Twenty years ago, the fortunes of a CBS network which fell into the cellar during the 90's put their chips into the reality category to regain its glory days. Survivor debuted in May and it was at this time in August that the country watched in increasing numbers that first season and leading to nearly 50 million watching the finale. At the same time, Big Brother debuted as the network put its hopes behind a format that, like Survivor, did so well in Europe that they hoped would emulate their success overseas here. It didn't necessarily translate into that kind of success they hoped for, but thanks to retooling the format it would eventually become a powerhouse that dominates both TV and social.
This week saw the kickoff of the twenty-second season of Big Brother in America, but this time instead of casting a whole new group of newbies, it's past alumni who have joined for another shot on Big Brother All Stars. BB22 is of most interest to Challenge Naton for two reasons: straight off of her finals appearance one-half of the Swayleigh express, Bayleigh Dayton, is back to where she first became a TV star on BB20 two years ago. Also returning to the fold after a two-season sojourn to The Challenge is Final Reckoning and War of the Worlds cult favorite Da'Vonne Rogers, who was a houseguest on two seasons: BB17 in 2015 and Season 18 a year later. They are the two players that stand out to us in a summer that began with the live move-in on Wednesday and continues this weekend, with episode 2 airing later on Sunday due to golf's PGA Championship in San Francisco.
There is one other person of note in that BB All-Stars house who shares the same blood with one who also knows what it's like to be scrutinized for 100 days in that famed summer house, and this past week the one who proceeded him as a houseguest got to meet up with a multi-talented superstar who is also an icon to two communities. Todrick Hall turned 35 years young back in April having already solidified himself as a quadruple threat, but whose journey to stardom began back on the ninth season of American Idol, where the native of the Lubbock area auditioned in Dallas, made it to Hollywood and was eliminated in the semifinals missing out on the final 12 & the live shows.But that was only the start of a journey that has seen Todrick vault into the stratosphere in the social media age: over 3.5 million subscribe to his YouTube channel which has garnered 775 million views with his many music videos plus parodies and skits. He is also a choreographer having also helped teach many contestants dance moves on RuPaul's Drag Race and has appeared in many Broadway plays. And a few years ago, he let MTV in on how he makes the magic for the 2015 docuseries Todrick, and where he gets to do all the work by himself and with his friends at his side.
The fandom who adore Todrick are affectionately called the Toddlerz, and one of them who got to run into the main man himself happens to be the brother of one of the new Big Brother All-Stars. And one who also was on Mama Day's second stint in the BB house is Paulie Califiore, who made waves during that summer of 2016, and who would ultimately become a new face and villain to Challenge fans in making two finals and scoring Cara Maria, and who made a pit stop on the first season of Ex On The Beach U.S. en route to Final Reckoning.
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| Cody (L next to Santa), w/ Paulie (R) & wife Cristie (IG @CodyCalafiore) |
As this BB All-Stars season is taking place under extraordinary circumstances, Cody, Bayleigh, Da'Vonne and the other contestants chosen to be on this season -- also including some who were alternates -- were placed under a two-week quarantine after they flew in from their homes to Los Angeles. They were then placed in separate living quarters before making the trip back to the CBS lot and once again join host Julie Chen-Moonves before walking into a house with over 100 cameras to follow their every move, both for the show itself and the infamous live feeds.
And last weekend, Paulie was also out in the Southland getting to do some fitness training with friends, and also perhaps to give Cody some encouragement before going back to the scene. And while walking along that famous avenue adorn with shops down there in Beverly Hills, along Rodeo Drive Paulie got to run into... yes, Todrick. And he shared on Instagram below, "🎶Do I have your attention?🎶 - @todrick . . . Absolutely love this human. I’m so happy I finally got to meet you in person and now your stuck with me for life 😍"
And the Rockstar replied, "Oh you got my attention alright! So glad we got the chance to catch up! Hurry back to LALA LAND witcho fiiiine ass! Lol 😂." Well, if Paulie is on the next Challenge (or whenever the chance comes again), we know who Toddy will be rooting for...
As noted before, DCBLOG will be planning to offer limited coverage of Big Brother All-Stars during this season with special focus given to following the progress of Bayleigh and Da'Vonne, and we'll have a recap of the first week of BB22 following next week's first eviction.
- I AM DC
#DCBLOG
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