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Monday, July 06, 2009
My Impression Of The New Hamsters
Just four more days my friends until Big Brother 11 begins and I can't wait! I was checking out these interviews by Diane Henry of Big Brother 5 this weekend and I have to admit that some of my first impressions of the new hamsters have changed already. Some of my impressions have changed in a good way and some just went straight down the tubes.
So as is customary each season, I go through the hamsters and tell you how I feel about them and what I think their chances of winning are. Perhaps I do that for no other reason than to laugh at myself at the end of the season. Every year, I'm inevitably so far off the mark about some but I do tend to peg at least a couple. Here goes nothing!
I like Lydia. I don't know if she has what it takes to win though. She almost seems a little too laid back. On the other hand, that might help her get along with others and ride a few coattails down the stretch. She definitely seems to have a nice personality. Mix that with her quirkiness and free spirit and she could go pretty far. I just feel like she lacks that competitive drive it will take come crunch-time.
I have different thoughts on Chima. You could definitely tell in her interview with Diane that she's a big fan of the show. She must have missed Diane's season though because she didn't know that she was in a showmance. Regardless, I love that she applied for Big Brother (and wasn't recruited) so I'm excited for and about her. However, her voice and laugh really get on my nerves. She seems to have a humongous personality and I can definitely see her rubbing some of her fellow hamsters the wrong way as time goes on.
Michele (that's with ONE 'l') seems like a very grounded person who is ready to play the game. Like Lydia, she came across a CraigsList ad for the show and decided to go for it. Unlike Lydia (and Chima), she's excited about competing in the challenges and likes previous two-time hamster Janelle the most due to her all-around ability in the game. Michele has a cute and bubbly personality and I really can't wait to watch her on the feeds and get to know her a bit more.
I really like Natalie. She seems to have the perfect mix of brains, athleticism, and charisma. Actually, the words that came to mind when watching her interview with Diane was 'cutie pie'. I can definitely see the guys in the house developing a crush on her. Too bad for them she's in the midst of trying to work things out with her ex-boyfriend Jason. She's another huge fan of Big Brother and seems excited about being in the house. I'm really hoping she goes far - perhaps even to the end.
When it comes to Russell, I'm actually confused as to how I feel. On the one hand, he really irks me with his loud and cocky attitude. But he's fairly easy on the eyes and has a unique charm to him. I believe that he's going to be very interesting to watch in the house and people are either going to love him or hate him by the time his stay ends. He was recruited at a bar yet claims he's a fan of the show. Hearing that 'Evel Dick' is his favorite hamster though sent shivers down my spine.
Ronnie is an adorable geek with fabulous dimples and a great laugh. OK, I admit I have a little crush on him. What can I say though? Cute geeks have a special place in my heart. Even better is that he showed up to an open casting call at a television station and he's another huge fan of Big Brother. By the way, his wife of six years plans on watching him on the live feeds so if you're out there Ronnie's wife, email me! Ronnie seems like a really genuine guy and I hope he goes all the way. The only thing I see that might set him back is not gelling enough with the others causing him to be an easy nomination - especially in the beginning.
Jordan was obviously recruited to be the cute and ditzy blonde of the season. Fresh from a boob job (see the women's interviews with Ross below), I have the feeling she's going to be the cause of a bunch of drama in the house. That's not because I see her as a bitch but she just really seems naive and judgmental. I especially see her and Chima clashing a few times. She's a really pretty young woman and I see her catching quite a few eyes from the men. I don't see Jordan being nominated early on and she could very well skate through the game for awhile.
I don't particularly care for Braden. As a matter of fact, I get a huge douchebaggery vibe from him. After watching his interview with Diane, I felt that I needed to go take a shower. Trust me. His surfer perv schtick got old within five minutes of watching. One of the best parts of this interview is where he said he had no porn in his past. I guess technically it's not porn but still. (Don't worry, that link is OK to click at work but what you click on after that is up to you.) Another great part is where he said self-centeredness is a turnoff for him (picture me laughing out loud). I'm not looking forward to watching this dude on the feeds and I think I should start shopping for a full-body condom right now. Please Big Brother gods, let him be the first out of the house.
Kevin is sure to be quite the character in the house. After applying for Big Brother every season since the first, he's finally made it in. However, do we really need another bitchy over-the-top gay guy in the house? But he will definitely be bringing some drama to the house that's for sure. The longest of Diane's interviews, he did a bunch of talking without really saying anything special. An ex-Jehovah's Witness, he definitely has a handle on the curse words and seems to think more of himself than anybody else on the planet. I really have no clue as to how long he'll be in the house but I hope he's gone sooner rather than later.
It's disappointing that three of the hamsters' interviews with Diane aren't posted up on that site yet. All I really have to go on about them is what we've all read and watched before. So these following three I could really change my mind about later.
Laura (link added) appears to be super competitive from everything I've seen and read. A young and pretty bikini model, I wonder if her drive to win will bother her fellow hamsters because I can't imagine her keeping her plans too close to the vest. Will the other houseguests be intimidated by her or will they want to keep her around for her looks and/or athletic ability? I have no idea. But I see her going soon or making it all the way.
I worry about Casey (link added). Is he going to try and be the cool older guy to all the young'uns? Or might he play a father role? Never mind, I really don't get that vibe. While he seems like a really interesting person, I just don't see him lasting very long in the house and might possibly be the first one to go.
Jeff (link added) seems to be the most vanilla person in the house. There's nothing really that stands out about him except his blandness compared to all of the other outrageous personalities in the house. However, that could get him really far in the game. I can really see him being the nice guy in the house that everybody likes and doesn't want to vote out. So who knows?
After checking out these interviews, do you feel differently about anybody than you did before? If so, why? Do you have any favorites? Who do you see winning this season? Do you think I'm completely off the mark about anybody? And if you haven't already, go sign up for the live feeds!
Update at 2:45 PM - Diane's interview videos with Laura, Casey, and Jeff are up now and I've included the links in their sections above. I haven't had a chance to watch them yet though! Hahaha!
Posted by HamsterDame at July 6, 2009 04:15 AM
Comments
Hey HD!
SO ready for the season to start! Do you know when the live feeds will be available? Will we have to wait until the Thursday premier?
Thanks!
From HD - The live feeds for Big Brother won't start until after the show finishes airing on the west coast. However, you can still get the feeds and get things all set up before then. Right now, Real is streaming NASA footage but before the feeds go live you can see the new FOTH shot and hear the music. So what did you think about these interviews by Diane?
Posted by: hamsterwatcher at July 6, 2009 06:54 AM
HD... I basically agree with your assessments... I like Lydia and Ronnie... and would like to see them team up since they seem unlikely allies. I think the guys will help Lydia (much like Angie?), and Lydia could help Ronnie with the guys if he becomes an early outcast... but lets face it... you don't really know the Hamsterlings until you see them IN the house... funny how that works...
Chima & Kevin need to lay low in order to get past the first couple of weeks...
now if Ronnie comes out and entertains like our previous "good guy Dan"... he really could fly right into the finals... but we'll see...
Posted by: Dixie at July 6, 2009 06:58 AM
Let's just hope that being an Evil Dick fan is just that and doesn't translate in to the same behavior. No one can be ED and shouldn't even try. lol The interviews were excellant. Still reserving judgements to my faves for the first week of the feeds. While the tv shows are fun to watch, BB puts to much of their slant on the hamsters. The feeds tell it like it is. I am soooo excited to get home from work Thursday nite and go straight to my Tivo and Computer.
Posted by: TeLauren at July 6, 2009 07:53 AM
Without seeing them in their habitat and going just on instinct and interviews:
Lydia, really like, hope she competes well
Jeff, really like but don't see him surviving
Michele, really like but hope she isn't annoying
Kevin, too full of himself
Casey, think he will try too hard & get booted 1st
Chima, don't like, annoying laugh
Jordon, dumb blonde but innocent
Laura & Branden, April/Ollie, hope they go before jury
Natalie, on the fence
Ronnie, likeable geek, out 2nd
Russell, seems dumb, easy to provoke and oust
Don't jump down my throat, just 1st impressions and will probably change as season goes on!
prayers & thoughts captain
Posted by: diff at July 6, 2009 08:17 AM
Hi HD,
Watched the girls' interviews and then got bored. I'll watch the guys later.
Chima Couldn't finish watching her because she is so irritating. She needs to lose the caked on make-up.
Jordan Innocent gal with zero street smarts
Lydia ADORABLE!!! I think she'll go far in the game.
Michele She is not going to be able to hide her geekiness. She comes off fake with all her smiles and giggles. She reminds me of a high school nerdy girl trying too hard to be friends with the popular crowd. I do like her, tho.
Natalie She seems like a real person that you could trust. I would ally myself with her.
Posted by: Betty at July 6, 2009 08:38 AM
I read the bios and formed an opinion to go with their faces and then saw them interviewed. WOW what a difference. This looks like a good season if they don't try to manipulate it once the game has started.
Posted by: deb at July 6, 2009 04:10 PM
YIPPY!!! I can't wait :))
Posted by: callie44 at July 6, 2009 04:50 PM
WOW what a difference after veiwing Diane's interveiws!! Some were alittle long and some not short enough!! They have really changed my thoughts on some Casey, Natalie, Jeff), but others just reenforced them (Chima, Jordan, Russell) but I'm sure they will change again after watching the hamsters in their 'NEW' habitat!!! Shouldn't they already be in the house by today HD???
I'm counting down the days and much too the dismay of my husband, I've cleaned out the DVR!!!
Will be checking back for your updates and will be joining you and everyone else on Thursday for the BIG day.
Posted by: Shirly (ironsa) at July 6, 2009 05:02 PM
The videos helped confirm many of my opinions: I usually like the people who put a smile on my face, and Jeff, Natalie, Russell and Lydia are the ones who made me smile.
Braden: Reminds me of Jase. I hated Jase. But I think I may like Braden a little. He's more intelligent than I thought, and he listens and hears everything, and has a point of view about everything. I think he will be a good player.
Kevin: He'll drive me crazy with all that fabulosity and his blatant attempts at magnificent bitchery.
Michele: Will either be very successful or sent packing almost immediately. I think the latter.
Jordan, Ronnie, and Laura: I'm not sure about these three yet.
Casey and Chiama: There is no doubt in my mind that they will be the dominant personalities in the house this season. I will give them and their big personalities a chance but Chiama must promise to throw out that frightful monster make-up.
Posted by: Dayton at July 6, 2009 08:16 PM
HamsterDame - Greetings! So tell me how do I email you? :-) BTW I agree, Ronnie is a cutie pie!
From HD - I've responded to your email. :)
Posted by: Michelle Talbott at July 6, 2009 08:34 PM
Before watching the interviews, I didn't think my earlier assessment would change much - - but it did. I think considerably LESS of Diane now than I did before! Didn't think that possible. What is her obsession with "when are you going to cry" and "how about a showmance"? Sounds like she has some regrets she still needs to work through. How about DIFFERENT questions for DIFFERENT contestants - so we don't get the same lame-o content with each one. This was like an exercise in what NOT to talk about. And for 20 minutes at a stretch. And the audio leaves a lot to be desired. Is this something Diane set up on her own? Doesn't seem like she has a production company who can figure out how lousy the sound is before taping and posting.
But - - as to the houseguests themselves. I'm diligently watching all the videos. And writing my commentary as I view them.
Casey: in a mid-life crisis currently. Thinks he is or wants to be younger than he is. He's gonna be the pal - not the father figure. Because he's already interacting with the younger generation, he'll stick around for a while.
Jeff: Like him a lot. Seems down to earth. If he's gonna showmance, I hope he hooks up with either Michelle, Lydia or Natalie and not the more stereotypical or predictable Jordan or Laura. Diane concludes the interview by asking him out on a date. And then apologizing to her boyfriend. Classy.
Laura: I like that she's a real fan. Think that she could splinter the girls - and that she and Chima are NOT going to get along. Well, I don't know who Chima is going to get along with. Maybe Kevin. Laura and Jordan might form an alliance, unless they are going for the same guy.
Jordan: she's dumb. Naive. Vapid. Don't like that she was recruited. I like strategy. Dumb people really mess up strategy. Hope she leaves sooner instead of later.
Sticking by my earlier assessment on Braden. Gay. So gay. Even if he doesn't realize it yet. He's not cute. A little too heavy in the face. He's annoying me and I don't know why. He's also vapid. He and Jordan should hang out and say dumb things to amuse us.
Russell. He's gonna stir things up. Other than that, his interview was mostly Diane convincing him why he shouldn't showmance. And convincing him that he will cry. Or that everyone cries. Boo hoo. I'd like to see Russell team up (but not hook up) with either Lydia or Natalie; or both.
Ronnie. Find I'm rooting for him and Michelle the most. Probably because I think they'll bring the most dimensions to the strategizing and Ronnie isn't afraid to make the "game-changing" moves.
Michelle. Like that she's so, in HamsterDame words, "bubbly." Find that preferable to moody, sulky, boring and vapid. But the laugh might get irritating if it continues non-stop. Like that she's book smart, but not sure how smart she'll be at her people skills. Still - I'm rooting for her and Ronnie. Hope they form a "wonder twin" alliance. (Can you picture them holding their rings together: Wonder Twin Power Activate: form of a . . . ? Hamster? Barbell? Fly-on-the-wall?)
Chima - those LIPS! I don't know whether she's going to play smart or superficial. If smart - I'll like her. If superficial, she's going to annoy me the soonest. She comes off as obsessed with looks but then was digging on Jen for crying over the picture. I do like her laugh, though like Michelle's, it could get to be too much. I really don't think she has much chance of a showmance, but think that she and Kevin could be an interesting duo.
Lydia and Kevin - - I couldn't find their video interviews with Diane. They aren't archived with the rest and the links HamsterDame provided don't pull anything up. I wonder why they were pulled? Anyone have an archive copy?
From HD - They might be up on YouTube. Did you check there? I wonder why those have been pulled. Very odd.
Posted by: Coleen with one "L" at July 8, 2009 04:40 PM
I was able to find Kevin and Lydia's on YouTube. I wonder if she's going to have to cover any of her tatts, like James (S9)?
Posted by: Coleen with one "L" at July 8, 2009 07:10 PM
