Kristina Alobić (Kristina Alobic) was evicted last Friday with 75 % of votes. That appears to be one of the highest percentages in history of Big Brother. As far as I remember, only Antonija Blaće (Antonija Blace) had bigger percentage when paired against Saša Tkakčević (Sasa Tkalcevic) in first season.
Although this development removed the only major obstacle to the realisation of show's plans, it created another set of problems. First, the plan is too obvious and the audience will quickly lose interest. Second problem is in Kristina's departure lowering the average IQ in House beyond levels that even the most anti-intellectual of Croatian viewers find insulting. Third problem is in the plan, which is so obvious, having potential to cause backlash both in and outside the House.
The backlash could manifest itself in the rise of public antipathy towards the designated final quartet - Hamdija Seferović (Hamdija Seferovic), Matko Okmažić (Matko Okmazic), Lana Škurić (Lana Skuric) and Kristian Stojić (Kristijan Stojic) - as well as in the Croatian public embracing four remaining candidates simply for not belonging to this group.
Some of those trends could be noticed even now in Croatian newsgroups and Internet forums. Sanja Močibob (Sanja Mocibob) might be embodiment of all the sexist stereotypes about blondes with large breasts, but she happens to be "fun" and "honest" due to her inability for intrigue. Duje Katalinić (Duje Katalanic) might look arrogant, sexist and he might have Dalmatian accent, but at least he had shown intellect while dealing with Lana. Ivan Grgec might have some issues with maintaing sexual abstinence, but at least he was "honest" and he didn't take part in any conspiracies.
The titles of House's queen bee and top intellectual were passed from Kristina to Hana Šoljan (Hana Soljan) who, despite her ueber-priviliged Pantovčak (Pantovcak) background and dating kick boxing champion Ante Varnica, gradually won sympathies among Croatian public, especially among disgruntled Kristina's fans. Hana studies journalism and the mere ability to enrol into Faculty of Political Science is enough to make her a genius compared with other housemates. Another reason for rise of Hana's PR points is her tendency to defend her traditional Catholic views with the same ferocity Kristina had defended her vegetarianism and agnosticism. Finally, Hana is perceived as nemesis of Lana, and this doesn't hurt when most of Croatian public can't stand Lana.
Fourth reason comes from the prosaic fact that Hana got nominated on Friday against Kristian. Hana expected it and took philosophical approach to her next few days. Kristian didn't expect it and he spent most of Friday night sitting in the yard and crying - a spectacle RTL Televizija chose not to show in its daily summaries.
In dealing with this situation, RTL Televizija appears to be using the same strategy used against Kristina last week - Kristian, like Ivan last week, has almost evaporated from daily summaries, while everything revolves around Hana. One example is minor incident during which Hamdija became too close to Hana for her taste, which resulted in rather heated exchange of words. Again, the incident was not aired, but Hana's furious reaction - including the mention of her boyfriend who could "smash Hamdija to a bloody pulp" - was, leading many Croatian viewers to treat Miss Šoljan as a spoiled little princess that should be evicted. RTL Televizija, on the other hand, also showed the epilogue in the form of Hana and Hamdija having a frank discussion about the incident and the latter apologising, yet it was hardly enough to compensate for the PR damage.
The biggest incident and the opportunity for RTL Televizija find single solution for many problems happened immediately after the nominations. This process was traditionally followed with large amounts of alcohol. Sanja took more than she should have, which resulted in another heated argument with Hamdija which continued with Sanja's repeated invasions of male bedroom in search of Hamdija's apology. The last such invasion ended with Sanja and Hamdija sharing a bed for a unspecified amount of time.
Almost immediately, Croatian tabloid 24 sata published a "scoop" about Croatian Internet users "witnessing Sanja being engaged in sexual activity with Hamdija". Needless to say, this report managed to become source of incredible controversy, urban legends and all kinds of speculations and innuendos. RTL Televizija appears not to confirm nor deny the story, while some of those "Internet users" claim that Big Brother had livestream cameras and microphones directed at yard during the alleged activity.
This development - true or false - shows that Big Brother took the path of "Bar" and used "first reality sex" routine in order to fight the decreased public interest for the show. This also helps RTL Televizija's team in dealing with some other issues.
First, this could paint Sanja as pathetic slut and, therefore, secure her eviction if she is ever nominated with a male housemates. This also puts Hamdija, who happens to be married man and father of two children, into precarious position during which he would be more likely to listen instructions and suggestions in Diary Room. This controversy also takes away from Kristian.
At the same time, the eviction vote seems to stray a little bit from the last week's pattern. The polls are, again divided - some give advantage to Hana, some to Kristian. Betting shops, on the other, for the first time point to reversal of a trend or even possible upset. At first, Hana's eviction looked certain with 1.07 : 1 odds, while today the odds are little bit higher 1.25:1 or 1.3:1. There are already rumours and conspiracy theories about Hana and her rich friends and family affecting the vote, as well as situation at bet shops.
But Kristian's eviction - development that would undoubtedly make show more interesting and which is not beyond the realms of reality (as the last season's case of Sanja Kvastek clearly shows) - is currently as likely as some rumours about BB team deciding to evict Kristian, Lana and Matko on Friday night using the repeated nomination negotiations as a pretext.
Friday is also a day when, according to Croatian media, one or three more new contestants are finally going to enter House. One of them is rumoured to be Antonija Šola (Antonija Sola), actress currently starring in Zabranjena ljubav, RTL Televizija's struggling soap opera.
While all this went on, Kristina finally took some time to triumphantly return to one of Croatia's Internet forums where she was known under aliases "Reddoorgirl" and "Mica Maca".
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