TripTrey

We each seek different things out of BB and Mortys. As we all know, BB is a game that gives us a peek into the characters and abilities of people playing a game in isolation, but the fans are also a part of this little social experiment. The players and the viewers are inextricably knotted together in this summer experience. The HGs affect our enjoyment of the game and we affect their game. We choose Have-Not foods, the AF, the AP's and the tasks they are asked to perform. The HGs are extremely aware of those watching them and are wary of the reactions to their in game behaviors. That is a key way in which we fans are wedded to these players. We may even get a vote at the end. We're part of this in a very real way and both groups are entertaining and interesting in their own ways. Some aren't interested in the half of this experiment that happens outside of the house, I am. That's fine... to each his own. But I do find it interesting that the HGs think Donny is a mastermind ninja of a player which is in direct opposition to so many on the outside that think he doesn't actually play the game at all. Why the great divide in takes on Donny? Why do some have such a negative visceral reaction to comments by some that are supportive of Donny? What makes him such a divisive character? To a much lesser extent this reaction also happens at the mention of Frankie, Derrick, & Caleb, but the reaction to Donny is the most severe that I've seen in all of my years reading this board. The only one that came close was Jordan. Some folks just detested her and would immediately cover any positive/supportive post about her with a post mocking and ridiculing her. For many, any mention of 'nice' has become detestable on Mortys, while the worst in our characters is savored. Jordan is nice, so it became the mission of some to chop away at her. It's always been a curiosity of mine to understand what would drive a person to react like that. It was a powerful gut reaction and a strange social phenomena to say the least. As I said, this isn't a new phenomena, for some, any mention of a HG that suggests that the HG is a good sort has always been quickly met with passive-aggressive ridicule. It's an odd and interesting reaction, don'tcha think? Christine on the inside and several on the forums have made it clear that Donny's essential characteristic of being a nice guy is bothersome to her and them. Again, both odd & interesting. Like many here, I've always been a people watcher. I've enjoyed reading Mortys posters over the years as much as I've enjoyed watching the HGs as both groups say the most baffling & intriguing things. Keep in mind, this experiment truly does exist on both the inside the house and outside it's walls. This is the Web folks, we're all part of the show.

You've proven my point nicely. HGs see other HGs through filters and obviously fans also see the game through filters. I completely understand that you're not being malicious or disingenuous in you view of Donny. I agree that the view that you have stated here repeatedly IS your actual view of him. Like I said, it's a view that provides one of the very few interesting aspects this game has left. (For me, it's a sad commentary on this season that the fan's points of view has come to offer more interest that the HG's gameplay.) Personally, I'm not really much of a Donny fan but it peeks my curiosity as I see that any pushback on the notion that he has not played the game causes some to convulse and spasm. Do I think he is anything beyond a slightly above average player. No. Do I think that it is obvious that he is playing a better game than you & others do? Yes. Do I think that your are missing his game? Yes. Do I believe there are any really good players this season? No. I don't really have a dog in this race, but you seem unhappy that I don't agree with your view that Donny is barely playing the game. I find that interesting too. There does seem to be a Donny distortion field at play. He's had quite an effect on HGs and Fans with the former seeing him as a ninja and the latter not seeing his game at all. Interesting.

I completely agree... but there is something more at work here. A distortion field of sorts... The oddly irrational reaction that the 'Brat Attack' has had is also seen in the BB fan base. TempletonPeck's post was spot on; not only does the shun the beard crowd truly fail see Donny's game play as it is, they don't actually want to see it, they fight seeing it. The Brats are convinced that he's a professor of medicine possibly at Harvard, a ninja, a navy SEAL, a DELTA force operator, an evil mastermind, and a master manipulator. Some parts of the BB fan base are convinced that the only reason Donny is on the show and has remained on the show is his ever so boring role as the token nice guy. These are equally ridiculous positions to take but these positions are real and rational to them, so you'll never be able to convince them that their view of Donny is distorted. Something else is driving them to view Donny as they do. We've all seen how those that fear him in the house and those that dismiss him in the fan base share this interesting distortion of the actual Donny. He's not Dr Will or Evel Dick, nor is his a comp beast like Janelle or Frank, nor is he a masterful strategist like Danielle Reyes but the filter through which the HG's see him is so corrupted that Donny as big bad wolf is a reality to them. Those in the BB fan base that see him as this year's ridiculously supported 'nice guy' when in their view he's done very little, truly see him as a boring floater. Both groups have amazingly corrupted views but both are certain that their perspective is rational and a true reflection of reality. Watching these groups flail about with perspectives that run counter to reality is one of the few interesting things left to watch in BB16.

On balance, I think we've been treated to more nasty than strategy. Is it Aaryn/GinaMarie nasty... not by a longshot, but let's not let last season become the standard for nasty.

Each season this game has the potential to be interesting because when played well it requires a mix of intellect, social skills, emotional maturity, and physical ability. When none of that is present, 7th grade behaviors fill the void. In that case, all we get is another version of mean-girls. BB casting knows it's audience and exploits the societal trends for ratings. It knows that there has been a growing group that is essentially broken and responds best to raw nastiness, so it feeds them raw meat... the problem is that their systems aren't able to accept anything more refined than 'Me Tarzan, you Jane... Whack!!!' BB casting understands that for those whose development is stuck in middleschool, childish behaviors are just what the doctor ordered so BB casting fills that bill. Sadly, year by year, this show becomes less and less about gameplay and more and more about meanness, cattiness, and 'Me like Jane... Whack!!!' For everyone else BB fails to deliver once again. This game would be interesting if there were actual instances of true strategizing, but Derrick and crew are very blunt instruments, so bullying, nastiness, nonsensical declarations of 'hate' for a person they've never taken the opportunity to know, rampant paranoia, shunning outcasts, and the childish vilification of the soon to be evicted fills our screens instead. How many times have we seen someone say something mean-spirited just for the attention it brings them. It's as if when they aren't saying something they think will get under someone else's skin, they feel a void. How sad these people must be on the inside. The truth is, I pity them. Imagine needing life's lowest common denominator in behavior in order to get from one day to another. So, what do we get... Bread and Circus. It isn't the nicey nicey that makes the game boring for many, it's the lack of any real intrigue. In the absence of interesting play, nastiness steps in, but nasty is a poor substitute for gameplay.

I love your handle... 'graceomalley'. Grace was quite a woman... even better that she married an O'Flaherty because I have a strong O'Flaherty line in my genealogy... From my earliest days, I wanted a daughter named Mary Margaret O'Brien. Unfortunately, two things stood in my way. 1) I never had a daughter... 2) My last name is NOT O'Brien.

Agreed. I don't care for the duel HOH or the evicted HG returning, but if there was ever an occasion for a duel HOH this scenario fits the bill. One from the House and one from the Jury house. And then let them duke it out.

This group reflects a pretty wide segment of society in the 21st century. Look around, this sort of adolescent nonsense is everywhere. Where ever you go these days, you will find those that behave like this and those who support behavior like this. There's no getting away from it. I would like to know where they found Victoria and Caleb... those two are 'broken' and should never have been cast.

Now that's funny... thanks for the chuckle.

I can't imagine a scenario where Caleb doesn't watch the the BB vids too many times to count as soon as the season ends. But he won't see what you see. He'll see the 'King' of the house pulling all of the strings and winning all of the contests that BB didn't rig against him.

Derrick has shown his true colors a few times this season, but his fanbase seems to either overlook this middleschool mean girl behavior or enjoy it.

I'd say it's about time for a Diamond Power of Veto to make a showing.

Business majors are a catch all of sorts. They're on the lightweight end of the scale. Marketing majors are a step below business majors in difficulty. You'll find athletes tend to major in Communications, Business, and History because the demands of their sport makes it difficult to keep up with anything more rigorous. I have degrees in the sciences, business, and the humanities... believe me, there are very few athletes capable of meeting the demands of a science degree and the demands of their sport. Business/Marketing sounds about right for Cody. Actually, a comm degree would seem an even better fit for this nimrod.

Cody may be a college grad but nothing this season suggests that he got there on anything but a athletic scholarship. Evidently, Donny agrees with what most folks have been saying... Cody is a very good looking dope. A true second banana, floating his way to the final 5.

Absolutely spot on.

That fact that someone playing the game as poorly as Cody is can remain safe is a testament to the fact that an early forming large alliance can dominate... that no real gameplay is needed if you are included in a big alliance early in the game. The safety that has covered these BS/Det geniuses doesn't spring from good game play, brilliance, insight into their targets, grand manipulation, masterful scheming... none of that is needed when it is clear that big alliances that stick together win. What a bore BB has become when dullards like Cody, Christine, and Victoria make it this far.

He didn't start on day 40 something... he was in an alliance on day 2, won his first POV week 1. No one started before Donny, most started after he did. Donny engaged socially but he was too old and different to fit in with the young ones. That didn't stop him, he spent time on the BY coach working to engage each and every time he was alone with another HG. He told his jokes, he lead the muscle train, he let the HG's he trusted in on his observations and analysis. He did this as the members of the BS were doing little more than reveling in their power and safety. Derrick wasn't seen as a power center in the first weeks, it was Devin, Caleb, Cody, and Frankie. Derrick was a ride along. If it was Donny standing next to Cody on day 2 when the BS was forming, it would be Donny seen as the mastermind and Derrick scrambling for his BB life. Remember, on those few occasions where we've seen Derrick scramble, it hasn't been pretty. You've mentioned several times that you admire a 'mental game', and the only three that are playing a 'mental game' are Donny, Derrick and Frankie. The thing that surprises me about your admiration of the 'mental game' is that Derrick and Frankie have not shown that they have anywhere close to the observational and analytical 'mental game that Donny has. Donny figured out the opposition time and time again and he figured out more and figured it out earlier than either Derrick or Frankie. That's not an admirable 'mental game' on their part. Those two have misfired over and over again. Derrick had Brit's full support but he freaked and pushed for her eviction. Not smart, not cool headed and definitely not analytical. The only reason Derrick's game appears to you as it does is because he has been blessed to operate in safety from the very beginning nearly regardless of his own behavior. It was almost impossible to get targeted if one was in the BS. Think about what outrageous nonsense it took to kick Devin out of the BS. Then think about how it took Caleb's full-blown craziness to remove Amber. Derrick hasn't had to meet a very high standard to remain safe in the BS/Det. Derrick is given credit where no credit has been earned. It's easy to be comfortable if one is born into comfort and Derricks began his BB life in comfort through a stroke of luck that had him standing beside Cody when the BS recruiting was active. So, I don't agree that Derrick has played much of a 'mental game.'

Agree.... except for the last line. I don't see Donny's game to be any weaker or stronger than Derrick's or Frankie's game, just different. D & F have made some pretty poor decisions and what's worse is that they made them from positions of extreme safety. Actually, they've made quite a pile of mistakes. Derrick owns Brit's loyalty but he freaks and pushes for her eviction... Frankie owns Victoria and losses her to Derrick... Zach's out... Zach's not out... Frankie is out... Frankie is in...now Zach is out again... Caleb loves Amber so get rid of him... no, get rid of her... Caleb hates Amber, so get rid of him... no get rid of her... Cody has his chance to strike but with Derricks support he punks out... These two are the Keystone Kops of Big Brother. Over and over again this BS/Det group has proven to be a mess... given their cards, they should have had much smoother sailing and who are we giving credit for pulling the strings... D & F. They've both played a pretty poor game but have the luxury of the protection of a huge early alliance and the good fortune to be playing with nitwits. It's hard to lose when your dealt a straight flush but these two have managed to work their cards down to a straight and a flush. Lucky for them that besides Donny, the others think the cards are real pretty and are great for coasters and pasties. Derrick ,Frankie and Donny are the only ones actually playing the game... the rest are housebots. Unfortunately for us, D,F, &D are playing a very average game. Give me season 6 again. I demand my season 6!!!!! (only this time, let's not have Maggie & Ivette win)

I had some time on my hands last night so I reviewed the feeds for the comments you talked about that show that the comp was fixed. You know… those comments about IFBs and ‘turn left’… The storyline you’ve been putting out there recently about the last comp just doesn't match reality. The only one to say anything about ear pieces or production instructing Donny was Caleb. He went wandering around the house for more than an hour spewing this non-sense. He never said that he saw or heard anything about Prod helping Donny. He never said that prod gave instructions to Donny via an IFB or that production told Donny to turn left. What Caleb actually said was::7:40 Caleb-Christine in Washroom Cam 4:: “I swear it FEELS LIKE they got a little earpiece in his ear” 7:44 Caleb-Frankie-Zach in Kitchen:: “It SEEMS LIKE he’s got a little IFB and their telling him where the bones are” 7:52 Caleb-Zach in SR cam 4:: “I swear dude, it FEELS LIKE they put an IFB in his ear AND LIKE turn left” No one else said these things and Caleb himself never actually said that Donny had help. What he did say was that it SEEMED LIKE or it FEELS LIKE… in other words, just excuses for his own loss. Listen to it again, this was nothing more than making an excuse for Beast Mode Cowboy losing a contest to lowly ol’ Donny. I'm human so I could have missed something, I've been wrong before and I'll be wrong again, but I didn't see anyone claim to know that Donny had help. If you have the times and cams, then tell us what the are and we can see for ourselves that the group was talking openly & 'giggling' about knowing that Donny actually had productions help.

I completely agree.

Frankie's problem is that Jacosta is the only HG in jury that wouldn't take aim at him. If someone is coming back it is highly unlikely to be Jacosta which means that Zach might be Frankie's best bet. I don't think that this is what has happened but it's not so far fetched in the BB world.

Donny figured that out week one, when he won the first of his 6 wins with his first POV. I'm a little surprised that some still haven't figured that out after 8 weeks... But I suppose that difference is what makes the world interesting.

I know... It was a lame attempt at humor on my part... but you're right, every moment I get away from my computer is 'good' for my mind. My best vacations are those that take me to places that have no connectivity. Ahhhh, now that's good livin'...

I have no idea if he did that but so what if he did given the things we've seen in this house. Christine has made a few comments about 'Duck Dynasty' in a manner that suggested that she feels a sense of superiority to folks like Donny. There's also a certain obvious irony in her dislike of Donny. All we have to do is spend a little time watching her to see that she is a bit different herself. In my humble opinion, she sees him as odd and backward for his uniqueness but she views her own uniqueness as individualistic/trendy/cool/current/elite and that's not just ironic, it's a bit delusional.

My life's work is in science and technology but I do cut my own lawn.