Could and should have been a lot better (BBUK)

Good day, citizens, the day after the night before is upon us, and welcome in as the bones of Launch Night are picked through

Well, what can one say really?

Some housemates with massive social media followings already, and more or less known by many, a launch not fit for purpose, or just plain misleading

• Gani - 39 years old, and works as a night manager in a pizza parlour. Seems like a humble gentleman for now
• Cameron - Posh farmer from Somerset, probably the most normal one in there right now but could get lost amongst the louder housemates
• Nancy - Pentalingual, and a keen gamer. A hobby close to my heart.
• Caroline - The so far only 40+ housemate, but trying too hard to please already
• Zelah - 25 years old, claims to get compared to a spaniel, and lived as a woman for 23 years of his life, could be one to watch
• Teja - Doesn't like being told what to do, so she claims. The journey housemate if she gets to the end, as she's only 18
• Emily - Joined the Conservative Party at the age of 16, went for drinks at Boris Johnson's house, and hungry for a showmance.... Enough said about her I think
• Marcus - Jack the lad, serious showmance contender I reckon. Question is, who with?
• Tate - Self confessed naked butler, how long before he's in the rudie nudies in there. I dread to think
• Elsa - From the planet Dippy, claims she became Christian when she saw dead people
• Sam - Don't mean to be rude, but jeez they love the sound of their own voice
• Jenny - Irish misfit who claims she loves rule breaking, could be trouble if she stays in for very long

Housemates rating - 6.5 out of 10 so far. 

Too many influencers for my liking, some of this cast stink of being scouted/recruited. Who needs agents when you have so many followers on the various social media platforms

Where are the brunettes, redheads and Welshies, answers on a postcard please

Some breaking news from Supertv on X (formerly known as Twitter), and I'm just quoting this so please don't swing out at me if this doesn't happen 😉

sᴜᴘᴇʀ ᴛᴠ

@superTV247

·

2h

MORE HOUSEMATES ARE COMING

The Sun are reporting that MULTIPLE new housemates will enter the Big Brother House TONIGHT! They might be teased at the end of the show, BUT we won’t actually see them enter the house until tomorrow nights episode! #BBUK

As they all filed in, they were given an eye each which was vastly cut down, as the first few waited for their eye to drop from the chute on the stage, while the others had their eye waiting when they arrived on the stage, while AJ told them to hold onto their provided eye.

Then this is where things go a bit to worms, as once they were all in, and this is bearing in mind we hardly know them at all, the lines opened as we had to vote for who to put on the first chopping block which would be narrowed down to three for something else shortly afterwards 

The 5 not rights were:

Emily

Nancy

Sam 

Caroline

Cameron

If the light turned red on their podium they were in danger, everybody following this so far?

Anyway, the lights turned red for Emily, Sam and Caroline and they went off to the exit room, where the three of them will decide who will be the first evictee. HOWEVER WE won't find out the result until the next night's show, as BB in their infinite wisdom have decided to introduce the Love Island type cliffhanger, so immediately the opening night feed was in doubt. 

To say it didn't go down too well anywhere, whether it be forums or social media was a massive understatement. I mean they could have had that done and dusted straight away, but nooooooo they had to find some way to drag it out to get people to tune in the next day. It is frustrating and not a good start. They claimed it was a 'first', but I think Showbiz Simon would thoroughly disagree and he was put back in, which probably happen to whoever the evictee will. Remember we're not paying to vote someone out, so they can turn round and say 'But you didn't pay, so we can do what we like'

Who goes, THEY decide

Launch twisr rating - 3 out of 10, and that's being generous. Just a complete mess.

By the way, the feed wasn't in doubt after all and DID come on despite AJ and Will saying it was cut, although we only got about an hour of actual footage before they switched on their version of an IKEA catalogue for the rest of the feed

So overall a very frustrating and confusing opening night, where most that could go wrong did go wrong leaving the punteroonies very unhappy....

Got to do better, much much better, we have 7 weeks, surely it can't get any worse.....

Keep on rocking,'nuff said

Nearly time now..... Time to welcome in new housemates (BBUK)

It's been 4 years away in regards to this place, I know, but it's time to give another ITV series a whirl

Who will follow in Jordan and Ali's footsteps as we welcome in at least 14 new mint fresh housemates for our viewing pleasure on ITV2, the edit decides 😉

Oh boy, what a ride so far in the ITV era, winners liked and disliked in celebrity and civilian alike

Sorry for the absence, my heart went out of the North American version and felt that this place wasn't taking off as well as I hoped so I stopped until now, but I hear the VIP series from Australia wasn't all that good anyway. In that time Canada's version has been cancelled, and the call goes on on social media to reinstate it, while down under Australia's has been reinstated with all it's bells and whistles that made it great when it was in it's pomp. Hopefully I will be writing about that, but have been keeping busy with social activities in the meantime, and other things.....

To say 2024 and 2025 have been busy would be a bit of an understatement. March 2024 saw my old gran pass away, and then almost immediately in April of the same year it was her funeral and cremation, and was a long journey to scatter her ashes but finally it got done in August of this year and she got her wish of being scattered at sea. That first Christmas without her was difficult, I still miss her to this day.

As for the social stuff, have been getting out a lot more than I have with various autism groups in regards to advice in Cardiff, and social activities. Wellbeing walks, social drop ins, attending poetry and music open mic nights... That sort of thing. I am struggling with communication though, and this coming week I do start an intensive course of meetings in terms of my hoarding issues. It's been a long time coming, and I hate using the word intensive, as I get enough of that when I go for work search reviews with Universal Credit, but as the old saying goes, 'for lack of a better word'

Anyway, back to BBUK, and we have the house pics in, and must say not bad and final look at the tidy house and garden before the inmates get in there and everything is strewn about the place

Pictures here and here, with thanks to Supertv and Big Blagger. Oh yes, there is a spoiler warning in place for those who want to wait for this Sunday's launch.

Thankfully some live feed in the ITV era, and not the paltry 30 minutes we would get in the dark second era. A whole 3 hours after the spin off, and 5 hours on a Saturday and yes for those that know me on the Digital Spy forum, more specifically the Big Brother section, there will be WHATM threads (What's Happening At the Moment). WHATM has been going since the early days of that forum, still fun to this day, but I just wish the birdsong and stock footage was less in this third era so we can at least get to know them properly, and form our own opinions without being told who to like or dislike by the edit and sideshow with what we can watch and listen to live when two certain buttons are not being pushed.

I know they have to switch the birds and SF on to protect their friends and loved ones outside, and in all due respect there is less outside contact apart from letting the crowd shout to get someone out on eviction nights which is comforting, when Five would be chucking in their F and F and celebrities who would be telling them everything about the outside. Let's not forget that irritating WOOP WOOP as well, which has been a staple of the show since the dark second era unfortunately. I know it's not hurting anyone, but personally I would love to see the back of it.

I hear AJ it will be really twisty this series or WTTE. but PLEASE can we actually get to know them, as we used to in the early days before throwing them into the meat grinder with these never ending twists. I get there HAS to be an opening night twist otherwise the launch would be seen as 'boring' to some, just let us form some impressions here and there without the bird song or catalogues and just letting them breathe, but then again there is the usual pointless task a day for the highlights.

Anyway, fingers crossed this upcoming series is talked about for the right reasons, mega twists or not, and we get some long awaited LOL or WTF moments (for the right reasons of course) in the ITV era

Will see how this series goes, as it is going to be clashing with MAFS and Celebrity Traitors, hopefully lots of writing to come when there is time...

Shout out to BB on Blast, who will be doing their usual sterling work when it comes to english speaking Big Brother, listen right here as they cover this series of BBUS and then BBUK

In the meantime, enjoy what time there is before launch with Strictly Come Dancing proper starting this Saturday if you watch that, and as always keep on rocking.....

Big Brother USA 2021 - Finale (Azah v Derek v Xavier)

 History in the making as we head into the final episode of this season, where one of Azah, Derek F or Xavier will get the life changing $750,000 cheque, and also the title of first ever civilian black winner of the USA branch of the franchise.

Back again for one last waltz this series, as I don't cover the recap episodes which basically were what Friday and Sunday's episodes were, although we did get to see part 1 of the final HoH comp....

Previously

Putting the recaps to one side, the final 3 of Azah, Derek F and Xavier celebrated making finale night but not all was well beforehand, as you may have seen when Kyland struck a low blow on Xavier by mentioning Xavier's nephew in a less than complementary manner, which nearly caused fists to fly if not for Julie screaming at Kyland to get out of the house, but kudos to Xavier for showing restraint.

Once the dust had settled on that and Kyland eventually left, it was champagne all round and also video messages from home for the final 3.

As far as part 1 of the final HoH is concerned, it was simply endurance as they had to hang on their rockets for as long as possible. Last houseguest on their rocket would advance to the not so live part 3, which will be in tonight's finale, while the other two would face off in part 2, which will be a condensed edit on tonight's show.

So much to pack in alongside the HoH comps, as in questions from the jury, pre jury evictees and of course the voting to decide the winner of this year

Who will join Ty from Canada, Marley from Australia on the winners podium as the third black civilian winner in 2021? THE JURY DECIDES

Final HoH, part 2

And straight down to business with part 2, and it's a quiz based comp between Azah and Derek F. Quite simply the competitors have to answer the questions on a four slot based pictures of houseguests. They have to move the four wheels around to the correct four houseguests.  Fastest four to get 3 correct answers wins part 2 and joins Xavier in part 3.

Oh boy, a no brainer as AZAH moves on to part 3.

However on the remaining feeds of the season, there have been rumblings Azah will take X, while X will take Derek.... Either way X wins, unless Azah surprises everyone and cuts Xavier.

Derek's delusions know no bounds, as his self entitlement to be in final 2 demonstrates. Whoever wins final 3, PLEASE cut him in 3rd place.

Jury roundtable

No special guest this season due to obvious reasons

Seriously though, what is the point in this.... Xavier has this wrapped up no matter who wins HoH part 3. Absolutely no suggestion or hints that Derek is going to win, which is as it should be. Nuff said....

Final HoH part 3

Here we go, whoever wins this comp gets the casting vote

Another quiz involving the jury members, and it's all about to pick out which statements are false. 8 rounds, and the highest scorer gets said casting vote

And the final HoH of the season goes to XAVIER, no real surprise. Don't be too surprised to see him cut Azah here, and take Derek Dolittle to final 2. 

Told you so, Azah finishes in 3rd place and Derek Dolittle is guaranteed a big sum for doing absolutely nothing. 

Not going to bother with the jury questions as this is basically over now as a contest, but just to hear Derek make a complete fool of himself with the delusion that will spill forth when it's his turn to answer questions and indeed his final plea

Derek didn't disappoint in making a complete fool of himself in the jury questions and also his final plea, that was a complete farce. Even Julie was trying not to laugh during that segment.

Winners vote

Well, the short wait begins as the jury cast their votes, with more filler following afterwards. But I do want to point out Britini revealing her autism. Took a lot of guts in that pressure cooker.

And the winner of Big Brother USA 2021 is........XAVIER. No real surprise there, most saw it coming long before now.

The hat-trick is complete, Xavier joins Ty from Canada and Marley from Australia on the winners podium.

Sums up this season, good start and middle, and an endgame which just fizzled out and became so predictable. Xavier was never in real danger was he.

Oh yes, and as for America's Favourite Player which was always between Tiffany and Derek X, it is TIFFANY who takes the spoils. She'll be back for sure along with Derek X if there ever is another All Stars.

And so the curtain comes down on USA for another year, and a small breather now until November when we head back Down Under

Thank you to everyone who has popped in here to read these write ups, and hope they were up to the job. Hopefully see some of you back in November when we make the final stop of 2021 back in Australia.

Shout outs to BB on Blast, Julie Girl, Rob has a Podcast and Reality Recaps

Until we meet again for BBAU VIP, stay safe, stay frosty and keep on rocking....

Big Brother USA 2021 - Episode 34 - Final 4: Veto ceremony and Eviction

Hard to know what to say really, as we head into a not so live Veto ceremony, and then seeing who will end up finishing 4th place.

If as expected Veto winner and soon to be grand prize winner, Xavier, does not use the Veto then it's going to be up to Derek Dolittle for the casting vote.

Seriously DD, just a revolting thought that he could end up being in one of those final 2 seats next Wednesday when he has done NOTHING all season.

If not for the Cookout, he would have been out long before jury started

His claims to fame for him are:

Naming the Cookout

Bringing the said alliance together

Others saying he is a comp beast

Thinking he's got a final 2 seat all wrapped up already

Hell, the list is endless, those above are just a small sample when back on planet Earth his resume coming up to finale night is blank. No comp wins, constantly whining when something doesn't go his way....Need I go on?

As for the season as a whole, good start and middle, unfortunately the endgame has become predictable and flat. I'm glad history has been and will be made, but once the novelty of the history making wore off, it was back down to earth with a thud. History will be made, but at what cost.....

Dilemma for Dolittle, yeah right... We know who is going, it's the usual giving the person most in danger a slim hope edit

Jury segment

Here's Tiff, and we see her exit replayed and rinse and repeat with Hannah as well. Very interesting conversation where Tiff more or less admits to the Cookout alliance and the master plan. Lots of congrats all round, and opinions that she should have won.

Much like social media, the jury not happy Azah AND Kyland dropping the ball big time during the second double eviction when they should have sent Xavier packing as soon as they could.

Veto ceremony

Xavier chooses not to use the Power of Veto, so it will be Kyland or Azah leaving in 4th place and as stated already, Derek Dolittle gets the casting vote.

Eviction

And finishing in 4th place is KYLAND

Why wait until Wednesday?

Barring a major calamity during the final 3 HoH, Xavier has got this season all wrapped up

Hang on, what's this? Kyland and Xavier with a few heated words when Kyland brings up some of Xavier's relations outside, and nearly coming to blows before Julie gets really stern shouting at Kyland to get out of the house. Most drama we've had all season. It only took 60-70 days, but finally SOME drama.

Friday's episode is going to be messages from home and some season, and Sunday is looking like being nailed on for the season recap and the start of the Final HoH.

3 shows left of this season, and I can't wait for it to be over with and have a little breather before we head Down Under again for BBAU VIP

Shout outs to BB on Blast, Julie Girl, Rob has a Podcast and Reality Recaps

Until next time, stay safe, stay frosty and keep on rocking....

Big Brother USA 2021 - Episode 33 - Final 4: Final Veto of the season

Once more unto the breach and a MUCH later start for us UK viewers as in 3am, as we head into the final Veto comp of the season, and a very crucial one

All the power for the week up for grabs, as the Veto winner will join current HoH Xavier on finale night or Xavier could just win and keep the noms the same, but at a cost with Derek Dolittle (get it?) having the casting vote to evict Kyland or Azah.

What I would give to see Derek Dolittle on the block and gone, as there is a real danger he could get to final 2, one of those many times lately for bad feeling, the current one being Xavier is going to slip up on finale night, and we get the 'pleasure', and I use that term very loosely, of two people who have done very little all the way through this season sitting in those final 2 seats.

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for the 6 history makers in that there is finally going to be a civilian black winner on the USA version, but at what cost though. We've already lost Tiff and Hannah, and it just feels like all the remaining life has been sucked out of this season, and a very flat ending is in store no matter who takes the grand prize next week

Xavier nailed on to win the whole thing in a week's time barring a major slip up on finale night, Derek and Azah done nothing all season and Kyland probably about to head out the door in 4th place if he doesn't win the Veto.

Doubt if there will be anything to write about apart from the Veto comp and ceremony tonight, if there is a ceremony of course if the show doesn't leave us on a cliffhanger

And who knows what the Friday show is about this week before the inevitable season recap on Sunday which I don't usually cover

So let's see what we can rustle up in this episode before we see tomorrow who leaves in 4th place....

And already Derek Dolittle saying to Azah he has made final 2 deals with Kyland and Xavier, god this layabout before the Veto has even started. But hold on, he's now cancelled his deal with Kyland, as he wants to explore his options after the Veto

Pointless segment in which it's Xavier saying how Kyland is deep smelling stuff, yes they really are that low on content

In case you missed it, Xavier won the right to watch a sneak preview of the CSI Vegas premiere episode when he won HoH, and he can take someone with him and he picks Azah.

Veto comp 

Mix of a memory and physical comp

Premise: Figure out what day what event happened, and take the correct balls that add up to the total over the seesaw into the box at the end of the seesaw. If they fall, or the balls fall out of the box, then they have to start over. Last person to get the answer gets a strike, two strikes equal elimination

Order of elimination:

Kyland

Azah

Derek

Xavier wins the final Veto of the season, therefore soaking up all the power before finale night

Cliffhanger alert, veto ceremony live on the next episode although seems pointless as Kyland is the hot favourite to finish 4th

To be continued in episode 34, when we find out if the Veto is used and who leaves in 4th place although it's probably nailed on to be Kyland.

We're nearly there, folks, we're nearly there and I for one am ready to get this season done and crack on with BB Australia VIP

Shout outs to BB on Blast, Julie Girl, Rob has a Podcast and Reality Recaps

Until next time, stay safe, stay frosty and keep on rocking....

Big Brother USA 2021 - Episode 32 - Final 4: HoH and Nominations

And then there were 4 as the finish line gets closer and we start on the road to finding out who will fall at the last hurdle before finale night

A rather sombre final straight I may add as the sequel Double Eviction claimed two big casualties in Tiff and Hannah, with Azah the last remaining female against the trio of Kyland, Xavier and Derek F.

To say that second double was a disaster would be a bit of an understatement, Azah with a big chance to put a marker down for her own chances, makes a bit of a pig's ear of her one and probably only comp when she won the DE2 HoH comp, and then Kyland all but gifting Xavier the game by taking him off the chopping block with the Veto.

Xavier and Kyland the two biggest threats, well they are going to have NO trouble sweeping the other two aside as the mentioned other two in Azah and Derek F have done nothing all season long. Prediction not spoiler by the way. Looking at social media, there was a sense of resignation in the air that Xavier has this all but wrapped up now.

Azah calling this double eviction 'intense', not a word I would use. More like 'complete disaster'

Like I said in the last recap, how did it go from so happy from the history making last to so downbeat to see the two people who made the most effort in this alliance get their marching orders while the coat-tailers stay in there.

Sorry, not much to talk about as Act One is just the double replayed.....

Some dissension in the ranks as we come back from commercial, with Kyland getting on the radar in terms of saving Xavier from the block. Derek Do Nothing thinks he deserves a spot in final 2. Think the words are 'no chance in hell', but there is a real danger looking at the other side of the coin that he may get there.

HoH comp

As outgoing HoH from the DE comps, Azah is not eligible to compete

Crossover alert as the comp is based on the new incoming CSI series, and the comp is called BB Lab

The winner is guaranteed finale night, and also a sneak preview of the first episode of the new CSI series.

Premise: Houseguests have to find 5 clues and match the evidence to the suspects ID and press their buzzer. Fastest houseguest wins.

Derek - 15m 24s

Kyland - 14m 52s

Xavier - 10m 18s

*Sigh*, Xavier's victory procession continues as he becomes the new HoH, and gets to watch that first CSI episode. Disappointment runs through the house from the other guys, and now it's REALLY dawning on Azah she may have made a fatal error with her nominations. But remember the Veto is the REAL power this week with only 4 left.

Nominations ceremony

Xavier nominates Kyland and Azah

To be continued in Episode 33, where we reach the final and most crucial Veto of the season

Shout outs to BB on Blast, Julie Girl, Rob has a Podcast and Reality Recaps

Until next time, stay safe, stay frosty and keep on rocking

Big Brother USA 2021 - Episode 31 - Final 6: Double Eviction 2

The final 6 become the final 4.... 

This time last week it was celebrations and history making, now the mood is now a bit more downbeat as we prepare to say goodbye to Tiffany in the first eviction of the evening

Despite a last minute pitch from Tiff, Kyland did NOT use the Veto and now she is staring down the barrel of the first eviction of this episode.

So much pressure on Azah and Hannah even though they don't know it yet, well more on Hannah as I don't have much faith in Azah to win the DE2 HoH or Veto. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if the boys swept the board tonight, and sent Hannah to jury in the second eviction.

Then it's straight back to action tomorrow in Episode 32 for the final 4 HoH and nominations, due to no Sunday show as it is Emmys night

Small post Veto stuff first - check... Sad piano music as we all know what's coming in Tiff going first and we have the usual 'Tiff's got a chance of staying, honest' 

Small sample now of what we are going to get on the final Sunday of the season in the season recap, anyone know any card tricks or funny jokes while we wait for the first eviction?

Jury segment

Oh boy, that first segment was long, but now to Sarah Beth's arrival at the jury house. Flashbacks to Tiff winning HoH, the coin of destiny flip, Hannah winning Veto and then SB's eviction. Finally the old coinage descends in terms of the Cookout.

Claire pitches up to the jury house and Alyssa as well..... No more shock now, they knew who was coming now they have all but put the pieces together.

Alyssa says she was 'the dim one', which isn't too far from the truth

Flashbacks to last week's history making double now, you know it's hard to watch seeing how happy it was and then fast forward a week and it's so downbeat.

Eviction vote

Right, time to say goodbye to Tiff, looking at social media a lot of tuning out and resignation that Xavier is going to win it all in a few weeks

Kyland not allowed to vote

Derek Do Nothing - Tiff

Xavier - Tiff

Azah - Tiff

No surprise there, and may I just add Derek Do Nothing enjoyed that vote a bit too much. Come on Hannah, the last hope. All on you now.

If there's another All Stars, then Tiff should be the first name of the list. 'Nuff said

DE2 HoH comp and nominations

As outgoing HoH, Kyland not eligible to play

Basically bowling, as the houseguests have to knock 12 silver balls to the floor and it's in two rounds. First two to do so, advance to the final round

So the winner of round 2, will win the DE HoH

And the two to advance to the finals, XAVIER and AZAH

For the final round, the balls have to be rolled back on their respective patches of grass. Winner is DE HoH

And the winner is AZAH, who wins her first comp. But it does seem Xavier threw that, will know more in the next episode I hope.

Oh yeah, Azah nominates HANNAH and XAVIER

DE2 Veto comp and ceremony

Everyone plays in this one

Memory comp called What the Bleep incoming

Evicted houseguests saying stuff with one word bleeped out, and it's a points game. Highest scoring houseguest wins.

And guess what, Hannah didn't win. The winner is sadly KYLAND, via a tiebreak question. Dam it, Hannah's fate is sealed.

Kyland uses the Veto on Xavier, honestly I'm so drained now. The dummy has just handed the game to Xavier on a silver plate. Just no words....honest I haven't got the energy.

Eviction vote #2

Colour me shocked, Hannah is evicted 2-0

May as well just give the cheque to Xavier now, who wins who cares. 'nuff said

To be continued in Episode 32, when we find out who won the final 4 HoH and who they nominate

Shout outs to BB on Blast, Julie Girl, Rob has a Podcast and Reality Recaps

Until next time, stay safe, stay frosty and keep on rocking.....