TV Review: <i>Big Brother 17</i> (Week #8 & Rankings)

Another one bites the dust! The fallout from the double eviction has left its mark on the Big Brother 17 house. After both Shelli and Jackie were sent packing in last week’s shocking elimination, the houseguests had to pick up the pieces. Two people are gone, and while Shelli’s eviction was planned, Jackie’s eviction sent a shock wave that left people reeling. And many more questions since the bigger threats were still in the game.

Why did Steve target Jackie? Will the houseguests regret not evicting Vanessa instead of Shelli? Are Becky’s days numbered? Will Meg ever stop crying? Can Meg and James trust the Austwins alliance? Can Vanessa pull her manipulative game together from its free-fall? Does Steve regret his decision? Plenty of questions still left in the summer, but not many answers yet. Big Brother is reality TV’s own soap opera. I love it!

The format returns back to normal this week, with only one person walking out the door. But the twists just keep on coming. One person might be returning from the jury house in the coming weeks, so these evictions could shift the game at any moment.

For now, let’s see what went down in the Big Brother house during Week #8:

Week #8

Notes from the jury house

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NEXT: Which houseguests are currently on top?


Three people are sitting in the jury house, potentially waiting for their chance to rejoin the game. However, until that twist is executed, eight houseguests are still fighting for their shot at the half-million dollar prize.

The remaining players have been ranked based on their game moves, alliances, and potential to win the game:

  1. Johnny Mac
    Johnny Mac has claimed the top spot, with the best chance to win Big Brother 17, as of now. Most times when someone is nominated in Big Brother, their game has a way of taking a hit or, in the case of pawns, getting evicted. Johnny Mac actually ended up in a better position! He solidified a close alliance with Steve that also led to a much larger, more powerful group with the Austwins alliance. The jury of Shelli, Jackie, and Becky like Johnny Mac, and it’s a possibility that they could vote for him at the end. Though, with his likable traits and his pawn tendencies, he could be an easy person to get out, since he is a threat to win. Also, Vanessa wants him out–she is a manipulator, after all.
  2. Steve
    Week #8 was a big improvement for Steve. I’m actually eating my words after last week, since he did shock me. His “under-the-radar” game is working, and people like to be around him because he is genuinely a good guy. His challenge wins have built a good Big Brother resume, and even after leading the charge against Jackie, he got minimal blood on his hands. Well, except maybe from Jackie. Crying after the eviction earned him sympathy points from the women, and nobody wanted to target him; he essentially gained safety from Liz, Julia, and Vanessa. Steve is playing a powerful yet quiet game. It’s in the background, but he’s doing well for now.
  3. Julia
    Julia is still in the same situation from last week: she’s playing the middle. Nobody is really against HER, and the only chance she may find herself on the block is if she’s targeted against her sister Liz or alliance member Austin. Her budding friendship with James helps to pass the time, and it could prove valuable later on in the game, especially for a jury vote from him. However, she needs to get into the game and make moves for herself. She needs to stand out from her sister.
  4. Austin
    Love life or the Big Brother game? I’m not really sure when it comes to Austin. He’s enjoying being a part of the Austwins alliance and he did help to make moves during Liz’s HOH reign. The new alliance with Steve and Johnny Mac will help solidify some safety in the coming weeks if everything works out. However, the target on his back is growing. Vanessa, in her own shady unconfirmed way, is not opposed to backstabbing Austin at any point this season to save herself. His showmance alliance with Liz is one of the few “couples” still left in the house, and when it comes to later in the game, couples are the first to be broken apart. He could win challenges and convince the jury of his, but he needs to make it there first.
  5. Liz
    Liz added two more wins to her Big Brother resume. All of these facts and wins can help her make a case to the jury; however, after her reign as HOH, she may have lost Becky’s vote. I still think that Jackie and Shelli would be up in the air if Liz was at the end and needed their votes. Liz’s newfound alliances could be powerful, and she does have budding friendships with a few people in the game. Her place, though, is on shaky ground, as eventually someone from the Austwins alliance will be nominated and be walking out the door.
  6. James
    The loss of Jackie AND Becky has hurt James’ chances to make it to the end. He’s now part of the “other side,” and those houseguests are usually the first to be placed as pawns. He tried to make big moves to secure a power position, but ever since they decided to vote out Shelli instead of Vanessa, his game has taken a hit. James has the votes in jury, as Becky, Shelli, and Jackie would vote for him to win. Though, the chances of him surviving to the end? It’s going to be a tough battle unless he can shift the house.
  7. Vanessa
    From the top of the list to nearly the bottom, Vanessa’s game is unraveling. The houseguests are getting wise to her lies and everyone is on the same page to get rid of her. Her paranoia is ruining any chances she has of making a sane argument for her to stay. She has friends in the house, but they’ve all realized that Vanessa, at one time or another, has thrown each of them under the bus to save herself. Her gameplay style can still make a case to impress the jury, but if Vanessa can’t change things around, she could finally be walking out the door.
  8. Meg
    I was a little harsh about Meg last week. She’s trying. She isn’t really doing anything to change the game, and my initial sentiment that she won’t win Big Brother 17 is still accurate. She has a great shot at second or third place–that’s still a lot of money. I would be shocked if Meg won a competition of power or made a big move, but I won’t believe it until I see it.

What do you think will happen next in Big Brother 17? Share your thoughts below.

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Episode Ratings:
Nomination – 7/10
Power of Veto – 8/10
Eviction – 8/10

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