie. I could be horribly wrong, but I don't see her making it to the merge. I predict an early goodbye to her, but at least she can boast she finally got on the show.