Big Brother 2011-Playing the Lying Game
|How many times have you read angry comments from folks on Big Brother 2011 sites like this, Facebook, or Twitter saying “Come on people! THIS IS JUST A GAME!”
Well, they’re right. All the people out there who hate Shelly above and beyond a game level need to understand something. There is nothing wrong with going into Big Brother planning on playing the “Lying Game.” The issue most people have with her is that she either A) Did it so badly, it became pathetic. Or (the more likely scenario) B) She STILL refuses to admit–even to us– that she’s lying. C) She, herself, doesn’t know she’s playing that lying game.. In her own mind, she’s playing with honor.
Playing the lying game is a legitimate BB strategy. Several past HG have done it quite sucessfully. Dr. Will came into his first season and on day one, told the other HG’s that he would lie, manipulate them, and get into their heads to win the game. And he did. Dan, on his season, didn’t tell the other Houseguests, but he told us in his Diary Room sessions.
Both of these past BB winners played the lying game. But they did it with such finesse, charm and grace, that we ate it up. The main difference between their strategies and how Shelly’s tried to play is simple. The other two were honest (with America, and with themselves, at least) about who they were, and how they were playing. And we loved them for it.
It’s Shelly’s insistence on her loyalty, integrity and honor that rubs us the wrong way.
Looking back on HG’s who played the lying game badly-we have plenty of examples. Ronnie, Season 11, Natalie, Season 11 and even Matt, Season 12-though to a lesser degree. Each of these players knew they couldn’t compete with the “competitors” in the house, so they decided on a different approach. It was their execution of it–as it is with Shelly- that made most of us dislike them.
Ronnie’s arrogance, Natalie’s sliminess, and Matt’s over-the limit lies about his wife’s fake cancer turned us off. It’s the same with Shelly. For most of us, it’s not her turning on Her alliance-and JeJo in particular– that stings. It’s her continued belief that she’s the good guy, playing a good game that skeeves us out. The vote for Daniele, for instance.. That was a bone-head move. She knew that Dani was going. Ergo.. there was no point in ruining her standing with her alliance at that point. Also, hiding Rachel’s stuffed dog and continuing to lie about it, even though Rachel knows she took it?? A clever liar knows when to back down.
Dr. Will and Dan folded their cards when they knew the deck was stacked against them. But the main reason we loved them was because they did not sow personal discord between the other players, and they only lied to others..Never themselves…
Last night in the BY, while Shelly lay patting her stuffed dog and pouting, the rest of the house got together and compared all the lies she’d told. This is very, VERY bad for the liar. A smart liar tells enough truths to confuse the HG’s, but makes sure his/her lies are ambiguous enough that IF the two sides get together, they won’t know for sure if they’ve been lied to or not. Again… not smart. FLASHBACK 6pm BBT
Lots of people out there are irritated that “Floaters” have made it this far. I’ve said it before and i’ll say it again… In Big Brother 2011 a FLOATER is someone who floats from side to side, following the power. It is NOT someone who hasn’t won competitions. Kalia is NOT a floater. Neither is Jordan or Rachel. They have all picked a side and stuck with them, whether they’ve won competitions or not. Porshe USED to be a floater, but when she allied with the Dombies, that ended. Adam is somewhat of a floater, though he stuck with the JeJo alliance through the hard times, and it looks like he may stay the course. If he does, he loses his Floater tag. Shelly CAN no longer be a floater, since neither side wants her, due to her clumsy lying game. So–Floating is no longer an option at this point in the game.
The time for strategy is all but over. Now, it’s about WINNING. I’ll admit, there have been HG’s who got to the end without winning competitions..I’ve mentioned them above (i,e, Dr. Will). But that can’t happen in this season. From here on out, you MUST win to stay. The F5 HOH and the F4 POV winners will determine the outcome of the game. In Big Brother history, there have been plenty of “Floaters” who only stepped up their game and started winning toward the end, who went on to win the whole thing. (i.e. Adam, season 9.)
We’re at a HUGE crossroad in the game. It’s do or die for one side or the other, beginning on Thursday night.
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Well said about lying, floating, etc.
The difference here is that no matter what the circumstance, i.e. “a game”, things get personal real quick.
We humans are nowhere near as confident in our own skin as we let on.
I am sure nobody cares to readily admit that he/she has done something questionable. Hence, Shelly’s denial…
Janet.Your points are well taken,and in most instance,correct.I however,feel that pressure on the players in the BBH,tend to reveal the true inner person.A rose by any other name is still a rose.
Well said, Rick. It’s not if you win or lose…it’s how you play the game…
What’s your top 5 ranking on greatest BB players?
Awesome question Jon! I would still love to see a “Where Are They Now?” on all the previous winners, and a few updates on the more noteworthy players – Mike Boogie aside – EW.
Such as Eric and Jessica – still together?
Crazy Natalie – Is she still stalking Matty?
Bunky – Just, where is Bunky?
Chicken George…etc.
Sadly…Matty is doing time. He got involved with Adam (Baller) in some shady drug dealings.
WOW, i just googled death threats against shelly and there are pages and pages of them. with all this publicity, cbs and bb ratings are going to sky rocket. shelly will be come an infamous person. i think it’s ridiculous for bb fans (aka lunatics) to try to ruin someones life. i don’t believe it will work though. most people know it’s only a game and won’t care that jeff and jordans feelings got hurt because jeff wanted to win. hell, all the contestants came in the game wanting to win and willing to do whatever it takes to do so. some just gets out played. that’s a fact of life. after this game, i expect the next time we see shelly will be on a talk show.
It’s really sad, we have crazy people in this world to go that length to threat their lives. But they will be alright, justice will be served.
I think the death threats are unconscionable. It makes me worry for Shelly’s sanity once she’s out of the whole BB experiance. If she thinks she’s playing with honor now, then sees how America viewed her, I worry it might really damage her. I wonder if she’ll regret the experiance?
God, I hope not. Once she leaves I don’t ever want to see or hear about her again. She would be wise to just go home and lay low until all this silliness blows over. She is going to have enough to deal with emotionally when she finds out about the fallout. I agree with Janet, Shelly has absolutely no integrity and that is why she is so disliked.
Now Shelly has added stealing to her resume. She says she has Slop in her suitcase, to take home.
it is a shame that shelley is getting death threats! what is wrong with these people! she does NOT deserve any of that! These people should be brought up on charges and dealt with right away! although i didn’t like how she betrayed people in the game, she doesn’t deserve this! may God bless Shelley and her family and hope that this all stops! i will keep them in my prayers!
Who ever wrong this article is telling the truth, finally not bias (always on the vets side). Now one point I don’t agree with you said Adam is sort of a floater. No Adam is the floater in BB13 not sort of. What have he done, everyone else has stepped up. The game has its twist, but I was hoping all the newbies go to F4 and Kalia and Porshe to F2. There’s hope, Go Kalia and Porshe!
Sorry I don’t know who wrote this. Typing too fast. Good article Janet-speaking of this one only.
i think what baffles us all still about shelly is the whole integrity thing—even tho this is a game–you have to ask yourself how much of myself am i willing to lose to win this game–she knew it before and after the vote –she even asked herself is it worth it–well to me no amount of money is worth it to lose even a small part of who you are –Janet is right she made a huge bonehead move–because it didn’t stand to benefit her by going against her alliance–she would of still been the low man on the totem pole with dani, kalia and prochse so it was just a dumb move–now she is reaping the precussions—While i stand with you all on the death threat issues on it being totally wrong–now she has to live with herself knowing she will always be known as the person who lost her integrity to get to the end–and it wouldn’t of been so bad if she hadn’t talked about how her family and even her job people would see her as—she constantly said she valued those things the most and then she goes and does something that is totally against what she say shes stands for–again how much of yourself do you lose—becuz the money is not gonna help you gain peoples respect back.. it is a game and we all realize that.. but shelly took it to a whole new level–yes they all back stab lie etc..but you don’t sit there and talk about how you value integrity and then do something totally opposite–that why its so hard for people to get past what she did–
adam is most def the games floater and will do that untill, he needs to win. girls would be wise to think of voting him out.
Once again is a game you do what you have to do to get to the end. The purpose of the game is to win.
and once again–doing what you have to do to get to the end is one thing but losing yourself in the process is another thing–becuz spin it as you will –people are going to remember the things you did to get there –just like natalie and ronnie and so on—-so all i am saying is it worth losing yourself for it–maybe to some people it is to me it is not..money can not buy you respect–yes its a game–we all know that–but these are real people in that house and what they do can affect them after the game–yes shellys life will go on and she will be okay–but her identiy in this game so to speak will be remembered…
i bet next time they have the pros on, they’ll give her a chance to come back. she’s drawing more attention to this game than anyone.
some people will carry a grudge. and it’s stupid. but most will forget. i know i will. i don’t even remember who natalie and ronnie are. it will be the same for most people with shelly. everyone lies in this game to get ahead. some just aren’t as adept at it as others. i think whoever wins this game deserves it. even though they all lied and cheated. ALL of them.
rightly so–who ever wins the games deserves it–but you are in the minority on not remembering natalie and ronnie–thats just like not remembering janelle and dick and danielle and jeff and jordan–they are people who made big impressions on people good or bad..most bb fans remember them–will we hold a grudge no—but most will remember —
Shirley, I’m with you. I don’t remember Natalie or Ronnie either. They made no impression on me. I do, however, remember Janelle and some of the other past houseguests. And I remembered Dick, Daniel, Jeff, Jordan, Brennan, Rachel when they reentered the house.
Darn spellcheck! That’s Brendan and Daniele.
i think we have some floater fans in this game too. remember how everyone hated rachael? now they’re just feeling all warm and snuggly toward her. floater fans. my my
LMAO! Soooo true!
Towards the end with so few players left, and choosing a side when not alot to choose, doesnot make a floater fan. I’m sure to see Rachel another season, I would not cheer her on to win, however, to choose between Jordan and Rachel, who in different ways have worked so hard to be in final 5, or Stinky Porsche and annoying Kalia, both who so tired of watching, sitting around eating constanty( who’s gained much weight!!!) . obviously I want someone to JR to take it all! If the game works for KP, whatever, how sad. Hell, they barely woke up and started playing, hard to fall in love with a team created like that. If Dani were still in the game, maybe a tougher decision. Funny as it is I didn’t like her on previous season, but this season I did feel like she had strtegy and a plan. These 2 bimbo’s left, KP, barely woke up, really hope they loose!!!
I think the reason folks are turning toward Rachel is that she has grown a LOT. Jordan is an excellent influence on her, and she told Shelly in the BY a little while ago, that she realized when BRendon left the second time, that she would never do well in the game if she didn’t seriously change some things. Now, she says she will never vote Jordan out, and she plans on being loyal to those who are loyal to her.
I can get behind that. It has nothing to do with power, especially since they have none. It’s all about growing as a person and trying to do better. To BE better.
i agree janet and once again your post is right on the money…
the reason she’s acting better this time is because brendon has cheated on her before and he was going to have the opportunity to do so again, this time, he’s safely in the jury house where he has no chance to cheat unless he hooks up with shelly. now wouldn’t that be funny?
and i don’t think he would be any worse off than he is with rachael
Don’t forget about Dani.
i didn’t forget her. i just think she’s too much woman for him. he couldn’t handle her.
ZING!!
Matt, a liar to a LESSER DEGREE? Oh, puleasse!
Its a good thing she did not do anything to tee off the Muslems.
rachael saying she’s changed and would never vote jordan out and being loyal all sounds really good.but it has a familiar ring to it. it sounds a lot like what she and brenden told dani, what dani told brenden, what jeff and jordan told dani, what adam has told everyone in the house, and sounds just like what shelly told rach and jordan just the other night when rach won the power of veto. i’ve learned that just cause they say it don’t make it so.
but daniele drew first blood! why do people like “dani” so much? make sure u look at the WHOLE PICTURE, PLEASE!!!!!!! I personally don’t care for daniele, she created her own mess, she had it made, but because she got bored she decided to go after the veterans. she said so herself! so SHE MADE HER BED LET HER SLEEP IN IT! SHE GOT WHAT SHE DESERVED IF U ASK ME!
people like dani because she’s for real. she said she was going to stir things up and she did. she’s a very good player. she’s not afraid of anyone or anything. and she’s honest about it. i knew she’d probably get voted out but i also said that jeff would get to the jury house the same night she did. she went out smiling and he went down begging and threatning shelly. so now he’s in the jury house with his best friend.(his words, not mine)
she said she was going after the vets because she was tired of their scare tactics with the newbies. i was proud of her for that. then everyone started on shelly like it was her fault.kahlia put jeff up, not shelly. so the scare tactics are still going on. just because shelly wised up and decided that she did not want to just hand the money over to j/j. in every episode of bb people have lied, switched alliances, etc. done whatever it takes and this is the first time i’ve seen this type of mob mentality. everyone who goes into that house go there for the chance to win money but no one has had to face what shelly has had to. shelly is not my favorite person but she’s the underdog and i tend to be on their side.
I’m with you on that, I want a newbie to win. I don’t get it, why so many people want the vets to win, not that they’re playing a better game. Bullying and manupulation doesn’t get it.
Integrity. I think if you’re going make an alliance to pull you through the game…like Shelley did…she should have at least had the decency to tell Jeff to his face that she was planning to vote the way she did. Jeff was honest about having to vote Brendan off. Shelley doesn’t deserve death threats but she certainly does not deserve to win…anything. She hasn’t won anything so far…she just lies, lies some more, coasts her way in and out of an alliance where she thinks she can win. She’s a loser and should be ashamed of her behavior and the example she is setting for her daughter. She sickens me. Adam may be riding along under the radar but at least he isn’t a back-stabbing liar. Kahlia and Porsche are too stupid to deserve to win.
Lindsey, I agree with you. Seeing Shelley crying and talking to Jordan just made me sick. Especially later when we see good ole Shelley in the DR saying “like I’d just let them win!” (paraprhased). Her word is meaningless. She can turn on the tears when she think she needs to and then stab them in the back!
Go Rachael & Jordan!!!!!
Watching “After Dark” last night I see Rachel has won HOH. Then I see Kalia stratigizing and you gotta figure her strategies have been a miserable failier throughout the game and her best friend Porsche made the stupidest self serving error in all Big Brother history. It’ll be Rachel and Jorden all the way and Jorden wins Big Brother…goodbye Kalia.
Four kids in four years! I can’t imgniae. I have two, 2 years apart and i just can’t imgniae it. Zac Brown’s a cool guy though God bless them.