With 15 minutes until the sun was due to rise, Big Brother tolled a doomsday-like bell. Conversation came to an abrupt halt and the HMs froze. It was time to nominate.
“This is Big Brother. Housemates, welcome to your first morning in the Big Brother House. And for one of you - your last.”
Instructed to seat themselves in front of the stage, the Housemates vowed not to take what was about to said about them to heart.
Rebecca was first to nominate, choosing Ben because she felt that he didn’t have as much communication with the rest of the group.
Next up was David who based his choice on who he connected with least - also resident law student Ben.
Terri nominated Nobbi for being “too touchy, feely with me and some of the other girls.”
Wrapped in a doona, Bianca didn’t look at any of her fellow Housmates in the eye as she cast her vote - least of all Nobbi who she decided to nominate for the same reason as Terri.
Taking inspiration from David, Rima also went with Brigitte - claiming she felt the least connection with her.
Travis greeted his Housemates and Big Brother with a cheery ‘good morning’ before launching into his nomination rationale. “The reason why I am putting you up for nomination is because I don’t think anyone else will nominate you and I think this is the safest possible person to pick who will not get a nomination.” Travis chose Rory.
Renee, like Travis, chose a ‘safe vote’. She nominated cult buster David.
Alice commended the Housemates on their table-sharing session before nominating a stony-faced Ben.
Brigitte hit her nomination right back at Rima but remained good-natured, suggesting that the two start over should they both get the opportunity to stay.
Nobbi denied his nomination was an act of revenge when he revealed Terri as his vote. He’d told some Housemates earlier that he was going to choose Terri on the basis of their many differences. “I generally don’t get along with older people,” Nobbi justified. “I’m young and lively, I wanna go out there.”
Ben also nominated Terri based on the “generation gap” and that she reminded him of his Mum.
Saxon indulged in a little finger-snap dancing onstage before announcing he was also voting for Terri.
Rory climbed to the stage next and “sticking with his guns” gave his Eviction vote to Terri. He felt that he didn’t connect with her and that she also might struggle with the “physical side of the tasks.”
Dixie was last to nominate and she didn’t hold back. “I would nominate Brigitte, purely for the fact that I think you have the capacity to be an intelligent, bright, young woman and at the moment I’m seeing a ditzy, young person.”
And then there were 13. “Housemates you have spoken,” Big Brother proclaimed. “The first person to be evicted from the Big Brother House in 2008 is Terri.”
Terri smiled at the Housemates and offered the group a communal, “Thanks guys.”
“We didn’t see that coming, eh?” Renee shrugged.
“I did.” Terri laughed, disappointed.
Shortly after the Eviction announcement, Big Brother spoke again: “Terri, it is time to leave the Big Brother House.”
With a few simple farewells and more than a few “behave yourselves”, grandmother Terri made her way to the cloud-marked door on the stage. Disappearing through the doorway and into the dark she giggled, “Well that was fun!”
And with that the first Housemate was gone - all before the first official day in the Big Brother House had even begun.
Terri may be gone, but Big Brother hasn’t forgotten her. How did she get her revenge on the Housemates who Evicted her after only hours in the Big Brother House?
