Remember BB4's live tasks on Saturdays? They were very exciting in principle, but plagued by erratic pacing and a general feeling of uncertainty, as the Endemol crew tried desperately to ensure things run smoothly and they hit the ad breaks. No wonder they got rid of them… until now…
On Wednesday, a "twist" arrived in the BB9 house. The remaining housemates had to nominate in front of each other, on live TV. Each housemate wrote two names on a piece of card and held it up for all to see. It was like The Weakest Link, basically. Of course, the housemates were aghast at the imposed "cruelty" -- but should probably have been happy they weren't asked to give reasons for their noms. That would surely have been the really toe-curling bit. They should have done nominations as usual earlier in the day, and then played the Diary Room footage through to the house.
A missed opportunity was the best way to summarize this live special, really. The public nominations were slightly uncomfortable (mainly for the housemates), but not as vicious as hoped. The two housemates with the most nominations were up for Friday's eviction: Lisa and Sara. The evening's main twist was to give the apparent "losers" a chance of winning a "life-changing sum of money"…
Continuing the Las Vegas theme of the week's shopping budget task, Lisa and Sara were sent to the Task Room to participate in a game. As the housemates watched on the plasma screen, Lisa and Sara were told that they had a chance to win £50,000. Sitting opposite, each had two signs ("SHARE" and "TAKE"). If they both held up TAKE, neither of them would get the cash. If they both held up SHARE, they would each receive £25,000. If the result was mixed, the person who chose TAKE would pocket the entire £50,000.
After a minute's deliberation (where they were allowed to lie to each other) both agreed to hold up SHARE. And they did. To cries of joy, each walk away with £25k. That will certainly pay for Lisa and Mario's wedding, and keep Sara in cigarettes 'till… ooh, October? There was also an element of karma here, as bullied Sara was justly rewarded following Rex and Darnell's odious name-calling on Tuesday.
However, I think you'll agree, this was a disappointing waste of a good idea. It would have been more interesting to see any combination of the men take part in that game. It was just too obvious Sara and Lisa would share. What would have happened in a Rex vs. Darnell game? Or Mo vs. Rex? Darnell vs. Mo? Hmm. It's all far less predictable with the men. The only combination less thrilling than Lisa vs. Sara would have been Kat vs. Rachel. Zzzz. Couldn't BB have worked out the most likely participants using last week's nominations?
Like I said, a missed opportunity -- but hopefully the game will resurface in a future series, and be played by people who don't like each other. Sara vs. Darnell would have been very exciting to see play out. Oh well.
17 August 2008
Channel 4, 9.00 pm & 11.05pm
On Wednesday, a "twist" arrived in the BB9 house. The remaining housemates had to nominate in front of each other, on live TV. Each housemate wrote two names on a piece of card and held it up for all to see. It was like The Weakest Link, basically. Of course, the housemates were aghast at the imposed "cruelty" -- but should probably have been happy they weren't asked to give reasons for their noms. That would surely have been the really toe-curling bit. They should have done nominations as usual earlier in the day, and then played the Diary Room footage through to the house.
A missed opportunity was the best way to summarize this live special, really. The public nominations were slightly uncomfortable (mainly for the housemates), but not as vicious as hoped. The two housemates with the most nominations were up for Friday's eviction: Lisa and Sara. The evening's main twist was to give the apparent "losers" a chance of winning a "life-changing sum of money"…
Continuing the Las Vegas theme of the week's shopping budget task, Lisa and Sara were sent to the Task Room to participate in a game. As the housemates watched on the plasma screen, Lisa and Sara were told that they had a chance to win £50,000. Sitting opposite, each had two signs ("SHARE" and "TAKE"). If they both held up TAKE, neither of them would get the cash. If they both held up SHARE, they would each receive £25,000. If the result was mixed, the person who chose TAKE would pocket the entire £50,000.
After a minute's deliberation (where they were allowed to lie to each other) both agreed to hold up SHARE. And they did. To cries of joy, each walk away with £25k. That will certainly pay for Lisa and Mario's wedding, and keep Sara in cigarettes 'till… ooh, October? There was also an element of karma here, as bullied Sara was justly rewarded following Rex and Darnell's odious name-calling on Tuesday.
However, I think you'll agree, this was a disappointing waste of a good idea. It would have been more interesting to see any combination of the men take part in that game. It was just too obvious Sara and Lisa would share. What would have happened in a Rex vs. Darnell game? Or Mo vs. Rex? Darnell vs. Mo? Hmm. It's all far less predictable with the men. The only combination less thrilling than Lisa vs. Sara would have been Kat vs. Rachel. Zzzz. Couldn't BB have worked out the most likely participants using last week's nominations?
Like I said, a missed opportunity -- but hopefully the game will resurface in a future series, and be played by people who don't like each other. Sara vs. Darnell would have been very exciting to see play out. Oh well.
17 August 2008
Channel 4, 9.00 pm & 11.05pm
