Entertainment

The Craziest ‘Big Brother’ Twists of All Time: Secret Pairs and Beyond on August 1, 2023 at 11:20 pm Us Weekly

Published

2 years ago

August 2, 2023

Although Big Brother follows a basic formula from year to year, fans know to expect the unexpected when it comes to production twists.

While some twists have jeopardized player’s games — see season 8’s “America’s Player,” Eric Stein — other houseguests have used the unforeseen circumstances to their advantage.

Jun Song, for example, pretended to hate her ex-boyfriend Jee Choe when he entered the house as part of the “X factor” twist during season 4. In actuality, the former couple had a secret side alliance for much of the competition and Jun went on to win the grand prize.

Keep scrolling to see the wildest twists in Big Brother history:

The Power of Veto

Once upon a time, the Power of Veto was not a core component of Big Brother, but a twist introduced during season 3 in 2002.

The twist — which allows the winner of the veto competition to save one nominee from the eviction block — has been used in every subsequent season and serves as a counter to the Head of Household’s power.

The Power of Veto gave season 5 houseguests Marvin Latimer and Nakomis Dedmon the ability to develop the Big Brother strategy known as the backdoor in 2004. That season, Jase Wirey became the first victim of the technique.

In a successful backdoor, the Head of Household nominates two pawns for eviction rather than their intended target. The HoH then arranges for the Power of Veto to be used on one of the pawns, thereby putting their target on the block without giving them a chance to compete for safety.

The X-Factor

Eight houseguests initially entered the Big Brother house during season 4 in 2003. The contestants were then told five more houseguests would be joining the competition, all of whom were ex-lovers of the original eight.

The twist quickly turned explosive, with Scott Weintraub going on a furniture-throwing tirade shortly after his ex-girlfriend Amanda Craig moved into the house. Weintraub was expelled from the game as a result of his actions.

The X-Factor twist returned in season 8 when Joe Barber discovered that his ex-boyfriend, Dustin Erikstrup, was also playing the game, and again in season 9 when exes Sharon Obermueller and Jacob Heald were paired up to compete as “soulmates.”

Project DNA

Bill Inoshita/CBS

Project DNA, comprised of Secret Siblings and the Twin Twist, was introduced during season 5.

For the Twin Twist, a pair of identical twins, Adria Klein and Natalie Carroll, both played as Adria, swapping places every few days unbeknownst to their fellow houseguests. The twins successfully made it to week five without the other contestants catching on, at which point they both entered the game as individuals. The twist returned during season 17 in 2015, when twins Liz Nolan and Julia Nolan placed second and sixth, respectively.

Project DNA, meanwhile, brought together estranged half-siblings Nakomis and Cowboy Ellis, who were unaware of each other’s existence before the show. Their connection was revealed during week two.

Summer of Secrets

During 2005’s season 6, each contestant had a secret partner in the game whom they knew prior to entering the house. The twist featured friends, couples, former coworkers, ex-roommates, neighborhoods and sorority sisters.

Initially, each secret pair thought they were the only duo with an outside connection. If both members of a twosome reached the final two, they received double the original prize money. The houseguests quickly figured out the twist and host Julie Chen Moonves confirmed it after the third live eviction.

America’s Player

CBS

The America’s Player twist was introduced during season 8 in 2007, with much of Eric’s game being controlled by viewers. At times, fan votes even influenced how Eric voted and who he targeted for eviction. While the twist was in many ways a disadvantage for Stein, he managed to finish in 5th place.

America’s Player returned during season 10 in 2008, with Dan Gheesling earning the title. However, unlike Eric, Dan was only America’s Player for one week, and he earned $20,000 for successfully passing all three of his missions, which included targeting Jessie Godderz and voting to evict him.

Coaches

Big Brother alums Dan, Mike “Boogie” Malin, Janelle Pierzina and Brittany Haynes all returned for season 14 in 2012 for the Coaches twist. Each of the four coached a group of new players and were told they’d win $100,000 if one of their players won the game. However, during week 3, the coaches were given an opportunity to play as individuals. Every coach except Mike took the offer, and all four coaches then entered the game.

During the season, Dan — who made it to the final two with season winner Ian Terry — executed one of the most iconic strategic moves in Big Brother history, known as Dan’s Funeral. After pretending to accept his own demise and making the house think he was on the outs with his No. 1 ally, Danielle Murphree, Dan convinced his former rival Frank Eudy to keep him in the game.

Battle of the Block

Introduced during season 16 in 2014, the Battle of the Block crowned two Head of Households each week for the first several weeks of the game. The HoHs each nominated two houseguests for eviction, and the nominated pairs then battled against each other to win safety and dethrone the HoH that nominated them. Frankie Grande notably won a BotB competition alone after his partner, Caleb Reynolds, learned he’d betrayed their alliance and refused to participate.

BotB, which returned during season 17, was controversial amid the Big Brother fan base, with some viewers feeling that the twist allowed for large alliances to maintain power from week to week, making for predictable and boring gameplay.

Split House

During season 24 in 2022, the cast was divided into a split house for the double eviction. The two groups played an entire week of the game completely cut off from each other, with five players inside the house at “BroChella” and five players in the backyard at “Dyre Fest.”

The twist led to Joseph Abdin’s demise as he was separated from several of his Leftovers alliance members. Leftovers member Kyle Capener used the Split House twist to out the alliance to his showmance partner, Alyssa Snider, and the Dyre Fest HoH, Terrance Higgins. The Dyre Fest group then targeted Joseph and he was evicted, which came as a shock to the other side of the house when the twist ended.

Although Big Brother follows a basic formula from year to year, fans know to expect the unexpected when it comes to production twists. While some twists have jeopardized player’s games — see season 8’s “America’s Player,” Eric Stein — other houseguests have used the unforeseen circumstances to their advantage. Jun Song, for example, pretended to hate

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Entertainment

Biden Signs with Top Talent Agency CAA

Published

8 hours ago

February 5, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Former President Joe Biden has signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA), a major Hollywood talent agency, just two weeks after leaving the White House. This move marks a reunion for Biden with CAA, which previously represented him from 2017 to 2020.

Key Details

CAA co-chairman Richard Lovett praised Biden, calling him “one of America’s most respected and influential voices in national and global affairs”. Lovett also highlighted Biden’s “lifelong commitment to public service” as one of “unity, optimism, dignity, and possibility”.

During his previous stint with CAA, Biden achieved several notable accomplishments:

Published his memoir “Promise Me, Dad,” which became a New York Times bestseller
Launched the “American Promise” book tour, selling over 85,000 tickets nationwide
The book tour is believed to have inspired his eventual run for the presidency

Potential Opportunities

At 82 years old, Biden has kept a relatively low profile regarding his post-presidency plans. However, his signing with CAA suggests he may be exploring various opportunities, such as:

Public speaking engagements
Writing projects
Media appearances

CAA’s Star-Studded Roster

CAA represents a wide range of high-profile clients, including:

Hollywood actors like Meryl Streep
Lifestyle mogul Martha Stewart
Sports stars such as Shohei Ohtani

Notably, CAA also represents former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s production company, Higher Ground.

Looking Ahead

While Biden’s specific plans remain unclear, he has previously stated, “I’m not going to be out of sight or out of mind”. His partnership with CAA may provide a platform for him to continue influencing national and global affairs, as well as sharing his experiences and insights from his long career in public service.

As Biden joins the ranks of former presidents exploring post-White House opportunities, his association with CAA positions him to potentially engage in various projects that could shape his legacy and contribute to public discourse on important issues.

Bolanle Media covers a wide range of topics, including film, technology, and culture. Our team creates easy-to-understand articles and news pieces that keep readers informed about the latest trends and events. If you’re looking for press coverage or want to share your story with a wider audience, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us today to discuss how we can help bring your news to life

Entertainment

What Film Producers Really Do

Published

9 hours ago

February 5, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

When the credits roll and audiences marvel at a spectacular film, few realize the incredible journey that brought that story to life. At the heart of this journey is the film producer – a professional who is part creative visionary, part business strategist, and entirely passionate about storytelling.

Film producers are essentially the architects of cinema, transforming a simple idea into a fully realized motion picture. Their work begins long before actors step in front of cameras, starting with discovering compelling stories and securing the rights to bring them to screen. Imagine a producer as a talent scout with an incredible eye for potential, constantly searching for narratives that could captivate global audiences.

The producer’s role is remarkably complex and multifaceted. They’re responsible for assembling the creative team, which means finding the perfect director, negotiating with screenwriters, and making critical casting decisions. But their job isn’t just about creative choices – they’re also financial strategists who must secure funding, manage budgets, and ensure the project remains economically viable.

During actual film production, producers become problem-solvers extraordinaire. They navigate countless challenges, from unexpected location issues to creative disagreements, always keeping the project moving forward. They’re the bridge between artistic vision and practical execution, making sure the director’s creative goals align with financial realities.

Post-production is another critical phase where producers shine. They oversee editing, potentially request additional scenes, and prepare the film for distribution. Their networking skills become crucial as they negotiate with studios, potential distributors, and international markets to ensure the film reaches its intended audience.

What makes a great producer isn’t just technical skill, but a unique blend of creativity, business acumen, and relentless passion. They must understand storytelling deeply while simultaneously managing complex logistical and financial challenges. It’s a role that requires intuition, strategic thinking, and an unwavering commitment to bringing remarkable stories to life.

While actors and directors often receive the spotlight, film producers are the true unsung heroes of cinema. They are the magical professionals who transform abstract ideas into the movies we love, cherish, and remember. Their work is a delicate dance of creativity, strategy, and pure cinematic magic.

Entertainment

The Rising Trend of Immigrant-Driven Police Car Destruction

Published

2 days ago

February 4, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Recent events have highlighted a concerning trend of police vehicle damage and theft during immigration-related protests. On February 3, 2025, a demonstration against federal immigration policies in Arizona’s West Valley turned violent, resulting in significant property damage and a brazen act of police vehicle theft.

Escalation of Protests

The protest, which began peacefully, escalated as the crowd grew to approximately 1,000 people. By 7:30 PM, demonstrators had taken over the intersection of 67th Avenue and Camelback Road, setting off fireworks and engaging in unruly behavior. As the situation deteriorated, some protesters began throwing rocks, concrete chunks, and glass bottles at officers.

Police Vehicle Theft and Damage

In a shocking turn of events, one protester managed to steal a police patrol vehicle. According to a Glendale Police spokesperson, the suspect “jumped into one of our patrol vehicles and drove it a short distance before it was quickly recovered”. This incident underscores the heightened tensions and bold actions taken by some demonstrators.

The damage was not limited to this single act of theft. Five marked patrol vehicles sustained significant damage, including:

Broken windows
Slashed tires
Body and hood dents

Wider Impact and Response

The unrest spread beyond law enforcement targets. Multiple civilian vehicles and area businesses also suffered damage, and a large storage container behind a business complex was set on fire. To regain control of the situation, authorities deployed chemical agents around 10:15 PM to disperse what they termed an “unlawful assembly”.

Context of Immigration Tensions

This incident occurs against the backdrop of heightened immigration enforcement efforts by the Trump administration. Recent directives have led to an aggressive increase in arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with officials aiming to detain 1,200 to 1,500 individuals daily. This policy shift has sparked protests in multiple cities across the United States, including Los Angeles, Houston, and Atlanta.

Conclusion

The theft and destruction of police vehicles during immigration protests represent a troubling escalation in civil unrest. While the majority of demonstrators express their views peacefully, these incidents highlight the potential for violence and property damage when tensions run high. Law enforcement agencies and community leaders face the challenge of balancing public safety with the right to protest as the debate over immigration policies continues to intensify.