Big Brother 11 Recap: Week 8 Eviction

One of the downsides to getting invested in any TV show on CBS is that you run the risk of having your show preempted by something football related. While tonight’s episode ran as scheduled, my TiVo expected football thanks to CBS’ schedule and didn’t record it. Fortunately, CBS has it up on their website. Unfortunately, I watched it.

Natalie really gets on my nerves. Something about the smug look on her face as she sat on the couch during Tuesday’s episode and smiled as Jordan was nominated just irritates the heck out of me. So naturally, tonight’s episode wasn’t a happy one for me and I doubt I’m not alone there.

The aftermath of the Veto ceremony was predictably glum for Jordan and Jeff as they came to the realization that their in-house showmance is over. Meanwhile, Kevin and Natalie were elated at having the duo up on the block. Natalie announced that Jeff going to the jury house was her present for Jessie. Love that she’s willing to take credit for Kevin’s work. Fewer Natalie Diary-room sessions might be a plus for me as this season wraps up. They’re doing nothing to help win me over on the girl and given that she seems like a lock for the final two at this point, BB needs to figure out a way to make people excited about that or this is going to be even more of a dismal finale than All Stars was.

Jeff tried to work out a way to stay, appealing to both Natalie and Kevin but his efforts were fruitless. Kevin does seem to realize that Natalie’s not all that trustworthy and he was nervous that she might be swayed by a deal with Jeff. He’s not foolish enough to think she wouldn’t sell him out if it served her purposes. Natalie did imply that she might be willing to betray Kevin but not unless he offers her a much sweeter deal.

We saw some Jeff/Jordan filler where Jordan adorably told Jeff she thought she’d go out the door next week if he went this week. She went on to tell him to make sure he tells her if he has the votes to stay so she can wear her best outfit on eviction night. They followed this by kissing and giggling under the covers.

Michele’s husband was featured in the episode to talk about falling in love at first sight with his wife and how she read on their first date. He joked about how clumsy she was and how bad her memory is. At least, I think he joked. I don’t think the guy cracked a smile through the entire interview.

Jeff’s final stand was a deal he worked out with Michele to hand Natalie HoH this week in exchange for her vote. Did Natalie take the deal? No and as it turned out, she didn’t need it.

For the live show, Kevin cracked a PG-13 joke about normally being fine being handcuffed over a box. Wow. Julie asked another question after that but the episode cut to fish and muted out part of Natalie’s answer. I wish they’d do that more, to be honest, though I suspect the reasoning behind it was either a glitch or else to mute out something someone off camera said.

The show cut to a pre-taped portion featuring the jury house. We got to see Lydia continue to make googly eyes at Jessie while he told her not to touch him. Somehow I doubt his indifference extends to their off-camera time. Russell made his grand entrance into the house, inspiring Jessie to tear his shirt off to make sure America sees the guns one last time. Anyone taking bets on whether or not he shows up to the finale topless? Russell revealed Natalie’s “big lie” about being 18. Lydia wasn’t happy to learn that she’d been lied to… in the Big Brother house. I know, right? Russell and Jessie both admitted that they’d vote for Jeff to win if he gets to the final two. Unfortunately, that won’t be an option.

Following Kevin’s HoH interview with Julie, Jeff and Jordan made their pleas for safety. Jordan gave a charming speech about feeling bad that she was once again nominated up against a friend. Jeff used his time to remind Natalie that she gave her word to keep him safe. Natalie wasn’t smiling smugly as he said that to her but it did nothing to change her vote. She voted to evict Jeff and after Michele voted to evict Jordan, Kevin broke the tie and Jeff was evicted. Jeff gave Natalie a half-hug and she looked deliciously uncomfortable with it so that was something.

Jeff exited the house to loud applause and a standing ovation. He told Julie that he still thinks it was his best move to get Russell out last week. He said his decision to ally with Natalie and Kevin was a tough decision but he couldn’t trust Russell. He didn’t seem to have any regrets about that and I have to agree with him there. It came down to competitions for him and he needed that Veto this week.

The HoH competition was a true/false round with Natalie, Michele and Jordan answering questions about what the evicted houseguests might be up to post-eviction. It came down to a three-way tie and Natalie won it. For some reason she decided to celebrate her victory in tribute to Chima of all people. She also said something about sticking to her word. I don't understand why that's so important to her that she has to announce during her victory run around the backyard. She's told lies in the game. That's part of the game so I won't fault her for that but I always find it irritating when houseguests can't just own their deceit. Maybe that's what made Dr. Will so much fun to watch in season 2 and All Stars. He lied and he celebrated it. Natalie's either in lie-denial or else doing her best to present herself as trustworthy.

While Natalie’s locked in for the final three, it’ll come down to the Veto this week to determine who will be joining her. This week’s HoH is really only safety for the winner. Natalie can nominate Michele and Jordan but if she or Kevin don’t win the Veto, Kevin’s going up.

At this point, the ideal final two would be Michele and Jordan. If not Jordan or Michele than Kevin and one of those two. Anyone but Natalie. I’m not holding my breath though.