Big Brother 11 As I See It: TGIO (Thank Goodness It’s Over)

I have to admit that this season of Big Brother has been a hard one to write commentary for. I try to follow the “If you can’t say something nice…” rule, but it was extremely difficult as the weeks went by. This cast of houseguests has been among the nastiest, whiniest, most egotistical, and confrontational group in the house since I started watching.

I knew, early on, that during this season there would come a time that I would only want it to be over. That time came many weeks ago. Unfortunately for most of us, this has been a highly disliked group of contestants, and I still wonder how and why the casting department at CBS selects the houseguests. I am assuming that some are selected for their idiosyncrasies and viewer appeal, but this season someone sure goofed up.

Even one of my favorite houseguests, Jeff, succumbed to Big Brother paranoia late in the game and I know that he is going to kick himself when he reviews this season. To totally blow off your final four alliance and align with other players at the eleventh hour is beyond my comprehension – especially when one of the players is NataLIE. I do not understand why Jeff didn’t remember the “widows” crying over the eviction of their Jessie, and that they all promised retribution for that.

To give him some leeway, Jeff didn’t see what we did and didn’t know the biggest liar in the Big Brother house duped him. I truly believe that Michele, Russell, and Jordan would have hung in with Jeff to the end.

Be that as it may, by finale time, Jeff was already aware of Natalie’s duplicity and just didn’t seem bothered by it or her. I think, throughout the jury talks and the live show, Jeff was only concerned that Jordan take the final prize home.

Jeff’s entrance into the jury house was received with glee; however, I didn’t think it warranted hearing “angels sing” as Lydia proclaimed. Thank goodness that the promised “floor wiping” by Russell didn’t occur and that Jeff and Russell resolved their issues. I cannot help wonder, though, if Russell’s vote for Natalie in the finale wasn’t a last stab at Jeff. I guess we’ll never know.

The animosity that seemed common among the houseguests regarding Michele surprised me. Unless there’s been a whole lot of creative editing that even our 24-hour-per-day watchers have missed, I don’t understand how or why Michele came across as “evil,” as decried by both Ronnie and Natalie. Of course, I discount anything Natalie and Ronnie say, but Jeff and Russell both made some allusions to this fact also, so perhaps it was just her aloofness that translated into “evil.”

Michele is smarter than any of the rest of the houseguests; she has a PhD and is a scientist. But Michele, from the very first episode, bemoaned the fact she had no friends in the house. I wrote in an earlier column that I didn’t really notice her trying to make friends either, and it seemed like she really didn’t try until push came to shove. Her last minute friendship and alliance with Russell was really just her grasping at straws and, when Russell was evicted, Michele knew she was a goner.

Kevin, I have to admit, played a pretty smart game. Sometimes it seemed he was in an alliance, yet in his diary room sessions he mostly mocked those with whom he was supposedly aligned. His expressions during the crying jags of the three “Jessie widows” were hysterical, and I have to admit he kept me entertained throughout the season.

Kevin tried to avoid getting sucked into all the nasty confrontations taking place in the house and, with the exception of the shouting match with Ronnie, really stayed pretty laid back. Since we all know that Ronnie could irritate the Pope into a shouting match, I think that Kevin’s altercation should be overlooked.

Kevin’s plan and part in the lie to Jeff regarding Russell was chancy, yet proved brilliant. He had been so non-committal all game that when he looked Jeff right in the eyes and told a bald face lie that turned the game to his and Natalie’s advantage – it worked. His diary room confessions were hysterical after this lie was told and Kevin’s subsequent voicing of his intention to oust Natalie was just as funny.

Kevin played it smart throughout the game and he well deserved to be in the final two. Unfortunately for him, Jordan knew he could and would defeat her and thus Kevin left, not even getting to enjoy the luxuries of the jury house.

Speaking of the jury house, did I hear that sigh from women everywhere when the camera focused on Jeff in the pool at the jury house? Did anyone every think of a calendar called “The Men of Big Brother”? I know I’d buy one if it included Russell and Jeff (but, please, not Jessie).

Ahem… Back to comments.

Natalie’s lies in the Big Brother house proved her undoing. Although she thought she was pulling the wool over everyone’s eyes, I am assuming she never took into consideration that the jury members would actually talk to each other and figure her out.

Although Natalie proclaimed she was not letting the others see how strong she was during competitions, I do not believe her. She only won one HOH and that was by chance.

One may say that Natalie “won” a visit from her boyfriend/fiancé. I believe that was the worst on-camera proposal I have ever seen. The poor guy was so emotional he was near tears, and his beloved Natalie almost dismissed him with a “whatever.” How pitiful was that? It was no Rob and Amber moment for sure, but I would have expected some joyful emotion from Natalie. I didn’t expect her to tell the biggest lie of the season about it.