Bran Flakezz talks BB28

Summary

Podcast Summary: RHAP "We Know Big Brother" — Bran Flakezz Talks BB28

Date: August 11, 2026
Host: Rob Cesternino
Guest: Bran Flakes (Branflix, BB/Social Media Commentator)

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Brief Overview

This episode features Rob Cesternino and internet personality Bran Flakes (of Branflix fame) for a vibrant, opinionated roundtable on the current state of Big Brother 28. Rob and Bran dissect the gameplay, cast twists, archetypes, and evolving strategies, focusing heavily on the “icons” (returnees), notable houseguests, and the ever-controversial week five dynamics. The conversation mixes sharp fan critique, humorous banter, authentic insider stories (including Bran’s BB house tour), and plenty of engaging hot takes.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bran Flakes’ Big Brother & Survivor Origin Story

• Bran’s Fandom: Bran started watching Big Brother at age 11 (BB8, “Evil Dick”), quickly becoming a superfan and later going back to earlier seasons (BB6, BB7, but not the first five seasons). Bran was a Survivor fan first (since age four!).

  • (03:20) “I started watching Big Brother when I was 11 years old. The first season I watched in real time was Big Brother 8, which was evil Dick season... I haven’t seen the first five seasons, which a lot of super fans have been like, you got to watch those too.” — Bran Flakes

• Survivor vs. Big Brother: Bran prefers Survivor’s more clear style with icons/returnee seasons, criticizing Big Brother’s recent blends of returnees and newbies as messy and “random.”

  • (04:32) “I don’t like when they do like two to three to four returning players in a cast... I’d rather see all newbies, all returnees, or half and half in a Survivor fan versus Faves style...” — Bran Flakes

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2. Thoughts on BB28 Casting & Gameplay

The “Icons” Twist

• Mixed Feelings: Bran feels the icons twist is messy, especially when combined with twists like America’s Vote and powers like the Diamond Power of Veto. Bran prefers cast clarity—either all newbies or all returnees (“maybe I’m just OCD”).
  • (04:32) “What I really don’t like is when they bring icons and then also bring in America’s vote twist with them. Cause it’s just like, bro, if these people are such good players, why do we have to give them a dime in power veto?” — Bran Flakes

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Player Standouts: Who’s Hot & Who’s Not

• Favorites: Melody (“Dr. Legend”) for her personality and realness; Taylor for her emerging gameplay; Dee for strategic play, but wants to see her under pressure.

  • (05:46) “I’m loving Melody. I think she is like Dr. Legend, which we have really needed... I’m really loving Taylor... I love Dee, but I don’t want to see D steamroll...” — Bran Flakes

• Taylor’s Challenging Road: Bran believes Taylor may be targeted soon, as Devins and the icons are plotting with powers against her.

  • (06:37) “In the last like 24, 48 hours on the feeds, it... Devins was like, yeah, we got to get Taylor soon... I’m hoping the twist gods don’t screw her over.” — Bran Flakes

• D: Praised for smart play but “needs opposition” to get a real character arc.

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Behind-the-Scenes: Friendship with Dee

• IRL Connections: Bran explains his social friendship with Dee was sparked after Survivor, but clarifies, “We’re internet friends,” downplaying the chance of a DR shoutout.
  • (07:58) “Absolutely not... We’re not that close. Honestly, Friends was probably... We’re Internet friends.” — Bran Flakes

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House Tour & Julie Chen Interview

• Impressions: Bran toured the current BB house and was surprised by its smallness and “prop” feel. Also unexpectedly impressed by Julie Chen’s superfan recall.

  • (10:10) “It’s small. That was my biggest surprise… I would definitely go crazy if I was on that show... you really do understand, like, that you are on a stage and like, in a studio lot when you’re there...” — Bran Flakes

• Julie Chen as Superfan: “I was asking her some, like, tough questions that, like, a super fan would need to know... She was whipping out things from season three, twists from season two. I was like, well, she’s the real deal.” — Bran Flakes (08:26)

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3. Critique, Archetypes, & Gameplay Assessment

Who’s Flopping?

• Chuck: Panned as TV poison and “asshole.” Haley may be “worse,” personality-wise, but provides “good TV.”

  • (13:30) “I would like to see Chuck go home this week because he’s an asshole and he also makes horrible tv. Yeah, Haley is a bigger asshole, but Haley’s making some good tv.” — Bran Flakes

• Chuck and the Cowboy Curse: Rob and Bran lament the show’s repeated failure at casting a “cowboy archetype” that’s actually compelling.

  • (16:13) “Have they ever nailed the cowboy archetype?... Some of the worst casting choices they’ve ever done have been this cowboy.” — Rob

• Angela: Disappoints as an “icon”—more likable when the underdog, now a backseat driver letting others control the game.

  • (23:29) “I’m just disappointed. Like, I feel like she is in this majority alliance, but she herself isn’t really doing anything, and she’s really letting them call the shots.” — Bran Flakes

• Barrett: “Super fan” but passive, not activating knowledge into gameplay; compared to “the Steve of BB17,” but more Gen Z, “somehow gets skinnier every season.”

  • (33:20) “He knows what’s going on... but, at times, he seems... If not powerless, he does not seem to have the will to want to change anything.” — Rob

• Drew: Likable but ineffective (“cutie,” “here for pussy”), more focused on the showmance with Melody than the strategy.

  • (34:55) “Drew’s here for pussy. Like, I swear, his whole world has become Melody at this point.” — Bran Flakes

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Compelling TV & Character Moments

• Haley: Bran dubs her “delusional” and a “masterstroke” of casting, a “viewer in on the joke” character who is compelling precisely for her lack of self-awareness and detachment from reality. Rob and Bran root for her to stick around, preferably to jury.

  • (29:02) “She doesn’t even have a lack of self awareness. Like, that would be giving her too much generosity... She’s never met self awareness if it slapped her in the face. And it is freaking amazing tv.” — Bran Flakes

• Mallory & Melody: Both praised—Mallory for being “a good person,” rational, and competitive; Melody for vibrant personality and strategic possibilities.

  • (31:04) “I love Mallory. Mallory’s like, you can tell when you watch her she’s a really good person...” — Bran Flakes

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4. Game Theory & Strategy Talk

Icon Alliance & The “Traders” Comparison (55:02)

• Dee, Devins, Angela as “Traders”: Rob posits that the “icons” are playing like undercover traitors, and Taylor as the faithful getting wise—potentially putting her in danger.
  • (55:02) “That it is the Traders and Devin and Dee and Angela are the traitors in the house, and they’re trying to act like they’re... the normal people... I think that they are starting to clock that the smartest faithful might be Taylor... I think it’s very similar to a Traders season where you have these reality icons who are pretending that they’re not, like, working together, but they really are.” — Rob

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Final Contender Predictions (53:29)

• Bran’s Top 3: Dee, Devins, Camus (with Camus praised for week five “recovery” and being “most interesting”—could win, could go soon). Taylor is a possibility but may be too late.
• Rick Devins’ Game: Rob details how Devins has been “a calming influence," unlike his Survivor days. Dee, by contrast, thrives on chaos.

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5. Listener-Engagement/Interactive Segment

Goodbye Messages (46:53+)

Rob and Bran perform mock “goodbye messages” to the week’s nominees for comic effect.

• Chuck: “I didn’t even realize this whole time you were on the show. Thanks for coming along for the ride. You’re a loser.” — Bran Flakes
• Haley: “You have no self awareness. You’re completely delusional, and I’m really nervous for you to turn this goodbye message off and then have to face the world’s goodbye message for you because it’s not going to be pretty.” — Bran

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Julie Chen:

  “She’s the real deal.” — Bran Flakes (08:26)

• On the Cowboy Archetype:

  “Some of the worst casting choices they’ve ever done have been this cowboy.” — Rob (16:13)

• On Haley’s TV Value:

  “She doesn’t even have a lack of self awareness... she’s never met self awareness if it slapped her in the face.” — Bran Flakes (29:02)

• On Being a Passive Player:

  “Are you just gonna let D play your whole game for you, King?” — Bran Flakes (34:03)

• On Angela’s Diary Room Confessions:

  “You haven’t decided shit, girl. They told you what they were doing and they said, get on it or get with it.” — Bran Flakes (23:29)

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Important Timestamps

• 03:20–04:32: Bran’s BB/Survivor origin story and opinions on icons twist
• 05:37–07:23: Current favorites and frustration with the twist gods
• 08:19–12:13: BB house tour and Julie Chen interview
• 13:19–16:13: Chuck, Haley, and the value of “good TV villains”
• 16:13–18:34: The perennial failure of the cowboy archetype
• 21:32–24:25: Angela’s gameplay and fan perceptions
• 29:02–30:20: The “Haley Show”—lovable delusion and must-see TV
• 31:04–34:21: Assessments of the young alliance (Mallory, Melody, Barrett, Drew)
• 46:53–49:39: Interactive “goodbye message” segment for houseguests
• 50:10–53:23: Rick Devins and Dee—their impact on BB28 and Survivor crossover
• 55:02–55:55: “Traders” comparison and Taylor’s precarious position
• 64:07–64:15: Hopes for the season to avoid a steamroll

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Final Thoughts

Rob and Bran Flakes provide a fun, candid, and insightful round-up of BB28’s highs and lows at the midpoint of the season. The episode is loaded with sharp analysis, social media savvy, and plenty of entertaining shade—especially toward houseguests who are lackluster TV, and in passionate support for keeping lively personalities (Haley!) in the house. The “icons vs. newbies” storyline, current power dynamics, and the unpredictably of houseguest arcs remain the focal points. As always, they invite listeners to stay tuned across RHAP’s suite of BB28 coverage.

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Find Bran Flakes on TikTok/Instagram: bran_flakes (B R A N underscore F L A K E Z) (64:29)

Upcoming: The Slop with Chappelle, BB mailbag with Taran, and weekly recaps on RHAP

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Transcript

[Rob Cesternino]

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[Rob Cesternino]

everybody. What's going on? Rob Cisternino. We're back and we've got some Fun bonus coverage here. Talking Big Brother 28 with somebody who keeps a very close eye on this. Of course, I'm sure you recognize him from all sorts of social media brand flakes, Branflix. How are you? Welcome back.

[Bran Flakes]

I'm so good. I'm so excited to be here. I reached out to some people right when this show started. I was like, I gotta get back with Rob.

[Rob Cesternino]

Good. I'm so glad you're here. I know how into the Big Brother season you are and you post all sorts of content, but here this summer, I know you're keeping a close eye on everything that's going to be. Could you just give us your backstory with Big Brother?

[Bran Flakes]

Yeah. So I started watching Big Brother when I was 11 years old. The first season I watched in real time was Big Brother 8, which was evil Dick season. I was hooked. I watched every season since then. And then after that season I did go back and I watched Big Brother 6 and 7. So I haven't seen the first season. That's the combo seven. I have not seen the first five seasons, which a lot of super fans have been like, you got to watch those two.

[Rob Cesternino]

But yeah, so you watched a lot of stinkers along the way. I feel like that there's some at least two and three.

[Bran Flakes]

Yeah. I definitely need to go back to the OG days. For sure.

[Rob Cesternino]

Yeah, for sure. Okay. And then I. I know that we've talked about Survivor in the past. Were you a Survivor fan first or you watch Survivor second?

[Bran Flakes]

Survivor fan first. I've been watching Survivor since I was 4 years old and I've seen every season of Survivor.

[Rob Cesternino]

Okay.

[Bran Flakes]

All right.

[Rob Cesternino]

Because I feel like, though, that in following what you have to say about the season, I feel like that you have not necessarily been loving the Survivor inclusion in Big Brother. Is that fair?

[Bran Flakes]

Yeah, that's fair to say. I just feel like the way they did the whole icons thing was very random. This is one thing I've said from jump and I honestly feel the same way when they do it on Survivor. I don't like when they do like two to three to four returning players in a cast of, you know, 16, 20 newbies. I think it's really weird. Honestly. I'd rather see. Maybe I'm just ocd. I'd rather see all newbies, all returnees, all or half and half in a Survivor fan versus Faves style where at least all the newbies are on one team and then all the faves are on another team, you know? And what I really don't like is when they bring icons and then also bring in America's vote twist with them. Cause it's just like, bro, if these people are such good players, why do we have to give them a dime in power veto? Like, let's let them play so that that will be my qualm. But I do have a lot of positivity to spread too, so I'm not going to straight complain.

[Rob Cesternino]

Ye. So, Bram Flakes, who is your person or people that you are really loving this season?

[Bran Flakes]

Okay, so I'm loving Melody. I think she is like Dr. Legend, which we have really needed because these last few seasons we have gotten like line fed doctors. Like, you can tell next in the challenge we threw the ball in the basket. Like, I can't stand that crap so bad. I'm like, you guys have like 10 million people that apply for the show. Bring someone with a personality. So I love that Melody is cooking in the doctor for sure. She is cracking me up. I'm as of recently, I think within the last week, I'm really loving Taylor. I feel like she's getting on to things. I'm hoping it's not too late and I'm hoping that the twist gods don't screw her over. It's looking like the twist gods might screw her over.

[Rob Cesternino]

Why? Why do you think the twist gods are going to screw her over?

[Bran Flakes]

I think in the last like 24, 48 hours on the feeds, it there was a conversation, I believe where Devins was like, yeah, we got to get Taylor soon and if we need to use the diamond power veto to get her, we will. Yeah, come on. But I'm loving Taylor. I love D. I do think Dee is doing a great job. It's not to say I'm not rooting for D. I just do want Dee to experience some opposition so she can get a full character arc. I love Dee, but I don't want to see D steamroll. I'd say it to her face for friends in real life, but I'm like, come on, D. You gotta get on the block soon. Let's see the real D come out when your back's against the wall.

[Rob Cesternino]

So tell me about that. How did you become friends with Dee in real life?

[Bran Flakes]

Dee was someone when I watched her Survivor season live, I had been doing content at that point and I tapped her and it said follow back. I was like, oh, my God. This girl who just won Survivor follows me. Like, I'm following her back. And we started messaging and it was really sweet. During the Survivor final, that was the first time I think we've met in real life. And she was just so, so nice. She was like, please come to this after party with us after. And I was like, girl, I'm going to bed. But I really loved her energy, and we've stayed friendly on socials for a really long time.

[Rob Cesternino]

Do you think you will get a shout out in the diary room at some point?

[Bran Flakes]

Absolutely not.

[Rob Cesternino]

No. Come on. It could happen.

[Bran Flakes]

We're not that close. Honestly, Friends was probably. We're Internet friends.

[Rob Cesternino]

Okay.

[Bran Flakes]

Let's. Let's. Let's put it like that. Probably a generous term.

[Rob Cesternino]

All right. I know before the season started that you. You said you had visited the Big Brother house. How did that happen?

[Bran Flakes]

So I was invited by the team to come tour the house and then interview Julie, which was actually really cool.

[Rob Cesternino]

Yeah.

[Bran Flakes]

And she's actually. I was expecting her to be full, but like, yes, girl, give me nothing. And quite the opposite. I was really surprised how fun she was and also how knowledgeable she was, because I'm not gonna lie, she kind of gave me the energy. Like, she walks in, reads her cue cards, and has no idea what the F is going on. That was. If that is the case, she is a great performer. Because I was really surprised because I was asking her some, like, tough questions that, like, a super fan would need to know. Like, I was like, what's the. You've hosted all these addiction episodes. What's the one that sticks out in your mind the most? And I was like, she's gonna just say something happened last season because, you know. No, she was whipping out things from season three, twists from season two. I was like, well, she's the real deal.

[Rob Cesternino]

Yeah. I really do feel like it's this. If you asked her about something that happened last season, she probably would not remember that. I think that she. The stuff from season two and season three, I do think that she is, like. Has almost like a better recall, I think, of that than stuff that might have happened two years ago and Big Brother 26.

[Bran Flakes]

Yeah, no, I understand that she. But she was great, and the experience was great. We got to tour the house. Fingers crossed.

[Rob Cesternino]

What was it like to be in the house? Yeah, I've never been.

[Bran Flakes]

Have you been?

[Rob Cesternino]

So I went. I went to the house in the. The. There was the first Big Brother house that they had. I don't even know if it was at the same. I didn't know my way around LA at the time that I went there. It was maybe like a year after I. Or the. Maybe it was like the summer After I played Survivor and it was During Big Brother 4, I was at the Big Brother house, but it was a different house then. And I'm not sure if they move locations of where I was. I know it's a different house. I'm not sure if it's on the same grounds.

[Bran Flakes]

Yes. So it's small. That was my biggest surprise. Like, it looks a certain way on tv, and then you walk in and, like, the living room. I don't know why. Just picture it to be like this big room. You know, I'm like, they fit three couches in there. People get to the dining room and they walk out the door, and it is a very small space. So my instant thought when I got in there was like, oh, wow. Like, I would definitely go anyway. I've always known I would go crazy if I was on that show, but I was like, I would go crazy in here. Like, it is not a big space. Especially with the fact that, like. And I guess people who maybe don't watch the feeds don't know this. That backyard is closed all the time. Like, they are always closed in that backyard for competitions because.

[Rob Cesternino]

And I've been to the backyard also. I haven't been inside the house. I've been to the backyard times.

[Bran Flakes]

Well, I did not get to go to the backyard that was closed while we were in the tour. And I just remember being like, oh, so this is what it would feel like when they're doing stuff in the backyard. You can't go there. I was like, absolutely not. Also, you really do understand, like, that you are on a stage and, like, in a studio lot when you're there, like, it's. It's not that I, like, thought it was a real house. I obviously knew they filmed it on a studio, but, like, when you walk in, you feel like, oh, yeah. I almost felt like the things I was touching were very much props. I was like, this is. This is very interesting to me, but it was such a cool experience. I wish there was a few things that I wish we could have done. I do wish we could have gone. The Diary room. That was something I really wanted to see, but that was also closed. So we got to see the living room, the first, like, front bedroom, and then that big room where they like that on one couch and kind of conspire. But we didn't get to see the bathroom, the backyard, or the upstairs. But we saw the kitchen, the living room, the table where they sit and nominate. It was very cool. But I was like, oh, my gosh, this is A lot smaller than I ever realized it was.

[Rob Cesternino]

Yeah. I would love the opportunity to walk through and see where it is because I just feel like it would really, like, give me so much more perspective on what goes on in the house. Who's in what room. I feel like the.

[Bran Flakes]

You got to be there next year.

[Rob Cesternino]

The closest I have to that is going to the Trader's Castle, where now, like, when I watch any of the Trader season, the trailers uk, it's like, okay. Oh, I know. Like, I know exactly where things are and how the castle is laid out. And I just think it's very hard as a TV viewer to really, like, put into, okay, they're over here, they're over here, they're over here. And you could even look at like, the blueprint and maybe if you're like, really spatially aware, you could look at like the overhead map and sort of figure it out. But, you know, it is very hard, at least as a viewer, I think, to like, get a real perspective of

[Bran Flakes]

what it's like 100% spatial awareness was way off for me.

[Rob Cesternino]

Yeah. Yeah. So then tell me of the people that are in the show. Who are you not really vibing with?

[Bran Flakes]

Okay. I mean, is everyone up to speed? Like, do the people know who's won the video?

[Rob Cesternino]

And let's assume for this, like, I don't want to. I'll put a disclaimer before this.

[Bran Flakes]

Okay. Disclaimer. This is pre. This. This is post veto ceremony. I would like to see Chuck go home this week because he's an asshole and he also makes horrible tv. Yeah, Haley is a bigger asshole, but Haley's making some good tv. I'm not gonna lie. Yes, I think she stays.

[Rob Cesternino]

I wouldn't mind.

[Bran Flakes]

This sounds so crazy to say because I hate her. I would not mind to see Haley survive this eviction and then immediately win hoh. No, I just want to see straight chaos.

[Rob Cesternino]

I have to put a finer point on. It's not like I would not mind, like, I am openly rooting for Haley. Haley for the blockbuster. Please, like, pray to the BB gods. It's funny to think that we wanted nothing but her for her HOH to flop last week. Yeah, but I'm rooting so hard for her to stay in the house. And I think it speaks to the fact that just Chuck is just such a non entity in the show and has. And the feeds has done nothing despite it's Chuck time. Chuck time is like the worst time that you could possibly imagine. And now I'm curious to know that you Said you thought that Chuck is an asshole. What's Chuck doing that makes you feel like he's an asshole?

[Bran Flakes]

You know what? Now that you mention it, it's kind of hard because it really doesn't do anything. But I would just say anyone who willingly goes into A house of 17 people looks at Camus and Ailey and says, you two are my best friends. You're an asshole. I think that's enough evidence.

[Rob Cesternino]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Bran Flakes]

But, yeah, just, like, he doesn't seem like. Yeah, he's just, you know, he's boring. And I don't think he's a nice, like, guy on top of being boring. Like, I'm just like, come on. Like, I have to, like, judge players. Like, from a personal standpoint of can do. I actually like you. And then from a personal standpoint of, are you a good player? Like, and then there's people who you like but are horrible players. There's people that you don't like and are good players. Like, I can't stand him as a person. Camus. But I think Camus has done a really good job this week at recovering his position in the house and building trust with the people who are kind of in a little bit more of a power position. And I gotta hand it to him, because for him to escape the block, win the veto, I mean, should he use it on Haley or Chuck? Honestly, I don't know if he should have. Really. I mean, yeah, he's.

[Rob Cesternino]

He's really, like, completed a rebrand of, hey, I'm not with them. I was never with them. I didn't like them. They're like, oh, okay, I guess he's our guy. He's not with them. And so I do think it was a good move for him to be able to flip around the perceptions. And now he's whatever you want him to be. In terms of, like, everybody thinks, like, okay, we could maybe grab Kamu. Yeah, I. I'd love to just go back to Chuck for a minute. Said nobody ever, but I would. And I just curious to know, as a Big Brother fan of all these years, I feel like, have they ever nailed the cowboy archetype? That. That where it's somebody and maybe there's. And I know there's, like, people that have won America's favorite player, but in terms of, like, the fans, it seems like that some. There's some mandate of, hey, this is Big Brother. We need somebody. We cannot have a show where somebody doesn't come in wearing a cowboy hat. We need. We need this cowboy archetype. From Texas who wears a cowboy hat. And they just have. I think it struck out so hard with this archetype. Over the years, some of the worst casting choices they've ever done have been this cowboy. And maybe they thought, okay, here. You know what? Here's Chuck. Here's a different spin on the cowboy. And he still is a dud.

[Bran Flakes]

Yeah. Who. I need like a memory wall of all the cowboys. The first people that come to mind.

[Rob Cesternino]

Well, I. You know that we really. Michael Cowboy Ellis, I know you didn't watch Big Brother, Big Brother four, but, like, most recently, Riley last season.

[Bran Flakes]

He was awful.

[Rob Cesternino]

Yeah.

[Bran Flakes]

Who. Who were the other ones from the more modern seasons? I think of Riley. I think of Beast Mode Cowboy.

[Rob Cesternino]

I mean, I guess Beast Mode Cowboy was the best, but not. He only has, like, certainly not perfect. And you had, like, you know, your James Hewling and even forgot about him. Sure, sure. Whistle Nut, AKA Jason.

[Bran Flakes]

Yeah, okay, fair enough. Yeah, you're right. No. Cowboy archetype is not really hitting.

[Rob Cesternino]

Yeah. I think it says not one in every single season, but they go back to it a lot.

[Bran Flakes]

Yeah. Yeah, you're. You're not wrong. And I've never really thought about that as the archetype, but you're absolutely correct. They really do go for that person. And I'm not really. No one's coming to mind of one. That was exactly visionary.

[Rob Cesternino]

No, not necessarily. What are you gonna do?

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

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[Bran Flakes]

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[Rob Cesternino]

Get business done with the new American Express graphite business cash unlimited card with unlimited 2% cash back on all eligible purchases. Unlimited 5% cash back on flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express. Travel online and a flexible spending capacity that can grow with your business. You'll have the confidence to keep building. Apply today and earn a welcome offer of $1,500 cash back after you spend $50,000 in qualifying purchases on your new card within the first six months of card membership terms apply. Learn more at Go Amex graphite. So who would be your dream next? Hoh.

[Bran Flakes]

Okay, two different paths. One, Haley, just for the pure chaos and good TV to Taylor because I think she would take a big shot at the icons. And I'm ready to see week six, baby. Like they gotta. They have to start sweating and also like I don't know if we're ready to get to Angela.

[Rob Cesternino]

Yeah, let's talk about it. We haven't talked about Angela yet.

[Bran Flakes]

Yeah. I'm not loving her this time around. Oh. Which I hate to say I. And I think part of it is because she's in this weird position of power and I feel like the first season, the first season she was on, if I'm remembering correctly, she was on the block a lot, especially those few weeks. Like she was kind of the person that they would throw on there with ease. And she was more likable when her back was against the wall and wasn't like calling the shots. And she also went crazy more. It definitely seems like on the feed she had her crazy moments this week.

[Rob Cesternino]

Yeah.

[Bran Flakes]

But yeah, well, she polarizing and yeah,

[Rob Cesternino]

I think it's very, very hard. And I think there's very almost few exceptions in big brother history to be likable when you're not the underdog. And I think that all of the popular big brother players over the years, they've all been underdogs. They've all been up against the average, even, like, the greats of the greats, like Dan. And Dan was very much an underdog. And Dr. Will, who also, like, played from much, and the people that really were, you know, not in, you know, were in great positions, you know that. Yeah, we say, okay, they're great, but are they fan favorites? Not often.

[Bran Flakes]

Yeah. Yeah, yeah. I'm just like, I need to see her. Her sweat a little bit for sure, and maybe I'll change my tune. But I'm also just disappointed. Like, I feel like she is in this majority alliance, but she herself isn't really doing anything, and she's really letting them call the shots. Like, she was all about getting rid of Drew and Dee, and Devin's just decided one conversation, let's keep him. And she kind of makes what I was like this phony baloney diary session. Talk about real vague diary sessions where she's like, I wanted you out this whole week, and now I decided we don't need it. It's like, you haven't decided shit, girl. They told you what they were doing and they said, get on it or get with it. Like, so I'm going to just say she's kind of a flop to me this season. I think Angela's flopping right now.

[Rob Cesternino]

So, I mean, maybe as a player, but I don't know if we ever really expected that. I think that Angela is still giving you. And we still have to see on Wednesday night. The. This might be like her finest TV moment that we might see on Wednesday night when we see the fight that she had with Haley that we didn't. That they cut away from on the feeds. I. I don't. Yeah. Like, and maybe they might not even be like, they. I don't know how they're going to be able to even, you know, creatively show it, because it sounds like there were so many obscenities in it. But I do think that Angela could still be giving us more than we even realize. And I do think that the bottom will fall out for Angela at some point. But I think you're right that she does tend to. It's almost like she wants to be like a. You know, with D and Devin so bad that she wants to be, hey, like, I'm one of the icons. Like, we're. We're wheeling and dealing, and we're part of it.

[Bran Flakes]

Exactly what it is. Yeah. And it's not coming across. It's like, honestly, Angela, you're the only one out of the three of them that's actually played this game. Like, and you have the chance to, like, do something kind of cool eventually and make a move. And to your point, she really is more of an entertainer. She's never been a gamer, but, like, I feel like in the first season she would have these really illogical crash outs where it's like, you are freaking out over nothing. What she has kind of crashed out about this season, I thought was very valid. I thought what Jason did to her was nasty. A little bit Johnny, fair play core. A little bit slimy, below the belt. Like, oh, using your personal life. So, yeah, she freaked out. But I was kind of watching him and like, good, good for you. Like, he's using your position as a mother and your relationship with your own son to garner something out of nowhere. It was week one when he was completely safe. Like, Jason, just shut the fuck up. How often do you get safety ever? Especially the first week? Like, that's a whole other story. But, yeah, I just felt like her crash outs have been valid. I didn't really. Even this week. I don't really know why I'm curious to watch it. Why she just voluntarily told Haley that she voted.

[Rob Cesternino]

I think that the word was starting to get out. I think that they were putting two and two together. And I think that Angela was worried that it was going to come out in another way and that she was going to have to then deny it. So I think she wanted to get out in front of it.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Yeah.

[Bran Flakes]

And here's the thing. And I could totally eat my words after the episode airs tomorrow because I'll be honest, I didn't really. I was. They were cutting the feeds a lot when these conversations were happening, so it's hard for me to get an accurate order. But I thought Haley was actually really irrational in that situation. I get the frustration that Angela lied to you, but, Hailey, open your eyes, my love. Only three people told you the truth. At least Angela's being one of the people who's saying, hey, you don't need to look about me. I'm telling you right now, I lied. And I think Hailey could have taken that information sat and then like, go in the diary room, blow off some steam, be like, what the fuck, Angela? And then poker face, girl. Let's now use Angela and find out, hey, Angela, thank you for keeping it real with me. Build that relationship back up. So I don't know It's. Once again, I'm. Angela's got a valid crush out here. You know, I'm like, yeah, this is like, why is Haley so coming down? She's the only one had the balls to tell her. Was that a good move? I don't know. But, yeah, I love. Have a very.

[Rob Cesternino]

Haley has a poker face. I really. I love that. But let's. Let's just go back to Haley for a minute because I. I feel like that where I. I'm really. You know, Chuck is such a d stud in terms of casting that Haley is just such a. A masterstroke. But I. I don't know if they. If they knew she was going to be so good on television. And I think that in a. In an era of reality TV that people. The players are so smart. Like, we need people who are so delulu, where they are just so detached from reality. It's so good.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Her.

[Bran Flakes]

She doesn't even have a lack of self awareness. Like, that would be giving her too much generosity. Like, she doesn't. She's never met self awareness if it slapped her in the face. And it is freaking amazing tv. Like, every. Like, she is just. She's hilarious. She's the type of character that makes the viewer in on the joke and that. I will be sad if we lose that this week.

[Rob Cesternino]

Yeah. I need her to make the jury. I really do. I think that she comes out of the house, like, it's going to be not as fun. I think about this a lot sometimes. Like, who do we need on the outside and who do we want to make it all the way through and come out when everybody else does? And I need hail he for the whole ride.

[Bran Flakes]

I agree with you completely.

[Rob Cesternino]

I want to see Haley as a juror. I want to see how she casts her vote. I think it's going to be so interesting to see, and I kind of feel like that it is more humane for her to just come out when everybody comes out and then as opposed to, like, come out into a world that she's like. I don't think she's ready to see what, like, her. What she thinks the world thinks of her and what the world actually thinks of her is so disconnected. I think she. There needs to be some space for her.

[Bran Flakes]

Yeah, I agree.

[Rob Cesternino]

I agree. Put her in sequester and sequester for a while because she thinks America's gonna vote for her for the power.

[Bran Flakes]

Incredible. Incredible.

[Rob Cesternino]

She has had a rough couple of weeks.

[Bran Flakes]

She's had a rough couple of weeks. So funny.

[Rob Cesternino]

I mean, I Mean, she really has had a rough week this week, in fairness to Haley.

[Bran Flakes]

But no, she truly.

[Rob Cesternino]

Yes. Tell me about. You know, we have this group of, like, the young people who hang out in the house of Mallory and Melody and Drew and Barrett. What do you think of these people?

[Bran Flakes]

I love the girls. I love Mallory. Mallory's like, you can tell when you watch her she's a really good person. Not that that makes you a good big brother player, but, like, she seems pretty rational in a lot of her choices. And even when Lyric kind of really threw her under the bus, you know, I liked that in her goodbye message, she was like, no, like, we're still gonna be friends. And it's a good balance between her and Melody because, like, Melody leans more. Like, Melody reminds me of myself. Like, I'm a shit talker through and through. Definitely can get like, no, that bitch is annoying as fuck type of stuff. And I think Mallory's a nice, like, cool, like, level headed of like, yeah, she's not the best choices, but she's not getting it nasty. So I would say I respect Mallory. I think she's a really good competitor. I really want her to win an HOH soon as well. I'm not really, like, I feel like we haven't gotten to see enough of, like, what her strategy is like, because she's been playing from the bottom and right now I think her strategy is just survive, survive, survive. But I'm into them. I don't really have a strong opinion on Barrett. Kind of a snooze in my opinion too. He's another archetype I don't love.

[Rob Cesternino]

What's that? Archetype?

[Bran Flakes]

Yeah, I'm like, what will we call this?

[Rob Cesternino]

Is he the super fan in your opinion?

[Bran Flakes]

Maybe he's like the hip super fan. Like, almost like, oh, my God, I sound so old right now. But almost like Gen Z superfan of some sort. Like, you know, in our days, the super fan was very straightforward. You got the guy with who looked like he was a nerd through and through, wearing the plaid shirt, The Steve of BB17, you know, like quintessential archetype. And now it's like, oh, this is the 2026. How the superfan has evolved. You know, now we've got the earrings and the curly hair still there, but longer. And he's somehow gets skinnier every season. Yeah. You know, he's kind of boring to me.

[Rob Cesternino]

The thing that's frustrating about Barrett is that he is the super fan and he, like, he knows what's going on like, he. In a lot of ways, he can see the writing on the wall, but at times, he seems. If not powerless, he does not seem to have the will to want to change anything. And so I think that we all like the idea of the super fan, because it's like, okay, they are going to be our avatar in the house where they're going to be. They know what to do. They're going to know that you got to make these moves. They're going to see it, and they're going to give us what we want. And it feels like with Barrett, he sees it, and he's like, not today.

[Bran Flakes]

Yeah. Yeah, I completely.

[Rob Cesternino]

Later.

[Bran Flakes]

And, like, if he came and was like, yeah, like, it's time to start turning on the icons, I would be like, all right, finally you showed up. But, like, he's another one where I'm just like, are. Are you just gonna let D play your whole game for you, King? Like, what's. What's going on here?

[Rob Cesternino]

And Drew is a little bit of. I hate to use a coin, but kind of like the opposite side of the coin of, like, that. He definitely gives us the vibes of, like, hey, I know what to do. I see it. I'm the smart. I'm another smart super fan. Here we go. Like, let's play big brother. Let's do it. But he also. He doesn't do anything. He. But he's. He, like, really acts the part of somebody who's about to do something, but. Yeah, but he has no. Like, he's talking to everybody, but he's not doing anything.

[Bran Flakes]

Drew is one of those people that we kind of. What I was saying, like, some people are likable, but they're not exactly the best players. I think Drew's a cutie. I think he's fine. The kid is like, oh, my God. I feel like I was in high school when he was born, probably. Can I say something inappropriate? Like, at this point, like, Drew's here for pussy. Like, I swear, his whole. His whole world has become melody at this point. It's like, bro, you have no idea how close you were to actually being evicted last week. Like, within the last maybe 36 hours before Thursday, had you not won that blockbuster, you were going home week four. So I think you think you're good, but you're not that good. You played a strategy of the middle, and some people can play that really well, babe. By week four, everyone already had you sussed out, so you didn't play it well. And I was watching the feeds last night. And someone said something and he got really pissed. They were like, yeah. And I think it was camo actually. And he was like, yeah or and you Melody and whatever. He's like showman, we're not a show. It's like true. Be so for real. Be so for real. Like you I, every time I see that kid he is googly eyed over Melody and like listen, I get, I think Melody is an icon legend. I'm obsessed with Melody but like he's not really given King strategy here. Yeah, I think he's going to be one of those ones that he'll be hard to get rid of in my opinion. I think he's going to be like, I see him in like double eviction, winning that power veto, like something like one of those guys. But I don't think he's going to win. I don't think he's going to win at all.

[Rob Cesternino]

Yeah, I have been watching the show with my family. My son, he is going to be 13, he's very into the show. He's a big Drew fan and he asked me the other day, he said, dad, when are Drew and Melody going to kiss exactly? And I said I, I don't know. I, I, I don't have an answer for you on that one.

[Bran Flakes]

Yeah. And they're cute. I like, like I said, they are likable for sure. But I don't really know what that gameplay is right now on, on his side. Yeah, I don't really know what I think he has no idea how close it was for him last week.

[Rob Cesternino]

Yeah. I'm curious to know that. Had you been a fan of Jason before he played on Big Brother Celine Estates? Yes.

[Bran Flakes]

No, I actually, I don't watch Drag Race surprisingly, all the games. He's one of those. No, I don't watch Drag Race.

[Rob Cesternino]

Yeah,

[Bran Flakes]

he, I felt bad for him towards the end. Might have been one of the worst players we've seen though if we're going to be so honest in like the past few years. I mean he is the right season for him. No. And week one, this is kind of what I was touching upon earlier. Week one in general, in my opinion, you have to lay low if you are not in a position of power. Like that is the week. It's, I hate when people make the a personal. It's week one. If I'm going in in that show and I'm playing week one, I am using that whole week to hopefully not be nominated and sit back and get a judge of everybody start seeing how people are playing and start making in your head, who do I want to work with and who do I want to get rid of? And that's a luxury that most people don't have. Because you're not safe week one. You know, you could be nominated. You got Jason, who's literally safe week one. Like literally safe. And he just starts unnecessarily starting drama and lying and doing things. And then by the time I started to feel bad for him because I, I hated the way he went out and how it was done, but at the same time, like, oh my God, it's, it's hard to defend because you really, you really had a nice chance there and you really up.

[Rob Cesternino]

Yeah.

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[Bran Flakes]

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[Rob Cesternino]

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[Rob Cesternino]

speaking of people who aren't with us anymore, Lyric was somebody who I thought was really had a lot of potential. And ultimately the house flipped against her last minute. Did you think that that was a mistake to get rid of Lyric for the icons?

[Bran Flakes]

That's tough. I see both sides. That's so hard to answer on bias because I'm like, oh my gosh, thank God they did that because we would have love Melody. And I love Melody. I don't think it was a mistake for necessarily every icon, but I don't think that it was the right choice. I don't think it was the right choice for Angela. I don't. I think Angela knew Drew shit. I think Angela is a backseat driver in a lot of these conversations. And I think Lyric and Angela would have been more workable. I think it was a horrible move for Haley to nominate Lyric in the first place. She was a non threat and Lyric being collateral damage was not good for someone like Haley. This is what was bothering me about Haley last week. I was getting really bothered in her conversations with Lyric when she was like, yeah, like now you're just coming to us because all your friends are gone. Now you're just coming to us. True.

[Rob Cesternino]

Yeah.

[Bran Flakes]

What did you want? What did you want her to do? Say, oh, all my friends are gone. So I'm just gonna ignore you guys too. Like, you have to play the cards you were played. And let me. Let's make this very clear. Camus has done a way better job of kind of soft launching I'm going to leave my allies because the ship is sinking than Lyric did. Lyric was not nonchalant about it. She was not elegant with it. She did not soft launch. She fucking catapulted and said, abort ship for sure. But the viewer, I'm glad Lyric went home because Lyric was going to turn her back on Melody and Mallory and all of those just be another number for Haley. But Haley should have seen. Oh, this girl is so easy to work with me, but she has no self awareness. She honestly, Haley should have put a lot last week, in my opinion and threat. Yeah. And if Lala had been the collateral, that would have been better collateral for her than someone like Lyric. Yeah. So I don't know if it was necessarily a good move for Dee and Devins. I think it ended up being okay for them because does. Does Haley, to her knowledge know that they voted against her yet? Is she still in like fantasy world?

[Rob Cesternino]

No, I think she knows what's up with the votes.

[Bran Flakes]

Okay.

[Rob Cesternino]

Yeah, I think that it was. It was good to save Drew, but I think it was the wrong move to save. Save Melody and that Dee had said that. Oh, well, she was not, she didn't. Was not forthcoming about who the Lyric would have put up. She wouldn't have put up the red corner. I think that one thing we've seen from Lyric is that she is very flexible. She is not. She has no, like, red line that she will not cross. Like, she was willing. She will say anything to anyone and do anything to survive. And I think that if, if she, if, if you implied to her, like, hey, the difference between you saving and going is nominating the red corner, she'd be like, I don't even care. I made all three of them. Whatever, just keep me. So I think that she was not necessarily a woman who was really clinging to like, oh, these are my standards in the game.

[Bran Flakes]

Yeah, for sure. I hate to use this word, but it didn't really seem like she had a lot of integrity. And I think that's where a lot of people were just like, yeah, she's, she. You can be an opportunist, but be smart about showing you're an opportunist.

[Rob Cesternino]

Like, oh, on the low.

[Bran Flakes]

I'll backstab anybody for sure. But I'm not going to make it obvious. I'm going to tell everybody their face. I have their back. She was a little too.

[Rob Cesternino]

Yeah.

[Bran Flakes]

Flat out about it.

[Rob Cesternino]

I think integrity is a good word in meaning, like, not necessarily personal integrity, but I think in terms of, like, what. What does she actually believe in in the house? I don't think anybody could quite put there. She voted against Rome. Like, she. I think she was willing to do anything and everything, which I love in her as a game player. But I think that the other players kind of felt. Although it. But. But D is saying the opposite, is saying like, oh, no, I knew she would not have nominated the red corner and that's why she had to Go. So I think that D had a rare bad read on that in terms of Lyric, and then Drew was able to still keep his relationship with Melody, and that was the thing you were worried about in the first place. So I. I think it was a mistake for not. Not a mistake they can't overcome. But I don't think it was necessarily the perfect move for them. All right, Branch, like, I want to try something new with you. Okay. Thursday is eviction night, and of course, we ask the house guests to record goodbye messages. I would love to get you to record your goodbye messages for all three of the people on the block. Let me start with Barrett. Okay. Brad Flakes, could you record your goodbye message to Barrett?

[Bran Flakes]

Barrett, I don't know how this happened this week. It is such a shame to see you go. And it is more shame that your big brother experience was five weeks of you following Dee around like a puppy dog. I hope she gives you that follow back at the end of the season. It's good. It was good getting to know you.

[Rob Cesternino]

Okay, I'll do. I'll do the. Hey, Barrett, you know, we had such high hopes for you. You seem like that you really love the show. We just would have loved to have seen, like a. A little bit more from you, but, you know, we'll. We'll see you on Blue Sky. All right. All right, now do Chuck.

[Bran Flakes]

Oh, God. Okay, Chuck, it's week five, and I wish this would have been Survivor so I could have miswrote your name down. I didn't realize this whole time you didn't even have a C. I mean, honestly, I didn't even realize this whole time you were on the show. Thanks for coming along for the ride. You're a loser.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

See ya.

[Rob Cesternino]

Hey, Chuck. Oh, man, I can't believe it looked like that you had so much going on, but sorry that we just need some more excitement on the show and frankly, we're not getting it from you, Chuck. So we'll see you later, cowboy.

[Bran Flakes]

All right.

[Rob Cesternino]

And then Haley.

[Bran Flakes]

Okay, Haley. I mean, you've just had the toughest weeks here and the fact that, like, this week was the toughest yet because you're seeing this message like you've had, like, one of the worst experiences I've ever seen on Big Brother because you were an the whole time. And girl, what did you think you were going to do? You have no self awareness. You're completely delusional, and I'm really nervous for you to turn this goodbye message off and then have to face the world's goodbye Message for you because it's not going to be pretty. You probably should do a lot of inner work. This wasn't a show for you. Maybe something with a psychologist would have been a better show for you. Unfortunately, it was your time to go.

[Rob Cesternino]

Haley, if you're seeing this, I'm so devastated. I really, I. I had so much fun watching you this season of the show. I. I can't believe it's over. Please, please do more reality tv. I can't imagine this world without you. That it has been changed my life in so many good ways. And so I will. You will be famous forever.

[Bran Flakes]

Were we supposed to do them as if we were in the house?

[Rob Cesternino]

I think so. I think.

[Bran Flakes]

I don't know.

[Rob Cesternino]

Yeah, do whatever you want. We never were inventing something.

[Bran Flakes]

You see, this is why I. I'm just. I. I wouldn't be able to not get a villain.

[Rob Cesternino]

Okay, well, brave, like, who's gonna Win Big Brother 28?

[Bran Flakes]

All right. Right now, I think D has a good shot for sure. We haven't really talked about Devin's a lot. What is your take on Devin's coming from the Survivor community? I want. I want to know your thoughts on him.

[Rob Cesternino]

So Rick Devins, to me, came out of Survivor 50 and had, like, the biggest. Even maybe more so than Aubrey. I felt like that the biggest boost to his legacy and reputation afterwards. And I think that really, that it is in the model of Rick Devins that Survivor has really rebranded to the open era, the era of, hey, embrace the Rick Devins of, hey, you're probably not gonna win. Have the most fun. It's gonna be crazy. Roll with the punches. And let's. Let's embrace the Rick Devins joy. And he came into. And he has really brought, I think, some of that to Big Brother. But it's interesting that his game has been mostly pretty conservative in the Big Brother house. When it first got announced that Rick Devins was gonna be on the season, I tweeted, like, when Rick Devins takes himself off of the block with the veto for the third week in a row, it's gonna hit so hard. And that has not been the case of Rick Devins. He did make the big move. Like, he does tend to want to, like, if somebody goes to him, it's like, hey, come on, it'll be fun. He's like, all right, let's do it. And. And that's. That was the case with the Rome vote, and that was the case when D came to him about lyrics. But for the most part, like, I Think he has. I've said he's like, embraced his inner lavasser of like that. He has been like, hey, let's just. Let's keep things nice and calm. Let's not have too much. Too much explosions. But it's been sort of quiet, quiet, quiet, quiet. And then boom, like, Devin's explosion. And so it's actually, I've been very impressed with him as a game player. It's been a very different experience than the Rick Devins who we said as a survivor player. He said it himself in the diary room. Rick Devins thrives in chaos in this house. Rick Devins has actually been a very calming influence and he has been thriving in the calm in the Big Brother house in a way that he never did in the survivor world.

[Bran Flakes]

Yeah. Do you think D is partially attributed to this at any point? Like, do you think if Dee had not been here, he would be kind of this composed player that we're seeing right now?

[Rob Cesternino]

I. I almost feel like that D has been sort of like, even more chaotic than Rick Devins has been because D, I think that she too, thrives in. You know, I think she feeds off the energy of the. Of there being like some drama in the house. And she's such. She's so good, I think, at sort of like manipulating people with her. With emotions when emotions are high. And so I think that, like, when the emotions are sort of flat in the house, I think the D can kind of get bored. Not to say that she's, like, lost focus, but I think that she likes that, like, a little bit of energy of that. It really motivates her and she plays so well under those circumstances. So I think that she has looked to create that. And I think that Rick is sort of by proxy forced into a little bit of like, okay, that here's somebody who actually may like to have this chaotic energy a little more than me. And he's actually sort of like, been into a position where he's sort of like the calming influence, especially the Angela

[Bran Flakes]

too, I would say. Top three contenders right now for me. Then I want to hear yours.

[Rob Cesternino]

Okay.

[Bran Flakes]

I would say are D. Devins and. Oh, my God, I can't believe I'm saying this.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Como.

[Rob Cesternino]

Yeah, I think that's right.

[Bran Flakes]

The way he's recovered this week. Yeah.

[Rob Cesternino]

Yeah. Camus to me, is the most interesting player in terms of like, the. He has the A, Like a really good, good chance to both go out next week and also win the game. Like, that. He really could be, like, more so than any of the other. Other players who are sort of like, in the middle or it's like they don't really like. Yeah, sure, they might just sort of like, figure it out, but they're probably not that likely to go home. But that k. He is just like, very much, like, so up and down as a player that. That it could go. He could get clocked next week and everybody could turn on him and they get him out or like, he's so good at these comps and he has these relationships and he could be somebody who eventually flips on the icons and then ends up in a field of like, Lala, Taylor, Yash and the, like, the Drew, Melody, Barrett, Mallory, like, ends up just dominating the game.

[Bran Flakes]

Yeah, I definitely think those right now are the strongest contenders. I would say that Taylor is getting there, but kind of to everything we had earlier, I think it might be too little, too late for her. I think the legs that she needed to stand on have kind of.

[Rob Cesternino]

Yeah.

[Bran Flakes]

Fallen out from under her. And I think, unfortunately, if she gets that power, if she gets into power, I think Devin's will play his.

[Rob Cesternino]

Said something like this a couple of weeks ago that really stuck with me about how, you know, like, in the Traders that you. The traders kind of want the dummies to come to the end. And I think that this season, in a lot of ways, that it is the Traders and Devin and Dee and Angela are the traitors in the house, and they're trying to act like they're, you know, you know, the normal people in the house. They're the faithful. And I think that they are starting to clock that the smartest faithful might be Taylor. And I think that that's actually very bad for her. And I think that she could be the next person who gets. Gets taken out in a way where. That. Where in a lot of ways, I think it's very similar to a Trader season where you have these reality icons who are pretending that they're not, like, working together, but they really are secretly. And they get up in the turret and they talk about who's figuring them out and who has to go home next. So I think that this is kind of like a very Traders coded season of Big Brother.

[Bran Flakes]

Yeah, for sure.

[Rob Cesternino]

Yeah. All right, Bradford, what else are you talking about when you're not talking about Big Brother?

[Bran Flakes]

Oh, my God. Probably Tick Tock the player. If Tick Tock is a game show, all the influencers are players. So definitely talking about that in.

[Rob Cesternino]

In your Tick Tocks and Instagrams. Like, what. What are you talking about?

[Bran Flakes]

I talk a lot about friendship and kind of, like, niche.

[Rob Cesternino]

Not the friendship. Right. Not like Maggie and.

[Bran Flakes]

But may they rest in peace. Yeah, those are legends in my. The strongest big brother alliance there possibly ever was.

[Rob Cesternino]

Yes.

[Bran Flakes]

Like, outside the. But, yeah, like, I talk a lot about, like, just growing up and being a young adult, I guess you could say a lot of comedy. I've been doing a lot of skits. I'm trying to, you know, we're in Hollywood now. We're trying to.

[Rob Cesternino]

Yeah, baby.

[Bran Flakes]

Go to that path. Get. Get some acting in there. Get some acting. I do talk a decent amount about pop culture. I probably should talk more about, like, reality TV and pop culture, because when I do those videos, they actually do pretty well.

[Rob Cesternino]

What's happening in pop culture? What am I. What am I missing?

[Bran Flakes]

Oh, my goodness. Okay. Well, right now, I guess this is more of, like, a pop culture content creator hybrid. So I don't know if you saw anything about this. So the biggest recent scandal was this store on Nantucket that put up a sign at the front that said no influencers. And that caused this, like, huge drama discussion point of like, why, like, why that sign was appropriate or why it was inappropriate. You had some influencers saying it was

[Rob Cesternino]

discrimination, and that was up for the influencers.

[Bran Flakes]

Exactly. So that was, like, a lot of fun.

[Rob Cesternino]

Where did you come down on this brand Flakes?

[Bran Flakes]

When I came down on. It was. It was a stupid sign. It was a stupid reaction sign. Could have easily just said, no cell phones or no photography, no filming, but it said no influencers.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Okay. Yeah.

[Bran Flakes]

If I. I'm an influencer. If I walk into the shop and I see no influencer sign, I'm going to laugh and I'm just going to keep walking in the store. Like, I don't really care.

[Rob Cesternino]

Y.

[Bran Flakes]

So. But yeah, I think people were making it a bigger conversation than it needed to be. But that was. That was a very wild week on the Internet. That was about, like, a week and a half ago. That was definitely a big craze. I don't really know what else is going on in, like, actual pop culture,

[Rob Cesternino]

but I was hoping you could tell me.

[Bran Flakes]

Yeah, I mean, I was just at the Variety Awards last week. How was that? Like, it was great. The whole Love island season 8 cast, that's something.

[Rob Cesternino]

Oh, yeah. You saw them in person?

[Bran Flakes]

I saw them in person. They filmed the reunion, I believe, last night here in Los Angeles.

[Rob Cesternino]

Did you interact with any of the Love island contestants?

[Bran Flakes]

I did. I interacted with a lot of them. Very nice.

[Rob Cesternino]

How was that?

[Bran Flakes]

Yeah, all of them are very kind. And I kind of also. A few of them talked to me about, like, because I do a lot of content on, like, how to grow your account and, like, the steps you should take. Signing with a manager, signing with an agent, like, those scary decisions that no one really tells you about. And a lot of them are very kind. And we're like, we've been watching your videos. We are about to sign with, you know, this agency and this. And like. And I'm like, listen, I'm here as a resource. I just moved here too, because they're all about to move to LA pretty soon anyway, because now they have to film beyond the Villa, which is the new. You're contractually obliged now.

[Rob Cesternino]

Oh, yeah. I. Yeah. This was my first Love island season. I didn't know you had to do beyond the Villa. So I'm very excited to see how that's going. That's going to work out.

[Bran Flakes]

Yeah.

[Rob Cesternino]

Did even Sincere was nice.

[Bran Flakes]

Okay, so he had a Nazi.

[Rob Cesternino]

Yeah.

[Bran Flakes]

But I did see something last night. Did you see that, too? That he was rude to fans on the red carpet?

[Rob Cesternino]

No. He got booed.

[Bran Flakes]

No. So. Oh, he was rude. He was rude.

[Rob Cesternino]

I'm sorry. Yes.

[Bran Flakes]

He was rude. Yeah. This creator made a video. So this creator made a video. She was like, I was at the Love island finale. Here's how every cast member interacted. And the first person she said it was sincere, was extremely rude. Did not want to interact with fans, like, completely just like, bustled through the carpet, went right in, and then said everyone else, for the most part, was pretty nice. Except for Casey and tt.

[Rob Cesternino]

Why did tt, like, wanna clap back at people?

[Bran Flakes]

I'm tt yeah. But they said that the core four girls were lovely, that they were the last people to walk the carpet and they were moving fast, but that they made sure to stop and say hi to everybody.

[Rob Cesternino]

Talk to Kenzie.

[Bran Flakes]

So Kenzie was not at the Variety party.

[Rob Cesternino]

Interesting.

[Bran Flakes]

She told me the next day she missed her flight and did not get there. I saw Kenzie the night after at a dinner, and it was just her, Dylan and Jaden. They were not with the core four.

[Rob Cesternino]

Interesting.

[Bran Flakes]

So not sure what's going on there.

[Rob Cesternino]

Okay, well, you're really tapped into the Love island circuit.

[Bran Flakes]

I am pretty topped in, but I'm close. I'm. Some of my jealous friends are on previous seasons.

[Rob Cesternino]

But you're friends with the previous Love island contestants.

[Bran Flakes]

Yeah. So my closest friend really here in LA is Olivia Walker. Live Walker. She was on season six.

[Rob Cesternino]

Yes.

[Bran Flakes]

Which was one of the most my

[Rob Cesternino]

friend was on that season also who I'm friends with Rob from that season of Love Island.

[Bran Flakes]

My king. My king. Yes. Yeah.

[Rob Cesternino]

Yes.

[Bran Flakes]

Are you guys actually friends?

[Rob Cesternino]

I mean, how did you describe your friendship with D? We're Internet friends. He likes my posts and so we're, we're Internet friends. If he goes on big Brother, he probably won't shout me out in the diary room. Shout out to him.

[Bran Flakes]

Would you do Big Brother, Rob?

[Rob Cesternino]

I would be, I would definitely do it if it was a shorter version. I think I would really struggle with the, the 90 day version of it because I just think of like, I watch the people and I would be really bad at, at this point in my life. I'd be bad at like, you know, I'm just gonna lay on the couch with a blanket and then listen to somebody's stories for two hours of like, you just like lay there and you just have small talk all day. It's like, what are we doing? I think I would be like, you know, like I, the game talk I would be totally up for, but just like, boy, I gotta hear this story again.

[Bran Flakes]

Yeah, agreed.

[Rob Cesternino]

I, I would, I, I would go a little, I think cuckoo for 90 days.

[Bran Flakes]

Yeah, they really could make it shorter too. Like, they could really make it a lot. You know, they almost don't even need a nomination ceremony anymore because they do it like Friday night and then Saturday morning they compete in the veto and it's like, it's kind of stupid. Honestly. They could do a different format change where you get to the power veto competition. Instead of picking players, you also pick your nominees at the same time.

[Rob Cesternino]

Listen for the live feed, people. You know, it's great for 90 days, whatever for the actual contestants on the show. I think it's a really long time. You know, maybe if they like tightened it up and did two a year, I think that that could be also something that they look at. But look, it's working. People love it and you know, seems like it's doing really well this summer.

[Bran Flakes]

Yeah, it is. I'm excited. I'm really glad that what happened last week happened and I hope that it kind of continues to make a season without a steamroll.

[Rob Cesternino]

Yeah. Okay. Brad Flakes. I'm sure so many of the listeners are already following you, but in case somebody isn't, can you, can you, can you call them in and tell them where to go?

[Bran Flakes]

Yes, it is. Brand B R a N underscore Flakes FL A K E Z on TikTok tock and Instagram.

[Rob Cesternino]

Yeah. Okay. We've got so much more Big Brother coming your way. I'll be doing the Slop on Tuesday night with Chappelle and a Big Brother mailbag on Patreon with Taran as well. Plus all of the shows to Wednesday night and Thursday night eviction. So keep it locked in here for Big Brother 28 here on RJP. Take care. Have a good one. Bye.

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