“Happy Independence Day,” BB greeted as the HMs entered the FNL Arena, reminding the HMs of the famous July 4 public holiday in the United States. “Tonight is ‘I Love New York’ Night.”
BB ordered Cherry to hand his HoH armband back to the ninja, and declared his reign to be “over”. BB informed the HMs the winner of tonight’s games would take out a mystery prize, and also the priceless ‘Eviction Twist’.
“With only two weeks remaining, they will win the ultimate power of the Eviction Twist,” BB revealed to the Housemates. “Tonight, you compete in the most important game so far. Play hard, play smart, play to win.”
The First Round
For the first round the HMs were challenged with negotiating the most treacherous and dangerous urban jungle on the planet – the streets of New York City! Split into two groups of four, the first group to jump in the yellow taxi for the obstacle course were Rory, Bianca, Brigitte and Travis.
The ultimate test for backseat driving, Bianca and Brigitte stood at the back of the taxi and shouted directions, while a blindfolded Travis and Rory attempted to negotiate the course all the time shouting “honk”!
Brigitte screeched instructions while Bianca struggled to help direct the drivers through challenges which included slippery floors and bridges, to reach the Statue of Liberty at the end of the course and shout “I love New York!” Knowing their attempt wasn’t so flash, Rory joked their finishing time was 10:11 seconds, instead of the 2:11 seconds BB announced as the time to beat.
Next up to face the taxi challenge were Alice, Terri, Cherry and Ben, who decided on a very different tactic – the girls would be blindfolded and the boys would direct and help steer. It was a successful angle for the second lot of challengers, who smashed the time to beat!
The First Bonus Round
“In the next round you must audition to win a part in a Broadway show,” BB announced to the HMs on the Losers Bench – Brigitte, Bianca, Travis and Rory. “HMs, it’s open to your own interpretation and must be improvised.
“Your performances will all be judged by BB. The two HMs who perform the best auditions will be back in tonight’s games.” BB concluded by suggesting “real emotion” and “facial expression” would hold the HMs in good steed for a better chance and making it through the round.
Bianca is dressed as a chef, and takes her brief from BB on the audition stage. She was to portray a top chef. On the stage she adopted an Italian accent and ranted and raved at the faux judges. “Travis you are the part of Jeff who will propose to your girlfriend Doris,” instructed BB, who added it would be a “very emotional” part.
“You are like the candle in my wick, you Doris, are the only one for me.” Travis sang.
The HMs cracked up at Travis’ ‘audition’ but BB reminded him the part he was after, was actually, “non musical”.
“Rory you are auditioning for the part of Frankie Chuckles,” BB told Rory, who was dressed in a jokers hat. “Jerry Seinfeld is looking for an up and coming stand up comedian to join them on tour. You must get the judges in stitches with your hilarious gags.”
A struggling Rory threw out a few “why did the chicken cross the road” gags, before admitting he knew this was an audition he was sure to fail.
“Brigitte, you are auditioning for the part of a singing cowboy,” BB announced. “This is for a musical. Set in the wild west, you are challenging a rival to a showdown at high noon.”
“What’s high noon?” Brigitte screeched, before launching into a repetitive song and randomly shooting her toy gun in the air several times.
After all the auditions were completed, BB revealed Travis and Bianca had impressed the judges the most.
“Waahhh!” Brigitte wailed, sent to the Losers Bench.
The Second Round
“The next game is called Hotdog Home Run,” BB began. “You must roll your sausage to each base and cover them with the ingredients. Ketchup than mustard. Once at third base you must lay your sausage in the bun and roll them to the centre of the field, then to the home base to complete the run.”
Bianca was to play the sausage for Cherry and Travis. The boys rolled Bianca along the ground, squirting her with sauce before moving to the next base. One the hotdog – aka Bianca – was completely filled with all the ingredients, BB announced they’d earned the time of 1:09 seconds.
Terri, Alice and Ben got off to a slippery start, with Terri losing her footing as they rolled Alice around the bases. As they lay the final topping on Alice – the sausage – in the bun, BB called the team on their lack of onions, and ordered they would need more than the three rings to complete the course. Terri frantically raced back to grab more, but their finishing time was to be the ultimate victim, as they just fell short of Bianca, Cherry and Travis’ time, earning a time of 1:14 seconds.
Bianca, Cherry and Travis jumped up and down with excitement – they were through to the third round! “I’m sorry guys,” Terri apologised, claiming responsibility for the lack of onions, but Ben good naturedly dismissed her.
The Semi Final
Where to park? For the semi final, Bianca, Travis and Cherry were challenged with a skill all New Yorkers must possess – how to park in a tight situation! BB explained they were to parallel park one golf buggy in between two others in the fastest possible time.
“I love parallel parking,” mused the ousted Brigitte in a disappointed voice.
First up, Cherry smoothly parked his golf buggy in 43 seconds. Travis was up next – and didn’t quite have the same feel for the buggy which Cherry possessed. Jerking back and forth, Travis finally got his buggy into place in a time 2:42 seconds!
Bianca knew she had time to spare in her attempt to park the buggy, and Travis even shouted his encouragement. The Italian Princess easily beat Travis’ time, rejoicing in her first Finals berth! “Cherry and Bianca, you are through to the final round,” announced BB.
The Final
As Cherry lined up for his a chance to reclaim his HoH title and the FNL winners’ power, BB announced how he and Bianca would fighting it out.
BB announced the final round was named: “The Big Apple Race”.
BB explained Cherry and Bianca would wear caterpillar costumes, and only their heads would be exposed out the top of the suit. “You must wriggle on and over Madison Square Gardens, through Central Park and eat your way through The Big Apple and to the finish line.”
Cherry was off to a firing start, hoping in his suit through the faux gardens, and romping towards the Apple. But Bianca was having a little more difficulty – she couldn’t make it into the Gardens and as she attempted to wriggle up a small hill, she fell sideways and flailed helplessly – just minus the arms.
“The winner of the Friday Night Games is Cherry,” BB announced. “Come and collect your trophy! HMs, celebrate your champion.”
