Big Brother Croatia Update: Endgame Approaching

The most credible source of the information about what really goes on in Big Brother House is the live stream, although the perspective based on that can be limited due to only two cameras, questionable editorial choices, poor camera angles and frequent technical problems. Another more credible source are news updates on RTL Televizija and T-Com official sites, although the former come with 24 hours delay and the latter covers only mornings and afternoons of the same day. TV daily summaries are subject to heavy editing, partly in order to raise ratings, partly in order to comply with new media standards. The least credible source of them is Jutarnji list. At least this impression can be made by Paola Bajlo, Marina's sister, who used her appearance on Friday's daily show to deny that she had ever considered Alen as Marina's choice for nomination.

Because of that, Željko's (Zeljko's) statement published to today's edition of Jutarnji list – potentially the greatest Big Brother bombshell so far - should be taken with a large grain of salt. Željko, despite more than obvious interest for him by female section of Croatian jet-set gathered on post-eviction party in Zagreb's Piranha Bar on Friday – singer Lana Jurčević (Lana Jurcevic) has flirted with him despite the presence of her boyfriend – has largely ignored any woman other than his sister Gordana (with whom he got re-united after two and half years in the show's cheesiest Ricki Lake moment so far). Finally, Jutarnji list reporter confronted him with a question raised in many Internet forums – his sexual orientation. Željko simply refused to answer that question. While some Croatians would applaud his decision to keep at least some of the privacy, many would see his plea of no contest as an implicit admission.

In the meantime, situation in House is somewhat calmer than many have feared after Friday's nominations. Ana didn't do anything overtly dramatic except for keeping her word and refusing to cook any more. There are constant recriminations and bad blood between the Axis and their former ally Valentina who now desperately wants to make friends with the male section of House. Ana, just like the rest of the housemates, expects to be evicted on Friday and she already expressed the desire to take Biggy with her. She claims that she got too attached to the dog and she, in most likelihood, loves him more than any other housemate (and at some occasions gives impression of giving preference to Biggy over the rest of man kind in general).

Ana's suspicions might become reality only if her hissy fits manage to alienate even more viewers. But it is unlikely. Extra week for Ana in the House means more drama and more ratings, and it is quite certain that Tanja Pureta and her team of psychologists would try hard to prevent her from doing something overtly dramatic like following Antonija through the gates on Friday. Polls also suggest that 60-70 % voters favour Antonija's eviction (although some suggest more even 50-40 split).

Antonija's case isn't going to be helped by some of her post-nomination reaction. While discussing the situation on Friday she tried to put the brave face on her predicament she said that "1 million HRK" isn't exactly "great sum of money" because it could buy only "a car and, if you live in Zagreb, an apartment". This statement isn't going to sit well in the nation where pensioners who go out at night to scavenge trashcans for food isn't such a rare sight.

Unpopularity of Antonija and Ana shouldn't be explained only by their pre-nomination arrogance (they have spent most of past week calling Željko "The Nominated One") but also with their heavy Dalmatian accents. Croatians are in this particular time very frustrated with the apparent inability of public opinion to affect prime minister Ivo Sanader and force the resignation of widely unpopular foreign minister Miomir Žužul (Miomir Zuzul). Sanader and Žužul are both Dalmatians and although Žužul speaks with the hinterland accent much closer to Valentina's, it is easy to imagine some of this frustration and anti-Dalmatian sentiment being channelled into intense dislike of Antonija and Ana.

Those who fared well on last week's nomination, on the other hand, are already planning for the future. Alen felt confident enough to express his preference for the final four to other two in men's bedroom – three men and Marina. At this stage, this, together with Saša's (Sasa's) victory, appears to be the most likely outcome of the game. Yesterday morning, Zdravko, Saša and Marina were discussing what they would like to do with 1 million HRK if they win it. Marina said that she would have liked to be in final four, but that she didn't expect to win. Than she admitted that her motives for entry into show were other than fame or excitement – some of the grand prize should help her family to pay debts.