BB14: Recycled Alliances, Reformed Strategies

Ian is planning on putting Frank and Jenn up with Joe as a replacement nominee should one of them come off.

During a long discussion with Dan that started around 1:40 am PST, we learn:
1- Ian is still very much with the Quack Pack
2- He would be happy with either one of them gone this week, preferring Jenn, as Frank cannot play in the next week's HoH.
3- Dan finds out that Shane lied to him earlier (around 11 pm) that he had made a deal with Ian to keep the QP safe during the comp, when in reality, Shane just asked for safety for himself and Danielle.
4- Dan started floating the idea that Danielle and Shane are close, that Frank and Jenn  were close but the two of them are "3rd wheels".
5 - Ian wants to work with Dan (Renegades) but he's afraid that he wouldn't win against Dan in F2 (Dan tries to disavow him of that) and he wants Dan to "cut the shit".
6- Dan's goal is to tie with Dr. Will (Doubtful, from what I know about Dan, he probably wants to surpass Dr. Will.)

By around 2:20 am, Shane and Danielle have joined them and the QP is back on. I guess the agreements that Dan and Shane had with Frank are over for now. There will be a lot of prenomnation discussions today. It will be interesting to see what Ian says to Frank and Jenn.

10:06 AM: With the nominations looming, people are still stumbling out of bed. Jenn tried to see Ian but he was in the shower. Earlier, Joe gave Frank "intel" that he (Frank) and Jenn are probably going up with himself as a replacement. Joe says he thinks Dan and Ian have a deal.

Frank shuns the carrot suit and Ted gets his... Frank tells them the back yard should be open soon. Joe asks what time nominations are and Shane says 4 or 5...

11:18 AM: Feeds went to trivia and came back an hour later. Jessie paid the house a visit! He's the BB Santa Clause that replaced all the junk food with healthy food. There's a new squeaky hammock that doesn't squeak and Ian got some toys! Jenn tried to make her pitch to Ian who shut her down. Joe asked Ian why he would be a possible renom, and Ian told him because that would guarantee the other one would go. Frank tries to pump Dan for information but Dan is non-committal.

12:58 PM: Ian lists the gifts her got. It doesn't seem anyone got any powers...

1:21 PM: Quad view... Frank doesn't seem too concerned ;)

Are there nominations today?? So weird...

2:46 PM: Shane tells Dan that he doesn't trust Joe. Brilliant!

2:58 PM: Frank approaches Ian about his nomination. Ian tells him he would like him to stay but he has bigger fish to fry. He needs to weigh his options. Ian says that even if he's up, it doesn't mean he will be going. Ian says he will corral the votes, adding Frank's not his biggest target this week. Frank tells him that if Ian gives him a week off the block, Frank will vote his way. Ian says that even if he is on the block initially, it doesn't mean he's in danger. Ian emphasizes that he's more worried about the post-veto nominations. How much of this is true or not, I have no idea.

3:17 PM: Frank and Jenn talk about what Ian's said. They think that Ian's target is Joe and get the floaters out. Jenn adds that Ian has also been the "snitch" the whole time so can't really be trusted. Jenn thinks she's not really the target.... Frank says he would rather Dan go this week not Joe. (So much for that F2 agreement...) They discuss that Dan has had a disappointing showing last night. (Jenn, you fell second...)  Ian is called to DR. Dan joins them and the conversation is recycled. Dan isn't giving them any info.

5:02 PM: Trivia. The Nomination Ceremony is under way.  I will be posting results on the banner.

6:22 PM: Feeds return. People are snacking and in good spirits it seems. Talk is about food and Pandora's Box. No indication of the nominees. There's no verbal confirmation that it's Frank and Jenn yet, though they are the expected nominees.

7:38 PM: Trivia. They are picking PoV players. It's going to be a night time comp. Morph I bet!
7:52 PM: Feeds back. Danielle and Ian are studying. Looks like she's playing. Frank and Shane are talking about the PoV. Sounds like Shane is the only one not playing.

The comp will happen after BBAD more than likely. So we're looking at 6 to 7 hours from now to get the results. I'm going to get some sleep. :)

Stay tuned! :)

BB14: Fight for Supremacy

The feeds come live at  7:09 pm PST, I will be posting pics for those of you without feeds.

The four up are looking confident.

7:17 PM: Is it me, or does Dan look like he's hanging himself?

Shane says that this is Britney's competition. Jenn says immediately, "Good job Danielle."

7:27 PM: Danielle is down

A few moments later, Dan is down. Ian and Shane say they can go all night.

At this point Ian as HoH will be a decisive one. Shane as HoH will have others in his ear.

Shane's ankle is cramping up. Ian sings.

7:48 PM: Ian is very comfortably questioning them about astronomy. Shane is complaining about cramping and sore feet.

Spray everywhere. And the meteor comes out.
8:08 PM: Ian and Shane still going.

8:22 PM: Frank and Jenn are whispering... Can't hear. They're probably nervous that Ian will be HoH.

Happy campers?

8:38 PM: They're getting knocked about a bit more. Shane says he can go as long as the motor can go. Ian says he's good for the long haul.. "I haven't jacked in 55 days."  FTW

With everyone watching, there's no discussion at all of deals between these two. Deals? What ever happened to that alliance??

8:47 PM: Shane and Ian are finally alone. Ian tells Shane that he and Danielle are safe. Shane drops. Ian HOH!!

Meanwhile, Dan talks about the Quack Pack with Danielle in storage room. And BTW, Joe's punishment is 24 hours Hula Hoop boot camp... LAME!

Ian's #1 target is Frank. We'll see how that goes! I will rejoin you tomorrow morning for my overnight assessment! :)

BB14: Quitters Never WIn

Dear Future BB Hopefuls:

Here's the best advice I can give you:

1-If you're not willing to do everything you can to win this game, including lie when it counts (lying about your profession is stupid), manipulate, betray and fool, don't bother auditioning, because you will be used as fodder.
2-If you have never seen this show before or don't know how past winners have won, then you are just going to be their future pawns because the producers have turned this into Second Chance BB.
3-If you don't have the physical stamina to make it for at least 3 hours in a physical competition, or can't go faster than a drunken turtle on Xanax, then don't complain that people think you're dead weight in the game.
4- If you can't do simple math, or figure out a drawing that a 5 year has done, then maybe you should sit at home and watch those who can, like the rest of us.
5- If you have the memory of a moth, then expect to be swatted.
6-If you can't find 1 or 2 people with whom you can work, consistently and under the wire, don't call it an alliance.
7-If you can't entertain yourself and others (especially those watching your every move) or if you are so laid back you might as well be one of the props of the show, do us a favor and stay off the feeds.
8-If you have trust issues, childhood issues, emotional issues, self-confidence issues, Big Brother is not the place for you to get over them. You need to be able to roll with the punches and for goodness sake, do not air them out on the feeds. You will be crucified.
9-If you take on a "show personality" make it one that people will like and root for, or like to hate and root for. People don't root for vegetables, unless you happen to be stuck wearing one.
10-If your BB life is at stake, do NOT, I repeat do NOT, give up and accept your fate. Fight tooth and nail to stay in the game; because quitters never win and winners never quit.

Thank you. That is all.
Sincerely,
Genie Sea

Today, I won't be updating during the day, because Britney has accepted her fate and violated #10 on the list above. Tonight, there is every indication that it will be Endurance, so it will be a long night, and I will be updating then. So make sure to get your naps in, have beverages on hand to stay hydrated in whatever way you choose (wink wink) and snacks if you're a nervous eater; and, above all, make sure you've tucked in, walked, fed and pacified all the members of your household if they don't watch the feeds with you.

OK I lied.

9:54 AM: Britney is campaigning to Joe for his vote. She tells him she is a competitor, that she gave the last Endurance competition to Danielle. She stresses that Danielle is emotional and looks like Danielle is getting back with Dan. She adds that Ian is to be trusted and wants Frank out. Joe says that she should talk to Shane about it, that he doesn't want to vote for her if Shane doesn't. He informs her that Shane is using her comment about not wanting to take Danielle's chance way against her. She brings up the fact that Danielle has both Shane and Jenn on her side. Joe says her only hope is to flip Shane; and Brit adds Dan. Frank interrupts their conversation.

When he leaves, Britney continues. Danielle's head is not in the game. If she stays, Joe has no hope in getting to F3. Britney is close to Ian but there's a huge target on his back. Joe tells her he will see what he can do.

10:34 AM: Britney goes to find Dan in the Have Not Room and asks him to take some time today so they can talk privately. Dan agrees.

Hustle girl! Hustle! That's right! Don't give up!

12:47 PM: Joe brings Frank to storage to tell him he has his undying loyalty and will vote Brit out. Hum.

Well, unless she can persuade Dan and Shane to vote for her, enjoy Brit on the feeds while you can! See you in chat for the show and I will be updating the Endurance/Aftermath. :)

To my blog readers:

On Tuesday Sept. 4th, I am going back to work (I'm a high school teacher). That means that the times and format of my blogs will change til the end of this season. I will be doing recaps of the day, as well as commentary on the events in the late afternoon. :)

BB14:The Season of the Floppers

BB14 is the season of "alliances". At this point in the game, everyone has made an F2 agreement, an F3, 4, 5 agreement with everyone in the house. In other words, it's a big, spanking mess. I would go as far as to say, they have given the term alliance a new entry in the dictionary: alliance: the pretense of being on one's side when in reality plotting each other's demise, as long as it saves oneself. Actually, here's a new BB term: fakelliance.

Is there a true alliance anywhere in that house? The motto this season, more than any other, has been shank before getting shanked. This might be the greatest source of frustration among fans of the show. Who the heck do you root for? I've talked previously about the dilemma we face as viewers, namely the ability to separate humanity from the game; but is it possible to root for someone who has no loyalty to anyone in the game? Does this season only have floppers, making it a Flop?

Here's a list of F2 deals currently talked about or active in the game:

• Britney: Ian/Danielle (the latter doesn't even count as an alliance given the recent developments)
• Dan: Danielle/Frank
• Danielle: Britney/Dan/Jenn/Shane
• Frank: Dan/Jenn/Joe/Shane
• Ian: Britney

In addition to those alliances, there are larger alliances in play:

1. Dan, Ian, Shane, Danielle/Britney
2. Dan, Danielle, Frank, Jenn
3. Frank, Joe, Shane
4. Ian, Shane, Danielle

Assuming that Britney will be going Thursday, the numbers game puts Frank and Danielle at the top of alliance safety and Ian at the bottom, meaning Ian is at greatest risk. However, if we look at the history of those alliances. which are the strongest? Danielle and Dan, as well as Danielle and Shane have had the longest standing alliances, but are they true alliances given the other F2 deals in play?

• Depending on who wins HoH next, the targets are as follows from most to least: Ian, Frank, Dan, Shane, Danielle, Jenn and finally Joe. 
• According to numbers, the level of danger is as follows, from most to least: Ian, Jenn, Joe, Dan, Shane, Danielle and Frank. 
• The order of top competitors this season has been, from most to least: Frank, Shane, Danielle, Ian, Jenn, Dan and Joe.  

As it stands, unless Ian or Dan win the upcoming HoH/PoV competitions, they will be chopped; and since Frank has given up the ability to compete in next week's HoH, he needs to win PoVs to save himself.  At any rate, the safest people in the house are Shane, Danielle, Jenn and Joe, in that order.

UPDATE:
They are already on lock down, been so since 4:30 am, PST. It's looking good for Endurance.

Best line of the Season:
7:56ish PM: Britney (about pistachios): "I like to suck on these." BB Voice: "That's what she said."

Stay tuned! :)

BB14: MMA Introduces Hurricane Britney Haynes

I take an afternoon off and find this waiting for me. 2:30 pm PST: Britney vs Ted...

Then she took out her frustration out on Dan, the real cause of her issues.

Teddy got one shot in, but like good sports, they made up in the end...

Then they kiss and make-up.

Oh and on a game level, looks like Joe, Frank and Shane made an F3 deal (yeah, okay) and it looks like Britney will be leaving Thursday. Ian and Shane talk around 6:23 pm, agreeing that they will work with Dan to get rid of Frank.

7:21 PM: Britney gets into it with Danielle. Britney calls her out about not being there for her and not talking to her. They are basically airing out their frustrations about being on the block together and having to campaign against each other. It's a stupid fight that is inevitable for two people who have been close in the game and now are at odds.

8:55 PM: Ian implies that Britney doesn't have the votes, even though he will be voting for her. She wants Ian to stay strong, get Frank out and win the game. She thanks him for telling her.

9:05 PM: Britney goes to Danielle that Ian told her that Danielle is staying. She wishes her good luck.

Stay tuned! :)

BB 14: Pawns Are People Too

This is my dilemma with Big Brother: it's a game of strategy and unwitting your opponents; it's often a cut-throat game, one that requires a single-minded commitment to do anything you can to win. On the other hand, it's a game where you have to use people as allies and pawns, sacrifice or support them. The part of me that enjoys watching strategy, appreciates the big moves and unexpected game play. The empathetic part of me, does not enjoy when people are emotionally devastated by any part of the game's maneuvers.

There are very few people I have encountered in whom I cannot find a single redeeming or likable quality. I can safely say that at certain points in this season, I have liked and empathized with each of the house guests, even those who have taken on the roles of villains, even those who have displayed personality traits that don't jive with me. There are certainly people in the game with whom I can relate more or understand better because of who I am and what I have experienced, but there has not been anyone this season that I have despised as a person. I have despised some of the things that have been said, cruel things, personal attacks, mean behavior that has nothing to do with the game; but on the whole, I remind myself that they are people with highs and lows, weaknesses and strengths.

My dilemma right now is being manifested by two players whose words and actions I have liked and hated in the past; two players who have made me laugh, cry, sigh, and groan in frustration; two players that I have rooted for and wanted gone this season: Dan and Britney.

Dan is the master strategist who knows how to play and win a human chess game like this. He is also a naturally caring person who has a genuine interest in people. His struggle in BB has been between doing what it takes to make it to the end, and feeling guilt for the things he's done to others in the game. I admire him greatly for his ability and resourcefulness, but also for his understanding that certain unsavory things must happen in order to advance in a situation like this.

Britney has been vocal about Dan's "betrayal" but is it really? If the QP were a strong alliance, why would Britney force Ian to put Frank and Ashley on the block while pulling Frank in the storage room to make a deal with him? If the QP were a strong alliance, why did they not work together during the Pandora Box challenge and devise a strategy to keep the two who would be on the block safe? Ian was clearly intent on getting this power for himself, making Dan not trust him and push harder to win. If the QP were a strong alliance, why wouldn't Ian and Danielle work their connection to Jenn to get her away from Frank and use the Veto? Instead, they accepted Dan's demise and planned the future in the game without him. Really, what choice did Dan have?

That being said, it gives me no pleasure in the way he demolished an already over-sensitive and fragile Danielle during his "game funeral" in order to make an impact on his intended audience (Frank). I understand his reasoning from a game perspective. By doing this, Danielle got the whole house and the fans to side with her and feel sorry for this young woman on a human level, which is quite an achievement, given that she's been the target of ridicule this whole season. He's told her on several occasions that he's done this to get her to the end; and I believe him. Dan loves this game and every aspect of it. I don't think his endgame is necessarily to win the big prize, but to get to the end with Danielle by his side. I could be proven wrong and the circumstances might not favor this outcome, but this is my strong hunch based on the things he's said to Dani.

It really all depends on whether Danielle will survive this week; and the one person standing in her way is her closest friend in the house: Britney who represents the other side of my dilemma. There are many things I really like about Britney. She could be someone I would love to hang out with. I enjoy her humor when it's not blood-thirsty and mean. I enjoy her interactions with people and her genuine caring for others like Ian, Danielle and Shane. The problem is, though she is very intelligent and perceptive, she lacks the objectivity to follow through on a well-thought out strategy.

She can read the signs and see what others might not be able to, but she lacks the finesse to apply that knowledge in a way that is beneficial to her. This is the reason she caused Willie to spiral out of control by feeding into his paranoia, telling him, prematurely, that the coaches were coming into the game and that the "whole house is against him". There was no reason to give him this information at that point in the game. He was HoH. They had the power; and knowledge that others don't have is even more power. Had she kept her mouth shut, he would not have picked a fight with Frank; Janelle would not have dug her heels in about evicting him; and Willie ultimately would not have gone down in BB flames.

This is why she is in this position today, not because of Dan's "betrayal" which is laughable really. Dan only did what he had to do, to get himself off the block, the target off his back and his closest ally, Danielle, safe. During the roller coaster ride of emotions she took yesterday, she ranted about Dan to the whole house, behind his back, then apologized to him; this was followed by more rants against him, in an attempt to discredit him with everyone, followed by another apology. She was reacting to the situation emotionally, not as a strategist.

The one thing that struck me though was during one of her conversations with Danielle, Britney expressed her own dilemma. She needs to fight to stay in the game, because she failed to do so in season 12, but at the same time she does not want to take Danielle's first and possibly only chance at winning the game. Yet, she continued to campaign to Joe and Shane to keep her. Joe jumped on that band wagon quickly, but Shane has not, voicing his dilemma: Britney helps his social game (and he really needs help there) but Danielle is a competitor who advances his chances of making it to the end.

Shane is the swing vote this week. What will he do? He is highly impressionable, indecisive and not very intuitive. His competition performance is really the only reason he is still in the game; but that too has put a huge target between his shoulder blades. He will need Danielle to ensure that he makes it farther otherwise, he will be the first or second gone next, depending on how things shake out in the house.

1:32 PM: For those of you craving the feeds. Here's what you're missing.

Nothing. Shane and Danielle are sleeping. Britney just finished a half hour "funny" rant about Dan. Joe is fired up, saying he will turn evil. (???)

Britney goes inside to get something to eat, sits at the table with Dan and comments that the awkward level has peeked, that she's sitting at the table conversing with the guy that got her put on the block.

Frank goes into the Kicks Room where Danielle is alone to reassure her that he's working on the votes and not to worry.

Carrot has the HoH camera.

Stay tuned! :)