After winning this week’s endurance Head of Household competition on “Big Brother,” Holly Allen set her sights on getting out the second half of the Nick Maccarone/Isabella Wang showmance. With Bella being evicted last week, that meant Nick was the new target of the dominant Six Shooters alliance composed of Holly, Analyse Talavera, Christie Murphy, Jack Matthews, Jackson Michie and Tommy Bracco. Holly also nominated Sam Smith for eviction, though she kept the door open for possibly working with him in the future. So did the Veto save Sam or Nick from the block, and if so, who did Holly put up as a replacement nominee?
Below, check out our minute-by-minute “Big Brother” recap of Season 21, Episode 16 to find out what happened Wednesday, July 31 at 9/8c. Then be sure to sound off in the comments section about your favorite houseguests on CBS’s reality TV show, who annoys you the most and who you think will ultimately join the “Big Brother” winners list. Keep refreshing/reloading this live blog for the most recent updates.
9:00 p.m. — “Previously on ‘Big Brother’!” In Sunday’s 15th episode, Holly won HOH while her showmance partner Michie annoyed the rest of his alliance by audibly rooting for her to win over Analyse. Elsewhere in the house, Christie and Tommy were given the “poison ivy” punishment, which prevents them from going outside or taking showers — yuck! And Holly nominated outsiders Sam and Nick for eviction. Will tonight’s Veto competition shake up the game, or will things once again go according to plan? Let’s go!
9:10 p.m. — Nick and Sam are discussing who they should pick to play in the Veto if they draw “Houseguest’s Choice.” They’d like to choose weaker players like Jessica Milagros, Cliff Hogg or Nicole Anthony. Meanwhile, those three all want the nominations to remain the same because they know they’d be next on Holly’s chopping block. Up in the HOH room, Kathryn Dunn, Holly, Analyse and Christie are in talks. Kathryn throws out her own name as a pawn if either Nick or Sam wins the Veto. This will keep the blood off of Holly’s hands and both sides of the house like Kat. She’d easily be safe. Then Kat goes in the Diary Room and laughs about the whole thing could backfire. I love her.
9:15 p.m. — It’s time to pick players for the Veto competition! Joining Holly, Nick and Sam in the Veto competition are Tommy Bracco, Cliff (chosen by Sam) and Jessica. These picks couldn’t have worked out any better for Nick and Sam. When it’s time to play, Jack emerges dressed like Little Bo Peep and leads everyone out into the backyard for a good ol’ fashioned sheep herding contest. In each head to head match, the first player to get the correct number of sheep in their barn wins the round. The loser of each round is eliminated.
9:25 p.m. — Nick is competing against Jessica in Round One of this Veto competition. Jessica tries to lure them in by simply calling them, but Nick grabs them and drags them into the pen. It’s no easy task since these sheep are quick! Nick wins this round and up next is Holly vs. Sam. Holly grew up on a ranch and she works with animals so this isn’t intimidating to her at all. She knocks Sam out of the competition and destroys his hopes of pulling himself off the block. Next up is Cliff vs. Tommy and they’re both pretty bad at this, but Tommy eventually pulls out the win. In the second round, Nick and Holly face off and he actually smokes the Dude Rancher and appears determined to win this Veto! He just has to get past Tommy. It seems unfair that Tommy only had to play one round to make the final, but I don’t make the rules. Nick is absolutely exhausted, but he pulls off the win and saves himself! Nick has won the Golden Power of Veto!
9:35 p.m. — Sam is devastated that he just lost the Veto, but he’s going to keep fighting. Holly has a difficult decision to make now since her target is now safe. The Six Shooters gather in the HOH Room and Christie suggests God is telling them that Nick is willing to work with them and Sam is the bigger threat. Holly says that’s a bit of a stretch and feels like Nicole might be the best option. Sure, Kat already suggested herself as a pawn, but is it worth the risk? Later, Sam asks to speak with Holly privately. Is only hope is to convince her to nominate someone with baggage so he can campaign for himself. Sam tells Holly he has no beef with her and he’s never targeted her. Holly agrees and says Nicole is the only person who has caused any drama thus far. Sam says Nicole has tried to play both sides of the house and she can still get rid of her, but now she’d have Sam as an ally. She likes the idea of Sam sticking around and taking the big shots at her alliance that she knows will eventually need to be taken.
9:45 p.m. — Holly huddles up with Christie and Tommy to discuss her next move. She suggests Nicole should go up as a pawn, but Christie thinks that is a totally weak move. Christie doesn’t see Nicole as a threat at all because she can’t win a competition. Christie and Tommy want Sam to go home this week, but Holly is conflicted. Next, Tommy and Christie talk to Analyse and say that they think Holly is playing them. They think Holly has formed a deal with Sam so she has an army to target them (they’re right). Analyse just can’t fathom this conspiracy theory (that is actually true) and runs to tell Michie and Holly that Christie thinks those bitches are conspiring against her. Michie is ready to go start a fight, but Holly and Analyse tell him it’s a bad idea.
9:55 p.m. — Michie doesn’t care that Holly wants him to stay quiet and runs to speak to Christie and Tommy. He says it’s been brought to his attention that people think that him and Holly are working with Sam. Holly then comes in and takes over and Michie leaves. Christie can’t believe that Analyse blabbed to Holly, but they smooth things over. Now Holly is actually suspicious of Analyse more than Christie and Tommy! Analyse compared Holly and Michie to Nick and Bella and now Holly is furious! Drama!
9:59 p.m. — It’s time for the Veto meeting! As expected, Nick removes himself from the block. Holly chooses Kathryn to sit next to Sam on the block. Kat is a pawn and her and Holly plan to pretend they’re not friends, but this could end badly for them. Pawns have a tendency to go home. We’ll find out whether Kat or Sam is sent packing on Thursday’s live episode!
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