Big Brother 19

[Calgary14]

The battle back wasnt nearly as close as they made it out to be and was basically handed to Cody.

Cody coming back isn't necessarily bad for Paul's game. Paul is clearly seen as one of the strongest players in the game (but not #1 now that Cody's back) and the focus completely shifts to Cody now. Almost all of the house will want him gone for good

And I think Jessica actually plays a better game without Cody in the house. She socializes more and plays her own game, but with Cody in the house she just follows him

[Machiavelli]

I'm done with this one, I think. It's become the Season of Paul, which I don't care to watch. Should have left it all newbies; the cast was interesting enough.

[Flabbibulin]

There was zero doubt that Cody was going to be the one coming back in. If you watched the last few moments of last night's episode, you could see Paul examining Cody's board- Im guessing he suspected Cody's board was a little easier. Im pretty sure guests arent permitted to talk about production at all (with cameras being on them 24/7), but wouldnt be surprised if they whisper with each other about how much the producers mess with the outcome.

All that said, I am enjoying this season. You can kind of rationalise them bringing back a guest given the unexpected departure of whats her face. Just obvious that it was going to be Cody. Just way too much potential for drama with him.

[Erick Estrada]

Really if Cody was smart he would try to team up with Paul and work together behind the scenes. He considers himself and Paul the two alpha males so why spend so much effort to get him out when they can work together and get rid of the rest of the house and duel it out later in the season? I sense Cody simply doesn't have the social game to pull this off as it's a matter of time until he starts getting irrational with someone that he was supposed to be working with and on the turn of a dime feels he needs to get them out asap.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Regardless of how rigged cody's return was, this has been far and away the most interesting cast in quite some time. They aren't all scumbags like previous seasons but have caused a whole ton of entertaining drama and twists in gameplay. It's too bad Cody doesn't seem to be a smart villain. I think he'll be out again soon. He's too dumb to be as controlling as past seasons' villains.

[mikephoen]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Regardless of how rigged cody's return was, this has been far and away the most interesting cast in quite some time. They aren't all scumbags like previous seasons but have caused a whole ton of entertaining drama and twists in gameplay. It's too bad Cody doesn't seem to be a smart villain. I think he'll be out again soon. He's too dumb to be as controlling as past seasons' villains.

I really disagree with the bolded. I've found this cast really boring and not very likeable at all.

One self eviction already, Christmas (who does seem to be one of the few interesting ones) being hobbled and production meddling more than ever before and this season is definitely one of the most forgettable so far.

That battle back fas a forgone conclusion right from the start, and conveniently Jess gets the power to keep Cody in the game if things go bad. They're really going out of their way to try to keep something dramatic going on. I'll stick it out for a while more, but if Paul goes out in the next couple weeks this will be horribly boring.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Well there have been no controversies due to racism, violence or bullying. That makes them instantly more likeable than numerous recent casts.

I'm not sure what production meddling just like they always do somehow makes the cast less interesting. We've seen more excitement and twists so far this year and than in some entire past seasons.

We've seen plenty of scheming and drama so far. Also something we haven't seen compared to recent seasons where we went weeks upon weeks with weak players being picked off and no power struggles in the house at all.

I'd way rather see a house like we've got where there are regular conflicts and scheming with a real villain in Cody than the whole house just follow one power player for weeks on end like we've seen in the past.

Paul isn't nearly cunning or enough of a bully to control the house like past house dictators. Not to mention there are too many strong players like Alex and Cody who won't follow him

Josh is entertaining, Kevin is great, Ramses is unpredictable, Jason is strong.

The only casting dud is Matt.

[mikephoen]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Well there have been no controversies due to racism, violence or bullying. That makes them instantly more likeable than numerous recent casts.

I'm not sure what production meddling just like they always do somehow makes the cast less interesting. We've seen more excitement and twists so far this year and than in some entire past seasons.

We've seen plenty of scheming and drama so far. Also something we haven't seen compared to recent seasons where we went weeks upon weeks with weak players being picked off and no power struggles in the house at all.

I'd way rather see a house like we've got where there are regular conflicts and scheming with a real villain in Cody than the whole house just follow one power player for weeks on end like we've seen in the past.

Paul isn't nearly cunning or enough of a bully to control the house like past house dictators. Not to mention there are too many strong players like Alex and Cody who won't follow him

Josh is entertaining, Kevin is great, Ramses is unpredictable, Jason is strong.

The only casting dud is Matt.

Maybe you're right... I might be misremembering how much I liked previous casts.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Well at the end of the day it is subjective. But all I know is that in previous seasons I was in the big brother thread continuously complaining at how much I hated how boring the show was that the nominations were in no way unpredictable and that nobody in the house would ever stand up to the dictating players.

So I guess all I'm saying is that it's a little surprising to me that someone would find this season to be more boring than previous years or the cast less likeable.

[Erick Estrada]

I actually like this cast as it's got a good mix of age and personality.

[d_phaneuf]

Happy Cody came back

Agree on this cast being great

There's so many ways the season could go still

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Flabbibulin

There was zero doubt that Cody was going to be the one coming back in. If you watched the last few moments of last night's episode, you could see Paul examining Cody's board- Im guessing he suspected Cody's board was a little easier. Im pretty sure guests arent permitted to talk about production at all (with cameras being on them 24/7), but wouldnt be surprised if they whisper with each other about how much the producers mess with the outcome.

All that said, I am enjoying this season. You can kind of rationalise them bringing back a guest given the unexpected departure of whats her face. Just obvious that it was going to be Cody. Just way too much potential for drama with him.

When I was younger I used to watch Big Brother After Dark. Essentially the uncensored live feed from midnight onwards. Generally it was boring, but you really got to see how much production was involved. The minute someone would Talk about any sort of production, they'd come over the PA in the house and say "x, talking about production is forbidden. Further volations could result in expulsion" or something along those lines.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

When I was younger I used to watch Big Brother After Dark. Essentially the uncensored live feed from midnight onwards. Generally it was boring, but you really got to see how much production was involved. The minute someone would Talk about any sort of production, they'd come over the PA in the house and say "x, talking about production is forbidden. Further volations could result in expulsion" or something along those lines.

It does have to be frustrating for the guests that are playing a good game but see their efforts spoiled as the producers try to keep crowd friendly players in the game.

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

It does have to be frustrating for the guests that are playing a good game but see their efforts spoiled as the producers try to keep crowd friendly players in the game.

That's the problem I have with this season. It's just so blatant how producers are manufacturing the competition to look the way they want. Paul had almost zero percent chance to beat Cody in that challenge and how they treated it like it was actually a close competition is just insulting to me.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

That's the problem I have with this season. It's just so blatant how producers are manufacturing the competition to look the way they want. Paul had almost zero percent chance to beat Cody in that challenge and how they treated it like it was actually a close competition is just insulting to me.

Selective editing is not new to this season. And definitely not worse than other seasons. Manufacturing competition is different than selective editing. Neither are new to the show.

One involves manipulating house guests, comps, or actual results. The other is just editing to bring drama to the viewer.

They are guilty of both I think but the editing part doesn't actually change the gameplay, just what we see.

Selective editing is a hallmark of reality tv and has been happening for years. Manipulating results, well that's been happening for years too and is more disingenuous but they do it way less often.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

That's the problem I have with this season. It's just so blatant how producers are manufacturing the competition to look the way they want. Paul had almost zero percent chance to beat Cody in that challenge and how they treated it like it was actually a close competition is just insulting to me.

It's a bit of a double edged sword though as if they don't keep popular players viewers tune out and if ratings drop maybe the show gets cancelled or moved to cable.

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

It's a bit of a double edged sword though as if they don't keep popular players viewers tune out and if ratings drop maybe the show gets cancelled or moved to cable.

It's a balance for sure. Just seems so obvious and overdone this year.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Cody is just not good at this game period.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

It's a bit of a double edged sword though as if they don't keep popular players viewers tune out and if ratings drop maybe the show gets cancelled or moved to cable.

K but the Battle Back comp editing had no effect on outcomes. I think you guys are confusing production influencing gameplay and selective editing. What's her face from BB 12 or 14 getting the Pandora's Box at the last minute saving her was clear production influence. Editing pretending Paul and Cody's comp was close didn't actually change the fact Cody smoked him.

One clearly affects gameplay, the other is just how results are displayed to viewers.

[mile]

Cody coming back was the worst thing that could happen for Jessica's game. They screwed themselves by wasting this HoH week.

Jessica had the right idea...then she had to suggest Alex's name to Cody. That put him off from wanting her to use the veto.