I think the reason they are "throwing" the votes is because they believe that CBS is manipulating the game. I, for one, don't have anything personal against Eric, It's more of a message to CBS to tell THEM that WE are in control. There have been a number of times in the live feeds that HG make reference to diary room persuasions. I do not agree with that at all. I don't think show producers or whatever they are should be trying to persuade HG to act certain ways or vote certain ways. I think the America's vote is a way for the public to tell CBS to shut UP! If they want to manipulate the players, so can we!

It may sound childish but I really do think that's what is going on in lots of fan's minds. I for one didn't vote to keep him away from Jessica because I want them to vote DUSTIN out!

i think eric should tell the viewers to go to hell & not give jessica the silent treatment. it is so stupid. granted i dont have the live feeds but i dont think eric is a weasel. i dont get that either HD.

Kelli - As has been mentioned in posts before, the DR has always played a part in the game. Why continue to even watch the show if you feel so strongly about it?

I agree that voting for Jess was the wrong move for many reasons with the biggest reason being he will probably ignore it like he has other directives (being that he only HAS TOO vote the way we want him, anything else, he only loses a chance at the extra$$).

How ever, the reason I don't like him and would like to see him go sooner than later, is his fundimental mistakes such as working so hard on getting Nick out and then only have heartedly switching to Kail when America had all along prior to the directive wanted Kail or Jen gone. Maybe he should have seen it coming maybe not, I ould have hoped he had the smarts to see that, but his ego of wanting to be the "stud" in the house was deplorable and laughable.

I for one believe he is a weak player with or with out Americas help and have favorites other than him as does many of the rest of America. It may be shooting ourselves in the foot to get him out, unless you don't honestly want him there which is the catagory I'm in. I don't mind sacrificing the AP as he would be more difficult to get out later due to his status as the AP.

But regardless, it is all part of the game within the house as well as outside of it. It does make it interesting to see how he reacts to his marching orders...

I'm with you HamsterDame! WHAT ARE THESE PEOPLE THINKING????? I voted for Eric to give Dick the silent treatment. Lord knows... Dick doesn't need encouragement to speak his mind. I seriously think it's a bunch of Dick fans screwing with Eric. I also like what Jude had to say... "Eric should tell the viewers to go to hell."

And by the way... from a westcoast girl without the live feeds... THANKS SOOOO MUCH FOR THE PLAY BY PLAYS! YOU ROCK MY FRIEND!!!!

You said it all again HD. And very eloquently. I'm 100% in agreement with you. And I think Eric should refuse to cold-shoulder Jessica. And quit trying to get Dustin out. America doesn't care about him so why should he care. (my apologies to the one's that voted sensibly)Is the money more important than his integrity?

Sorry to hear that you are so digusted HD.

I, on the otherhand, am quite pleased to find out that Eric will have shun Jessica. It restores my faith in humanity, at least for the moment. Continuing on the same theme as Kelli, I hope that it was a message to CBS that the audience isn't fooled by their blantant manipulation of this show.

Besides what is the point of voting for who 'deserves' it. None of them do.

Unfortunately all reality shows, Big Brother included, aren't real genuie contests where the best player wins. It's nothing more than a drama crafted under the guise of a 'reality' show.

And pierced nipples and funky eyebrows are reason enough for me to dislike.

VERY WELL SAID HD! Great points, and I would love to see some answers to the questions you pose also.. other than "eric is a weasel..blah blah blah"
the only point I have is.. he doesnt HAVE to succeed at his tasks- he just doesnt get paid.. so whats more important to Eric.. the long end of the game or $10,000

Hey there HD,

Great job with you blog. I love it!

Because you asked I will tell you why I can't stand Eric. The eyebrow is wierd and every time I see him raise it I start imagining him saying things like, "Can you smell what The Rock is cooking?" In fact, didn't he get in a wrestling match with Jen or was that someone else? BUT that is not why I don't like him. I myself have toes that look like cashews and plenty of other physical defects so I am not going to judge the eyebrow thing. I started to dislike Eric after the show where he was in the DR talking about how Nick had to go home because there wasn't room in the house for two hot guys that were good with the ladies or some such nonsense like that. REALLY? Eric puts himself on the same level as Nick when it comes to seductiveness and physical prowess? Could he have that little self awareness? His parents must of done a great job of building his self-esteem as a child because he definitely holds hiself in high regard. That just bugged me. Then he began to loose more favor with me with his half-hearted attempts at accomplishing the tasks we gave him. And he basically said the other day in the DR that America needed to get on board with his "game." No we don't. What is the point of that? If we voted the way that he wanted us to then what is the point of having him in the house. So in a nut shell I think he is a narcisist... not to the Jenth degree, but a narcisist none the less. And he is not committed to being America's Player. I was hoping for an AP that would play with heart... someone that we would be jumping off of our couches to cheer for screaming Rudy, Rudy, Rudy! He doesn't do that for me. So HD, I don't know if you consider those "real" reasons or not but that is my beef with Eric.

Thanks again for your blog.

We are messing with erics game because he wants us to play with his agenda not ours. That is not what here is there for. He is cocky when he shouldnt be and his comments about people based on something he did really do is unexcusable. Eric is a poor excuse for an a americas player.

I voted for Eric to give Amber the silent treatment cause I think that eventually the rest of them will get sick of her hysterics and get the b!tch out of there! Sheesh! I think it's just cruel to make him give it to Jessica and I hope he ignores it! She is his only real alliance in the house and I'd like to see them both stay and Dick and Dani go.

I didn't vote for him to ignore anyone because I don't like this "America's Player" thing... at all. I've been a faithful viewer and fan of this show since Season One and in my opinion this has been the worst season by far. I do not agree with the whole America's Player thing because Eric really isn't being allowed to play HIS game. He's being led around by the collar by viewers who probably don't even care about the game. They just want to vote to mess up his game as much as possible. Yes, Eric could have chosen not to be America's Player, but I'm sure if he had chosen not to, he wouldn't have been allowed in the house because he knew the "secret twist" for the season. Big Brother isn't meant to be played by people OUTSIDE of the house. It's meant to be played by people who are on the INSIDE. I don't have anything against Eric other than that he annoys me at times and his nose is horrid. I believe he deserves to be in that house if only because he is America's Player. He was being targeted because he voted how America told him to. He shouldn't be evicted from the house. It should be America and the power trip they're on.

I could not stand Jen for the first few weeks, but now I'm rooting for her to make it all the way to the end. She's dealt with so much BS in that house and she's only broken down once (when Dustin nominated her) and she always has a smile on her face. She's probably cracking on the inside, but you sure can't tell. Could any of us be that way if we were in her position? Most likely not.

I have so many other complaints about this season that I could go on and on about, but I won't because I don't want to be sitting here for hours.

Does Eric have to vote for elimination how America wants him to? I mean, it doesn't appear that he has any choice in the matter, does he?

That would suck to be AP. He won't be in the final two. Nobody will trust him. If Dick doesn't go home this week, he will be in the final two. Especially with America's votes.
Producers have to know that Eric will not make it to final two if he has to vote how America chooses. Very tricky. That doesn't sound fair to me. Why don't the producers just vote every week who they want to go home?

I agree with you HD. I don't understand why America is doing this! The DR is ALWAYS involved in making for better watching. BUT - I was so glad to see Dick & Dani get the tables turned on them. Eric is QUITE the talker. I thought he was a goner for sure. The only bad thing that can hurt him this week is if Jess puts Dustin up in Danielle's place (if Dick uses the veto on Dani - which he probably will). Because stupid America voted for Eric to get Dustin out, Dustin will probably go & D & D will stay. Sheesh!

I've been posting on this topic in the context of your other threads for this past week so I'm loathe to repeat myself . . . BUT . . .

I think the problem is three-fold:

(1) Semantics: Calling Eric "America's Player" is rather arrogant of CBS and invites dissention. It also is untrue. IF he actually wins (which "America" is seeing to, that he won't) it's HIS money, not America's. So he's first, and foremost, his OWN player, CBS' player second and the Viewer's player, THIRD. To say that he is "America's Player" presupposes that America chose him, America selects the tasks he does and America - whatever that entails, is watching. They aren't. Only a small fraction. How about, instead, "OUTSIDE LINK," or "VIEWER'S CONNECTION" or any number of better and more appropriate names?

(2) STUPID tasks. Mustard on a pillowcase? Starting a catch phrase? Ignoring Jessica? How much money are they paying the idiot who is coming up with these stupid tasks? We had a thread on this site at the beginning of the show with many many more original ideas (I had 10 myself). CBS could have used any of those. Still can. Instead, they insist on lame. Doesn't even make a person WANT to vote, when you are hoping that regardless of the "winner," Eric decides simply not to complete the task at all.

(3) SPOILERS - there are those who would rather spoil the show than participate. Look at the campaign to vote for the guy with the worst voice on American Idol. It was embarassing for him that he made it as far as he did, and since I can't even remember his name - the publicity must not have helped his singing career much. Instead, it helped to bring down the quality of the show and competition. Someone more deserving was cut free in order that people with cell phones and money to burn could get their jollies out of voting contrarily, just to spoil the show. BUT, CBS - - this could have been controlled. Instead of getting to choose the houseguest victim - instead, let the viewers vote on one of several tasks. That way, Eric can complete the task consistent with HIS strategy. Yes - since he wants to win the money HIS strategy should definitely be taken into consideration.

So - poor semantics, stupid tasks and spoilers have all demonstrated that "America's Choice" was poorly conceived and implemented. If it's to be used next year, CBS ought to put some more thought into it - and maybe hire a writer or two who has an idea about how the game works and what might actually be FUN for viewers to participate in doing. If the "OUTSIDE LINK" (i.e. Eric / AP) is to really be playing for the viewers, then he or she should have access to outside information - - blogs and you tube, diary room - - ALL THAT STUFF. Then he or she could start dropping information that would make the other houseguests suspicious of each other . . . an entire house full of paranoid players. Now THAT would be fun!

NOW THAT WE'RE STUCK with it, as is - I really think that Eric should start saying "Nope. I'm not even going to try. You can keep your task money - since I won't be able to complete this task, anyway." He should vote as HE wants to if voting as instructed would be fatal to his continuation in the game. He can "attempt" to ignore Jessica by not answering her ONCE. And then that task is OVER AND DONE. After all - - what is the "silent treatment"? How many hours, days or conversations? It's rather subjective, anyway.

I so love your blogs HD, but I am in total agreement with JennyLynn on the Eric/AP issue.

I know that it probably messed up his BB game when he was given the AP spot, but he accepted it, and should be playing it with 100% effort. I also think that if he has watched all the BB seasons, he would realize how he is walking the Nerd Herd line! He saw the banner! BTW, I did not vote for him to give Jessica the silent treatment, I wanted Dustin, because I wanted to put see Dustin panic.

The best answer/reason to not like Eric was well stated by JennyLynn - he's there to be OUR/AMERICA'S player and not his own! If we just go along with "HIS" game, then why do we even play at all??? Though I still beleive it would have been best for him to give Whamber the cold shoulder as she would have gone bonkers about it and I beleive he would have gone through with this vote, but there is no way he will obide by the vote for Jess, showing again that he is his own player with no regards to America's wishes whether he likes America's choice or not.

From HD - Do you expect him to split his prize money up with everybody in America? LOL

AMEN HD! AMEN! I was so pissed off last night when I saw that it was Jessica for sure that those people had voted for. You said everything I wanted to then but wisely didn't post because I was too spittin mad!

People keep going back to the Casanova thing - sarcasm is a fine art, and Eric excels at it. I don't get how people believe he was SERIOUS about that.

As for half hearted attempts - come on - he still has to PLAY THE GAME. He sees things that we - even on the feeds - can't. He is trying to get to the end, WITH us, and folks are deliberately mucking it all up.

Ugh.

And it's gonna kill Jessica. She's currently in the HOH bathroom very upset at it all. America's majority votes SUCK.

I miss America's Choice. Sure, the things we voted for were kind of stupid, but they seemed to have much more impact than whose stuff should some guy vandalize. Yawn. I vote to bring back America's Choice. :)

I was a huge fan of Eric at the beginning. He was taking this AP stuff with a good attitude. But then America voted for him to do something that he didn't want to do - i.e., get Kail evicted instead of Nick. He made absolutely no attempt to do that, and in fact, made sure that Nick would be voted out, by blaming everything he had done (and more) on Nick. Eric also made it clear in his Diary Rooms that he thought America was foolish for not voting Eric to do what Eric wanted to do. He seems to think America is spending their $.99 text messages to help him win $500,000 (as well as his $10,000/5 task AP fee). Instead, America is thinking that Eric is "earning" his $10,000/5 task fee by doing what America wants to see happen in the house.

Add that to the observation that Eric completely changed personalities once he was in danger himself. He became paranoid, annoying and hateful when he wasn't sitting pretty for the first time.

I certainly changed my opinion of him quite a lot over the past two weeks. I'm not surprised that the majority of people voting for these tasks are less concerned with what Eric wants, and more concerned with what they want to watch on TV.

And if Dustin gets put up and then evicted because of America's vote, more power to 'em!

You're completely right. It makes absolutely no sense for people to screw over Eric and thus screw over their chance to play. I think if he wins it'll show that America *really* knows how to play.

Well said.

Personally, I think this America's Players thing is a crock.... I think Eric should have the option to "veto" up to 5 tasks he deems ridiculous. What are people thinking? Seriously, Jessica does not deserve that, and I hope Eric does say screw it, and continues to talk to her. So childish.

PS - hating Eric is one thing. Why deliberately hurt Jessica and her game, and her HOH?

It seems that Eric is becomming a bit smug to be honest. To me it appears that Eric thinks we all really dig him and want HIM to win when reality we are voting for what WE want to see, not to save him or protect him.

Example: Simply put, America liked Nick more than Eric and did not approve of Eric's actions to oust him. Thus, America voted accordingly.

That is the problem with AP, are we voting for what is most interesting, or are we voting to protect the AP so we can keep voting?

If Eric was wise, he would catch on that votes are against his best interest and that America is trying to sabatoge him not help him.

Please...boo hoo....poor AMERICA ($5000 dollars poor amERICa) or should I call him Eric...????
I wanted him not to talk to Jessica in hopes to put some pressure on her to put DUSTIN or make another move ( WITH HER OWN MIND) to save D&D!!!

He will pull it off (Eric)...like she has offended him some how and play it like a "cutesy crush" thing...nah nah...I'm not talking to you...he will make a bet with her...like a game...NO DAMAGE WILL BE DONE!

Hey HD - NO, I never said that he would split his money with America, however, now that you brought that up, what a nice perk that he gets that none of the rest have a chance at... So he does get something from this and if he played his cards right from the beginning, he would not have been put into the position with AMerica that he is now. I beleive many feel betrayed by him and thus are taking it out on him. Had he gone along with America, we would probably be voting differently though there are always going to be some who would try to throw a wrnch into the works. But when it is the majority voting the way they do, then there has to be something said that they do not want him anymore.

Remember I wished for Whamber to get the cold shoulder and even voted 30 times using different IP addressed computers as well as a phone... But more people saw fit to throw him to the dogs which means he had better figure that out and try to get America back on his side using different tactics than previous or he will be going home soon....

I am disgusted with America Player's concept. The
idiots voting what Eric should do, has gone tooo far. If Eric shuns Jessica he will show his true colors...GREED. I will NEVER watch CBS news again (can't remember the last time I watched it). Playing organ music when Amber was praying for guidance, was dispictable. The female version of Dick that's hosting House Calls, should be fired..not given a raise. The constant editing the live feeds is annoying as hell. We pay for the service...let us watch. Who cares when the HG talk about the crew, or what happened during the pre-show period. Love you HD..you have a real grasp on reality.

What it comes down for, is people pick who they want to win. CBS obviously doesn't understand how fans think. If I wanted Eric to win, I would try to help him. But I don't. So anyway I can screw him over, it's a better chance for my favorite to win. People are always going to choose their own favorite. It's like me saying, "This will be your favorite music." If you like something else a lot better, why would you play it if you had a choice?

It sucks that Jessica's upset because Eric's not talking to her.

:(

I haven't been an Eric fan of late, but I also think voting to give Jessica the silent treatment is wrong.

Even if someone dislikes Eric, he needs to be used in the next day or so to get Dustin up on the block and out of the game. Talking to Jessica is vital for getting that done.

I voted 5 Jameka and 5 Amber.

HD - I thought you were a Jen fan? I kinda like Jess to and hate that she is upset, but she may now look at things differently, and I would think teaming up with Jen would be better to her advantage if they could keep it quiet... I personally would like to see a Jess, Jen, Dani final three and let the chips fall where they will from there...

From HD - I am a Jen fan first. But I also like Jessica and it sucks to see her cry just because the majority of people voted for Eric not to talk to her. Besides, I also want Dustin put up and gone and that might have been carried out better if Eric and Jess could talk.

AMEN HD! *organ music playing in the background*

I think the America's player was a really bad idea. Yes, CBS was trying to get "America" involved - but I think they way they went about it was a little misguided. First off - it's pretty much not fair to the player involved. As much as I hate Eric (mostly for shallow reasons, like the voice and the eyebrow and nipple rings...sorry) - I think he's in a difficult position where he's trying to combine his strategy with what "America" tells him to do. Secondly, the "options" that we get to vote on are ridiculous.

I think it would work better if the HGs knew that America got a say in who got evicted - by an online vote, that would be counted with the HG's votes each week - though, I suppose that does turn into a popularity contest at some point - so maybe that is what CBS is trying to avoid by doing this whole "underhanded" America's Player behind the other HG's backs? America could also vote on things (like we have in the past) - as far as rewards, etc...I think that would keep it fun and give them something to look forward to...instead of turn into this dirty, slug fest that has transpired this season!

I did think it was odd that they didn't mention the AP to Kail when she was brought out last week...hmmmm...wonder if they'll have the opportunity to bring an ex-HG back into the house?

I have to admit though, I do love ED. He rocks. The house will be boring without him - I just can't stand watching the 07 NH!!!

Unfortunately messing with the voting is the nature of the beast when it comes to a lot of these instant vote contests, most of the time, where you have an internet voting element.

Like for example the old MTV Wanna Be A VJ contests which were some, if not the first, of the first bigger contests to use the internet as a voting tool. People tried to mess with MTV by voting what seemed at least to me were actually the worst choices to try and mess with the network. The runner-ups had better broadcasting carreers then the ones that won and I don't think it was by chance. MTV moved away from the veejay format but still I think that had to be one of the deciding factors in getting rid of the contest.

If American Idol had a form of internet voting I think the worst competitors would get through to the end because those who really want to vote are going to wait through the busy signals not those who simply want to mess with it. The internet is a quick boom bang. I am in, put in my votes, and I am out going on with my life.

It is nice to see people coming forward and explaining why they are doing what they are doing. I applaud you but even if Eric was having the nicest diary room edits shown on the show, there wasn't diaryroom gate, and a number of other reasons I think the votes would be still aimed to mess with him most of the time. The only way to make it a bit fairer for America's Player would to only have the text option since an 800 system wouldn't be cost effective for CBS. A lot of people wouldn't want to spend the money to simply mess with whoever happens to be the player.

As far as Eric he has always been closer to one of my favorites because of the America's Choice crutch even though many from the start felt like it was kind of a cheat and kind of bought into it until Jen won H.O.H. and Jessica was voted to try and get nominated I knew voting was likely to be more on the screwy side like usual when it comes to these things.

I think all things happen for a reason! Starting with Jessica doubting why she and Eric are not on talking terms and how that might affect the Holy Alllaince. Eric has, thru Jam , given a great story, his fake illness, to cover the time he must be quiet towards Jessica. I think this puts and little tremor in the HOLY ALLIANCE. Their confident smug faces look a bit unraveled at the moment, or is it great acting? I personally voted for Dustin, I thought it would be fun to see the little sensitive guy another chance to go bonkers..LOL.

Thanks for the chance to vent..and rant...
Can't wait to see what happens!!!

Yeah HD - I'm upset that Jessica is upset re: Eric's silent treatment, but I'm more upset that Eric even attempted this task. He obviously wants the short term money more than he values their alliance and the potential for a bigger take at the end. Unless he's actually given up on winning and he's just trying to collect task money, now - don't know why he accepted this one, at all.

But - - Jessica has made it clear through her actions and comments, that she no longer trusts Eric. So she's posturing in front of him, anyway. Maybe this will have a positive effect if she realizes they are stronger together than separate.

Has "silent treatment" even been defined? Since Jessica is upset - does that qualify as a completed task, so he can now talk to her again? This has got to be the most inane task yet.

Well HD, im not ashamed to admit that i voted not 1 but 10 times for eric to shun jessica. Am i a ED fan (of course) do i dislike eric (i cant stand the lil creep). But my stlye of voting is to inflict the most chaos in the house as possible in whatever way i could. If AP was D&D guess what....i would have voted for one of them to not speak to each other. I really believe that the force 5 are riding to high right now and there moves were too predictable. Im glad we have a way to shake things up in there little group. And thats the way i feel about it HD.

Reasons?????

Dick:
-Because he's in your face, loud, rude, confrontational, public, and willing to stand by his convictions, publicly. Eric spreads disgusting and libelous rumors and cowers when Dick is within 50 feet of him.
-Because whatever "smack" Dick does talk behind peoples backs, he's also willing to shove right in their faces, and in front of others. Nothing he says in private is different than what he says in public.
-He talks no "smack" that is blatantly untrue or libelous (i.e. incest or blowing noses into hand towels).
-He states opinions, right, wrong, or irritating, they're still opinions or observations (i.e. Christian hypocrisy, raising your daughter while drug addicted)... Under no stretch of the word can insinuating an incestuous relationship be considered an "opinion".

Eric:
Eric is nervous, sly, desperate, twitchy, evil, underhanded, willing to state the most heinous accusations or put them in others mouths to repeat as if their they're own, but is NEVER willing to stand up and state any of the above to anyone who matters, in person. Courage of your convictions anyone?

I wasn't particularly a Dick fan before, he made me laugh, because I know people like that, but Enh, whatever. Eric's METHOD of attack, no guts no glory, and insinuating that there is an incestuous relationship, that DR people told him that there was extra security because of Dick, threatening to blow Whambers "secret" thereby blackmailing her, "Zach is a KNOWN rapist", that Dick below his nose into and towels, that Dick would poison or otherwise mess up their food, etc., is NOT playing the game with courage, it's hurting others (all the hamsters by making them do his dirty work or take the brunt), and there's no elegance in it. Well, despite not particularly being a Dick fan before, I am now. Honestly is to be applauded, even if it's "in your face". Hiding behind others is not.

As far as America's Player? Have it be a straight up front, honest, the hamsters know in advance that America is voting thing. No hamster surrogate. Just America Votes. ALL these hamsters have SAG cards, or want to, ALL of them want to be famous someday. If they know America has a say in weekly votes, then lets see how they act - Actions have consequences and all that... Maybe we'll get less ugly incestuous play, and more elegant, worth being on a TV Show play...

"...
Or would you rather America's Player, Eric, the hamster that's playing for us and for him, go as far as possible so that we could have a hearty laugh at the other hamsters' expense at the end of the game?..."

He's not playing for me... No, the bad taste in my mouth would not be worth it, nor do I think I could choke up a laugh at anyone's expense at the bitter, ugly way it all went down.

How's THEM specific apples?

:)

Cheers!

kim p.s. I didn't vote, but I'm tickled and amused that America picked Jessica. Time Eric got some of what's coming to him.

BTW - he doesn't have a choice. He has to make some attempt at the tasks, while keeping his strategy alive as well. So short term greed? Does not come into effect.

I am sorry to see Jessica so upset. I may not like Eric but in no way did i want to see Jess hurt, I'm sorry Jessica. She seems to be under alot of pressure and doesn't know what to do. Go with your heart. Eric is AP and we r stuck with him cant get rid of him. Eric is telling everyone he can't talk to anyone not just Jess. Its still all for the money. Its amazing how much people will put up with or do for money. I am no way on Eric's side i don't like him haven't from the start, but when innocent bystanders get hurt then i have to rethink my motives. We all still have to remember its a game and games r unfair. Again i'm sorry Jessica has gotten hurt with all this, she doesn't deserve it.

I don't enjoy Eric. At all. He started out ok, but slowly he's just become more and more intolerable. I remember before Nick left Eric made a comment about how Nick tries to be the ladies man and flirt with all the women in the house and tries to be bros with the men and that was HIS (Eric's) job. There wasn't enough room in the house for the both of them. I really had to LOL at that one. The main reason I dislike Eric and Dustin for that matter, are their attitudes. Funny how they had no problem at all with Dick's rantings and behaviour when it benefited them. Did either of them ever speak up when Dick's targets were Jen and Kail? I don't remember them saying a word. I didn't vote in this last AC, but I would've cast my vote for either Dustin or Amber. Maybe some people voted for Jess, not thinking it might screw up her game, but piss her off enough to put Eric on the block? I dunno.

Personally, I don't like ED or Danielle either. ED does make the show somewhat interesting and always full of drama, so at least that's something. I'm hoping Zach takes it all. No one else seems to think so, but I think he's pretty yummy to look at. ;)

Maybe people should read 1984 (which is where BB gets it's name). 'Big Brother' was always watching...and CONTROLLING! The DR 'persuasions' are part of the BB experience. The HGs still have their own minds and can make their own votes, the DR just tries to convince them to vote other ways.

Get it?

Perhaps a little history/reading is in order for a lot of people.

I agree 100% with you HD. The amount of input we have had may not be as much as some people would like but they should also realize that if its a failure this year, we probably won't get another chance in the future and it will go back to the same past dumb and limited contributions.

You are also right about the people who are voting anti Eric choices are ED fans. But what can you expect from people who think like him. He has used people throughout this game as toys, such as poor Zach, and even Kail and Jennifer and he will continue to use and abuse people even in sequester.

I myself don't care for the superior attatude Eric exibits when he speaks. Watch the way he hosts comps, speaking like a butler announcing a arriving guest to the ball. He sounds the same way every time he speaks for any length of time. I expect to hear trumpets heralding before he starts a speach.

As for Eric agreeing to be America's Player, I doubt he had much choice. After all, he would have known the hidden twist of season 8 and most likely been excluded from the game if he had turned it down.

it's not Eric personally that I dont like, its the whole america's player idea. it takes away from the game.

and sometimes he makes a face that literally frightens me. little nipple man/creep.

I am with you HD...I hate that Eric is making Jess cry....pout....they are my fav's and America is mean! :(

I voted for Dick....

Thee are many more people who are not Eric fans than just the ED fans. ED is not the only one "using" people to win this game. As a matter of fact many more of the LNC with Eric leading the way are using each other - it's what the game is all about - no one is innocent.

So far as the DR Gods go, it is what it is and how unfortunate these hamsters are in not being able to make up their own minds (Jen excepted as she still voted to get Eric out if I remember correctly). It should go to show everyone who has kutspa (sp). What fun it is to watch all of the antics from all sides and as bad as it is for Jess (I like her personally as I have her in my final 3 pick), she needs to realise that this is all part of the game and move forward with her own plans (hopefully without Eric).

we are a passionate group are we not HD? :)

From HD - Yes indeed! And I wouldn't like it any other way! ;)

KIM I loved what you said couldn't have said it better!!! you spoke volumes about the different game that Dick plays vs Eric's game. There is truth to that Eric has been the one to spout off about incestuous relations between Dani/Dick. How gross! that's not even funny to joke with!!!

His put downs reminds me of an insecure person who wants to bring people down to his level so he can feel better about himself!

Why is CBS doing this stupid America's Player in the First Place?

It is not what the viewers wanted.

The viewers want to have the power to choose the nominees for eviction or choose who goes up if someone wins pov and chooses to use it.

Not this stupid idiotic "silent treatment", "put mustard on a shirt", or "start a moronic catch phrase".

CBS thinks the viewers are morons and they must be right because moron viewers actually must be participating in these polls........or CBS is lying to us all...fixing the vote...and choosing what they want Eric to do.

So now that Dustin is nominated, does Eric's vote automatically go to eliminate Dustin? If that is true Eric will be going home next week. Dick used his veto on Daniele.

If it looks like a snake, has a venemous tongue like a snake, slithers like a snake, it's Eric. He is boring, obnoxious, harps on the same lies to these ignorant housemates, over and over again, he's the King of Liars and deceives his "friends" so well (and trys to deceive the audience in how he's (not) playing accordingly) that if that bloke said that he was on fire and needed water, I'd definitely have to see the flames first.

And I'd have to think about the water.

Dick DID know all of the people that he said that he did, and though he is crude in some ways, he is entertaining in most and is able to see the forest from the trees.

You are right about Nick and Danielle if Nick had been voted in as America's Player. Your allowing us to vent in here is good too and probably keeps us still watching. Thank goodness for Silly Hamsters.

Did you see the time (or times) that Eric sat in the Diary room and said, "I have WON this game!" Excuse me, but we alresdy had a bought and paid win with Mike, must we do it again?

My daughter bought this super pass for me (under her name and email) to be entertained. When Dick leaves so does the entertainment. The crying, lying, whining, baby voiced, holy rollers, and "I've already wonsies" are just too obnoxious and boring.

Dick is "America's choice" in a sense only because he says and does what we can't. Yes, he goes overboard where we wouldn't, but he is also doing it for his daughter which says a lot for him, if not in the way that he does it. We, being those who are aware of Eric's meanness, deceptiveness, and downright cockiness, and his panting after Jessica (who is loyal to her boyfriend, one hopes), are fed up.

At least Dustin was honest for a sec. when he was listing his faults. He is arrogant and makes a lot of us wonder whether Joe was really all that bad... He was at least entertaining.

I really liked Eric in the beginning but I think he is screwing over his own chances. I don't think it's an advantage for him in the game becaues he can't play the game the way others can play the game. He started off really good in the beginning because he was so affable and got along with everyone but now the line is drawn in the sand and he can't go back. It definitely hurts him in the game making him give Jessica the silent treatment. I hate to see that but picking Dick would have been too easy because he doesn't talk to Dick as it is so that would not have been much of a challenge. Maybe Amber or Dustin would have been better for him to give the silent treatment.

Seriously I have not voted on one task of his since Nick got evicted (not because I liked Nick because I really didn't) because I think there is where Eric screwed himself over by assuming that America was going to vote for Nick and then found out he had to push for Kail. The whole America's Player concept is good in theory but I am not sure if this is what the producers had envisioned.

The interesting thing will be if he has to vote Dustin out with Jen, Zach and Daniele (assuming Dick uses the veto on her) then the controversy continues and he's gonna be in big trouble.

We'll have to wait and see...

I'm with you HD. Don't get it, just don't get it.

I wasn't going to vote on this one but I did because I was worried so many would vote for Jessica for some odd reason. Then I decided I needed to vote, hopefully, to counter the Jessica vote but it failed.

I hope Eric can remedy what America has done to him with this vote.

And, I'm tired of everyone saying he pushed for Nick, THEY ALL wanted Nick out except for Danielle.

Ugh, this season is getting to me.

Two things to start with. I like Eric, sometimes, he is funny and fun to be around when he is just being a hamster. He has not been fun since the plane. The plane I think is to blame for all the problems in the house as of late. Eric didn't do all those things to Nick. Nick was targeted by the whole house after Dick accused Jen of being the phantom vote. It was then that ppl starting looking elsewhere and Eric may have, or not, suggested Nick the rest of them had no problem falling in line.

America's Player, it's a funny concept because it proves what is wrong with BB in the States. To anyone who doesn't know how BB works in the rest of the world, most notably England, they don't need a AP (in their case EP or BP ) because the viewers vote everyone out. You know why we don't do that here. Because they tried it, season 1, and no one watched the show. American BB is the only one that is about those in the house making their own decisions. CBS decided real quick that the viewers don't make the right decisions and with the way the AP vote has gone this year they will decide that again and you won't have to worry about if you have a vote next year, you won't!

I would personally like to see them do here what they are doing in England this year. They have over 20 ppl playing the game. Only about 10 went into the house on the first day, all women too. Then the audience votes ppl out and new ppl come in. The rest of the twenty are kept in another house called the half way house and when someone comes out of the main house someone goes in from the halfway house. Sometimes four ppl switch houses. Also what very rarely happens here, contestants walk out of that house. So far three ppl have walked off the show. One other thing about that show, BB i.e. producers, can change the rules at any time in the game. That kind of thing would make this show far more interesting and keep ppl from forming their silly alliances and backstabbing and all that. One last thing to think about, this will seem outrageous to many, house guests can not, repeat can not, discuss who they are nominating for eviction. You see they still nominate they just don't vote to evict the audience does.

as with drugs sometimes eric justs needs to know when to say no to $$$

It would have been better to have Eric give Zach the silent treatment. This would help ensure Zach's vote to evict Dustin. We need to help Eric not hinder him. Like him or not he is our voice.

Hi HD,

Well I tell you, I don't like Eric or Dick either one. I don't like their attitudes or the way they carry themselves. To me, they both seem to have abusive personalities, one right to your face and the other behind your back, speaking very violent things. So, with that said, the reason I don't like Eric beyond what I just said is that he in the end, started playing the game for himself. I feel that at the point he did, it was too early, and it was like 'screw you america'. He willingly signed up to be America's player. He knew that he had to wait for America's votes, and yet, he set off and started campaigning against Nick, when he knew we were already supporting Kail being evicted. Then, last night, he made mention that America wasn't supporting HIS game plan. Well, that wasn't really the deal in the beginning, now was it? I feel he tries to manipulate not only the people in the house, but America as well. To me, that's just not right. If you go in that house under the assumption that you are going to play for America, then that's what you should do, not strike out on your own because you THINK you know what's best. We as the viewers can see everything, where he can't, so really, it was an advantage he had, and we were trying to help him, and he basically rejected it. So, why, as a viewer should I support him? He's not following along when I feel we were trying to steer him in the right direction. Also, the reason for Jess to be ignored was not to hurt her at all. I love her as a player and hope she wins, she or Zach, but I tell ya, I wanted to be ignored to try and send Eric a message in the biggest way possible that he's not following America's wishes. People are complaining that he isn't doing it because he's pretending to be sick and ignoring everyone, well, he still got the message didn't he? So, I'm not upset about the fake illness. I just hope that he gets it together...I would not have minded if he did strike out on his own closer to the end, that's only reasonable, but as I said, he did it waaaaay too early, and did it in an arrogant way, so nope, I don't like him and don't support him.

I am surprised that America voted for Eric to not talk to Jessica. I wanted him to not talk to Dustin, but oh well. I thought that might be entertaining.

I think the reason people might be trying to mess up his game is the same reason that people "vote for the worst" on AI. I don't understand that either.

I don't particularly care for Eric because I don't really like his personality, but I wouldn't try to mess him up because of that. Every year there are going to be people you don't like in the game, but so what, such is life. You can't like them all. I think that he is put at an extreme disadvantage by being America's player.

I'm sure this has already been said at one point or another, but don't you get it SCREWING ERIC IS SCREWING US - THE LOYAL FANS who live for this time of the year !!!!

The poor treatment of Eric and the pathetic behavior of DICK the DICK!! has made me an Eric fan!!!! How are we make a difference when at every twist and turn Eric is told to do something that is more of a personal punishment to him.

Seriously, unless you are watching the feed literally 24/7 and all the cameras are showing everyone during the waking hours, you don't really know every detail that's going on(that's why we rely on wonderful individuals like HamsterDame to keep us inform, but even they can't relay every single detail) - so why not at times rely on the judgement of the person who is suppose to be representing us? Eric should have a certain number of times where he can say "screw it!! I'm not going to do this task." He knows that his job is to stay in the house - therefore let the man do it.

If you think you can do a better job than he is then you go on the show !!!

ali :)

The reason we all hate Eric, is he tried to take the game from us. He has choosen who he wants to go out of the house, and is targeting them. Eric is americas player, not his own. He took this job and knows how it is to be played. He needs to shut up and wait to see who we want out. If he is able to just talk to ppl without, making fun of them or someone else,which is a whole other problem !!!! Eric is deciding who he wants in this game.....which is not what he is there to do.
if he waits for us to tell him who to put up, he will be fine. but instead he made himself a target, because of his big mouth!!!

If they want to give advice in the dr. they need to tell him to shut his mouth, stop talking and backstabbing EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE. Wait for word from us, he will be fine. If not he will go.

The problem is - he's NOT playing for America per se. He's got too many ulterior motives.

This is how it has been billed and how it is stated in black and white on the cbs web page.

"This season, ERIC, the 27 year old management assistant from New York will be representing all of you: the TV viewers, bloggers, live-feed watchers and fans across America".

I thought that was suppose to mean that Eric doesn't have his own game, he has America's to play and he's just not doing it. His bravado needs to be knocked down a few notches. He is his own worst enemy. He's clueless!

A quick look at what I mean (examples):

Climbed in bed with Joe - check.
Put mustard on Jen's pillow - check.
Voted to evict (and campaigned against) Carol - check.
Voted to evict (and campaigned against) Joe - check.
Voted to evict Kail - check (but campaigned against Mike).
Voted to evict Kail - check (but campaigned hardcore against Nick).
Then wonders why the heck he got caught :0 DUH!!!

Just imagine how things might have panned out had he actually DONE what America asked for instead of his method of the obligatory vote after campaigning against the HG opposite of what America wanted.

He obviously agreed to be America's player (I can't imagine they had to twist his arrogant little arm) and he's getting extra payments that the others are not by doing so. To my knowledge, there have been NO instructions from America for him to make malicious personal attacks the likes of which he has done by accusing Dick of having an incestual relationship with his own daughter or that she will be pregnant with her father's child before the end of summer. That just crosses lines that even Dick hasn't crossed in all his obsurd rantings (and that speaks volumes to me). Those types of trashy, slanderous insults are NOT part of the game. They are exactly what comes out of the mouths of profoundly emotionally immature and evil little men (weasels). As far as I'm concerned, he's all used up and it's time for him to go. I have absolutely NO sympathy for him. I fully believe he shot himself in the foot by his own selfish actions. He needs to go and he needs to GROW UP.

You are so right HD!!! I just din't understand why anyone would want Eric not to talk to Jess. I wanted him to give Amber the cold shoulder just to see if that would put over the top.

The tasks that CBS have come up with are doing nothing but hurting Eric game.

Thanks HD for all your updates and the great insights to BB. This site has the best info and the one I go to first everyday.

I voted for him to give Jess the silent treatment because I wanted her to have a period of time without him as an appendage.

I don't think the AP is working because things change so fast in the house. Players are constantly changing their games and strategies.

I would like it if we had a player that we could give information to, like...so and so is in 3 alliances, or so and so has been lying to you. Then they could change THEIR game accordingly. I don't really like Eric but I don't think this is fair to him. I agree with Dale. Changing the game more drastically every year would be a good idea. Players that have watched BB for so long make it kind of boring...I think that's why I didn't really like the "All-Star" game play, it seemed to more of the same. MIX IT UP!!! And not with the lame gags.

Why would we want to watch a game where one player gets inside help against all the others? The entire concept is faulty as is your reasoning. If we want to have an AP every season we always have to help him win. Who says so? Why can't we use him to tweak other aspects of the game? I would prefer that they do away with the entire AP idea. At this point, there are too many suspicious things going on with Eric and the DR for me to support the concept of a special player.

Many of you write about CBS's supposed unfairness in the diary room, which by the way we have only houseguest word for, have we not? People seem to forget that Eric had his cover and game play blown by a banner that flew over the house, and was sent by outside of the house fans. They are the people to blame for Eric's behavior. Ever since that day, Eric has had to play a different game. He would have played differently in the first place, if he did not have to do what America'a voters wanted him to do, which by the way was not good for his game play, but he did what he was supposed to do anyway. Now, you blame him for trying to get himself out of trouble that the voters and poor sports got him into!! I say he is playing a very good game despite all of that. Being America's player is not an advantage, but a hindrance to his game!He is nervous about how to do America's bidding yet keep himself in the game. Wouldn't anyone?

I feel bad for Eric, I don't hate him. Like you say HD, I feel none of them are perfect hamsters. But if they were...BOOOORING.

I do believe people are sabotaging him. Just as some viewers tried to sabotage American Idol 6 by voting to keep Sanjaya (although I'm sure there are many true Sanjaya fans out there - sorry to offend y'all).

I've enjoyed the opportunity to have some say in the game plays through America's Player votes; but after seeing this, I think I'd rather see them duke it out on their own. Gimme good old-fashioned America's Choice instead.

I suppose CBS would be royally pi**ed...but I'd like Eric to start refusing any America's requests that put his gameplay in jeopardy.

Okay, I'm done.

I just want to put in my 2 cents, please. Eric has played a terrible game. First as America's player he has gone ahead with his own agenda and should have known to wait for what he will be told is our choice. then he has had to flip flop and scramble. If he was our true player he would have embraced our wishes not his own desires. It has been obvious all along the direction the American voters have wanted to take this game. His own ambition were a direct contrast to being America's Player. He could have furthered his game and stayed safe from detection had he simply just kept his mouth shut except for doing what his missions asked for. I also think if he had just played a better game that way, the American voter wouldn't have developed the animosty toward him that is so apperant now. Thank you.

Ok, I know I packed my soap box when I moved, it must be in here somewhere. Perhaps it is in the back of the closet... ahha!

So, fair warning, these are my own personal opinions and may not match up with yours. Infact, I can tell for certain having read the above posts that they will not match up with many.

1 - and this is my biggest beef from these posts.
If you don't like the way CBS is running America's choice voting 10 times for Jessica does not "send a message". CBS does not care if you make her cry or make Eric squirm. If the public really wants to send a message - DON'T VOTE. Yes, you heard correctly. By not voting in record numbers we send the message that the task was too dumb, boring or pointless for us to waste a precious second of our time going online or heaven forbid, spending money to phone or text. So, if your message was aimed at CBS the only message they received was "boy, fans sure liked voting for that one".

2 You can like Eric or you can dislike him - for the way he looks, acts, talks, what ever. But disliking him because he isn't a good enough puppet?? Did I miss the announcement that Eric is not eligible to win the game? Is the task money the only money he can win? Yeah, I didn't think so.
So, how stupid would Eric have to be to whole heartedly play the game America dictates? Come on people, we are often nastly, evil minded pranksters. Well, maybe you are not - I shouldn't generalize. I know I am. I wouldn't be above voting for him to mess with Dick just to see if Dick would hit him or to "accidentally" shrink all Dustin's grey Tshirts. And I know I would pay good money to hear him tell Amber to dry up. And none of these things would help his game play. So, would I expect him to be a good little puppy and do my bidding? No, I expect him to use his own judgement and decide how much he can or should complete. I would consider him a lame player if he didn't have his own game play. There is no HG I dislike more that a radar avoiding floater. Be in it to win it or walk out the door.

And finally - Diary Room interference.
If a HG is given directions in the DR don't you think they would wonder about them? Hmmm, why was I asked to save Eric? Is he a big threat? is he a plant? Maybe I should talk to others and see if they were told the same thing.
We know that the DR always has things that are scripted. HGs are asked to comment on tasks that were completed days ago as if they just happened and as if they didn't already know the outcome. Either they take quick "time outs" to film or there is some lame acting going on. I'm leaning towards the lame acting myself.

I agree with many of the points HD made on this post. If Eric leaves the game so does our ability to throw in a vote on vote day. And frankly, that is the only one that has any interest. For years I've groused and complained that we have no say. Now we have a teeny tiny vote. Why make it go away? If we want CBS to make better challenges, don't vote for the lame ones and send feedback.
I also find it hard to understand disliking the things Eric says/does and praising Dick. They both say and do a lot of things that make me cringe. I know I wouldn't want to be stuck in there with them. But they also both have some redeeming qualities.

The one great thing about passionate posts and threads like this one is it shows that there are a lot of people out there who are not only watching but thinking about and feeling this game.
Even if I don't always agree I apprciate your opinions and veiw points on the game.
Thanks HD for continuing to host this forum.

v.

You want to know why *I* do not like Eric. I have yet to see anyone say the hate him simply for the fact he has weird twitches and is annoying because he talks so much. In fact, most forums people have the same opinion as myself. Eric's downfall began when he campaigned so hard for Nick to be put up and evicted before he even knew what America's vote was. When he found out it was Kail - he only mentioned a reason to evict her the night before the votes - and did a half-hearted job at that. When he went into the DR to receive the vote the night of the eviction - it became clear when he stated, "I'm very disappointed in who you have chosen," which we all know was Kail. To me this is a slap at the people who do vote- it's as if to say, "I am your player you should go with how I play." Is this really what the AP was to be? That we had to listen to him and his gameplay and vote accordingly? No. He has made remarks several times about how he is disappointed in our choices- he got himself into this mess by jumping the gun-he can worm his way out of it.

Ah, HamsterDame - you make me feel bad for not commenting on your site, because we share the same thoughts. I'll make a point to do that in the future...

America! SHAME ON YOU for wanting Eric to give Jessica the silent treatment! I KNOW you think the feeds are boring, and this could give them some excitement (or you just want to be mean to Eric...so DOUBLE SHAME on YOU who thought that!) but is THIS the way to do it? Think about it: if Eric gives the silent treatment to, for example, Dustin or Amber, then the HGs will start questioning THEM, and THEY will be voted out. PLEASE tell me you'd rather Eric win the game over them! If not, have you been paying attention AT ALL?! It's not like Eric CHOSE to be America's player; he was chosen FOR it! Why would we want to make HIM pay for something that ISN'T his fault!? I personally think he would have an almost flawless game plan if it wasn't for the "America's Player" thing...Plus, like HamsterDame said, this is OUR chance to make decisions in the house. Why would we want to screw it up? I salute you, HamsterDame, for saying what some wanted to say, but never having the guts to!

Seriously, people are upset that Jessica is "crying over Eric not talking to her"? After telling people he is creepy and rolling her eyes when he leaves the room? She is more worried that she will have to start doing the dirty business herself in order to survive. Its interesting, how we can all watch the same video clips and see so many DIFFERENT things, and interpret them so many different ways...

I am really sick of hearing how CBS has persuaded them how to vote. Every year a house guest complains they rigged it for somebody, last year James complained the rigged it for Janie, the year before they rigged for Kaysar and Janie. If you don't like the way the show is produced why watch it, oh I know cause it gives you something to complain about. The DR is always going to put things in there head,it stirs the pot up, each one on these reality shows do the same thing. So my suggestion is tune in to something else. Every year America has wanted a say and now they have and complain about that. He would not have been my first pick as my player, but I am certainly not going to sabatoge his game either. But then again each house guest that has come out of the house has said he is was the best one to pull it off. That ought to tell you something. I think some of you think he is supposed to just sit around and not play the game until his next instruction comes in. Grow up this is Big Brother. Do I think he has played the game perfectly and has made some mistakes, yes, but as we have seen none of them have played a perfect game. If that was the case Janie or Kaysar would have won season 6 or all stars!!!!!!!!

I find it completely ridiculous that people took Eric seriously when he said Nick needed to go because there wasn't enough room in the house for two studs! Give me a break! Everyone knows that Eric was considered the clown way back then! It was a joke! A blatant attempt at sarcasim if you will. It is so obvious that he doesn't take himself too seriously! Come one now!

Get Over Nick. He was boring. Eric knew he needed to separate Nick from Dick and Daniele. That also left Zack alone and Amber lost a supporter. Nick was not playing the game. At least Eric is. Why not help him out. After everything he has gone through, would it not be great if he made it to the finals. I know Dick stirs things up, but let Eric evict him, please.

Why do I think America is screwing with Eric?

Because we can. ;^)

The above comment by BJ nailed it.

I like Eric, he's a great player, especially compared to ppl in past seasons. America just likes doing the worst thing possible for him BECAUSE THEY CAN, but I wish they wouldn't

I can not figure out how many "challenges" Eric has one so far! Has he hit five yet? I love him by the way and I am really confused as to why anyone would like to see Dick stay in, it has gone WAY to far and there is good t.v and there is just digusting behaviour! Vote him out! Danielle could still take it.....

Ok America, stop being a bunch of morons and play the game. Dick is just as he is, a Dick, it has to be tough in the house trying to live with the A hole...it would be just like living with an active alcoholic. He doesn't care about anyone, no wonder his daughter hasn't talked to him for years. Get rid of him stop trying to screw around Eric. He is looking bad because of you Americans....

To all those who hate Eric because he put himself in the same "stud" category as Nick, get a grip. If you think he was actauly serious then you need to seriously get better at reading people. IT'S CALLED SARCASM!!! My God, the guy can't even joke around on the show without stupid people jumping to conclusions. And now you hate him for that? Yes he wanted Nick out! Nick was would've went far in the game if he wasn't evicted early. People need to let it go. Screwing Eric over now with all your lame votes as to what you want him to do is just plain rediculous. When it comes down to why people hate Eric, it's as simple as the superficial tendencies of the viewers. They liked Nick because he was hot. When Eric didn't align with Nick, the viewers hated him. It's the same thing every season. America always favours the best looking players rather than the best players. It's really quite pathetic.

And just why are so many people so hellbent on screwing Eric over? Why is he considered a weasel? I get that many of you don't like him but I've yet to hear many, what I would consider, real reasons. Yeah, he's smacktalked about Dick and Daniele having an incestuous relationship (eww). OK. He has a quirky eyebrow. OK. He has shifty eyes. OK. He's a short man with pierced nipples.

Are you really looking for more reasons? How about the fact that he is screwing over Amber (not that I'm a big fan of crackwhore moms, but still...), lying to everyone, can't score w/ Jess even though he's trapped in a house w/ her 24/7, has pierced nipples (sorry, I think you did mention that), and I think I heard Amber say he was a Jew from New York (i don't know what difference that makes, but it seemed important to her).