The Houseguests only have 15 more wake-ups before this season crowns a champion – and it’s getting down to the nitty gritty. So far 10 people have seen their chance to win half a million dollars go down the tubes (well, 11, but Victor keeps coming back), and the final 6 are trying to figure out a way to do what the others couldn’t.
We have seen a very unique style of campaigning this week – as both nominees have been going back and forth asking to vote them out, then back tracking wanting to stay. Ultimately the 3 voters will have to make their decision tomorrow night, although it sounds like they have had their minds made up all week.
In just 3 weeks we will get a season of the new Big Brother Over The Top. This is a blessing & a curse to us super fans. Blessing because whenever a season wraps up – we complain that we miss it. Curse because this means more sleepless nights watching feeds & a whole bunch of new houseguests for us to love/hate. BUT FIRST – let’s take a look back at how each player did this week, and what it means for their end game.
Nicole Franzel – 5 strips of Bacon – two weeks in a row now Nicole has occupied the top spot. Nicole had to do the hardest thing an outgoing HoH could do – and that is break a tie. While Michelle was probably the lesser of two evils, this move showed she was 100% with Paul & Victor (for now), and not being able to play in the following HoH – she had the 3 strongest players on her side to keep her safe this week. Even if James or Natalie won HoH, I do not think she would have been their target.
All of this aside, I am giving her the most bacon this week because she is already thinking about flipping the script AGAIN and targeting Paul / Victor next week. She realizes she needed their protection, but she probably will not win against either one, so she planted seeds in her boy toy Corey’s mind that they need to go after them next instead of whoever stays this week. She may not be playing the best game in Big Brother History – but she has still yet to be nominated, and has had a hand in every big eviction. The only thing that would stop her from winning the $500K would be a bitter jury.
Corey Brooks – 4 strips of Bacon – quietly Corey is actually building a pretty good resume with his 3rd Veto win this week. When it’s down to the final 6 – the Veto is actually more important than the HoH. He guaranteed the nominations would not change, and no chance that he or Nicole would even go up on the block and be in harms way. His bromance with Vic & Paul has been flourishing – the 3 of them are already making plans for after show meet & greets around the country. I just wonder how that will sit if Nicole’s plan to flip on them happens. Regardless of their after-show plans, Corey is still there – and has a 20% chance of winning!
Victor Arroyo – 3 strips of Bacon – The COMP BEAST of this season won his 3rd HoH, all after his first eviction. He did show his loyalty to the Final 4 alliance and nominated Natalie & James without any hesitation. Sometimes in this game being a straight shooter in important. Paul is still his eyes and ears around the house which is the only part of the game he is lacking. Trusting Nicole & Corey could be his downfall if they turn on him next week, but if he does not win it all, he will not be sad or bitter as he’s already had 2 dates with Julie.
Paul Abrahamian – 1 strip of Bacon – Paul had a VERY quiet week, and for him, that is VERY rare. He lost his buddy Pablo when Michelle stole him as she was walking out the door*, so maybe that’s why he has not been as loud and obnoxious as previous weeks. Look for him to do some jury management as Natalie (or James) gets ready to walk out the door. Out of all the people left in the house, he can make the best argument for the money if he is in the Final 2. He’s had to navigate through rough water the entire season, with & without a pool floatie around his waist.
* – for the record, I am actually happy that Michelle stole Pablo. No, not because it got Paul sad, but she threw it into the crowd – and some lucky superfan who got into the live taping, walked away with a souvenir. That’s like catching a home run ball at a baseball game. Something that has never happened for me, despite going to hundreds of baseball games over the years.
(Editor’s Note: According to @MissCleoBB who was in the audience, Pablo was recovered by production. I’d expect Paul to get it back after the season.)
Natalie Negrotti – 3 strips of Tofu – Early in the game, Natalie was quiet and just listening and observing everything going on around her. Once she started speaking up and playing, she made a name for herself as legit player. But her downfall was listening to James, and doing his bidding. Natalie painted herself into a corner, and now she is probably walking out the door this week because of it.
This week her wishy washy way of campaigning to stay / campaigning for James to stay has led to constant bickering between them. It looks like she has officially put James in the Friend Zone – which does not seem to sit to well with him, but it is what it is. I am sure she will be just as moody once she gets to the jury house. I am looking forward to her & Paulie being reunited this week. PLEASE show us that footage CBS!
That brings us to the Tofurkey of the Week – and it’s a tie… James Huling & James’s Gut. All season James has been playing a different game than the rest of them. He has been trying to win the girl, not the game, and now it looks like he may not get either. You know he is still kicking himself for dropping to Nicole in the HoH last week – and he has now put Natalie in harms way. The way he followed her around most of the week as a love struck fool was also quite pathetic. DUDE, she has used the word FRIEND so many times.
James’s Gut has been wrong the last 2 weeks & that caused his ally Michelle to go home last week, and Natalie will (probably) go home this week because of it. This is a carbon copy of his game last year and another great opportunity to make a better life for his daughter is slipping through his fingers. He does understand the basics of Big Brother – team up with people that can protect you. But time & time again, he did the opposite and turned on the people that were protecting him. His talk with Victor & Paul about when he flipped on them after they kept him safe has really left a bitter taste in their mouth. You know if Paul wins this HoH, James is in danger. The only chance of him staying is if Nicole/Corey win and flip.
OK – let me know what you think of this week’s rankings in the comment section below. Our time together is almost done for this season – and I am sure most of you will agree, lets just end it now, and get ready for Big Brother Over the Top coming to us on Sept 28th. My question of the week is “Will you be watching the online season, or after this season, you will take a break from BB until next summer?”
From outside the Big Brother house, I am Adam Poch, have a great day!
Follow me on Twitter to get more updates as the season progresses twitter.com/heavymetalteddy.