Review: Big Brother, Till Death Do You Part: Episode 1

This years Big Brother has a new gimmick. They are trying to form relationships within the house. Everyone (as far as the players know) is single and looking for love. The 16 players are immediately set up into couples. Couples will compete together, win Head of Household (HOH) together, get evicted together, and SLEEP together. Big Brother's not scared.

Before the couples get set up though, Big Brother reveals a couple of secrets. Two of the players are currently dating, and two of the players were dating for years until a recent breakup that was a result of cheating. I'll let you know who's who below in my team descriptions.

The Teams

Alex + Amanda: Alex is a DJ who owns his own company but tells his house mates that he just works for it. He has a little bit of a cocky attitude but seems like he will spice up the house. Amanda is a Paralegal who comes across as a 'princess' or a spoiled brat or whatever. She also seems nice though, just spoiled. They both seem pretty happy to be paired with each other.

James + Chelsia: James is a homeless guy (by choice) that is currently biking (think pedals, not engines) around the world. Chelsia is a college student who does admit to liking bikers, but she prefers the leather clad motorcyclist. Not really James. They get along well though.

Matt + Natalie: Matt is one of my early favorites in the house. He's a roofer, but very outspoken and very confident. Natalie is a Bikini Barista (she serves coffee in a bikini...) and immediately reminded me of Cheri O'Teri from SNL. She's very animated. Matt was happy with the pairing and they seem to get on nicely.

Parker + Jen: This is the first real big shock of the pairings. Jen is one of the people who knows someone in the house. She is currently dating Ryan (he is still to come). But Big Brother didn't pair the lovers up. Jen is sort of freaking out about it. Jen is a bartender, and I agree with Parker's assessment: "Jen is cutest". Parker is a Paparazzo, who said he thought Jen was hot. I think it is harsh for both of the two here. Jen is stuck with a guy that isn't her BF, and Parker likes her but has a large challenge because she is already taken, and no one knows.

Joshua + Neil: No, Big Brother didn't screw up, they are gay. Joshua is an Advertising Media Buyer, while Neil is a Realtor. Neither them is over the top, and they both are happy that they at least have the chance to flirt and what not.

Jacob + Sharon: These are the exes. What happened, is Jacob cheated on Sharon some time back, and she left him. They both said that they thought at one time that they were soul mates. Jacob really wants Sharon and knows he screwed up, but Sharon is really upset she got paired with him. These two should be fun to watch. Jacob is an electrician, and Sharon is a Realtor.

Ryan + Allison: Ryan is the other half of he current couple, and is pretty jealous about the way things went down. He doesn't like the thought of Parker sharing a bed with Jen. Suck it up Ryan. He is a student and seems pretty down to earth. Allison is a Pharmaceutical Sales Rep who also is a recovering gambling addict. She is happy with Ryan, but I don't think Ryan noticed her because he can't stop looking at Jen and Parker.

Adam + Sheila: Wow. That's all I can say. Up to know, everyone seemed pretty happy with their pairings (besides the couple and Sharon), but right when these were the last two left Sheila started complaining. And she kept complaining. And complaining. She actually cried, because Adam was so far from her type. Adam did call her 'Ma" a few times (Sheila is oldest in house at 45 and is a mother), which only made Sheila more upset. He went on the defensive and started bad mouthing her, and it pretty much seems as though they already hate each other. She is an ex model and a single mom, he is a PR manager.

At this point they went right into the first challenge which was for the title "Power Couple" and the sole power to evict one other couple, which we will see tomorrow (Wed the 13th). The game is basically having one member of the team harnessed and lowered down from above, where they grab hold of their teammate and are raised. Whichever team lasts longest without dropping wins.

Sheila and Adam went first 5:09 into it, then Josh and Neil at 9:18. Then Alex and Amanda dropped at 28:28 with Sharon and Jacob following at 34:14. At this point, Julie informs the remaining couples that the pillow on the bed below them will be worth $10,000 dollars if they can grab it and if they win (they are hanging about 5 feet above the bed). Allison and Ryan go out when she falls reaching for the pillow. Chelsia gets the pillow but then slips from Jake's grasp and they go out at 54:19. That leaves Matt and Nat, and Jen and Parker. Jen and Parker have the pillow while Matt and Nat do not, and Jen offers Matt and Nat safety if they drop so Jen and Parker can win the money. Matt and Nat agree, and our first power couple is Parker and Jen.

And that is all folks. Check back for my Wednesday recap!!!