Big Brother 27!  I had such hopes for you.  The Rachel edition made the show a illustration of how a returning player can teach a bunch of “losers” how to play.  Of course, some of these people aren’t losers but they’re not enjoyable either but let’s get to the heart of the story, shall we.

At midnight last night, the story broke that live feeds were back.  To only television viewers, live feeds are what gives you the true story.  Television only reflects what production wants you to believe happened.  Live feeders expected two things:  some would be living outside and someone would already to voted out.  The outside living for part of the cast has happened before with terrible results (Joseph leaving Taylor) but a vote off camera has never happened and should not be labeled an eviction.  Instead we got an off-camera “elimination” from a game not played on feeds or air.

Feeds were down for over a day.  When they returned, we learned that not only did the White Locust come into play while we were left twiddling our fingers but by results of said event, Ava had eliminated Rachel Reilly for grabbing her arm.  The results of a game?  Grabbing an arm.  No HoH nomination on camera?  NO PoV?  No Big Brother Block Buster.  Just Ava, who comes across nice, saying virtually bye Rachel.  You grabbed my arm!

This is not Big Brother as we know it.  It’s not even Big Brother in the book 1984 (as I remember it), this is Logan’s Run but without giving Rachel the chance to flee.  It’s going back to new school where petty grievances could more than game play and strategy.

This is my note to CBS.  This show could have been a dud except for one thing – Rachel Reilly.  She breathe life into the show due to the fact that she agreed to return.  She knew the game, and it was the hint of old school.  Sure, the younger players hated her.  Sure, she could see the pattern of the players better than anyone.  Rachel did not coddle the players.  She didn’t go easy of them.  She played the straight up Big Brother game that had been missing from before season 20.

Rachel knew that you had to show people what it means to go against the HoH.  Lauren hated her for that.  She took someone down and lost her ally.  Ava, who sent Rachel out, got mad because she wasn’t in the alliance, yet she was always sitting around with her eyes closed and afraid to make a move.  Rylie and Katherine created a bad showmance which to live feeders equal to domestic violence.  Production didn’t care.  They had what they wanted – a showmance.  Rachel didn’t send Rylie home due to that.  She put him up because of his treatment of Catherine.

This game was supposed to be a “sociological experiment” on how people who didn’t know each other lived together in a house.  This game was supposed to be on how people interacted.  Instead, the game has steadily evolved into what the world is becoming.  Instead of strategy, it’s bullying.  Instead of finding and helping your allies, it’s become the game of alliances falling apart in the first week.  Instead of villains you love to hate, it’s become a show of hunky guys, ‘mean girls,’ crying for advancement, people who always get what they want, and fear.

Rachel with her knowledge saw this.  She tried to counter it but the spite came into play.  The smartest person seemed to be Keanu because he finally figured out that strategy beat bullying.  Vince and his tears, the new showmance, and power control always seemed to me to be a plant from Perils of Pauline.  Lauren seemed to be a dumb child who was never taught that actions had consequences.  Will and Ashley seemed to get that the game isn’t built on power but knowledge.

I just found a quote from the live feeds.  It sums up what Big Brother has become.  Morgan gave us the speech from Rachel as she left the game.

“You have to get blood on your hands to win.  Congratulations newbies.  You have to win once to be a two time winner.” 

Ava replies to Morgan. “Well, you’re also a two time loser.” Let’s see how Ava feels when she sleeps her way to a nomination!

As I write this, Blue Sky (my favorite) and X are blowing up at what they view as an unfair elimination.  People are calling for CBS to wise up about the show.  It’s not the first time that CBS production has faced fall-out.  I’ve been doing it for years due to people who were racist (Jack/Jackson) and bullies (the Taylor incident).  Then, we get a glimmer of hope only to find that all but a  few were the same from the past few years — bullies, showmances, crazies, and wimps.  Rachel was what kept the audience coming back!

Since Rachel is gone, will viewers still watch?  For me the answer if simple.  If I have a strong dislike for the players, no.  This year I can only still watch and root for Will who is an older, sane player and Ashlee.  Ava had potential but it seems she is the one who eliminated Rachel due to Rachel grabbing her arm (don’t get this but whatever).  Grabbing your arm and not making you the center of your world Ava is not how Big Brother is played.  At least she didn’t isolate you.  I don’t want the Vince/Morgan showmance rammed down my throat due to no chemistry.  Kelley, with her antics, is driving us crazy.  The sad thing is that Kelley didn’t know we were seeing them 24/7 and doesn’t seem to care. The only other one with any potential to cheer for is Keanu and he makes dumb decisions.

CBS, I’m begging you.  Do some damage control?  The way it was written, I doubt Rachel can return even if she wanted to do so.  Brendon apparently learned about what happened while he had their kids at Chuckee Cheese.  Rachel needs to decide her fate not CBS or Grodner.  She played to help build ratings (even if that’s not what they told her).  If she leaves, let her leave with dignity.  The house guests got what they wanted!  Rachel out to jury first.  Let her go and give us the vote.  In fact, let us have the final vote and finally get rid of Grodner.