Howard Overby entered Big Brother 15 and immediately became part of the briefly strong “Moving Company” alliance. Things quickly fell apart for the 29-year old youth counselor from Hattiesburg, Mississippi though as his alliance scattered and he became HG Amanda’s number one target week after week. Following a tumultuous week in the house he was evicted in a 7-1 vote with only the support of his ally Spencer.
Today I spoke with Howard about his game, where the house stands now, and even the very hotly debated whispered words between him and Amanda. While I had many more questions for Howard including those about Aaryn’s and GinaMarie’s actions, ten minutes can go by quickly. Here’s what Howard had to say to me today when we talked.
Big Brother Network: Your selective game lies were a big part of what sunk you early on with a slow burn to your eviction. Why didn’t you want to confirm the Moving Company to Helen?
Howard Overby: I thought if I told her everything it’d just disappoint her to the point where there was no return. From a personal standpoint, I should have just come clean. That whole flipping and dismantling of the Moving Company helped me be more me and more straight up in the game, which is what I said I wanted to do so I was happy about it. But telling her everything, that was the big battle inside myself that was killing me. If I tell her everything it’ll probably be the same as if I lie now and everything comes out later.
I should have just come all out with it, but unfortunately I didn’t. I don’t regret it, but if I had to do it over again I’d just say everything and go from there, but I think I’d be in the same position.
Big Brother Network: This week you were telling HGs you would rather be evicted than play their kind of game. Was that part of your strategy or were you in a way conceding defeat?
Howard: It was very truthful. This season, all the strong players, the players that see the BS & manipulation seem to be leaving every week. We have a young cast this year. There weren’t enough chiefs and there were a whole lot of Indians that were willing to believe they were being protected, instead of standing up and making a stand with people who want to make a stand.
From a game standpoint, yes it was definitely a strategy. I thought I’d be honest about everything and that would inject some type of motivation in somebody to stand up and join with a few people, who regardless of personal differences want to do something different about the house because if you don’t, here in a little while, they’re going to control everything. Which they are.
To me it was going to be a boring season. You were going to have your final four set in stone. No one wanted to make a move because they keep waiting and waiting. I think everybody was made to think they’re being protected by these people.
If I was really going to scumbag I could have just let Candice self-destruct and separated myself from her totally. But the man that I am, the man I was raised to be, the man I was created to be, I couldn’t have looked in the mirror if she had left and let that happen.
Big Brother Network: Let’s talk about the Amanda kitchen whisper situation. She’s claimed over and over that you made a very aggressively vulgar comment to her. What did you say in that kitchen during that whispered exchanged?
Howard: It wasn’t vulgar. It might have been a little outside the box as content, but it wasn’t vulgar and it was said as a compliment. As everyone knows and I’ll tell you and I’ll tell anyone else, consider the source we’re talking about here. This came after the whole thing outside when Candice was going off on Spencer. I came out the kitchen and saw her there and I said you know what, I’m going to extend an olive branch and I’m going to say I love her and I’m gonna kid around with her.
Anyone that has watched this show knows that Amanda isn’t shy about anything sexual that she says or does. She’ll be open and vulgar to people, me, other girls in the house on any subject. So basically what happened was I walked up to her and I’m not going to be hateful or mean and I said “I love you” and she said “what? no you don’t.” I said, “no I really do. I love you” and I hugged her. As a little fun joke I said, “hey, if we were outside this house you’re awesome, you’re sexy” and this is from me knowing her personally when we did share personal time and we were very open. I said “man, we could get in to some things.” That was the extent of things. She laughed when we she walked away.
I don’t have to sexually harrass anyone. Ever. For her to say that is kinda crazy, but I’m not surprised by it. But we’re talking about it in a situation where it could hurt my character. I’ll apologize openly to her, but I’m not sorry because I actually meant it as a compliment, as a joke because she’s someone in the house I thought you could joke with like that because she is like that.
Big Brother Network: Which HG is best positioned right now to make it to the end?
Howard: It’s a toss up between McCrae & Andy.
McCrae is a historian of the game and his henchman, Amanda, is willing to do any devious or sinful act to get the job done. He’s right there with her but he keeps his hands clean the whole time. Everybody likes him and wants to work with him.
The other person is my wildcard, Andy. Andy has no threats in the house and the way the guys are going out it’s going to be a house full of women before it’s over and he’s in good with them and he’s in good with the guys. I don’t think anyone has the heart to put him up or put him out. He’s more athletic than you give him credit for. I’ve seen him workout. I think he can be the x-factor. So both of those guys are in great positions right now.
Big Brother Network: What will be your favorite memory from Big Brother?
Howard: Honestly, my favorite memory is the way the Moving Company was constructed. The way we met night two or three and it was perfect. It wasn’t just five guys. It was five guys and three girls. I always wanted it to be two girls on me and Spencer’s side of the house we were playing but we had three girls on Jeremy’s side that were going to ride his coattails. So really it was eight of us and I like the way we came together and I like the concept. We had the numbers. We could of been one of the best of all times.
Big Brother Network: What’s next for you now in your post Big Brother life?
Howard: I hope the sky’s the limit. I came in to this game with three months of dealing with unemployment. I know God’s going to make a way some how and this show has been a catapult for that. I hope that it is. I would love to be in entertainment. I would love to get some auditions. I love the light. Ever since football nothing has captured my attention like being in the light. So I’m all for that. I love movies, I love acting, I love the art of it. Maybe there can be some opportunities out there. If not, I’ll definitely get on the job hunt.
Whatever it is, I know God’s going to make it great. Because of this show, personally and spiritually I’ve grown so much including everything I do and in everything I do. I think great things are about to happen.
Big Brother Network: Thank you, Howard.