When Elementary premiered on CBS back in 2012, it drew heavy comparisons to BBC's Sherlock. Sherlock's rabid fans were not too pleased that there would be another Holmes-based series on television. They bashed the premise for being a rip-off (how you can rip off an interpretation of an iconic character in literature is beyond me) and the casting choices. However after watching three seasons of Elementary, I can firmly say that it is miles better than Sherlock for a couple of reasons.
The casting is brilliant. I love that they did a gender swap for Watson and Moriarty. It really brings a different feel to show and gives it an edge over other interpretations of Sherlock Holmes in the media. Johnny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu's chemistry is just off the charts. They're so great together on screen, it leaves you wanting more after every episode is over. Miller's version of Sherlock is easily my favorite from those that I have seen. One thing that I did not care for about the BBC version is that their Sherlock almost feels like a robot. He rarely shows emotion and seems to only spout out nonsense. He can go about doing terrible things and is never called out of any of it. The CBS version actually feels like a real person. You can relate to him as viewer and feel his emotions with him. Not only that, but the other characters routinely keep him in check.
Johnny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu as Holmes and Watson | (Image via CBS)
One of the biggest criticisms I see of BBC's Sherlock is that there is little to no representation of women or any minority race. After watching it, I see those criticisms ring true. What I love about Elementary is that it takes place in New York and there is realistic representation of race and sexuality throughout the show. Two of the four main characters are not white and the show has had numerous recurring characters of different races, sexuality, and even trans representation. New York is a melting pot of culture and Elementary does a good job at showing that.
Lastly, the season length. I know ridiculously short seasons are common in the UK but I will never understand why. Sherlock only airs 3 episodes at 90 minutes per season. With Elementary, we get 22 episodes per season at 42 minutes. It really lets us see the characters grow and for that, I feel like I appreciate them more.
When this season of Survivor started, I did a write up and expressed my excitement for what was to come. I thought splitting up the tribes between white, blue, and no collar was a really fascinating idea that would make for great TV. Now? I don't know how to feel about the season. The episodes are edited great and have a lot of content which is nice because some seasons don't have that (glares at Redemption Island) But the people themselves and the outcome at tribal councils? Terrible. While the last few tribal councils have been explosive (and those are always the best tribals!) the result is always predictable. The best people are going to the jury while people like Dan and Will continue to "play the game" - a phrasing I'm using loosely for those two. We're at final 7 and there's only one likable person left in the running for the $1 million prize. The other six are nauseating. Let's take a look at them.
Will - I've disliked him since the first few episodes and I'm so glad that others are finally starting to see his awfulness. He's terrible at challenges, has no sense of the game, is basically a follower, and is an all around deplorable human being to boot. After watching him make light of Shirin's past issues with abuse, you really get a sense of his "character" (as he likes to put). However, I don't think he is going to the final 3. Normally, you would want to take the person who is least likely to win and shockingly, I don't think that's Will. I mean, Will has 0.000000001% of winning... but that's still more than Dan.
A group of terrible people on a boat | (Photo via CBS)
Dan - I... I can't even, like... what? I don't think I've ever seen anyone lack self-awareness as much has Dan this season. The four seem to be making it so obvious they're together and he still can't see it? Instead he flips on Mike at the drop of a hat. The funniest thing about this? Mike is 100% right in everything has he has told Dan. Rodney/Carolyn/Tyler/Will are a firm final four alliance. My blood was boiling during the last episode - with Dan trashing Mike for the entire reward and then cheering on Rodney in the immunity challenge. Of all the people to get the double vote twist - it had to be him, right? Despite getting two votes at the last tribal, I still don't see him being smart enough to flip back to Mike. Everyone thinks he's an idiot. Rodney and co. are using him and Mike/Shirin know the kind of nasty person he is. He's almost confirmed a spot in the final tribal council because he's almost guaranteed zero votes.
Sierra - She's in the same situation as Dan, minus the atrocious personality. I wanted to like her so much in the beginning - but she has let me down. She always talks about flipping the vote but never does. How do you NOT see you're at the bottom of the alliance? You're barely even in the alliance girl! She showed some promise wanting to vote Tyler out last round but then she goes into tribal and votes Shirin? What are you doing? This was your chance! She thinks aligning with the most unlikable people will get her a win at the end, but nobody is going to respect her lack of gameplay.
Carolyn - The good thing about the alliance of six splintering is that I don't have to hear "WE'RE SIX STRONG!" in next week's episode. I pegged her as being one of the better game players in the first few episodes - but she's incredibly overrated. What has she done? All her game moves seem to be on a personal level - taking out the people she doesn't like (i.e- turning on the white collars, voting out Max). If you really look at her game moves, she's done next to nothing. She does have an idol - and I'm hoping she gets voted out with it in her bag. Sidenote: every time I see her obnoxious smile and head-nods at tribal council, I literally want to turn off my television.
Rodney - He's way too cocky and utterly unwatchable but still not as bad as Will or Dan. It's sad when that becomes the standard? I love watching Mike get him worked up, it's hilarious. "YOU NEED TO RELAX, BRO! YOU NEED TO RELAX!" Rodney exclaims while foaming from the mouth. After Mike, he's sadly the second most deserving winner of the season.
Tyler - Oh right. I almost forgot about him while doing this write up. He definitely could win too. An invisible player winning would be a fitting end to this season. Let me just end it there.
The only acceptable winner of this season, Mike | (Photo via CBS)
Mike - Easily the most deserving winner and the best person left in the game. He made a great move during the last tribal council. I completely understand why he didn't give Shirin the idol. While it would have been absolutely great from a viewer's perspective - it would have been game suicide. Yes, they might have gotten Tyler out - but Mike would just be targeted next round and this time he wouldn't have a hidden immunity idol as a back up. He's fractured the alliance of six and now can pick up the pieces. He's in a much better spot and only a few immunity wins away from winning the entire game. On top of that, he's a stand up guy. He was the only one who stood up for Shirin when Will attacked her and that shows his true character.
and let's not forget the most recent jury member, Shirin. Shirin is one of my favorite castaways in a long time. Even in the beginning when viewers found her annoying, I liked her. She just came across as quirky but overall a genuinely nice person. Last week's episode broke my heart, when Will made her relive her past abuse. Part of me is glad that she was voted out because she finally gets a break from the abysmal people back at camp. She was bullied all season for having a fun, albeit over-the-top personality. I wish Survivor still did "Player of the Season" because there's no doubt in my mind, she would get all of my votes. I should also mention that she gave me one of my all-time favorite Survivor moments. Her denying Will his letter from home will go down in history. He thoroughly deserved it. The iconic hand raise is everything to me. I can't even think of a better way to end this post than with these gifs.
I've been watching Big Brother since it's very first season. To put that in perspective, I was in elementary school when the first season aired back in 2000. So I've seen the absolute best and worst the show has had to offer. They've had some great seasons and some absolutely duds. The duds are hard to take because until recently we only got one season per year. Now with the addition of Big Brother Canada starting in 2013, we get two! I thought it would be fun to countdown the 5 best and worst seasons of the game.
THE BEST
No. 1 - Big Brother 6 (2005)
This was the original split house season, with two opposing alliances who absolutely loathe one another battling it out. The fans did not have any problem picking a side, the sovereign six alliance is one of the most beloved groups in the show's history. This season is also home to my all-time favorite houseguest and one of the most popular houseguests in BB history, Janelle Pierzina. Because both sides hated each other so intensely, it made for really fun drama. Maybe they didn't make the greatest game moves (Kaysar letting go of the button, anyone?) but it made for a very pleasant viewing experience. There was not one alliance that completely dominated the game, the power went back and forth, making it one of the most unpredictable seasons.
No. 2 - Big Brother 10 (2008)
Another split house season. The most refreshing thing about BB10 is that is had no twist. It was simply Big Brother in its purest form. Most recently, the show has become convoluted with ridiculous over the top twists - so it's nice to look back at how great this season was without any of that. The casting was on point too. Great heroes in Keesha, Dan, and Memphis and villains in Jerry, Michelle, and April. Moments like Keesha's iconic birthday fight night and Dan's Russian Roulette veto ceremony cement this season as one of the best.
No. 3 - Big Brother Canada 2 (2014)
Easily the best season of Big Brother in recent years. This season is a true testament to how you can completely flop at the start but still play a strong game until the end. We thought we were doomed to see the First Five go to the end- but in classic Big Brother fashion the outcasts, more specifically - Jon, Neda, and Heather formed an opposing alliance and made sure that didn't happen. Plus, who can forget Ika shamelessly shredding everyone's letters from home?
No. 4 - Big Brother 7: All Stars (2006)
Who doesn't love the best of the best coming back to compete against one another? One of the things that made this season so great? Janelle's competition destruction. Four HoHs and Five PoVs in one season- she still holds the record for the most competition wins in a single season. That's my girl! Other highlights include Chilltown and James' "I AM HARMED" veto confessional. For those who like a good strategic game, this is definitely a must-watch season. Having played before, every player went in with a firm game plan and it was thrilling to watch it all play out.
No. 5 - Big Brother 2 (2001)
After a disappointing first season, season 2 would set the groundwork for the show we have come to know and love. It was the first season to introduce the Head of Household nomination format over a house/public vote. The cast were true pioneers to the game of Big Brother. Not having any reference to past seasons, they were truly on their own. Throughout the years the show has transformed into something else- this season truly felt like a social experiment which is the purpose of Big Brother.
THE WORST
(so bad that they don't deserve video clips)
No. 1 - Big Brother 16 (2014)
I have never collectively disliked an entire cast the way I did the BB16 houseguests. There was not a single truly likable person in the bunch. It was so bad that halfway through the season I found myself rooting for Nicole, simply because she was just slightly less terrible than the rest. Special shout out to Frankie who made the season absolutely unbearable to watch - always playing up to the cameras, his fake and contrived showmance with Zach, and his incredibly extra diary room sessions. On top of an abysmal cast, we were also greeted with an equally horrendous twist. For some reasons, TPTB believe that these over-the-top twists will save their show but they won't. Just look at BB10, one of the best seasons without a proper twist. The issue lies within the casting process. Stop casting wannabe actors and models and cast REAL people then we might have a good season.
No. 2 - Big Brother 12 (2010)
This is the season where Big Brother took a sharp turn in quality. The cast was filled with boring personalities and had one alliance of alpha male men who basically steamrolled themselves to the end. Looking back at this season, I blame the Brigade alliance for the lackluster seasons that followed. Everyone saw a group of guys make it to the end with ease and wanted to recreate that success. So now every season, we get stuck with a large alliance with almost every guy in the house within the first week. It's enough now.
No. 3 - Big Brother 14 (2012)
I want to know whose bright idea it was to incorporate a "coaches" twist? Last time I checked I was watching Big Brother, not The Voice. Dan and Janelle were good people to bring back, but they should have held out for a better season. Also, I will say that bringing Britney back as a gameplay mentor is ironically hilarious. The new players were easily controlled and manipulated (See: Danielle). It says something though that they only way the producers think they can get another hit season is to bring back fan favorites from when the show was actually good. They should have just cut the nonsense and did a second All Stars or a true Fans vs. Favorites season. I've been saying for YEARS they should do a Heroes vs. Villains season - bring back 10 heroes and 10 villains from past seasons. The fans would love it!
No. 4 - Big Brother 8 (2007)
I know this is an unpopular opinion. Big Brother 8 is regarded as a favorite season to many fans, but I'm sorry - I just don't get it. I found both of the Donatos to be extremely unlikable. The cast wasn't great and the twist low-key flopped. Sure, Dick and Daniele made the finals but the other enemy pairs were broken up within the first two rounds. Everyone in the house should have had an enemy in the cast, not just a few people. Also this is the season where the production manipulation became more prominent. I can't take Dick as a legitimate winner because he was saved so many time's by Production's America's Player.
No. 5 - Big Brother 15 (2013)
When I asked for Big Brother to give me some drama, I meant fun drama. While BB15 had it's moments (such as Nick's blindside in week 2), it was dragged down by racism and bullying. That is never a fun thing to watch. Candice was one of my favorite houseguests and it was awful to watch these people bully her for weeks on end. Only a few people in this cast were root-able (Candice, Elissa, Jessie, and Helen to an extent), the rest were a nightmare.
So after falling a bit behind, I finally caught up on the current season of Survivor. It's the 30th season entitled "Worlds Apart," which pits three tribes against each other. One tribe is comprised of people with white collar jobs, another with blue collar jobs, and the final tribe is the "no-collar" tribe. I thought it was an interesting premise. The fact that Survivor can keep creating original twists to the game after thirty seasons is impressive in itself. However it is being dragged down a bit with the lack of root-able castaways. Let's take a look at the specific tribes, shall we?
The No-Collar tribe is easily my least favorite tribe so far. Really, not a single likable person in the bunch. Nina, the oldest in the tribe, was deaf. You would think that the no-collar tribe would have just a little bit of compassion for someone with a disability like that? Eh, not so much. She was outcasted from the get-go. Also, this tribe doesn't have the greatest gameplayers either. Take for example, Jenn. "I don't know why everyone takes this game so seriously?" she wonders in episode two. Hmm, I don't know Jenn, it's not like you're playing for a million dollars or anything? Right? It's scary to think that she found one of the first idols of the season.
But she's not even the worst to come from this tribe. Nope, that would be YouTube "sensation" Will. He's terrible in challenges and has a poor social game - but comes across as if he's superior to the others, There's just something about him I can't pinpoint, but there's a smugness there I just can't deal with.
As expected, the blue collar tribe slayed the physical competitions at the start of the game. However, that didn't stop cracks from forming within the tribe. Before being voted off, Lindsey went toe-to-toe with two of her tribemates, Mike and Rodney. I'll give her credit, her argument with Rodney was justified because his misogynistic should not go unnoticed. I'm hoping at some point somebody puts Dan through the ringer as well - because his obnoxious behavior is grating my nerves.
Despite some annoyances, two of my favorites this season are from this tribe: Mike and Sierra. Mike is hard-working and has his head in the game. Even when Lindsey was screaming at him, he kept his cool and composure and didn't fight back. However, I am a little disappointed he went with the split vote at the first blue-collar tribal council, blindsiding Sierra (who received two votes but was not voted out). I feel for Sierra. They come back from tribal and Dan and Rodney tag team her with criticism. Right there is when Sierra became one of my favorites because I always root for the underdog on these shows. I'm hoping she can cause some chaos now that the tribes are swapping.
And lastly we have the white-collar tribe. Filled with business executives and wall-street sharks, what could possibly go wrong with this tribe? Unsurprisingly, they lost the very first challenge and supplied us with the first blindside of the season. Carolyn, the oldest on the tribe found the hidden immunity idol, and began running things very quickly. So much so, even when the tribes swapped - she held onto that power - taking out her fellow white-collar, Max.
But this tribe is important because it has Shirin, my ironic fave for the season. She's absolutely insane and I love it. I doubt she is going to last much longer, but I hope others decide to drag her to the end because they think they can beat her - only to have her come out on top. I love it when that happens.
Despite a so-so cast, we've gotten some good fights so far, some cray-crays, and a few blindsides - and we're only in the beginning weeks of the game. I have a very good feeling we're going to see a lot more drama this season and I can't wait to see what's to come!
Yesterday Julie Chen announced the new Big Brother season twist, and today they have officially announced the cast. 16 new houseguests - no returning players! So I guess the Blood Vs. Water/Fans Vs. Favorites ideas really were just rumors. I personally think Blood vs. Water could have been fun. Maybe next season. Who knows what will happen though, I wouldn't put it past Big Brother to slip a returnee in there somewhere.
Cast interviews can be found here. Warning: they're about 15 minutes long each, so I'm going to be making my way through these throughout the day. I'm not making an pre-season judgments on any of them because in the past I have been so off-base with my pre-season favorites. Last season Gina Marie was one of my favorites based on the interview. *shudders*
Take a look at the season 16 cast now!
Amber Borzotra, 26
Brittany Martinez, 29
Caleb Reynolds, 26
Christine Brecht, 23
Cody Calafiore, 23
Derrick Levasseur, 30
Devin Shepherd, 26
Donny Thompson, 42
Frankie Grande, 31 (So apparently he is Ariana Grande's brother. Not too big of a fan of this, considering one of the twists centers around fan votes. He has a clear advantage there).
POST EDIT: So I know I said I would not be picking pre-season favorites, but oops. I already did. I'm actually very pleasantly surprised by the cast interviews. I am usually turned off by a lot of the houseguests initially, but this season seems to have some potential. I'm excited to see where it goes. My favorites based on the interviews are: Christine, Jacosta, Cody, Brittney, and ZACH. Oh my gosh, go watch Zach's interview now. It's hilarious. He's bound to give us some good moments in the house.
The new Big Brother twist is terrible. Also, water is wet. Prepare for another mess of a season.
For the past 14 years, Big Brother has been one of my favorite summer past-times. From the episodes to the live feeds, I would consider myself a Big Brother super-fan. That said, I haven't thoroughly enjoyed a season since 2009 (season 11). Why? Two reasons. Terrible casting and the employment of over-the-top ridiculous twists. Remember MVP? or that terrible coaches twist? Last time I checked, Big Brother wasn't The Voice.
The season 16 houseguests have yet to be released, but after last year's cast of actual human garbage - I don't have high hopes of finding a new favorite houseguest. What confuses me however, is that the same casting agents who cast the US version also cast the Canadian version - which was absolutely amazing this winter.
I wonder how the BBUS producers feel about the Canadian version using their format and completely out-doing them at every turn. Because let's be real - season 2 of BB Canada was by far the best season of Big Brother we've had in a long time. The cast was perfect and supplied us with lots of drama - drama that was not focused around racist nature. It was refreshing to watch after the terribleness of BB15.
DOES EVERYBODY WANT GOOD FUCKING TV? IS THAT WHAT THEY WANT?!!?! It's exactly what we wanted, Sabrina. And thank you for giving it to us. Oh man, I just re-watched that season and it was great. I don't know if BBUS will even compare. Probably not considering the twist reveal today.
Julie Chen announced the twist of season 16 on her talk show (ever so cleverly titled "The Talk"). As expected, it's a total mess. Here's a rundown of this years "most twisted season yet"
There will be 2 Head of Households every week
Each will nominate 2 people, 4 houseguests in total will be nominated every week
The Head of Household isn't safe from eviction anymore
There will be a new competition called "Battle of the Block" that threaten's the HOH's safety
The viewing public will have major impact on the game in a new twist called "Team America"
Terrible. Every aspect of this twist is just unappealing. I thought 3 houseguests on the block last year was overkill, but 4? Are you joking? Stop messing with the original format. The format isn't the problem. It's the awful people they cast and cringe-worthy twists like this one.
The BB16 living room. Only 2 eviction chairs, though?
Hmmm. (Photo via CBS)
The Head of Household isn't safe anymore? What's the point of winning it then? You're only going to anger the people you nominate and you could be evicted by the end of the week anyway. There's no longer an incentive to win Head of Household. If anything, this will encourage players to seek more of a floating strategy which really isn't fun to watch. I think floating can be a useful strategy if you employ it with actual strategics. Most floaters usually just fall into it without any real thought.
Haven't we learned that involving the viewers almost always leads to a hot mess? Like the time America pulled a collective Topaz and nominated Elissa, while thinking they were voting for the MVP?
On a brighter note, there is some good news about this season! This will be the first to air in high definition. Let's welcome the Big Brother producers to 2009! It was literally the only show on network television still airing in standard definition. Well not anymore! We get to watch this mess in HD now!
Rumors have been circulating for weeks about past houseguests returning to play the game again. However no mention was made of the cast by Julie Chen. Now that the twist is out, I'm expecting a cast reveal sometime tomorrow. I don't mind past players returning and it's not entirely out of the realm of possibility considering they've brought people back for multiple seasons (Season 7, 11, 13, and 14 all had returnees).
When all is said and done, I'm still going to watch this season religiously like I have in the past. It's the one show I just refuse to give up no matter how bad it gets. I guess that makes me a true super-fan.
Big Brother 16's two night premiere will air on June 25 and June 26th on CBS. Check out the CBS press release here.
Survivor will begin it's 28th cycle when Survivor: Cagayan premieres this Wednesday (Feb. 26). This season will consist of 18 castaways divided into three tribes – One tribe of "brains", another of "beauties", and a final tribe of "brawn." Hmmm... I seem to remember a similar reality television show that used that same exact premise for one of their seasons. This may be the first time Allison Grodner has beaten Mark Burnett to the punch. Good for you, Grodner!
The season 28 cast interviews have been up on the CBS site for quite some time now along with a recently added preview clip of the premiere. I went through and watched some of the one-on-one interviews, but I usually hate picking pre-season favorites for Survivor (and Big Brother as well). I've done so in the past and have regretted almost every single one. It's always the same. I like them based on their pre-show interview but end up aggressively hating them for the duration of the season. I will say that it looks like the beauty tribe might be at a disadvantage here. Yeah, good looks can help you manipulate others but it isn't going to help win competitions which is VITAL in the beginning stages of Survivor. Some of the beauty tribe members do look a bit athletic though, so who knows.
In celebration of Survivor's 28th cycle, I thought it would be fun to post some of my favorite moments from season's past.
Amanda uses the hidden immunity idol (Survivor Micronesia: Fans vs. Favorites)
Okay guys, you don't even know. Amanda is probably my all-time favorite castaway. So this moment was like euphoric for me. It is kind of annoying looking back at all the jurors celebrating, but then failing to vote for her at the end (although I do love me some Parvati as well, so I can't be that mad).
Randy plays a fake idol and is subsequently laughed at by his foes (Survivor: Gabon)
I don't want to sound over-the-top, but when I die I want this video to be projected on my gravestone on an infinite loop for all eternity. No but seriously, this probably ranks atop my favorite moments on Survivor ever. From Crystal screaming her vote to the giggle-fest at Randy's expense, what's not to love? And let's be real, Randy was awful. He deserved that.
Castaways draw rocks at tribal for the second time in history (Survivor: Blood vs. Water)
I LOVE when players are willing to make big and bold moves and this falls right into that category. Hayden and Ciera were my favorites and they went in hard at this tribal. Hayden was able to successfully flip Ciera and force them to draw rocks. I just wished it had worked out more in their favor. Tyson drawing the white rock would have been ideal. Nevertheless, it's still a great Survivor moment.
Erik gives up immunity and is voted out minutes later (Survivor Micronesia: Fans vs. Favorites)
It's almost painful to watch but it's just too good not to mention. Micronesia is definitely in my top 3 seasons because it gave us moments like this. I can't even comprehend the thought process of giving up immunity at final four. Oh, Erik.
After rummaging through Survivor's best moments from the past 27 seasons, I can definitely say I'm excited and eager to see what comes from it's 28th. Not many shows can say they've kept viewers on their toes for almost 30 seasons, but Survivor sure can.
The 2-hour premiere of Survivor: Cagayan airs Wednesday February 26th at 8pm on CBS.
