Saturday, May 10, 2008

Housemate Review: Who Are They Now?

We are 2 weeks into the series now, and there is an eviction looming. We've seen plenty of the HMs now, so who do they seem to be and what do they really bring to the series?

ALICE
She is the one I saw least potential in on Day 1. I didn't see much of interest coming from her then, and I can't say I do now either. Apart from a potential hookup with the short-lived Barney, and her cooking skills that apparently leave a lot to be desired, she hasn't provided any good Daily Show story lines. I can't see any real bond with other HMs either which will be a downfall if she ends up in the bottom 3-- and she has been in the Danger Zone for most of the week.

BEN
He is one of the most quiet HMs, but he has a really funny side that I think is being shadowed by the bigger personalities. We have seen him playing characters during Mr BB, and I think more of this entertaining side will come out if he is in there when the numbers are down to about 8 or less. But while he is on the quiet side, he has more chance of ending up nominated, and will require the HMs' backing to keep himself in there.

BIANCA
She says she is there to prove a point to Australia. She wants to be a role model for all teenagers because she is intelligent, doesn't drink, smoke, or do drugs, and is obedient. Does she think she's perfect? I actually now believe her when she says being attractive is her curse, because although she knows how to dress up nice, she really does downplay her looks. It's just the rest she goes on about. Corey has really challenged her beliefs and her strength and that has been a good character builder for her on the show, now that she has stopped going on about him. If she can let go of the act and show her true colours she could probably be a great HM.

BRIGITTE
You've always gotta love the ditzy one, but there's something about this one. She's either way too smart and is overplaying the dumb blonde, or she is the dumbest blonde the house has ever seen. All this Pricess Sparkle business is way too much to tolerate. Get over your little horsie already! Plus for the ditzy chick, we really haven't seen much of the usual mockery made of her. If we don't hear some real blonde comments from her soon, then she doesn't add enough to the house.

DAVID
This guy has a creepy background, and the creepiness has stuck with him. There is something just too odd about this bloke. He seems friendly enough. But I can't help but think of him being like the Brendan Fraser in Blast From the Past, where he's been secluded from the real world for so long and now he's trying to catch up on life. He offers the house nothing and would not be missed. The only thing he has building up for him is the day he decides to tell the HMs about his childhood and the big sob-story begins, but he might be holding back a little too long. You'd think he would have let it out a few days before the eviction at least.

DIXIE
The question isn't whether she'll last through an eviction. It's whether she'll last until an eviction! She has said many times since she got there that she wants to leave. For a mental health worker she seems very unstable! Aside from the tears, she seems to know how to have fun and is very funny. She's formed close relationships with some of the HMs which will help save her. She just has to relax and enjoy what she's doing before it's over. I can see her getting a fair way through the series.

NATHAN
Well he's safe this week, and we've only known him a short time. He seems like Mr Nice Guy. I doubt he'll get into any conflict which will see him become another under the radar guy and he'll be nominated many times. But he'll be popular in the house with both the guys and the girls. He gets along with both groups pretty well so far.

NOBBI
One thing he has going for him is how entertaining it is to watch him get the raw end of every deal. The HMs have taken a shine to him. I expected him to be in with the blokes, but a lot of the girls are on his side as well surprisingly. All I see is a bully, a whinger, and a sleaze. If this guy was lapping up luxuries in the house I would hate him, but the fact that he thinks he is suffering every minute of his life makes me enjoy pitying him. He knows how to play the game, and he will continue to bond with the tough guys and intimidate the weak guys, and argue his way through everything. And when he doesn't get his way, he will stamp his feet and have a tantrum like the spoilt little cry baby he is. Funny stuff.

REBECCA
Bianca may be the intelligent good-looking one, but Rebecca is the intelligent good-looking one with a personality. She could have easily been mistaken for the bimbo cover-girl, but she is showing there is a lot more to her. She's not getting a lot of screen time without the help of others but hopefully she'll last a while and we'll see more of her soon.

RENEE
She doesn't fit the mould of a BB girl which is quite interesting to watch. She has no problem hanging around the barbie with the blokes, but she gets along with the girls as well. Renee and Travis are really the only ties holding the girls and guys together this year. They manage to drift between groups and fit in wherever they go. She says she's not well educated but I don't think that's true. I think she knows a lot, but just doesn't care to know it. I think her bond with both groups will help her stay for some time.

RORY
Rory is the larrikin of the year. He is mostly sucked into Saxon's boy club so far, but he gets along well with most of the HMs. While he seems a bit of a tool, there is nothing sinister to him and he brings lots of entertainment to the house. I think he is valuable for now, but he will be very disposable when it gets to the last few weeks.

SAXON
He's a boofhead. The big guy with tickets on himself. Unfortunately the genders have divided again this year and I think mostly to do with Saxon. He has become the leader of the boys and he is drawing them into the boys club. Luckily he has been in the Danger Zone all week, and if the HMs get the courage up to do away with him it will likely help the guys and girls mix a bit more. The only thing worse than having him there is that if he goes, Nobbi will be the alpha male.

TERRI
She is what BB has needed all along, but is it in too big a dose? While they have cast a mature HM at long last, there is too much of a generation gap between her and the rest of the HMs, ranging only from 17 to 33. It has made her an outsider, when she should be a treat. She has so many stories to tell, but the rest of her HMs have an attention span of about 2 minutes. If they had spread out the age ranges more she would make it a long way, but unfortunately the HMs will single her out time and time again. They did it on the first night, they did it in FNL, and they will evict her as soon as the public lets them.

TRAVIS
He is the ultimate character. He has the quirky voice, the big heart, and the childlike innocense which all make him endearing. I can see finalist, if not winner, qualities in him. He will get annoying at times, but his character makes up for any shortcomings. Nobbi was right when he summarised Travis as saying what the others want to hear, but that is just because he doesn't have a bad bone in his body. He is as genuine as they come, and so proud to be who he is. I'm sure at home he is mummy's "special" little boy! ;-)