Big Brother 9 Betting: nocturnal jazzer in a funk

Big Brother 11 / Feizal Rahman / 14 July 2008 / Leave a Comment

Unfunny Bex pulled off the oldest trick in the book as Mario's antics sealed his fate. Now it could be curtains for the am-dram diva from Devon.

An intriguing period of development this past week, with notable swings in group dynamics. Overtly partitioned in two by way of sleeping quarters, the true divisions amongst the housemates are becoming less vivid. It appears that now there are no real factions, just individuals out for themselves, prepared to enter into short-term alliances for personal gain.

The strongest relationship in the house, by definition, was that of creepy couple Lisa and Mario. However, that partnership was broken up as a result of Friday night's eviction. Trading at odds on all week against joint-nominee Rebecca, the market called it spot on as Mario kissed goodbye to Lisa with more than three quarters of the public vote.

Having played the father role of the house thus far with patience and diligence, Mario suddenly turned like a Rottweiler who'd been poked in the eye once too often. Much like Rambo in 'First Blood', all he wanted was a bit of peace and quiet after a tough life in the field. Instead people started pushing him. Taking no prisoners, Mario unleashed verbal assaults on the harmless Kat and Rachel and then wacky newcomer Belinda. But his real undoing was a consequence of his pig-headed attack on his very own girlfriend Lisa, for what he perceived as her being 'mugged off' by the rest of the house relying on her cleaning duties.

Seeing whatever slight grip on the house he may have had slip away, Mario decided to fold and effectively talked himself into eviction by picking on the easiest targets. Ever-willing to provide us with a David Brent-like one-liner, Mario the Facilitator will be sorely missed, particularly given the absence of such a natural, if unwitting, comical character this, or any, year.

Survivor Rebecca (now [75.0] to win) can thank the all-powerful highlight edits for her kind fate, as she would surely have been doomed up against anyone else. Quite what she offers the house has yet to be established. Cunningly though, she did manage to lure Luke into a drunken kiss mid-week, the modern day Kenneth Williams inexplicably incapable of resisting her very resistible charms. [5.3] to go next, Rebecca has bought herself a few extra weeks by pulling off the oldest trick in the book, and together with Luke (down to [6.8] to win), the pair can continue their act as the most unfunny comedy duo since Cannon and Ball.

Instead, it's stark-raving scatwoman Belinda (x3) who's favourite to be the 5th evictee at a current [2.3]. When she's not piercing ears with her random jazz-infused warbling, she's keeping everyone awake at night with her nocturnal rumblings. With people looking for the slightest excuse to nominate someone, it looks like it could be curtains down for the am-dram diva next Friday. Unless of course, she can get everybody to say her name three times whilst looking into the mirror and leave the house looking like something out of a Clive Barker novel.

Fellow newcomer, Sara, has effortlessly managed to worm her way into the affection of the male contingent, getting comfy with nearly all of them on the sofa at some point in the week. Though clearly with eyes for musclebound Stuart ([42.0] to win) only, quite how long she can tag them all along should provide for interesting viewing. Managing to find anything and everything 'amazing', the Aussie vamp ([60.0] to win) has a strikingly substantial gob on her which may eventually grate on viewers, if not contestants. Feline-like model Maysoon ([85.0] to win), meanwhile, has hardly been noticed but may just be shrewdly biding her time before strategically pouncing.

Significant market mover of the week, however, has been the not-so-dreary Dale. Taking about 30 seconds to get over the loss of Geordie Jen, the teen pin-up has found a new lease of life and, most crucially, a personality. Down to [13.0] from [40.0], Dale did touch single figures temporarily mid-week and has now established himself as a very serious player, overtaking cocky Rex who has doubled in price to a present [36.0]. Kathreya retains her long-time favouritism at [3.0] with Darnell still tucked up behind at [5.1] and Luke around [7.0].

Quote of the week: "It's happened for a reason. The universe is calling him to go tonight... he needs to go tonight, he's meant to go. I believe in that, it's how I cope with things." - Lisa comforts herself after the eviction with the thought that somewhere out there, Mario is helping E.T. comply with inter-galactic health and safety laws.