TV

Expect the (Un)Expected: "Big Brother" Is Back in Session

"Big Brother 21" is shaping up to be a rollercoaster ride.

Monty Brinton/CBS

CBS's human zoo is officially open for business! Welcome to Big Brother 21: the human chess experiment where strangers live in a house with zero privacy, a bajillion cameras and microphones, and monster-sized squirrels that break in and stuff them into sacks.

We're only a little over a week into this summer's shenanigans, and it seems the men have already lost their shirts while the rest have lost their sanity. Thanks to the sheisty powers of editing, the 16 houseguests have been reduced to mere caricatures, including Token Old Guy, Nerdy Long Islander, Beefy Attractive Guy #1, and Beefy Attractive Guy #2, in addition to a Broadway dancer, a therapist, and a truck driver. Each guest is equal parts quirky and annoying in his or her own way, but they're all primed for the game and ready to backstab. As last season's winner, Kaycee Clark, would say: Let's go!

While Big Brother's motto is to "Expect the Unexpected," the show has become rather formulaic, despite coming off a series-best season with #BB20. As far as twists are concerned, our neighbors to the north at Big Brother Canada have been running circles around BB:US. But let's just be thankful for the steadfast delivery of super extra attention-whores, hungry for camera time and reality TV glory. Bless.

While we pray for savage backdoors, blindsides, and emotional turmoil, the show has more or less primed us to "expect the expected." But Big Brother fans are nothing if not patient and loyal, and no matter what happens, we're here for all the pots, pans, unitards, broken promises, and shattered hearts—bring on the diary room tears!

Here are a few predictions and first impressions following the show's first batch of episodes:

This cast is going to try to mimic last season's successful Level Six alliance...and they are going to fail miserably.

"Big Brother 21" predictionsCBS

Camp Director Jackson had his crew of jocks in tow (Nick and Aquaman Jack), and they recruited Holly, Bella, and new HOH Christie to their ranks. My money is on them falling apart the second someone outside their alliance wins the crown. I know it's early, but I don't believe for a second that any of these six have the social skills and gameplay of Tyler and Kaycee. In fact, I'd bet a week of slop on it.

The outsiders need to stick together.

CBS

The outliers seem to be Cliff, Nicole, Kemi, Ovi, and Jessica, but if these five want to survive, they're going to have to start their own Quack Pack and fire a direct hit at the main six (we need silly alliance names ASAP please!). Jessica's emotions could land her in hot water, but Nicole is the outsider you should have your sights on. She's a big fan of the game and seems to have a good head on her shoulders, but will she be able to assimilate herself into this crowd of hot LA bartenders? It's a toss up.



David and Ovi aren't going anywhere...yet.

"Big Brother 21" predictionsCBS

David, the photographer from Atlanta, was kidnapped by a furry and banished from the BB house, only to return in a new twist called Camp Comeback. After Ovi's eviction, Host Julie Chen Moonves announced that the first four evicted houseguests will compete for a chance to re-enter the game, but they're going to live inside the house while they wait for that chance. So a pre-jury Battle Back is in our future. Shocker. I'm not a fan of the Battle Back; the "twist" was overkill when Victor won his way back into #BB18 about 72 times. If an evicted houseguest is going to re-enter the game, producers need to get creative and zig when we expect them to zag. To be fair, the show did get creative with last season's Power App, but Kaitlyn wasn't able to finish a six-piece puzzle ofherself. Sometimes, it's hard being a Big Brother fan. Sigh.

Jackson had a serious case of HOH-itis, and he was only the Camp Director.

"Big Brother 21" predictionsCBS

His choices for banishment weren't surprising. It was all very jock-picks-on-perceived-weaklings. If we must have an evicted houseguest back in the fold, David returning with a vendetta against Jackson could be something to root for. In just a single day, Jackson certainly got some (wait for it)...blood on his hands.



With David and Ovi in Camp Comeback and Jack as the new Head of Household, who will be the third houseguest sent packing? Find out next time, kids! (Or, you know. Check Jokers Updates for feed deets.) And let's just pray to OTEV that this season is filled with strategy, shifting allegiances, and cunning gameplay. A killer Big Brother season is exactly what Rockstar's daughter deserves for her birthday.

FILM & TV

Aubrey Plaza's Best Talk Show Moments

No one makes a host uncomfortable quite like Aubrey Plaza.

Aubrey Plaza is an actress, comedian, and producer, and now, a late night phenomenon thanks to her odd anecdotes and supremely awkward reactions.

Promoting her new movie Child's Play, Aubrey Plaza is on the media circuit again, generously giving the people what they want. Plaza makes the most seasoned hosts fumble gloriously— you can't help but laugh. Her strange persona sparkles one-on-one and now, more than ever, she's simply the most fun.

Aubrey Plaza Meets Ellen

Aubrey Plaza Meets Ellen Show www.metatube.com

Aubrey Plaza had already been on various talk shows at this point in her career, but when she finally made it to daytime television, she became a memorable interviewee. A clip of the interview was difficult to find, possibly because The Ellen DeGeneres Show tried to scrub it from the internet. Throughout their five stupendous minutes together, Ellen had no idea how to handle Plaza's off-beat delivery and humor— for once, Ellen was thrown off and hilariously perplexed.


Aubrey Plaza: F#*% You Old People, I'm Going To Live Forever!

No one can banter with Aubrey Plaza like Conan O'Brien. She's often a highlight of his program, but out of all the videos, this one stands out. Here, Aubrey recounts her legendary speech after winning the Young Hollywood Award, where she told old people to go f#*% themselves and declared that she was going to live forever. Wonderfully, she goes on to explain that as a child, she wanted to be an old woman because she believed old people could get away with anything.

Aubrey Plaza Flashed The Dirty Grandpa Producers at Her Audition

For once, the headline of a late night clip isn't clickbait. Seth Meyers, with his boyish charm, giddily laughed while Plaza narrated the unforgettable moment. Although Plaza had been asked to audition for Zac Efron's love interest, she pushed to play the role of Robert De Nero's smokin' boo. This interview has it all: butts, producers, dirty pictures, and of course, Aubrey Plaza.


Aubrey Plaza's Audition For Catwoman

Just the other day, Plaza graced Stephen Colbert's show to promote Child's Play. Jump forward to the 6:50-minute mark to experience their hysterical bit. After Colbert asks her about wanting to audition for Catwoman, she slowly transforms into the role as Colbert brings out more cat-like accessories. The clip ends with Plaza on Colbert's desk, pawing at his face. The host couldn't help but smile as he tried to move to commercial break.

The Parks and Recreation Cast Sings "Bye, Bye Li'l Sebastian"

Saving the best for last, Aubrey Plaza took bits to a whole other level on Late Night with Seth Meyers during the Parks and Recreation send-off— stealing the spotlight with another co-star. Please, just watch for yourself if you haven't seen the sensational clip already.

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