Big Brother 4, August 6: Campaigning, Rationalizing, and Other Hypocrisies

It’s 9/8 Central time on Wednesday and my day to recap Big Brother 4. Luckily, since the show recaps back to the stone age (and then Ook invented fire…), I know I have a good 10-15 minutes before I have to actually sit down and start watching. Recap. Recap. Hey, did you know that Robert winning the Veto was a “stunning victory”? That’s what the announcer says. Not sure what was so stunning about it compared to anybody else. In fact, given the nature of the game, it was pretty much a good bet that somebody like Robert or Jee would win because they were almost the other two that nobody else was going after.

Anyway, their recap is finally over and mine is just beginning. There’s Julie Chen. It’s Day 33, she says, and revenge is the word on many HouseGuests’ minds. As she discusses each one, she mentions their jobs and hometowns as if this is somehow important. I don’t know about anybody else, but when I look at Robert, I think, “That’s Robert,” not, “That’s a restaurant manager.” Maybe it helps Julie keep track of who’s who (although later we will see that she still blows it at times).

Julie introduces the next segment, talking about Alison and Dana, two intense rivals, and a friendship caught in the middle. Huh? They were never friends. Oh, as the piece starts, it turns out the friendship in question is Dana and Jun. Um, a little clarity, please, Julie?

Dana tells Jun that Dana is too honest to be there, she can’t lie. Jun is quiet in response. Why is it that so many HouseGuests from these shows say stuff like that when the facts shown on television contradict them? Anybody remember Krista from BB2? She’d lie and backstab and then claim that she would never lie or backstab – and it continued until she was out in the real world! (Then again, that has a lot to do with why she was inducted into the Reality TV Hall of Shame a while back.) Anyway, back to Dana, who seems to forget that she lied to the three stooges about voting out Michelle, she lied to her original alliance by making plans and promises with them and then stabbing them in the back, etc. Oh, yes, Dana is just a saint.

She goes on to say that the worst part of being against Jun is that she can’t really campaign against her. Jun says that if Dana is persuasive enough to convert Nate or Erika or Nathan, she’d faint. But Dana thinks she has the three amigos (stooges) in her corner, but unless she gets somebody else, Alison will cast the deciding vote. Justin says Dana will do whatever she needs and say whatever she needs to in order to stick around. Wait. He didn’t just imply that she might lie, did he?! Gasp! So then we see her doing just that – trying to convince people to stick around. Dana says several have said Jun will win because she will skate on through, so maybe Dana has a chance. “Maybe. Maybe. Maybe. Maybe.” Etc.

From there, the producers try to mislead us and make us doubt the foregone conclusion that Dana is leaving by showing some clips of Erika and Jack talking about a what-if Dana can stick around scenario. Erika says there must be some way to swing a deal out of this. In the Diary Room, she says Dana isn’t after her, so it might be worthwhile to keep her. Erika and Jack know they can’t trust Alison and Nathan.

Then Dana talks to Erika, but of course isn’t campaigning to stick around. Jun sees her come out of a room with Erika and Dana approaches her to talk about things, all the while claiming she hasn’t been campaigning. Jun doesn’t buy it. People in Bangladesh who have never seen the show don’t buy it. The only one buying it is Dana herself, about whom Jun wonders if she hit her head on something. Dana wants to hear Jun say, “Yes, Dana, I know you’re not campaigning against me,” but Jun says she won’t give her that satisfaction. She wants Dana out of her life, one way or the other.

Planning ahead, Alison says she does not plan to stick with just one alliance (apparently, she treats alliances like she treats men). She is going to jump back and forth as the power swings. She cut a deal with the stooges – she didn’t put them up and so they won’t go after her. Nathan says she shouldn’t have done that – he can be packing next week and she’ll still be there. She tells him to trust her. Said the spider to the fly.

Time to check in with the HouseGuests. Julie starts with Erika, saying she seems to be the big sister of the house – is that the case? Definitely. What’s it like to be the oldest of the women? Erika says she enjoys it and loves hanging out with the girls, who make her feel young again.

Moving to Alison, Julie comments that she likes her dress. Alison notes that it’s Erika’s. Heh. Julie says Alison has done quite a bit of flirting (the guys in the house hoot and applaud). Alison responds with a sarcastic, “Thanks, Julie.” Julie goes off-script for a minute and says she’s just telling her what we all see. Heh again. So, what does she think Donny thinks of all this? Alison says that hopefully he knows she’s just doing what she needs to in order to stay in the game, and he’s the one she wants to be with when she’s out of the house. Oh please. I’d love for Alison to explain how making out with Dave – who was about to leave the house – helped her strategically. How did flirting with Justin and letting him put candle wax on her breasts help her strategically? I could go on, but it would end up like a trashy romance novel. The point is that Alison must think that Donny is as dumb as most of the people in the house if she expects him to believe that line of BS.

Next up is Justin. Julie asks him if he wants to say anything to the woman who appears to be his girlfriend in the house in case she’s leaving tonight. He says they do spend a lot of time together and she is a great person – as Julie will have a chance to find out if she’s evicted. He says Dana knows it’s a game and the show must go on. He does care about her and he thinks she cares about him, but inside the house is where it has to stay.

Jee’s ex could be walking out today instead – is there anything he wants to say? Jee says he appreciates her cooking. If she goes, he hopes it’s for the best, good luck, etc. Jun gives a sarcastic “thank you very much” in reply. Staying with Jee, Julie references that it’s been a tough week for him because it’s the anniversary of his father’s death. Is there anything he wants to tell his family? Just that he loves them and is always thinking about them.

Time for the usual “chat with friends and family” segment. Dana’s cousin is there to tell us that Dana has a strong personality. Thanks for the revelation! She also notes that she can break wood using karate. Big deal. The folks on Amazing Race did that last week with about five minutes of training. And they weren’t working on any wimpy single boards – they had triple boards! Dana’s cousin continues that people had better not mess with her if they know what’s good for them. Um… Let’s see here. Dana turned on them and they wrecked her plans. Then they put her up and it looks like she’s going. Yeah, she sure showed them!

Dana’s cousin is a bit upset about the “mantroll” remarks about Dana and says that Dana is definitely a girl! Gosh, thanks for clarifying that for us, too! And you know what else? Alison nominating Dana was not a shock. Whoa. But then it gets funny as she says that Alison is threatened by Dana and didn’t like that Dana was hanging out with her ex-boyfriend, so that’s why she nominated her. Um. Yeah. And it had nothing to do with the fact that Dana nominated Alison the previous week and made it clear to one and all that she wanted Alison gone. Nah. Nothing at all. But Dana’s cousin would rather have a straight-up person like Dana than a schemer like Alison. If she were Alison, she wouldn’t mess with Dana! See my comments last paragraph. Sheesh. You know, these two are obviously related. And no, that’s not meant to be a compliment.

In Jun’s corner, we have her brother, Danny. He says Jun is the older sister and his mentor through most of his life. When their parents first found out about her being on Big Brother, they were worried about the family honor being broken. They’ve even chosen not to watch show, as too much skin is shown. Her parents want to see her wearing less revealing clothes.

With the secret alliance of Jee and Jun, Danny says they are using each other but know how the other thinks, so it’s an advantage for them both. Jun’s strategy is going well, he says, as she’s making friends with both the allies and exes (er, actually, she’s made it so neither group trusts her!). He says if Dana is kicked out, Jun will flirt with the new meat on the market, aka Justin. Yeesh. You know, there is just something wrong with a younger brother saying that about his sister.

Now it’s time for Julie to talk privately with Alison. She says that Alison has made it clear that she wants Dana out. As we’ve seen, though, the pawn often goes. (At this point, Alison is shocked – shocked – to hear this news. She thought the target always went! OK, I’m lying. But that’s what this idiots act like on a routine basis.) What will Alison do if Dana doesn’t walk out? Alison says she’s not really able to do anything as she’s not eligible for HOH again this week. But she will push and pursue Dana’s exit with the new HOH!

Julie notes that the alliance with Nathan seems to be wearing thin. Alison agrees, saying that unfortunately it’s a game, she had to flirt and be close with Nathan to get him to use the Veto. (Oh, please, that lame excuse again?) She’s used him but the alliance is no longer necessary, so he’s on his own now.

In a strange segue, Julie notes that Alison has been reading a lot of the Bible lately and wonders if it’s had an effect on how she plays the game. Well, let’s see. Alison is definitely coveting her neighbor’s ass, and has done so several times throughout the game. And that’s just the beginning. But Alison says it has affected her play, but because it’s more of a stress relief, helping her relax her mind. Ooookay.

Another question from Julie, who says that Alison and Justin, her ex, have exchanged some pretty harsh words, but they have a deal. Is that a deal she intends to honor? Yes, she won’t nominate him and she thinks he will honor it too. She says they can co-exist and not deal with each other inside the house and out.

Leaving Alison, it’s time to focus on the three stooges, Justin, Robert, and Jee. Julie says they’ve been allies since day one, and we hear what some of their housemates think. Jack says the three of them are always talking, so when you talk to one of them, you talk to all three. One stooge is Moe, the ringleader. That would be Justin. Robert is Larry, the sidekick. And therefore Jee is Curly. We see some amusing stooges-like behavior as Jack says they are comical, but they’re still here. Dana notes that when they first came into the house, they were the first three targets. But Jee won HOH and then Dana won it and joined their side as well.

The stooges talk about how they are now back on top! (Er, there are three of you and up to five of them. I don’t see how the math quite works out.) Alison notes that if the stooges win HOH, they will come after the other alliance. Thank you for that “DUH!” moment of the night. The stooges talk about how they would put Nate up if they win HOH and how he would go because they (the stooges) have majority vote. Um. Let’s see, one would be HOH and not allowed to vote. That means they would have two votes. I don’t see how two is a majority. Mathematicians, these guys are not. But Jack says that he’s been telling everybody that they need to get rid of these guys!

We go back inside and talk to the nominees. Dana has her usual sneer, but does she have any last words? She says she’s feeling a ton of gratitude and appreciation for so many things. She hasn’t been herself without friends and family around. And, she says in a slap, she talks about the handful of the others in the house who she can’t wait to know on the outside. Jun says that to call the house a roller coaster ride does not do it justice. She wants to stick around for more ups and downs because she thinks she thrives on drama. (There are laughs all around.)

Interspersed throughout the show, we saw the Diary Room thoughts of each player before they voted, but none of the votes themselves. I’ve brought them all together here for easier reading:

Jee says Dana is a very strong and blunt player who doesn’t hide her emotions. She’s very confrontational and will go to anyone and point out lies to their face. (How often does she visit the mirror to do that?) He says Jun can be conniving and use reverse psychology. She’s a dangerous player.

Erika says Dana is a strong player and a threat to winning the game. She’s also a loose cannon and you never know what she’s going to do. Jun is savvy, smart, and cannot be trusted because she can be a snake in the grass.

Jack thinks Jun plays this game with her head and not her emotions. She flies under the radar. Dana is a spirited lass. He likes the way she’s played this game, being aggressive and gritty. He has no ill will towards her.

Robert says Dana is a great person, passionate, and smart, but not a good player. Jun always has been and will be a dangerous player. You just don’t know what side she’s on.

Nathan calls Dana a very strong player. You can’t trust her – she’s out for blood and wants to take him down. Jun is like a sneaky snake.

Justin says Dana is very attractive and says what’s on her mind. She’s not fake. There is also just right amount of girl in her for him, whatever that means. He says that there is the personal level and the strategic level, and it’s a very tough vote for him to make.

So it’s eviction time! Julie surprises exactly nobody by saying, “By a vote of six to zero, Dana, you are evicted from the Big Brother house.” She walks to door with the others trailing her and then gives hugs all around – even to Alison and Nate.

As Dana walks out to talk to Julie, back in the house, it’s pretty quiet. There is some discussion of Dana (I think) going crazy over everything – lots of stress. They also talk about how the house will seem empty when there’s only three or four of them left.

Back to Julie, Dana says she’s doing well. Julie points out that it was a unanimous vote, not even Justin gave her a sympathy vote. Dana notes that there is no sympathy in this game. She understands what he did, and he had to do it. Besides, she’s rather it be 6-0 than 3-3 and have Alison give the final word. So she told the three guys to go with it.

Julie says that some (some?!) of the housemates felt she was too emotional when it came to playing the game – is that a fair assessment? Absolutely. Dana says she can’t hide it, it’s who she is. She can’t deal with phony people or lies (oy, this again). It was like a torture chamber for her. Oh please. Still, she has no regrets.

Julie presses on, saying that some felt she was campaigning against Jun. Is that accurate? No. Dana says it might have seemed that way, but she was just trying get a feel of what people were thinking. She wanted to make sure she had a fair chance and deserved a second chance just like Alison. I wonder if Dana has really convinced herself that she’s telling the truth here? Sheesh. Julie pushes the point and wonders what Dana calls it if not campaigning? She keeps on with her story, saying she told Erika to give her a fair chance and give Justin a heads-up if they were voting her out.

Moving to matters of love, Julie says Dana and Justin seemed to bond in house, will they continue? Dana says he will definitely be a friend outside the house. A friend? Not a dating potential? Probably not. She developed a bond with him, but just friends.

Of course, each person taped a “special message” to Dana. What’s Erika’s “special message”? Here it is: I hate to be the one to say I told you so but I told you so. Ouch. She says she warned Dana that if she went against alliance, she would be a target. Way to ensure her vote if you’re in the finals, Erika! (Even if what you said is absolutely true.) Jack says he likes Dana’s sassy spirit – she played the game hard and to the wall. Alison says she thinks Dana is a wonderful person and admires her. It’s a wonder Dana didn’t throw up on the spot. Jun says nobody else wants Dana there anymore, but they did share a lot of laughs, so take the game as a game and cast aside any personal feelings. Justin says the things he really loves about her are the same things that got her evicted, like the fact that she didn’t hide emotions and is not able to be fake. He can’t wait to see her on the outside. Wonder if he knows about the “I just want to be friends” thing.

Any final thoughts? Dana says it was great. They all told her not to go against the original alliance, but she’s nobody’s puppet. She did it her way and was evicted on her terms. “I am who I am.” (Thank you, Popeye.) And who is she? Well, the first member of the jury, who will be sequestered and later brought back to vote. Ugh, that’s right. We’re not done with her, are we?

With Dana gone, it’s time for the HOH competition, “Who Said It?” Julie will read a statement from the questionnaire that they all filled out before coming to the house. The players have a choice of Amanda, Michelle, David, Dana, or Alison. When Julie gives the quote, the players have to make sure the face of the person they think said it appears in their booth. If they’re wrong, they’re out. Last one standing wins HOH.

1. Who said that one of their bad habits is that they obsess about everything? Can that one be more obvious? It’s Dana, of course. Jack actually says Alison! He’s out.
2. Who said their favorite movie is Legally Blonde? Gotta be Michelle! Yup, it is. But Robert and Jun are out.
3. Who said that if they could be an animal, they would be an elephant because they are the true kings of the jungle? I’m thinking Dave, and so is everybody else, except Justin. It turns out to be Alison and her ex is the only one to get it right. Not surprising, I guess.

That was quick, so we have some extra time. After commercial we’re back at the house again. Julie congratulates Justin and asks how it feels. Pretty good. He says with both Dana and Alison as possible answers, he might have had a slight edge.

So, Jun, how do you feel? She feels good and didn’t want to leave the kitchen (the others didn’t want her to either!). Julie notes that her friendship with Dana seemed a bit strained in the past few days. Jun agrees that it was extremely strained and says now that they are separated, they should have a better ability to reconcile.

Julie completely puts Alison on the spot by asking how she will celebrate the eviction of Dana. Alison gives a good answer, saying she’s not going to celebrate and she actually feels pretty bad. Being on the show was a dream of hers and Alison feels like she shattered that dream. Julie points out that it’s everybody’s dream who is there, but Alison says it was especially Dana’s.

With still more time to kill, Julie goes around the horn and asks what each person misses most from the outside. Robert? His daughter. Justin? Um, no, that’s Nathan. (See what I meant earlier about confusing the HouseGuests?) He says family. Alison? Donny. Oh please. Jee? Carmen. Jun? Bob. Julie notes that this is the first time we’ve heard of this “Bob” guy, and it’s twice tonight – though I don’t recall the first time (probably when she was talking about family and friends and stuff). Justin? Family and friends. Jack? Erika pipes in that Julie skipped her. Whoops! Erika says family, as does Jack.

We will of course find out who is nominated on Friday’s show (earlier if you check out our spoiler page), and find out about the Veto Tuesday. But on Wednesday, the HouseGuests will cast live eviction votes on the show.

As we go into the closing credits, we eavesdrop on the house, where the three stooges and Alison are still in the living room talking. Alison says she’s a little mad about Julie’s question, but Rob tells her that what she said in response was beautiful. Justin tells her not to start crying and Rob repeats that she handled it well. We leave with the stooges consoling her.

So, what can we expect to happen next? Well, Justin will almost certainly nominate Nathan. Who else? Probably Jack. If he puts up Jack, he knows that Erika will vote to oust Nathan, so that’s one vote on his side. Alison will probably have to vote with the stooges or risk her own place. If all of those things work out, then Nathan will be gone. But, of course, things seldom work out that well (this week was an exception, not the rule). Now some may point to the fact that I made fun of the stooges earlier for saying they were on top and in control and all that. Remember that they said that before they knew who would win HOH and also remember that they were apparently just talking about themselves. Anyway, we’ll just have to keep watching to find out what actually happens!

Want to keep up with important events in the house? Check out our Big Brother 4 Spoiler Page for news on who wins contests and other ongoing info.

David Bloomberg is the Editor of RealityNewsOnline and can be reached at RNO@pobox.com.

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