CBB: Launch Night Review

In the RED corner... In the BLUE corner... It began all very American, didn't it! Or like an episode of Gladiators!
The launch itself was very well done, with laughs from the overly excited housemates, awkward stage interviews with Emma for the Americans who - well, just don't seem to 'get it' (Farrah Abraham!) and the nervousness of most of the UK housemates.
As usual, Emma Willis made the launch what it was. She's a great presenter, so likable and her love for the show shines through at all times.

I was unsure I'd enjoy the UK vs USA theme, as I've said before, some of the American housemates that have previously graced our CBB house have been a nuisance, and grated on many of us while trying to watch. But after what I saw last night I think I might enjoy the war of the two countries, especially as a mini cat-fight has already kicked off between Atomic Kitten's Natasha Hamilton and 16 and Pregnant's Farrah Abraham.

So far, the housemates have not been well received on social media, and labeled as let-downs. I'm trying to look on the bright side, and on second thoughts, on the Brit side, we've got a couple of crackers. I'm not too over keen on any of the USA housemates, apart from Scoop, who seems funny and down to earth, but he could soon stir some trouble, I'm sure.

Austin Armacost
On entering the house and while speaking briefly to Emma, Austin seemed up-himself, arrogant and a bit of a pain. But he's had some good feedback from those who have met him before as being a nice guy, so we'll soon see. To be honest, I'd never heard of him before last night, so can't really have an opinion until I see more of his time in the house...

Chris Ellison
I really liked Chris' intro video... I think he'll be one of those housemates that looks tough, but on the inside he's just a teddy bear. I think he'll want to win tasks and be very patriotic that the UK team do well. He seemed very friendly towards everyone and remembered Natasha from years ago, before she was even famous with Atomic Kitten. To me, this proves he must be a genuine person, as not many 'celebs' take notice of much around them!

Daniel Baldwin
Daniel seems friendly enough, and not too OTT for his background. He wants to mingle and get to know everyone, which I sometimes think the USA housemates struggle to do. Again, I don't know much about him personally to comment, but I'm looking forward to seeing what he'll bring. I also think he'll be the American sides Alpha male.

Farrah Abraham
She's already annoyed Natasha, by being a sore loser, and has said that she doesn't have time for people who want to play as part of the team, so maybe she will be one who wants to win. Farrah has come across a tad immature so far, so I'm not sure she will really bond with anyone apart from maybe Tila Tequila.

Gail Porter
Gail got lots of cheers and rightly so. She will add to the group of UK housemates, who are all relatively 'normal', which is what I think works to do well in CBB. Gail seemed quiet last night, but I think after a few days she will find her voice and be somewhat of a leader in the house, along with Natasha, who she already seems to have had some history with. The two get on well, so may be a force to be reckoned with in there... In a good way.

James Hill
Confident little soul, isn't he! Confident or cocky, not quite sure, but James might be like Marmite. I think I'll end up laughing at him, and then wanting him off my screen for five minutes! He seems open to love (or lust!) so who knows what might happen here...

Jenna Jameson
A self-proclaimed 'monster', I don't know anything about Jenna to give an opinion, only from what I've seen last night. She's said she isn't really one to hold her tongue, either, but I always find the ones who say this upon entering are usually the ones to stay schtum. Jenna also says she intimidates people... I can see what she means, as last night she seemed quite brash, but that could have been nerves or her way of trying to get her personality across. Of all of the American girls, she's the one I don't mind so much, so far.

Natasha Hamilton
I like Natasha, and always found her to be honest, upfront and fun-loving whenever I've seen her before. I think she's got what it takes to be a good housemate, an all-rounder, who everyone can see a bit of themselves in. She will say her piece (she already has with Farrah), but will do so fairly and also bring comfort and friendliness, too. She could go all the way.

Scoop
My favourite American so far, altogether. He was funny, when after only the second person entered, said he couldn't be beothered getting up all the time to greet the latest celeb to enter!
Scoop's entry interview with Emma was fun and friendly, too, but I'm under no illusion he could easily get the hump if things progressively go in a way he's not happy with!

Sherrie Hewson
I was pleased when I saw Sherrie go in first. Her appearance on Celeb Come Dine with Me proved she's an accident waiting to happen, but in an endearing and lovable kind of way. Already causing a giggle during the Battle for Supremacy task, at the end of the launch last night, she forgot to load her ball into the launcher... This is the kind of scatty actions we can expect from Sheree, who I think, like Natasha, will also do well.

Stevi Ritchie & Chloe Jasmine
The pair are one housemate, but while they are both probably very nice people, Stevi's niceness and eagerness to please may soon grate on people. I also think he could be very high on energy at times, and need reeling in. Maybe that's why he and Chloe work... She seems sweet and genuinely lovely. Nothing against Stevi, but I think Chloe has the legs to go far, but Stevi may just halt them both from going far. They are both (especially Stevi) deeply patriotic, which may firce them forward to those of us supporting team UK!

Tila
I think Tila will be the annoying housemate of the series. Bless her, she doesn't seem to have much to bring, if her intro video has anything to go by. She's very patriotic for her American roots and says she's not all sexual but actually pretty 'goofy' too. Lets see if she can change opinions I've seen about her over the next few days...

Tonight's show will see Bobby Davro and Janice Dickenson enter the house, with the aim to become power housemates, battling it out to be named Prime Minister or President of their respective countries in the house.
I think Janice will end up being my fave American, as she was great in I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, and Bobby is laways game for a laugh, although like Stevi - may be too much on the joke front and rub some people up the wrong way.

With the Brits having won the first battle last night for Supremacy, will we continue to shine over the Americans?

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CBB - First look reaction

Summer's officially over, or at least it certainly feels like it this morning! And what better way to cheer up our hearts than the three day countdown to Celebrity Big Brother...

Welcome to the Diary Room, ya'll!

These are the first look pictures released of the house, and the UK v USA theme is like TOTALLY happening. 

I must admit that the house looks, in my opinion, to be more in America's favour. There are Union Jack cushions scattered on the sofas, but the stars and stripes seem to certainly be dominating the living area, don't you think?

My point continues over into the kitchen and dining area, too. As the All American Diner look is obvious for all to see...

Milkshake, anyone?

The typical British decor does pop up, however, in this seating area, which reminds me a little bit of an old English library or study... 

But don't fear, American's - you're also the dominance of the garden, it seems, with a cool looking replica of the Statue of Liberty, bang in the middle of the swimming pool...

 

The bedroom, I think, is my favourite looking area so far, with its Pop Art theme. 

All in all the house looks good, but as I said, the American decor certainly seems to dominate in these photos. 

Not that that's a bad thing, I just hope that when we see the whole house it's more 50/50. It would have been nice to maybe see an Old English kitchen, with a pantry - Downton Abbey style. Come to think of it, that could be a good task idea, in homage to the Rich/Poor side task from a few years ago. 

It was a popular one, and it would be great to see the American housemates play the part of kitchen staff, while the Brits live the posh highlife! And then vice-versa, having the US celebs lording it up to the UK housemates dismay... 

Natasha Hamilton from Atomic Kitten and The Apprentice's James Hill are the latest UK rumours for entering the house on Thursday, along with Christopher Ellison, Jason Gardiner, Sherrie Hewson and Carol Vorderman.

On Team USA David Guest, Lindsey Lohan's mum, Dina and (much to my boyfriend's delight) Tila Tequila! (Oo-err!)

BBOTS presenter Rylan has said that his ultimate dream USA housemate WILL be entering - wonder who it could be?!

What do you think of the new look house, and who are you hoping to enter on Thursday?

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EMMERDALE - Is the Summer Fate over?

Wow to last night's double bill.

It took the total victims to three, but remarkably, only two of those were courtesy of the helicopter crash.

I had been waiting to see what the crew would pull off in their made for TV Mirror Maze, and taking into consideration how difficult it must have been to not get ANY reflections from the crew or cameras, this may have been one of the hardest scenes to shoot ever on a soap.
The effects when the second explosion went off and the mirrors shattered all over poor Diane and Val were amazing. It made me shudder at the thought.
My previous thoughts that Diane would perish and Val survive were clearly off point, and it was a heart-wrenching as the two sisters lay in peril, waiting to be saved. Those scenes were as emotive as Ruby's exit the night before.
My shuddering continued when Val spotted the sharp shard of mirror glass directly above her and Diane. You could tell what was to come.
After calling Val a selfish old drama-queen, it was all the more poignant when Val insisted that her sister be rescued before her. The funniest female Geordie in Yorkshire history then lit a cigarette and awaited her fate.
It soon came, as the glass fell... And Pete shut his car boot.

Yes, on to the Barton boys, who for one, had also met his maker. Pete and Ross' fight was only going to end one of - well, one - way. But I imagine Pete coming off worst here, so by a twist of that old Summer favourite, fate... Ross fatally hit his head and ended up in his brothers car, being buried under some twigs.
He never did get to see Debbie again.
This story will run and run, as Ross disappearing won't rock his family just yet, as it's something he would do. How will Pete, who's already crumbling, cover his secret. If Debbie finds out, will she stick by him, having already let Cameron the Killer into her life previously? Will Cain blame himself for Ross' death, knowing he drove him to danger on the edge of that cliff?

Talking of blame games, Robert and Lawrence want Chrissie to stay schtum over causing the fire which caused the explosion, which caused the helicoper crash, which caused all the commotion... So will Adam be on the receiving end of blame, as he was drunk and in a car on the Scrapyard where it all started.
Pollard will also surely feel guilt, along with Rodney and Doug, for locking both Val and Diane in the maze.

As we go into tonight's episode expecting more raw emotional scenes, people online are whispering as to whether Ross is really dead, and won't believe it until his body is found... Look out Pete and Debbie. He could soon be behind you!

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CELEBRITY BB: UK vs USA - No competition!

CBB will soon be returning, and as we (might) already know, this year hosts a UK vs USA theme. 

The rumour mill has been rife as always as to who will be heading through those infamous doors only weeks after the civilian addition saw Chloe Wilburn win her way into the public's heart. 

Part of me always prefers the civilian, traditional Bog Brother only because I like to get opinions of people I've never met and heard of, and watch as those people change my mind week after week! Which is why I almost always never whinge should the 'celebs' who enter the CBB house aren't always well famously known. 

Don't get me wrong, I'd love nothing more than watching Eammon Holmes having a cuppa in the smoking area along with Victoria Beckham, but I doubt that'll ever happen. Not in the CBB house, at least. 

With this year being a UK vs USA theme it'll mean more than two or three American housemates going in, which alwaysgrinds on me a tad. Yes, there have been a few good entertaining Americans in our CBB houses, but I never warm to any of them. I find the USA celebs too overbearing and, just a tiny bit irritating, But that's just me...

Doesn't Rylan look handsome!

As Emma and Rylan pose for these new press shots, it seems that CBB is only round the corner. And I can't wait!

Call me patriotic, but surely it's a no brainier as to who will triumph... C'mon UK!

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HOLLYOAKS Will returns...to CORRIE

But not as Will, which would be weird considering he was killed by the Gloved Hand (although stranger soapy things have happened!) - instead actor James Atherton is joining Coronation Street as newcomer Jamie.

Soap crossovers either work a treat, or blow up like the Emmerdale scrapyard! But James' arrival in Weatherfield looks set to cause a rift, indeed.
His character, Jamie, is an old friend of Luke Britton and the ex-boyfriend of Luke's sister, Steph.
With Steph in a relationship with Andy (or Gavin, to begin with...) what will it mean for all involved?

As Will, James caused one of Hollyoaks' biggest storylines, when he turned serial killer, obsessed with evil Silas. For Luke and Steph's sakes, lets hope his new character is less of a problem.

I'm looking forward to his arrival, which is said to occur in just a few week's time.

Corrie have been slammed a little of late, especially with Sarah Harding's appearance as Joni (which I must admit, I agree with the majority - she was awful!)
They've also got Paddy McGuinness making a cameo soon, as Beth, Sinead, Chesney and the gang head to Wales for a camping trip, and of course, Shayne Ward's long awaited arrival as new regular, Aidan Connor, who will be helping the Factory and Carla out of her gambling-related money woes.

But as James is coming in from soap to soap, it should be a great turnover. He was brilliant as Will, so here's thinking he'll be just as great as Jamie...

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EMMERDALE Summer Fate

So far, Emmerdale's Summer Fate has been...great.

As someone who only dips in and out of the villages antics, once I'd seen the 'Summer Fate' trailer, I decided I'd tune in religiously to get my head round the storylines and really try to submerge myself in the drama. And I'm pleased that I have done.
Once I also heard about the Mirror Maze that had been built especially to be demolished, I was even more excited at seeing the scenes. Imagine being lost in a hall of mirrors, trying to get out, while disaster is striking right outside? It makes me feel claustrophobic at the thought.

The helicopter crash has come with no end of controversy, because of the real-life tragedy a couple of years ago. But in my opinion, Emmerdale made a good point of showing how the 'copter was struck and showed the differences between the two. I also read a tweet yesterday, which supported Emmerdale's decision, and noted that soaps do mimic real life scenarios.
I think it would be different if the tragedy had just only occured more recently, and can sympathise with how it may be very difficult viewing for the families of the victims, but differences in the two situations are strong.

On to the CGI and SFX of the actual crash - I was impressed with how the gas canisters blew, and the one that went pelting into the sky reminded me of Final Destination style camera work! When it hit the helicopter, subsequently bringing it crashing into the village hall and Debbie and Pete's wedding reception, I thought this was also a good piece of effect. I wasn't too impressed, however, with the 'copter hitting the hall roof. I don't know if this is anything to do with my work background, so my creative eye looks at things differently, but it wasn't as effective as I anticipated. That aside, and learning today that a real helicopter was used, the overall end result was really good.

The actors also did a great job, and I was even a little put out that the crash interrupted the argument and Pete's heartbreak at finding out about his brother Ross' affair with his new bride, Debbie.
Meanwhile, Val and Diane, who gave a nice bit of humour among the drama, were locked into the Hall of Mirrors by Pollard and co, hoping the sisters will reconcile their differences.
Ross - locked into a van over a cliff edge by Cain, also survived his jump into the freezing waters... He will see the village alight, and run to Debbie's side. But will Pete let him see her, or even let him live?!

As last night's episode opened, the drama didn't end. Poor Ruby was the first victim, and the scenes were emotive, with me especially liking Kerry and Dan's refusal to leave her side, even though they were in grave danger themselves. We saw a softer side to Kerry's usually brash and jokey manner, which was also lovely to see. Dan will have to break the news to his children and his ex-wife, Ali, who's of course Ruby's partner - and apparently he'll struggle to cope during the aftermath.
Adam was saved from the burning car with seconds to spare by Robert and Chrissie, who of course caused this whole shebang! Many of the other villagers were walking wounded, and April's scenes with Marlon were really sweet - as was the acting by the little girl who plays Sarah. At least all of the children were okay - except Kyle, who was reported missing once Joanie awoke.

My first thought's were that Joanie may perish (which of course, she still could!) and leave Kyle in the hands of his biological Dingle family.
Everyone was rushing to find Kyle, as Cain and Pete still searched the rubble for missing Debbie. And when they did, it didn't look good. As Pete and Cain too her to the car, to rush her to hospital, Zak begged Cain to stay behind to help look Kyle.
What's the bets that Cain finds the son he's always rejected? But will Cain survive tonight's episode after going back into the village hall, knowing that the 'copter will blow up at any minute? Little Kyle is hiding under the rubble, seemingly unharmed. Surely Emmerdale won't kill off a child?

Then there's Val and Diane, who look injured in the new trailer - my thought's were that Val, who's been planning her own fake death will, ironically, end up being killed. But I'm now wondering if it will be poor Diane who meets her Summer Fate, leaving Val to serve her sister's wish of owning up to the fraud and doing her time... Now that would be heartbreaking...

More of my thought's will come tomorrow, after tonight's double bill...

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