Wednesday, June 22, 2016

BB18 on Jackie's TV Blog - What to Expect ...

... THE UNEXPECTED!!!

Bwahahahaha!

No, that's them. We're us!



A bit about me and my Big Brother background:
I started out writing about the show, monitoring the AOL Big Brother message boards and chat rooms for the show way back in the beginning -- season ONE. When a knee surgery knocked me out of work one summer, I started blogging the live feeds in addition to working as a freelance writer for AOL Television writing show recaps. Unfortunately, my earliest seasons blogged went away when AOL sunsetted their blogging platform -- AOL Journals. I then moved to Blogspot for blogging and continued the freelance gig until Ariana Huffington shut out all the paid freelancers when the Huffington Post took over AOL TV. (Grr.)

Since then, I've been "working" for myself, blogging both live feeds reports and live-blogging the shows right here on this blog. I also work a "real" full-time job and don't get a heck of a lot of sleep all summer, every summer! Technically, I don't get paid to do this -- I do receive some ad revenues, but receive no monies for any CBS All Access referrals. (Not sure how to get in on that or if the blog would qualify!) I really appreciate any donations made to the blog -- money is always welcome, but it also gives me the feeling that folks actually are entertained and enjoy the blog. The Paypal link is in the right sidebar if you feel so moved. Not that you have to, mind you.

A bit about YOU:
Many folks involved here have "known" me from the early AOL days, some even from the first season! Many others are new to us each season. The community here continues to grow each season and we welcome people to get into the spirit! I do monitor comments and those disruptive troll ones will vanish. Everyone is allowed to have their own opinions of the house hamsters without being "attacked" by fellow commenters. Not that that happens a lot ... but it will get squashed if I see it.

This blog is generally a friendly place! And, that's due to the community we've built here and the great folks who are a part of it all. Hate speech, slurs and such will be removed and I do ask that things stay on a PG-13 level for the most part. I know it seems like a lot to ask of you, but it seems to work for having the best blog community around! There are plenty of other places where it's the Wild West; I'd rather things remain friendly here. Merci in advance!

Without you, I wouldn't be doing this!

What to expect from the blog:
THE UNEXPECTED!!! Oh, wait. I need to stop that.

REGARDING LIVE FEEDS:
  • A minimum of two live feeds reports a day. I'm on the East Coast (and have to work for a living), so it's likely to be early morning and late evening in my time zone. 
  • My live feeds have been compared to Reader's Digest Condensed. Heehee, but it's kind of how they are!
  • Each live feeds report will contain some screen caps. I have to admit that sometimes I like to go for the unflattering ones. I'm mean like that.
  • If time and action allow, there may be more live feeds reports within a day, but never less than two (even if they're boring hamsters).
  • I'm only one person and have to work to keep the roof over my head, so I can't post every breath the hamsters make and I sometimes am not available to post some events as they happen. But I do flashback on the feeds to see what I might have missed!
  • The commenting community here will pitch in with comments for exciting action during times I may be at my workplace or in the rare event that I actually might be sleeping.
  • Comments will be monitored to make sure they're truthful and false reports will be taken down. 
  • In the event of an endurance comp after a live show that plays out on the live feeds, I will make every effort to hang in with them watching, posting what's going on and providing screen captures of the comp. One of these days I might conk out, but so far it's never happened. I'm just really sleepy at work the next day!
  • Keep in mind, the live feeds often run things a few days before the shows air. They are SPOILERS and intended as such. If you don't like spoilers, you probably won't like the live feeds!
REGARDING THE HAMSTERS:
  • First off, it's traditional that they're called hamsters because it's like watching hamsters in one of those Habitrail cages.
  • The hamsters have put themselves in the public eye, so they're opening themselves to public opinion. Yes, they can be mocked (unlike fellow commenters).
  • That said, comments which go too far might be removed. Hate speech, concentrating on weight and other things a bit beyond their control such as looks will all be monitored. 
  • Now, if they do weird stuff to their hair or cry all the time or something like that, that's something easily controlled and that could certainly be mocked! :)
  • Please call them by their names, especially at the start of the season. While some nicknames can be funny, it's often hard to know who you're talking about!
 WHAT ARE BLOG PARTIES?:
  • Back when I was a paid freelancer writing show recaps for other venues, I wanted to provide something for my own blog community as I couldn't post the recaps here as well due to copyright issues. Thus, I came up with "blog parties." 
  • They're basically a live blogging East Coast time of every episode (typos and all) with all the community partying in the comments.
  • They can be considered spoilers for those in other time zones.
  • Everyone is invited to watch the show and join in on the fun with us real time! 
  • We like cyber beverages and snacks.
I realize this is quite long. But I know there are some new hamster watchers out there and think they should know what to expect! (THE UNEXPECTED!!!) Plus, I'd like to encourage lurkers to come on out and join in! As Dr. Will once said, "We don't bite ... HARD!" Okay, we don't bite at all. We're in it for the fun!

All BB-related posts made here on the blog will be linked at my Big Brother on Jackie's TV Blog Facebook page immediately upon posting. So, if you never want to miss a post, like that page to get notifications!

Big Brother 18: Blog Pool Picks Announced!


While some latecomers were added in, the pool sign-up is now closed and ready to be exposed! If you didn't get in, please feel free to cheer on your favorite hamster and take part in things anyway! As the season goes on, I'll be posting the current pool standings in blog party eviction night posts and after eviction. May the best hamster win!

Tiffany Rousso - meb, SueGee, David, Jessica UNderwood
Natalie Negrotti - Sharon N, Jackie P, QuixoticElf, Orkmommy
Jozea Flores - Sasha, Merrilee, Tammy, Petals, JonMD1267
Bridgette Dunning - Brian, Indiana Jane, Caela, Chauncey, Paula Bell
Paulie Calafiore - Joel, Chacha, Sally, Ed In Ohio, Buzzmaam
Glenn Garcia - Sharon C, uncartie, Dennis Comfort, Delee, Donna in Alabama
Bronte D'Acquisto - Jean in Tampa, elee86, Russ, Cheryl, Donna in FL
Zakiyah Everette - Tilde, Jo C, Jenng326, Ayana, jennifer
Corey Brooks - Fred aka TwoBlackAces, Barbara B. W., Dierdre, Cheryl in NC
Paul Abrahamian - Jackie, Arf Barf, WolfpackRed, chrob61
Victor Arroyo - Helenann2K, RBennie, Janice, Monty924
Michelle Meyer - Rich, Chase, Glenn, Anonymouse

If you want to scope out your hamster, use the 'first impressions' link at the bottom of this post to bring up the twelve hamsters. I'm aware that we're probably going to have four returning hamsters in some capacity. But they haven't been announced and won't be a part of the pool. Sucks to be them, huh?

Are we READY?!?!
Image © CBS

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

BB18: Blog Pool Cut-off LOOMING AHEAD!


Have you signed up for the blog's Big Brother 18 pool yet? No?

What are you waiting for?!?!?

All entries must be made TODAY by 3pm ET.

Please sign up only on the post linked right here.

Monday, June 20, 2016

BB18: First Impressions -- Tiffany Rousso

DON'T FORGET -- THE CUT-OFF FOR THE BLOG POOL IS TUESDAY, 3PM ET. YOU NEED TO SIGN UP AT THE POST ON THIS LINK, NOT THE FIRST IMPRESSION POST!

Tiffany Rousso, age 32

Welcome to my last first impression of the new BB18 hamsters! I've read Tiffany's bio on CBS.com and watched her Jeff interview on CBS All Access. And, of course, we know her sister Vanessa from last season. Here are some facts and my first impressions of Tiffany:
  • She's a high school teacher currently residing in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and hailing from West Palm Beach, Florida.
  • It's not mentioned in her bio, nor do I recall Jeff asking, whether she's single or not.
  • She says she will not be as emotional as Vanessa was in the house.
  • Oh, that's so good.
  • I just hope she brings no beanies.
  • She might have an edge coming in. Not only does she have insider knowledge via her sister, she seems both athletic and smart.
  • She's not really willing to jump in with the information about who her sister is. She'd rather they not know, but will play things by ear.
  • In her bio, she mentioned being a Janelle fan. She thought Janelle was great in comps when she needed to be and was likeable. She would like to do the same herself.
  • I think she's quite pretty.
  • She doesn't mention her cuteness. That's in her favor with me!
  • She'd rather win and be hated by America than lose and be loved.
  • Good.
  • She plans a loose alliance with bigger targets so they would be targeted first and a close alliance with fewer hamsters.
  • Y'know, I like her. She's not really reminding me of Vanessa. I thought Vanessa was a shrewd BB player, but her emotions were whacked out and she drove me a bit bonkers. I'm not getting that analytical vibe from Tiffany. But I know she knows the mistakes in her sister's game.
  • Tiffany just might be very interesting!
What do you think of Tiffany?


Images © CBS

You can check out my first impressions of the BB18 hamsters by clicking the label at the bottom of the posts entitled "first impressions" or by using this link.

BB18: First Impressions -- Bridgette Dunning

DON'T FORGET -- THE CUT-OFF FOR THE BLOG POOL IS THIS TUESDAY, 3PM ET. YOU NEED TO SIGN UP AT THE POST ON THIS LINK, NOT THE FIRST IMPRESSION POST!

Bridgette Dunning, age 25

I've read her bio on the CBS website and watched her Jeff interview on CBS All Access. Here are some facts and my first impressions of Bridgette:
  • Oh my. She's giggly and bubbly.
  • In answer to Jeff's question about win and be hated by America or lose and be loved, she seemed shocked to think that people might hate her. Of course, she wants to win and be loved for winning.
  • Hmm.
  • She's a traveling nurse and, unlike many in this cast o' hamsters, she does have a boyfriend whom she seems to want to pledge loyalty.
  • That's a bit refreshing.
  • She doesn't like mean people.
  • Well, that's good. Usually mean people are the only ones liking mean people. That said, a few of my favorite BB hamsters over the years have been villains.
  • She's from Fresno, CA. But she's also lived in Brooklyn (NY) and Oakland (CA). She currently resides in Ventura, CA. I wonder if she drives on the Ventura Highway.
  • Bridgette claims to be a fan of the show. She's seen three seasons. That's impressive.
  • Not.
  • She thinks she will be voted for the win (if she gets that far) because she's so super-cute and awesome.
  • Um. Well ...
  • She has a cat named Hercules.
  • She does seem to have a strategy and could possibly pull it off. I think that she's probably smarter than she comes across as with all of her giggling and bubblyness.
  • She liked watching Johnny Mac last season because he was so hilarious. She obviously doesn't watch live feeds or she'd realize he was missing in action napping most of the time he spent in the house.
  • Bridgette is either going to annoy the heck out of me on the live feeds or be entertaining. Time will tell.
What do you think of Bridgette?


Images © CBS

You can check out my first impressions of the BB18 hamsters by clicking the label at the bottom of the posts entitled "first impressions" or by using this link. It's a work in progress, mind you. I'll get them all before long.