Big Brother 4 Contestant Preview and Analysis

Finally, Scott is a 33-year-old waiter from Chicago, which - and I speak from experience, not malice - means he’s really something else. The question is what: Actor? Writer? Musician? Maybe even a basketball player manqué - he lists it as his hobby, sport to play, and outdoor activity; his favorite team is the Knicks; and his favorite magazine (besides Playboy and Penthouse) is Slam, a magazine covering the sport. The three adjectives he uses to describe himself are “beat to own drummer (sic),” “high energy,” and “crazy,” which, more often than not, turn out to be synonyms for “highly annoying.” His weakness is his “hairy back,” but that didn’t stop Bunky from making it to the Top 5 in the second season. His favorite actor is Vince Vaughn, which is one thing, but in the company of some of his other choices (Old School, Fastlane) and the dated knit cap/shades combo, I’m afraid it means he’s going to be calling things “money” a lot… because that didn’t go out of style in 1998, to be generous, or anything. (Paradise Hotel’s Melanie and Scott also apparently missed the memo.) Yet the guy’s not a total idiot: his favorite author is Robert Frost when some of the other people (Nathan, for example) can’t even name one. He’s also the only HouseGuest to list Big Brother as one of his favorite TV shows. Overall, though, while there isn’t just one specific thing I can point to, the cumulative effect is that I have a feeling Scott will be the most annoying male HouseGuest, and quite possibly the most annoying one period.

Now, let’s take a look at how compatible the HouseGuests may be based on their listed favorites. Brandon and Nathan can watch Gladiator together, while Dana, Erika, and Jack would most likely opt for a Tom Hanks film festival, particularly one that would include Dana’s favorite movie, Forrest Gump. Watching movies in general is a hobby of both Nathan and Alison. Scott would be fine with Nathan wanting to watch Friends as his favorite actress is Courtney Cox Arquette; afterwards, Nathan would be only too happy to throw on a CD of U2 for Jun as it’s their favorite group. Need to send flowers? Alison, Brandon, Erika, Jack, Jun, Nathan, and Scott would all prefer you said it with roses. Scott’s favorite scent is “a woman,” while David more specifically likes the smell of “chicks’ hair”; meanwhile, Brandon and Erika could bond over the scent of a nice gardenia. In the mood for some board games? Invite Erika and Scott for Scrabble and Nathan, Jack, and Dana for Monopoly. Dana also is a Trivial Pursuit buff, while Jun loves all three games! As far as video games, Jack doesn’t play them at all, Jun isn’t a huge fan, and Erika and David both go for Ms. Pac-Man.

Perhaps they should change the backyard basketball hoop to a volleyball net: only Scott is a hoops player, while Dana, Erika, Jun, and Nathan would all be up for a good spike. Afterward, Scott and Dana might like to attend a Knicks game together. As far as musical styles, Scott, Alison, and Jun all like rap and hip-hop; Alison and Jun are R&B fans as well. Make it rock for Jack, Dana, and Nathan; there could be some shared ground between David’s classic rock and Jack’s oldies as well, while perhaps some of Brandon’s favorite punk bands could fall under Dana’s definition of “alternative.” (Erika just likes “anything that inspires her to dance”!)

Poor Jun may not get a minute’s peace with her magazines: Alison will be asking to borrow her Cosmopolitan, Brandon will be wanting her Maxim, and Scott will be hounding her for her latest Playboy. As far as cookies, you can’t go wrong with chocolate chip for Alison, Dana, and Scott, although Erika only likes her mother’s recipe and Nathan wants Rainbow Chips Ahoy. Margaritas are a drink of choice for Jun and Erika; Jack and Erika have champagne tastes; Dana and Brandon opt for vodka tonics, although Dana prefers Grey Goose vodka while Scott just likes Ketel One straight. Nathan and Brandon may quibble over which “Long” Iced Tea is the best - Beach or Island, and while Jack is happy with beer in general, Dana prefers Amstel Light and David goes for Guinness. Both Nathan and Scott listed a parent as their personal hero: Nathan his mom and Scott his dad. Finally, Brandon, Erika, and Nathan are better at physical challenges, Jun, Jack, and Scott are better at mental ones, and Alison, Dana, and David consider themselves equally good at both.

Of course, none of these shared bonds are likely going to mean very much once the game is underway, just as all my predictions and analyses could be completely off base: going into it, I think I’m going to like Brandon, Dana, Erica, and Jun; I’m neutral on Jack and Nathan; and I think Alison, David, and Scott will inspire the most “shut ups” in my recaps, but a week from now I could be eating these words. As I’ll be recapping the premiere episode, I’ll see you then when we can all find out together!

Brian James is an actor/writer/singer in New York City. An avid reality show, Passions, early Ryan’s Hope, retro music, and Internet discussion board junkie, he can be found holding up "Will Snark For Food" signs in subway stations as he continues to search for that elusive "day job." Brian would like to stress that his writings are based solely on what he sees in each episode, and realizes that there may sometimes be more to the story and that people may behave quite differently under normal circumstances. Comments and cybertomatoes accepted at brianjamesrno@earthlink.net.

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