Bless This Mess

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Reality competition shows work best when we have someone to support. While villains are fun to watch, it’s rewarding to see a clever and likable contestant win after playing a strategic game. Seeing their hard work pay off creates a satisfying conclusion.

It’s rare to feel strongly about who wins when *Big Brother 27* ends this Sunday after a season of questionable choices from nearly everyone. While viewers connected with players like Keanu Soto, who made a strong run to fifth place despite promising to eliminate everyone, and saw a more refined Rachel Reilly return after 14 years, most of the cast weren’t particularly impressive. In fact, even the strongest players had significant weaknesses or were simply irritating. I don’t have a strong preference for who wins the $750,000 prize, especially compared to recent winners like Taylor Hale and Chelsie Baham. But maybe that’s perfectly fine.

Even though it’s been chaotic, *Big Brother 27* is turning out to be one of the most fun seasons we’ve seen in a while. It’s not just the show’s smart choice to embrace a silly, over-the-top vibe with the “Hotel Mystère” murder mystery theme. Usually, the show slows down near the end, but this season has kept its energy going, even longer than last year when almost everyone except Chelsie was easily manipulated. The players on season 27 aren’t exactly master strategists – they often hesitate to make bold moves or change their votes at the last second, even if it hurts their own allies. But that’s because they’re genuinely invested in the game and how they feel about each other. Remember Ashley Hollis’s desperate (and unsuccessful) attempt to change her vote during the live show, which led to a firm “no” from Julie Chen Moonves? If you can appreciate the humor in their mistakes, there’s a lot to enjoy this season.

The show features fascinating, complex relationships, like the one between Keanu and Rachel, who constantly shifted between being friends and rivals while always protecting each other. Cliffton “Will” Williams stands out as one of the most laid-back yet engaging older contestants since Renny Martyn, and his habit of seemingly just listening makes him relatable to viewers amidst all the drama. Even quieter characters, like Lauren Domingue-who is surprisingly compelling despite being shy and hesitant-play an important role, offering a steady presence for the more unpredictable players.

Vince Panaro is the season’s villain – a truly unlikeable player. Watching *Big Brother 27* is largely about seeing Vince repeatedly let people down, ultimately isolating himself from everyone, even his long-term girlfriend. He’s a perfect example of why spreading yourself too thin with alliances doesn’t work. Kelley Jorgensen, who he initially allied with, quickly found herself constantly on the chopping block thanks to Vince. And Keanu made the mistake of trying to force a partnership with him, only to be betrayed over and over – it’s hard to understand what Keanu was hoping for.

This season has been frustrating at times, and the way Rachel was eliminated – without a single vote – was particularly annoying. It wasn’t that she was expected to win, but she deserved a better exit. It felt similar to the controversial “Advantage-geddon” from *Survivor: Game Changers*, where Cirie Fields was eliminated for simply not playing an advantage – a really unfair moment. Also, if you follow the live feeds hoping to see complex strategies and alliance maneuvering on *Big Brother*, this season has been a letdown.

It seems the strong reactions to *Big Brother 27* boil down to what people want from the show. I personally don’t mind if players aren’t always strategically brilliant, as long as it leads to compelling drama, and this season definitely delivers. If you’re not completely engrossed in the unusual connection between Vince and Morgan Pope (who is likely to win), we probably have different views on what makes the show good. It began with awkward, prolonged physical affection after Morgan’s previous crush, Zach Cornell, was eliminated, making both those in the house and viewers uncomfortable. Vince’s girlfriend, Kelsey, hasn’t said anything publicly, but her lack of appearance in his recent video message to loved ones is concerning.

Lately, Vince and Morgan have been sharing increasingly personal late-night conversations, hinting at a connection that goes beyond just friendship. It’s common for strong bonds to form between houseguests on *Big Brother*, and Vince and Morgan are quickly crossing boundaries. Vince is desperately trying to hide his feelings, but it’s becoming clear that their emotional connection could turn into something physical. It’s unclear if Morgan genuinely likes Vince or is simply leading him on to ensure she stays safe in the game, but it makes for compelling, if uncomfortable, viewing – especially as Vince begins to openly question his relationship with Kelsey. What makes this situation so intense isn’t necessarily a desire to see them together, but the realization that real people are experiencing real emotions, both inside and outside the house. It’s a wild ride watching it all unfold live. And to top it off, they’re likely headed to the finals together! While flirting with others while in a relationship isn’t new to *Big Brother*, this situation is unique, particularly given how much it’s impacting the game this close to the end.

I’ve been thinking, maybe we’re putting too much pressure on ourselves to *like* these contestants. It feels like we need to loosen up and embrace the messy, slightly ridiculous spirit of those first reality shows. I think it’s more fun to just watch them as if they’re characters in a show like *Succession* – except, you know, with less money! – and enjoy the train wreck as their bad decisions really affect their game and their lives. Honestly, bring on the chaos!

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2025-09-27 15:55