''Big Brother'': Words Cause Permanent Damage

Then again, idiotic outbursts have become a welcome tradition in this BB house. After making the surprising decision to reveal her secret relationship with Ryan last week, Jen made the boneheaded decision to tell Sheila that her boyfriend is a racist. The cougar, quite predictably, took the information back to Ryan, who then confronted his stuttering girlfriend. (How much would you pay to see Ryan watch the video that will actually prove that his gal pal is a lying sack of poo?) Didn't matter what she said, really; the revelation of her prior relationship — and her big mouth — sealed the deal and got her and Parker evicted by a 3 to1 vote. Obviously, Ryan got over his anger about the racist line or the two wouldn't have slobbered all over each other before she left the house — but I do hope this relationship will end. Allison, who clearly has a thing for Ryan, will likely work her magic on the big lug in the coming weeks, though that means she'll have to put an end to her hilarious ruse about being Sheila's lesbian lover. Fun stuff, ladies, though I can't say it's exactly smart; we've seen what happens to couples who knew each other before the show began.

And speaking of those couples, most of you knew early on that Neil had to leave the show for an unspecified family matter and that Sharon would be allowed back in at Joshuah's request. (I don't always take the time to check out Big Brother After Dark, but I appreciate when you kids do, so keep the spoilers coming!) Sequestering the evictees suggests that CBS has something up its sleeve (the network has yet to offer them up to the media for exit interviews, so we know they're being kept in the dark somewhere), but I didn't like the idea of replacing a gay dude with a know-it-all hetero like Sharon. You mean dimwits like Matt and Natalie can get busy, but Joshuah can't? Where's the justice there, Grodner? And why stick Jen and Parker in sequester now, too? Is the jury already forming? So far, CBS won't 'splain.

There are plenty of other things that are in no need of further elucidation. Really, I didn't need to know whether Alex drew strength from a freaking reality show, of all things, after his dad died on 9/11. I didn't need to know how the bathroom subbed for a love nest for Jen and Ryan, or how Adam uses the word ''retard'' to describe autistic kids. And I really, really didn't need to know how that lout is a ''hooded warrior'' who's eager to drop trou for anybody who cares to inquire about his foreskin status. This cast has already demonstrated that it can provide plenty of entertainment just by arguing over stupid lies, so there's no need for the producers to resort to gratuitous fare. (Unless, of course, Ryan hooks up with Allison in the bathroom. I may need to see that.)

So what do you think? What's your theory about why CBS is sequestering the evictees? Will this season be shorter than normal? What's your feeling about Amanda? And do you predict the cougar will make it to the final four?