[Malza]

Yesterdays BB Blog from News of the World by Peter Briffa

Can Mario Win?

Yesterday Dave and JJ were having a chat, and predicting the order in which they'd be leaving tomorrow.

JJ reckoned it would be him first, Andrew next, Dave would come third, Mario second and first would be the golden girl herself, Josie. Clever chap is our JJ. He's also very shrewd. That's my order. In fact, it's probably everybody's order.

But is it really done and dusted, all over bar the shouting, for a Josie win?
We've had shock results before. It has happened in the celeb version at least twice. Bez beating Kenzie in 2005 when he was the odds on favourite, Ulrika beating Verne and Terry Christian two years ago. But that show has a different viewership. More people watch it, and presumably more, different kind of people vote on it too.

When was the last shock on the summer version? I was very surprised when Brian beat Samanda three years ago. But that was the last time, really. And it was close. People say Rachel beating Mikey towo yeas ago was a shock - not to me it wasn't.

But this one appears to be the most one-sided since Pete four years ago. If Sophie could win last year, then surely Josie has got this one in the bag? The argument goes that the only people who vote are teenage girls, and they will always favour the fit boy ( like John James ) or the modest, likeable girl who doesn't think she's attractive. If a girl is attractive and knows it she's doomed. Think Rachael, Ife, and Rachel. If she's at all snooty or oddball she too hasn't got a chance. Think Caoimhe or Shabby. But if she's just being herself, a bit unconfident, but friendly and not too full of herself... the prize is hers.

This year, only Corin and Josie fit that role, and Corin made the big mistake of making an enemy of John James. Once they were both up in a four way eviction, and were fighting each other, both were doomed, clearing the way for Josie.

So what on earth can stop her? Will BB, over the next two shows, suddenly decide to show Mario in a positive light? I'm afraid it's not going to happen. It should, of course, just as they should have tried to edit Aisleyne flatteringly in the final week of BB7. I would have, just to give Pete a run for his money. And it's rather touching that there are people who think that signing a petition is going to make a difference. Still, if you think it can, you too can sign.

In any case, my beef with BB has never been that they edit things unfairly, it's that they edit things boringly. That is, there is always something more going on than the stereotypes they seem so keen to promote. Dean didn't just mow the lawn, Victor wasn't just a loud-mouthed gangsta, Maxwell had his sensitive side, Rachel could argue the pants off Jenny and Bex. Showing a couple whisper sweet nothings ( with the emphasis on the nothings ) under a duvet is just so dull. I mean, whose bright idea was it to fix it so that JJ was in the final, and not Sam Pepper? What kind of madness is that?

Anyway, let's consider the evidence. The most significant fact is that Josie has never actually faced the public vote. Never. Not her fault: she's been very popular, and only Mario and Steve ever nominated her.

But all the rest of them have been there, quaking in their boots on a Friday night. In BB5 Stuart was never ever nominated yet came fifth. Samanda were never nominated in BB8, and came second. So Josie may be a much-loved housemate when it comes to her fellows, and they may all think she'll win ( and they do ) and they may even think she deserves to win ( which might be more questionable ), and she may be the bookie's favourite, but that doesn't necessarily mean she will win. Indeed, if she had been up on Friday, it's perfectly possible that she would have been evicted and come tomorrow, she would be out there on a bench with Keeley and Rachael, instead of being interviewed as the last ever winner of Channel 4 Big Brother.

On the other hand that one slim piece of evidence doesn't mean I'll be putting my money on Mario. Two weeks ago, when he was 75-1, if I were a betting man, then yes I would. But now, at 9-1, well the odds aren't good enough. One more day, and we'll all find out.

[Smithy]

He won't win

[erichardse10]

No chance!, Josie has won!, no ones going to beat her,