LAST EDITED ON 08-03-10 AT 02:54 PM (EST)

A show-selected group of television critics and BB Internet bloggers was given a tour of the facilities -- with the contestants occupying whatever section they weren't in, unaware of the guests...

http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/big_brother_12/2010_Aug_02_back_yard_control_room

http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/big_brother_12/2010_Aug_03_house_tour_inside

http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2010/08/01/128908639/-we-call-it-the-human-zoo-an-uneasy-stroll-through-the-big-brother-house

Not a pretty picture -- and my accusations of BB being the cheapest of the major competition shows just keeps getting backed.

'Human zoo'. Do they treat them like animals or just cast for lack of sentience? But once again, this is what Grodner is. The first step to letting yourself control someone is to dehumanize them. And she's very good at that.

Placed in Spoilers because there's some veto competition info here.

• RE: Touring a hamster cage in the company of rats.,michel, 08:08 PM, 08-03-10
  • RE: Touring a hamster cage in the company of rats.,Estee, 08:47 PM, 08-03-10
    • RE: Touring a hamster cage in the company of rats.,michel, 09:11 PM, 08-03-10

Rats? So I guess no one has to be on slop but do they have the right sauce?

The crew is generally referred to as the rats in the walls. (Will may have started this.) As for the sauce being right, I think the dollar stores near the soundstage probably do big business.

The biggest surprise was learning that the cage smells bad. It's been nearly a year since Natalie left: you'd think someone would have found a cure.

Andrew was the only one doing any cleaning so I'm not surprised. Soon, the Have Not room will be the best one to be in!