Utopia (US) Live Feed Discussion

[GaJenn]

Spoiler

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I'm still new to the group, I've been a long time lurker.... so not sure how this works.

Anyway, word is they are getting their computer today and it's new in box.  I'm hoping that TPTB have taken measures to assure they will not try to access certain websites etc.... I really hope that Kristen doesn't try to take over the thing, and I also hope that no one tries to hack into the restricted, if any, websites to sabotage anything.

 

 

ETA....apparently they aren't even allowed to check email, so..... according to Rob, they can only see three websites, not sure how true that is, but I really hope so

Edited September 19, 2014 by GaJenn

[ottoDbusdriver]

I'm still curious now that Henning, the Computer Geeks guy, found them a Wifi signal and they can finally connect, will they be getting a bill for Wifi access as well ?

 

It would be hilarious if the only place they could get a signal was under the pomegranate tree or at the end of the dock.  </snark>

 

 

according to Rob, they can only see three websites, not sure how true that is, but I really hope so

 

 

I wonder if they will monitor the 'pioneers' internet communications so that they don't get outside info.  

 

I also wonder if everyone that visits this weekend will have to sign waivers that say they can't narc on houseguests actions to others.

 

ETA: I can't believe they are giving them access to 1 Twitter and 1 Facebook account.  Boy are they in for a big surprise.

 

Red is totally going to break that laptop when he finds out they can't get porn on it.

 

You know what is even more exciting than watching people sit around on their asses in squalor because they are too lazy to look after themselves ?  Watching people surf the Internet as they sit on their asses in even worse squalor, followed by constant fighting over whose turn it is on the laptop.

Edited September 19, 2014 by ottoDbusdriver

[RedheadZombie]

FYI:  The lady currently visiting Utopia is a Jokers regular "BB Kim".  They're over on Jokers freaking out because she told them she was going to visit, and she will fill them in on how everything went later.  They've begged her to mention the "second receipt" in an attempt to further trap Aaron.  When asked, Kim told them she loves everyone.  Hex tells her that her real name is Kim, too.  BB Kim hugged most people, gave Bella and Amanda super long hugs, and attempted to shun Aaron's hug.   She's out to get him.  Good times!

 

Rob seems especially charming.  He points out everyone's sleeping areas.  Becomes emotional over a picture of his dog.  Said he rescued her thirteen years ago.  He says leaving her is the hardest part (wonder how his fiancé feels about that).

[4leafclover]

Amanda just told Bella that she feels the need to confront Aaron about the food budget and the orders.  She doesn't appreciate Aaron and Kristen eating fried chicken and pizza while the rest of them only get spoonfuls of beans.  She wants there to be a consequence for Aaron such as not allowing Kristen to help him in the kitchen, not allowing Aaron to cook for a week and not letting him order his own food the next time and making him do without.  They also don't want him to have access to the money "for awhile."  Bella thinks they should first "honor" Aaron for all the hard work he does and then confront him.  They are going to talk to the others for their input since this happened when the group "was in tyranny"  (of course you know this came from Bella).  They're trying to decide when to confront Aaron.  Red walked up and Bella told him that he will now "have a voice" tonight.  Red said he has a headache and he's not sure he can do anything tonight but he'll try. 

 

ETA:  After Amanda and Bella returned to the people barn, Kim (the guest) was leaving and Amanda, Hex and Josh walked her to the gate.  Kim hugged each one, and when she hugged Amanda, she whispered "Don't trust Aaron."  Amanda quickly said "Ok."  

Edited September 20, 2014 by 4leafclover

[RedheadZombie]

Yeah, but everybody else is buying it.  Leave it to Red to sum it up perfectly - Now they're all apologizing to Aaron because he took their fucking money.  Kristen is still being babied.  Aaron has been martyred.  I hate Mike.  He, Chris, and Dede can fuck off for all I care.  And I'm irritated with Rob because he backed down, claimed he had been told false stories, and joined Hex, Chris, Dede, and Mike in the apology party.

[vhakra]

Most of these knuckleheads need a good smack to the noggin and stop all their babbling. They'd be dead by now if not for all the interference by production. All those in favor of Kristen, Aaron, and Mike meeting Mr. Mayhem say, "Aye". The lesson being you don't steal from the club.

Edited September 20, 2014 by vhakra

[RedheadZombie]

Josh, Red, and Rob briefly met.  Josh is all about - he's guilty, we know it, he knows it, it's done, he won't do the ordering anymore, move on.  Rob thinks it's all the gossipers (aka women) telling lies and defaming poor Kristen and Aaron.  Red's like - he's lying, there's a big tub of peanut butter unaccounted for, here's the receipts, etc.  Josh says - it's over, and for now on three people will do the ordering.  Red, Nikki, and per Josh's suggestion - Mike.  Red (who's turned out to be a genius, in my opinion), is like - not so fast on Mike.  Red didn't like what he heard Mike saying in the blowup (they're being attacked by a mob, it's so unfair, everyone's lying .....).  Josh said, yes Red, I really think Mike would be good.  Why don't they see what Mike is up to?

 

And speaking of Mike -  I might hate him the most now.  In the middle of this blowup, while some people are stating they are hungry and not being fed enough (Nikki, Amanda), Mike sashay's up and starts making jokes about gaining weight from eating.  He was not trying to cut the tension because he was uncomfortable.  He's shit stirring, and he's an asshole. 

 

Gentleman that he is, Taylor tosses out to some of the guys that he might be "getting lucky" tonight.

 

By the way, per Jokers, Red has been instructed that he cannot bring up the phone call that tipped them off that Aaron and Kristen stole and embezzled.  So this did not come up in the meeting, nor did Kim's warning to Amanda.

 

Forgot to mention that prior to the Aaron/Kristen confrontation, Rob gave a stirring speech about everyone pitching in, working harder, ask  yourself if you're really doing all that you can, winter is coming (how Game of Thrones), thousands of people would love to be here in Utopia, it's about the group and not about the individual (please tell this "Patriot" that he's spouting socialism) in the Marines .........

[henripootel]

They'd be dead by now if not for all the interference by production.

I honestly wonder if they'd get along just fine if they were actual people actually trying to pull off the ostensible mission.  The more I watch this (and read Zadii's recaps), the more I'm persuaded that this is nothing but fake fake fake.  I mean I'm sure the people are real (although some may be planted actors) but the drama seems so manufactured, if not outright scripted.  No way these guys weren't heavily prepped for their 'roles', which puts Bri and Chris' 'relationship' in a new, queasy light.

[RedheadZombie]

I loved that Amanda keeps stressing that people are going without, they're hungry.  She's not just fighting for her herself.  She didn't use the baby as an excuse, but she's stating it's essential that she eat.  Kristen recommends Amanda have some Ramen noodles.  Amanda stresses she has to limit her salt intake, and limit the amount of canned products she eats (I'm assuming they're high in sodium).  Please tell me she's not experiencing high blood pressure (which can become dangerous in a pregnant woman).  She just stated these things in such a way that it sounds like she's reiterating what her doctor or midwife said.

[ottoDbusdriver]

I'm curious what they are going to feed all these people coming tomorrow for the Utopia Experience -- hosewater and burnt biscuits.  They are bitching about the fact there isn't enough food for the pioneers until Monday since the cupboards are rather barren so there's not a lot of spare foodstuffs to even make snacks for guests.

 

For $20 people will probably be expecting something included or the opportunity to purchase something while there.

 

I'm thinking some people may be asking for their money back.

[whack-a-mole]

I'm curious what they are going to feed all these people coming tomorrow for the Utopia Experience -- hosewater and burnt biscuits.

Seems an accurate experience. I look forward to the guests being just as unhappy about everything as the utopians. Who gets to tell them they have to get busy in the bushes for the real experience?

[SpaghettiTuesdays]

I can't help but feel soryr for some of them, too. Part of me wonders what would happen if they threw in a rational, normal human being as the next replacement. But, as we saw with Rhonda, they will not vote in a rational, normal human being.

 

Forgive me, but what is this "Jokers" thing people keep talking about?

[MrHufflepuff]

If their business model is basically just charging people to come down and gawk at them for a few hours, then aren't the Utopians just running a zoo?  With themselves as the animals?

[green]

I can't help but feel soryr for some of them, too. Part of me wonders what would happen if they threw in a rational, normal human being as the next replacement. But, as we saw with Rhonda, they will not vote in a rational, normal human being.

 

Forgive me, but what is this "Jokers" thing people keep talking about?

 

They would never ever cast a "normal" human being.  These producer idiots forget you need, as another poster pointed out, an "everyman" or two to identify with on these shows.  Everyone is looking to find someone, anyone to remotely "like" on this show.  Thus Josh gets forgiven quickly as he seems to be the only real hard worker.  Then Hex is forgiven too cause she seems nice and caring. Then they do something and they go down again in the eyes of viewers like Hex insisting on drinking when she know she shouldn't or Josh passing off Aaron's crap.

 

All of a sudden Amanda is no longer stirring the pot but going after the truth so she suddenly is okay right now.  Until she is found stirring the pot in the future.  Red has suddenly seemed nice compared to what people thought of him early on.  Until he doesn't something whacko again in the future.

 

All these people are so badly flawed that I refuse to invest in liking any of them.  In the end they will all disappoint.

 

As for Jokers other people will it explain it better.  I remember hearing about it years ago at the birth of the whole new at the time live feeds with the first season of Big Brother.  Think it is a message board where live feed watchers share their observations and people not watching them and want to read their re-caps gather.  Guess they added a forum for this show.

[In Pog Form]

By the way, per Jokers, Red has been instructed that he cannot bring up the phone call that tipped them off that Aaron and Kristen stole and embezzled.

Wait, what? He's not even allowed to tell the truth now? About something that was told to him over a phone connection that Production provided? Wow. And what would be the penalty if he violated these instructions?

Also, how did they not vet Kim from Jokers? If they are so concerned about outside information, then why let someone in from a forum that obviously was planning to breach that? Are they just too incompetent to be aware of the websites that discuss the show?

The whole social media thing of them having a Twitter account sounds like a (potentially hilarious) disaster in the making. I don't think Production can win here - they need the buzz and cheap publicity that social media provides. But they also want to control it and shield the Utopians from outside contact. But as anybody with any sense knows, you can't control the social media like that.

I can't decide whether Production are truly that stupid, or if they are deliberately trying to make it blow up.

[In Pog Form]

But, as we saw with Rhonda, they will not vote in a rational, normal human being.

Rhonda didn't seem that rational or normal to me. I don't think such a person has ever crossed the threshold into Utopia.

And frankly, I probably would have made the same vote. Rhonda made a terrible pitch as to why she should be voted in. It was just all "I'd really like it here," while Kristen actually sold herself on what she could do for them (as dishonest and delusional as that pitch may have been).

[riverheightsnancy]

I don't see the live feeds and forgot what days they show this on TV (ha, lol), can anyone comment on the animals, or do the feeds never show them now to shut us up? 

[vhakra]

While watching Aaron control... I mean talk to Kristen I had to turn the volume off because I just couldn't take it anymore. I think Aaron being there is worse than Dave. Then I snoozed for a bit and looked up to see him talking to Bri. I made the mistake of turning up the volume and felt my eyes twitching. I promptly shut it off and went to bed. Why do these people let Aaron talk rings around them and manipulate them? 

[DeLurker]

 

But, as we saw with Rhonda, they will not vote in a rational, normal human being.

I thought one of them noted that Rhonda worked harder during that initial period though.  But even if Rhonda had been voted in, I bet she'd be as loony as the rest of them.

 

 

Also, how did they not vet Kim from Jokers? If they are so concerned about outside information, then why let someone in from a forum that obviously was planning to breach that? Are they just too incompetent to be aware of the websites that discuss the show?

While I don't doubt their incompetence, I think they fully vetter Kim from Jokers and let her in on that basis only.  Chatter, even chatter that documents their dumbassery, is desirable.

[Pixel]

Red to Mike writing while sitting on the stairs: "Dear Mom and Dad, these people are all crazy. PS: Please send cookies."

 

Red has gone from being someone I can't stand to one of my favorites.  Kind of like the opposite of the Frankie effect on Big Brother.

[kib]

Just spitballin' here but the "Experience Utopia" event seems like a prime opportunity for production to tinker with a number of issues.  If they bus in a large group of paid shut-in's, syphilitic circus folk and ne'er do well's it would serve to recapitalize the Utopian's within the story arc. It would also offer the illusion that the tours (and the program itself) are viable and worthwhile.  Nothing draws a crowd like a crowd.  Aaron might have tipped production's hand with his $2K proceeds prediction.  I'd look for an attendance equal to what can be fit in a charter bus from the FOX lot in LA.

Edited September 20, 2014 by kib

[Picketfences]

So, Red as already been on a reality show and the premise was Hillbillies that grow weed...? Something like that, I only briefly read the article.

 

I think the casting for this show is absolutely ridiculous. If Utopia is supposed to be a reflection of real world people trying to create a better life they've really dropped the ball. I feel like casting directors sat around a table and filled out note cards with every stereotype they could think of and then found people that fit those molds.

 

P.S I've been following the BB16 forums and became obsessed with reading everyone's comments so I decided to join for Utopia and Survivor. Excited to be a part!

[Zahdii]

9/19/2014     Friday

 

(Hi!  Borrowed a laptop and I don't like it.  Don't know how long I can use it though, so don't count on daily recaps.  It's what I can do and when can I do it time.)

 

Just after 6 AM  Hex, Rob, and Taylor head to the barn to start the morning barn chores.  Hex says she woke up Bri, but she wouldn't get up.  Kristen arrives and starts raking.  They discover that they're out of grain.  They ask Kristen to wash the udder cleaning cloth and she's not happy about it.

 

The barn crew is mad because they're also low on alfalfa, because they didn't realize that hay and alfalfa are two different things.  They hay (or maybe it's straw) is for bedding and the alfalfa is to eat.  Bri was supposed to explain that to them, but didn't.  (I want to know if the vets said anything about this.  They'd have known if they'd seen it.)  Bri has already said that she wants to order more alfalfa, but she didn't mention ordering more grain, so it seems she's still not able to properly do the morning chores.  She said last night that they were using the wrong thing for bedding, she also said she's known that for a few days, but didn't mention it until the alfalfa got low.  It's everyone else's fault, not hers.  She's on the short list for eviction.

 

By 7 Mike is up watering the garden.  He's screwing it up.  He's not trying to get a spray on the water, so it's digging into the dirt and then flows away instead of gently soaking into the soil.  Then he pulled up a bunch of what looked like carrots.  He might think they're weeds, but they were all growing in a neat line...  (He's watered the garden before and didn't mess it up like this.  Why is he messing up now?  Is he mad about the chore list?  Or is he doing it on purpose because Bella's in charge now?)

 

Gross, apparently last night Kristen was telling Aaron that one of the men who is at Utopia was a random hookup of hers.  She has a hookup app on her phone that lets her know when she's close by to someone else who has the same app.  If they want, they can agree to meet for a hookup.  Some people think for some reason it was Josh, but my money's on Chris.  He's always talking about being a sex addict and proud of it.

 

By 8, Kristen is with Aaron in the kitchen.  They're whispering to each other, giggling, and talking crap about everyone else.  Sometimes the person they're talking about is only a few feet away.  He's peeling potatoes and carrots for breakfast.  Also says that he's cooking up the last of the oatmeal.  Says that someone's been stealing eggs from the fridge.

 

Nikkie is doing yoga.

 

It's after 9, and Bella's mad that Bri is still sleeping, so she's over there now telling her to Get Up.  Chris scurries over and joins Bella in her crusade.

 

Bri stumbles out of bed just in time for one of Aaron's 'gourmet' breakfasts.  Nikkie's not there yet, don't know if they're planning on saving her anything.  As usual, Aaron puts a good sized portion on Kristen's plate, loads up a plate for himself, then doles out portions for everyone else.  You don't serve yourself when Aaron cooks, otherwise he can't keep the lion's share for himself and dole out food according to how much he likes (or hates) someone.

 

9:30 - Red shouts at Bella because he brought up the Bri situation (he thinks Bri's getting a bad rap and he wanted to handle it) and Bella told him she was handling it.  Red doesn't like being talked to like that, he doesn't like Bells, and he's still got a wild hair up his butt over Bella and Bri switching leadership dates.  Somewhere during his rant, he threatens do destroy the water filter. (Production either badly mismanaged that situation, or they did a genius job of creating chaos, take your pick.)

 

It's almost an hour later, and Red is still raging.  He's been to Production and didn't get the result he wanted.  While he was in Production, the group talked to Bri about her dereliction of duties.  This was not shown on feeds.  Red's furious.  He says Bri's too young to be expected to do the job she claimed she trained for and everyone's mean, she's doing just fine considering...  He tears up all the chore sheets .  He threatens to destroy the water filter (I guess Production didn't let it get sent back and it's here now?  Or it's on the way?)  Red only follows Red's rules.  What an ass.  Now he's saying that they can't eat any of the deer meat.

 

Dede is telling everyone that they have to redo the "Talk to Bri" because Production didn't get enough footage.  I don't like the sound of this.  Bri's whining that she's on her period and that's why she can't get up early.  It's very tiring for poor Bri.  What a spoiled brat.

 

Amanda and Nikkie are sticking up for Red.  Amanda because she's always coddling the bad behaviors of her favorites, and Nikkie because Red likes her and slips her extra food because Aaron's starving her.  This would be nice except Aaron gives Bella even less food and Red is just fine with that.

 

Bella and Bri are talking.  Bella can't hear anything because she's still upset over Red's constant abuse.  She wants someone to stick up for her.  Bri is trying to tell Bella that she'd kind of promised Red he could take over during her leadership tenure but then Production intervened.  Red feels like he had the power stolen and given to Bella because she cried over the water filters.  (That can't be!  Red never cries and gets his way with Production and the group as a whole!  Not level headed, rational Red!)  Anyway, she says that Red had already told Bri that if she got any grief from anyone he'd have her back because somehow Bri and Red met and formed a friendship before they ever got to Utopia.  I wonder what that was all about?

 

Later, Nikkie is telling Bri that the 'pull out and pray' method is not a good birth control strategy.  She needs to have Chris use condoms until she's on the pill.  Bri asks if she should stop having sex with Chris.  (Well, if you have to ask...)

 

Bri takes Chris aside for a talk, has to reassure him once again she's not pregnant, but then lies and tells him Nikkie said to just 'pull out' and that's all that's necessary.  (I've gotta wonder if she's just trying to get pregnant.  Run, Chris.  At this point in your lives neither of you would make good parents.)

Just before 2, Red is now worrying to Rob about how they're making Bri look on TV. Rob asks how Red was at age 20. Red says he wasn't a "lazy, incompetent, slut."  Rob says that's on her, and that they really handled Bri quite nicely at the meeting this morning.

 

2:00 PM  Kristen starts in on Josh.  She's signed him and Rob up for kitchen cleanup duty, and he feels that he's doing a lot of work already.  Kristen disagrees.

 

Amanda and Nikkie have their daily chat.  I think these two will continue to be friends after this is over.  They're trying to figure out who will nominate whom.  As Red joins them, he hears Nikkie say she knows that Aaron and Kristen are nominating her.  Red thinks he's already being nominated, so he offers to make Aaron and Kristen so mad at him that they change their nomination to Red.

 

3:00  Someone's ringing the gate bell.  It's the computer!  There's a guy there, Henning Hi! who's there to set it up.

 

3:40  Kristen is now on the computer, with Nikkie standing by.  Within minutes they realize that someone (Production) has remote access and will be able to see everything they do, and if necessary could block them from using the computer; all without stepping foot in the room. 

 

4:30 ish - Rob's getting steamed over the stolen food situation again.  Josh is sticking up for Bella over something.  Josh tells Amanda that everything Aaron does is sneaky.

 

5:44  Yoga time - just one person again.  It's Kim.  Kim tells Nikkie first thing that she'd just prefer to hang out and chat with folks, if that's OK.  It is.  She and Rob are getting along nicely.

 

Kristen is using this time to inspect the computer now that no one's watching over her.  Calls Aaron over to look at something, she's keeping it out of camera range.  Amanda comes and sits with them, obviously babysitting them.

 

Dede, Josh, Mike, Nikkie, and Rob are entertaining Kim.  Amanda has joined them.  During the tour of the compound, Kim shows that she's obviously a feedster.  When meeting the Utopians, some were greeted with a big ol' hug (Amanda, Rob, Josh).  When Aaron went in for a hug, she kind of turns away and turns it into a quick one-armed hug.  Nothing was said, but everyone definitely noticed it.  Kristen didn't even try for a hug after that. 

 

Kim made sure to compliment Josh and Rob on how hard they worked, was very friendly to Bella, didn't even ask to meet Red, Bri, or Taylor, although Bri did show up to say hi and got a handshake.  Kim mentions that the stove needs cleaned, told everyone they should make their own food, at one point snuck the word 'receipt' into the conversation but I don't think anyone picked up on it. 

 

As Kim was leaving, there was another round of hugs and she actually whispered to Amanda "Don't trust Aaron or Kristen"  Amanda quickly said OK.

 

I've got a feeling that Kim will not be allowed back.

 

6:16  Some hay for the cows has been delivered.  Bri, Taylor, and Hex get it into the loft.  Bri cleans the pasture, and as she gets near the cows they have an obvious reaction to her, they do not like Bri!  Taylor was petting one of them and she tried to push the gate open so she could follow him, but the cows want nothing to do with Bri.

 

7:45 PM  Hex tells Amanda that she looked over the papers and realized there is a second order list.  Oops.

 

Not long after that, Red says he doesn't feel well and is going to bed.

 

Aaron is allowing everyone to serve themselves to the sloppy joes, coleslaw, and rolls he made.  Immediately complains that Nikkie took a roll because it has gluten in it (hint: she's starving).  Then he gets mad that Bella took too much food.  (Bella's lost so much weight she looks like a good breeze would carry her away.  Meanwhile Aaron eats constantly and Kristen looks like she's gained a few pounds.  How long can this go on?)

 

8:14  Rob isn't waiting any longer.  It's time to confront Aaron and Kristen.

 

Aaron is pissed off because Rob told him to clean as he cooks and start cleaning the kitchen. 

 

(OK, I don't understand.  After telling Aaron to clean up his act, Rob walks out and the meeting is over.  Aaron gets with Kristen, Mike, and Dede and somehow they think all of this is about Nikkie and how Nikkie must go.  I can't believe Aaron has such a strong hatred for her just because she calls him out on his bulls***.)

 

8:30  Amanda decides to speak up and calls everyone back together.  Bella starts out with her wimpy "We appreciate you, we know you're trying, but there's just a couple little things we'd like to discuss."

 

The second Mike realizes the food order situation is being revisited, he flies into a rage.  He says the group has no business calling a meeting about this without giving Aaron advance notice.  Nevertheless, Aaron doesn't seem surprised and immediately launches into his defense.  Not mentioning money or food he once again says that everything he did was in the spirit of anarchy.

 

Everyone's heard this before, but they don't say anything, they just let that little p***k talk and talk while they stare at him.  Maybe this was a good strategy because Aaron starts talking about other people not owning up.  He says he didn't do the ordering alone, Mike was there when the order was paid for and Kristen helped him place the order.

 

Kristen admits to ordering the extra food.  Rob explodes.  He lets Kristen have it.  She pouts, "I'm hurt." 

 

Aaron and Kristen just keep talking about the same old stuff.  I think they're using the 'bore them to death' tactic, since crying didn't work.

 

As happens, Rob forgets the topic and wants to know why Kristen thinks she's entitled to 15% of the weekend's receipts.  He knows this because Kristen talked to Aaron about it and Amanda was laying nearby trying to sleep.  Amanda clued in Rob, but she's not standing up and backing him up now.  This is why Amanda can never be my favorite.

 

Rob brings it back to the food order.  He asks about some of the food items that were delivered that weren't on the receipt they have.  The second bottle of tequila, the extra six pack of beer, the big jar of peanut butter.  Aaron goes into defense mode and starts shouting about how he's a lot smarter then they think he is, banging on the table, trying to intimidate.

 

Bella hasn't said a word, neither has Amanda.  Red isn't getting out of bed for this.  What's going on?  Kristen sits in the background acting hurt.  Baby.

 

Aaron's turning the inquisition into a platform to bash people.  Right now he's going after Nikkie.  Mike joins in.  Somehow this is all Nikkie's fault.  Kristen is crying now.  Dede's consoling her.

 

Red shows up but so far is just sitting there.  Aaron and Mike are now blaming Amanda, Bella, Red, and Nikkie.  Calls them liars.  Aaron says the discrepancy is the food tax, but there's no tax on food in California.  Every food receipt they have proves that, but no one is pointing that out.

 

Aaron, with Mike's backup, is now accusing everyone else of listening to liars and blindsiding him.  Amanda just walks off.  Rob is boiling mad, saying he was lied to, and people will be soon lining up to apologize to Aaron.

 

Mike's not done.  He says that Amanda and Red started this, used Nickie like a trained monkey to point fingers for them, and you're all bullies.

 

Yep, Aaron's collecting apologies right now.  Bella finally speaks, but makes it worse.  She didn't want to do this tonight.  She's sorry for everything.

 

Meeting's over, and Amanda, Bella, Josh, Nikkie, and Red talk.  Bella wants to bring this discussion up at every meal until the issue's resolved.  Amanda tells them, "I was personally told to watch out for him and that's what I'm going to do."

 

Red's finally speaking up.  "This is f*****g stupid."  (Do tell.)  Paraphrasing, Red tells them to either look at the paperwork and the situation, or don't do it and just be stupid.  And you all just apologized to the guy who robbed you.

 

Now Amanda is tearing into Bella, saying that this shouldn't have been done this way.  (Thing is, Bella wanted to talk to the store on Monday and get their feedback on the last food order, maybe ask for copies of any receipts made for the day that Aaron ordered the food.  Amanda and Josh were pressing her to hold the meeting today, and Amanda wanted a small group to confront Aaron.  Bella talked to Nikkie and Nikkie said it would be best for everyone to be there.  Bella is unfortunately a person who listens best to the last person who spoke to her.)

 

Later, Aaron and Kristen stage a conversation where they're talking about how they didn't do anything wrong and don't understand why anyone would think they did. 

 

They might be staging that just for the cameras for use on the next show, they might want to try to snow the feedsters, they might be insane, or they might be hoping that other Utopians overhear the conversation and believe them.

 

10:58  Kristen is working on the computer again.  (I have a bad feeling about this.)

 

Ugh.  Aaron just offered to help Kristen out if she needed some 'release' - hands only of course, because he has a girl waiting for him back home.

 

11:30  Dede and Mike are getting it on.

 

These people...

[henripootel]

Gross, apparently last night Kristen was telling Aaron that one of the men who is at Utopia was a random hookup of hers.

Dede is telling everyone that they have to redo the "Talk to Bri" because Production didn't get enough footage.

 

So it's official: this 'random' group of 'diverse folks' is really a cast of So Cal mactors who are getting constant direction from production.  Half my brain is yelling at the other half for being at all surprised.

Edited September 20, 2014 by henripootel

[ElleryAnne]

 needs to have Chris use condoms until she's on the pill.

 

 

Yeah, and even if she is, they both ought to be insisting on condoms, since they don't know where the other one has been, so to speak.  Diseases, people.  Chris and Bri make me queasy.

 

 

I've got a feeling that Kim will not be allowed back.

 

 

I wonder what part - if any - of her visit makes it to the show.

 

 

Rob is boiling mad, saying he was lied to, and people will be soon lining up to apologize to Aaron.

 

 

I don't understand why some of these people are so easily persuaded by whoever they're speaking to.  I don't expect them to be able to talk mathematics with Stephen Hawking, but how smart do you have to be to know when someone's playing fast and loose with a few hundred dollars documented in grocery receipts?  

[whack-a-mole]

I don't understand why some of these people are so easily persuaded by whoever they're speaking to.  I don't expect them to be able to talk mathematics with Stephen Hawking, but how smart do you have to be to know when someone's playing fast and loose with a few hundred dollars documented in grocery receipts?  

Couch surfing moochers who never had to do the math on groceries? I'm not sure it's lack of brains so much as total lack of life experience.

[In Pog Form]

OK, so my first time actually watching the feed today, after finding the YouTube channel. I don't know how you feed recappers do it. It's excruciating!

The audio is probably the worst thing, going from almost inaudible to ear-splitting within seconds. Then there's the weird camera choices - there was an extended section where they just held a close-up of Rob swinging in the hammock, even when there was off-camera activity happening nearby, including one of the women demonstrating her cheerleading moves. I thought "how do they not have a camera picking up that? Aren't there cameras everywhere?" Turns out there were cameras that could have gotten the other Utopians involved, but for whatever reason whoever was switching the stream just decided to show Rob's mug for minutes at a time, instead of the interactions of the group.

Strangest thing I saw was when Dede was talking to others, and Aaron just comes up and starts poking her belly-button with his finger. WTF!? Dede's only reaction is to start undulating her abdomen like a belly-dancer. I would have slapped him in the face - so creepy.

Reading the recaps here is about a thousand times more interesting than watching the feed. I would go insane if I had to watch more than an hour of this nonsense.

EDIT:

I started watching just as the visitors from "The Utopia Experience" were leaving. They said there were six visitors for the day.

I'm not sure who I saw leaving. I thought it was in the afternoon (I'm in a completely different timezone and hemisphere) - but looking up the local time, it's still morning there, and must have been about 10:30am when the visitors left. Surely they wouldn't have had their visitors just show up for an hour in the morning? And I'm not sure what the "six people" was referring to - booking numbers? I'm sure one of our intrepid recappers will clarify.

They're making signs and setting up a stall to sell paintings now.

Edited September 20, 2014 by In Pog Form

[In Pog Form]

The cameras were weird sometimes this morning.  When you were watching feeds one and two had Rob close up in the hammock and Rob and Bri on the floor next to him, a little further back but still closeup.  Feed three was of Kristen on her pallet writing in a notebook.  Feed four was an overhead shot of Kristen doing the same thing.

There is no feed three or four on the YouTube version. And neither the free or premium feeds on Fox's website are available outside of the USA (why??). The YouTube thing seems to be a limited-time promotion, perhaps in a last-ditch effort to lift viewership. So, looks like no feeds for me after September 30th.

Feed One has been a static shot of the compound gates for about 10 minutes. Riveting stuff.

EDIT:

Looks like about 20 people have turned up at $20 each (plus $20 for yoga, and $10 for bootcamp). I definitely counted 16 people, plus a few more out of frame.

Edited September 20, 2014 by In Pog Form

[In Pog Form]

Oh no, they're entering the "Bris" part of the Experience, which involves visitors standing around awkwardly, while Chris and Bri eat and talk nearby. Those poor, poor people.

[backformore]

So, Red as already been on a reality show and the premise was Hillbillies that grow weed...? Something like that, I only briefly read the article.

 

I think the casting for this show is absolutely ridiculous. If Utopia is supposed to be a reflection of real world people trying to create a better life they've really dropped the ball. I feel like casting directors sat around a table and filled out note cards with every stereotype they could think of and then found people that fit those molds.

 

P.S I've been following the BB16 forums and became obsessed with reading everyone's comments so I decided to join for Utopia and Survivor. Excited to be a part!

Yeah, it seems like the casting meeting went like this: one hippie vegan type, one hillbilly, a hunter, an alcoholic, a sex addict, a couple construction types, ,an ex-con, what are we missing? Ooh! Nudists! And a preacher!

[hincandenza]

There is no way they are truly that stupid.  How many times has the money/receipt thing come up?  It seems like it happens two or three times a day, yet somehow they keep "rolling over" for Aaron and his temper tantrums, and Mike and his SCREAMINGLY OBVIOUS attempts to shift the subject because he's largely culpable.

 

If your kid did this kind of tantrum and blame-shifting, you wouldn't be fooled for even a second.  Yet somehow, with half of them knowing that Aaron and Kristen are stealing food and money, with numerous people getting tips from the outside, having looked at receipts, having discussed it elsewhere, all believe it.  And most of them are going hungry because their portions are so small while Aaron and his ho Kristen fatten up... yet they don't do anything?  Rob is basically an idiot, but even an idiot like him would usually get hung up on something and not keep flip-flopping.  How can the same brain decide it's a big outrage, then 5 minutes later be outraged for the people he'd accused moments earlier?

 

Because it's scripted, and scripted badly of course.  We know they're all mactors, we know it's all scripted, but this continuing food nonsense is so obviously fake, and planned, it's not only insulting, it's bad TV.

 

Edit:

You know what I just realized?  People who visit should stop saying things like "Aaron and Kristen shouldn't be trusted", probably to bypass what they can say about the goings on to the participants. 

 

What they should say, in whatever way the producers didn't think to explicitly ban on visitors, is "The show is tanking, the ratings are shit, it'll probably be canceled this month".  If these fame whores believe that, they'll get up and walk out en masse, no matter how scripted their lines from the production trailer.

Edited September 20, 2014 by hincandenza

[clod]

I was hoping some of the guests would go nude swimming, since it's allowed there.    :)

[RedheadZombie]

Wait, what? He's not even allowed to tell the truth now? About something that was told to him over a phone connection that Production provided? Wow. And what would be the penalty if he violated these instructions?

Also, how did they not vet Kim from Jokers? If they are so concerned about outside information, then why let someone in from a forum that obviously was planning to breach that? Are they just too incompetent to be aware of the websites that discuss the show?

 

Regarding production - I think they don't want them talking about it on the feeds.  I don't know how they penalize these people, especially since there's no cash prize they're vying for.

 

Kim from Jokers - I think most people willing to pay money to visit Utopia are probably feed watchers.  If one of us visited, the show couldn't vet us by checking our posts here since we're anonymous.  She does go by her first name on Jokers, so they could have put two and two together.  The regulars over there were nervous because she didn't check in with them for a while.  They were worried she got in trouble for whispering to Amanda.  Kim did check in at Jokers to say she was ok, but I haven't had a chance to read about her experience.

 

I don't see the live feeds and forgot what days they show this on TV (ha, lol), can anyone comment on the animals, or do the feeds never show them now to shut us up? 

 

I saw Taylor and Bella out by the cows in the pasture yesterday.  As Zahdii mentioned, Betsy and Honey like Taylor, and he likes them as well.  One of the cows bullies the other at feeding time, so Taylor stood by and made sure they both ate.  He sounded like a little old lady talking to her cats - "Betsy stop, Honey don't do that", it was adorable.

 

I only saw a few minutes today.  Bri was giving the tour and bragging about how much they love their cows!  The one is due in nine days, and they will hand raise it!  We're so excited!

 

OK, so my first time actually watching the feed today, after finding the YouTube channel. I don't know how you feed recappers do it. It's excruciating!

The audio is probably the worst thing, going from almost inaudible to ear-splitting within seconds. Then there's the weird camera choices - there was an extended section where they just held a close-up of Rob swinging in the hammock, even when there was off-camera activity happening nearby, including one of the women demonstrating her cheerleading moves. I thought "how do they not have a camera picking up that? Aren't there cameras everywhere?" Turns out there were cameras that could have gotten the other Utopians involved, but for whatever reason whoever was switching the stream just decided to show Rob's mug for minutes at a time, instead of the interactions of the group.

 

 

I've had some weird feed watching experiences.  I've noticed several times that at least one of the four "live streams" are on some sort of delay.  Yesterday alone I saw Dede in two different places, talking to different people, then caught the same with Bri both sitting talking to Chris at bedtime, but somehow sitting and talking to Aaron across the room.  I don't know if this is inherent to feeds - I've never watched before.  I've also noticed that they do a lot of BEV in the evening.  I've read elsewhere that feeds one and two are the free ones, so they go to BEV to encourage the purchase of premium feeds.

[clod]

what's BEV?

 

 

I was watching a youtube live feed to day when someone asked what time it was.   "12:45" was the answer.    I looked at my clock, and it was showing   :58   , so there was over ten minutes delay.

 

 

there was an extended section where they just held a close-up of Rob swinging in the hammock, even when there was off-camera activity happening nearby, including one of the women demonstrating her cheerleading moves.

 

I watched a little of that, too.    waited for a camera change, but all I saw was rob swinging back and forth in the hammock.    that wasn't good enough to keep me watching it -  I changed channels.

 

Hex had a nice briefing on archery.

[RedheadZombie]

BEV = Birds Eye View

 

Per Jokers - Bri actually dragged her ass out of bed at a decent time (after Hex vigorously shook her awake).  Bri asks Red if she can milk the cows from the left side.  The vets have told them multiple times that the cows are used to being milked from the right, and it's for human and cow safety.  When Red walked away, Bri milks from the left side.  Maybe that's why the cows don't like her.  That, and the starvation of course.

Edited September 20, 2014 by RedheadZombie

[Rapunzel]

And most of them are going hungry because their portions are so small while Aaron and his ho Kristen fatten up... yet they don't do anything?

I was reading Kristen's bio, and she makes a point to say that she hates fat people. If that's the case, she may want to stop hoarding food with Aaron and cut back on the portion sizes. She's not fat, but she's not exactly thin and svelte either and she does not dress in a way that flatters her figure. Those "mom jeans" high-waisted cut off shorts and the shirts that show her bare midriff are not doing her any favors - and she claims to be so into fashion. I still can't get over those ridiculous, ginormous feather earrings she wore when she first came into Utopia. She's just a horrible person and her personality and behavior just make her so unattractive. She has no right to put anyone else down.

 

I can't believe that everyone backs down on the food/money stealing issue. Mike is a complete and total wimp and keeps demonstrating that he has absolutely no characteristics that would make him a good DA (or a good attorney of any kind for that matter). Typically you want a DA that is tough on crime and who has a backbone and actually isn't afraid to stand up for what is right. Mike flat out ignores the blatant misuse of community funds and community food and runs at the first sign of conflict and would just rather pretend that there are no issues than try to correct them because that would be too much work and he is too scared of conflict. I have no idea what he hopes to gain out of being on this show. As I mentioned before, he likely makes more than $52k per year as an attorney in Manhattan, so I don't think his motivation is monetary. If he wanted exposure, he's getting the wrong kind of it here. I wouldn't have him work at my law firm.

Edited September 21, 2014 by Rapunzel

[areca]

inally, she tiptoed into the sleeping area, washed her face, and brushed her teeth for a loooooooong time. I've never seen that done, not even in tooth brushing tutorials when I was a kid.

Fun fact of the day. Recent studies have shown that brushing your teeth, twice a day, for 4 minutes a shot, is nearly indistinguishable from flossing in terms of benefit. So..if you hate flossing...do the long brush. It's SOO close to just as good.

[ElleryAnne]

The vets have told them multiple times that the cows are used to being milked from the right, and it's for human and cow safety.  When Red walked away, Bri milks from the left side.  Maybe that's why the cows don't like her.  That, and the starvation of course.

 

 

Sometimes I wonder if she does these things because she's passively hostile towards them.  I hope she's the first one evicted, because I fear for the littlest mootopian when it's born if Bri is still there. 

[Rapunzel]

Sometimes I wonder if she does these things because she's passively hostile towards them.  I hope she's the first one evicted, because I fear for the littlest mootopian when it's born if Bri is still there.

Mootopian - I love that - it is so cute!   :-)

[hincandenza]

Agreed! I vocally "d'awww"ed when I read that, and I'm sitting in a starbucks so it was kind of embarrassing. :)

[kib]

 

I was watching a youtube live feed to day when someone asked what time it was.   "12:45" was the answer.    I looked at my clock, and it was showing   :58   , so there was over ten minutes delay.

More than enough time to roust the unfortunate intern charged with monitoring the feeds out of their hypnotic stupor to scrub the video servers of any criminally liable evidence when the inevitable 'going postal' incident occurs.

[ElleryAnne]

Mootopian - I love that - it is so cute!   :-)

 

 

It's a hashtag on twitter.  I think it started before anyone knew the names of the cows. 

[RedheadZombie]

I've only watched a couple of minutes of feeds, so here's some quick tidbits from Jokers.

 

Bri didn't wash the cloth they use on the udders - just laid it somewhere to dry.

The Utopians conducting tours carry a microphone that looks like a water bottle.

Amongst the many visitors today - the vet and her children, and returnees Eric/Ben/Jenny.

Production has somehow manipulated for Aaron to get Bella her water filter (why are they so invested in Aaron?).

There is a feed watcher from Jokers going today (He flew into LA for the Big Brother finale), and will post there on the experience.

They now have a Facebook page.  People are frantically posting - second receipt, don't trust Mike, etc.  Comments will probably be disabled.

 

Something that I'm inclined to believe, but have not witnessed myself - Mike and Dede talk at length each night when they go to bed.  Mike has been heard hatching a plan to siphon off their money (not sure if he wants to use it after he leaves Utopia).  Either they're hiding it in a coffee can, or the code word is coffee can, or both.  This is why Mike loudly and vehemently defended Aaron (first because he knew Aaron stole, second to make people more afraid to question where the money is going).  It sounds unlikely, but Mike happened to be one of the money collectors at the gate today.  He's already making wonky claims like someone only gave him ten dollars (the charge is $40), and his numbers don't seem to be matching up to the number of people arriving (I don't think anyone has caught on).

[Wildgypsie]

If they got 15 homeless ppl, who would appreciate the chance for a roof over their heads and food. They would get on much better as a society, respecting each other and the animals. Production loves all this drama, they love the way we are reacting and talking about it. You have thieves, liars, sexual promiscuity, and crazy nut jobs all that's on a soap opera. And as for the opening up the compound these visitors are going to get their 15 mins of fame being on camera.

[ElleryAnne]

They now have a Facebook page.  People are frantically posting - second receipt, don't trust Mike, etc.  Comments will probably be disabled.

 

 

If Production sees that people are trying to throw light on the receipts and money issues, you'd think they'd realize that viewers want the real story to unfold.  But yeah, instead they'll probably shut down the comments and continue to spin the story that Production wants to tell.  And then they'll wonder why they lose viewers.

[RedheadZombie]

A few more tidbits:

 

Hex helped Red skin and clean the deer he killed the other day.  She's apparently done it before.

Red is very charming to the visitors.  He talks about his family, having his teeth pulled, hillbillies aren't stupid, Kentucky, etc.  He's well-liked.

Hex and Rob are also doing very well as tour conductors.

Bella sold one of her pictures for $40.

Mike was seen shoving money into his pockets (instead of the collection bag) and handing some off to Bri.  May have innocent explanation, or not.

Bri and Chris are the worst with visitors.  Alternating between ignoring them, eating in front of them, and saying weird things (Bri said she eats the cow grain).

Visitor told them California does not tax groceries (Aaron lied to pad the food bill).  Deliberate?

[RedheadZombie]

Sweet Moment -

 

Bella's water filter was delivered.  Rob and Aaron sneak it to the human barn.  Everyone gathers and Rob gives a nice speech about how well they did today, visitors were positive, etc.  Then says one Utopian in particular will be very happy, and they surprise Bella with the filter.  Aaron walks up carrying the box like he's Moses holding the Ten Commandments.  Bella is extremely touched and hugs for everyone.

[In Pog Form]

If they got 15 homeless ppl, who would appreciate the chance for a roof over their heads and food. They would get on much better as a society, respecting each other and the animals.

I wouldn't count on that. A lot of homeless people are even more mentally ill than these people, many are alcoholics are heavy drug addicts. Many of them are extremely urban, and have zero experience of animals or farm-style living. And there are lots of homeless who don't necessarily want a "roof over their heads" and have become used to the street-living lifestyle (similar to how Dave had become accustomed to prison life).

Not that all homeless people fit this profile, but it's a significant enough number that any random sampling of 15 is likely to produce a very high rate of these issues.

[kaygeeret]

If Mike is a working attorney in Manhattan I'll "eat my shorts"!

 

Up thread somewhere a law firm was mentioned.  I can't think of a law firm in America that would let an associate take a 'leave of absence' to appear on a reality show---unless they were going to fire him (did fire him? law firms are ruthless) and this was an easy way out.

 

Maybe he's an actor playing an attorney and didn't do enough research.  His DA dreams are dead...dead I tell you, DEAD!!!

 

Echoing many others, this thread and the others in the forum are, hands down, 100% more entertaining than the show - hell, maybe 1,000% more entertaining.  I will never actually watch the show, but will avidly follow this forum.

 

The producers/show runners seriously mismanaged this thing, from concept to development to casting, my 5 yr old niece could have done a better job.  She is seriously more creative and dramatic in a cool way than any of these people.  And I am not biased - ok a little, but not THAT much!

 

I too wonder what is going on with the food stealing and now the money stealing.  They have the evidence and they back down?  I don't get this at all and since production is directing the action the plot eludes me.

 

And even more befuddling is the narrator apparently maintaining that the whole thing is real and not scripted....and yet...the evidence to the contrary has been viewed by loads of people.

 

I am so confused.

 

Keep up the good work all of you who are actually watching the live feed - I would be poking chopsticks into my eyes by this time, metaphorically speaking of course :)

 

Their stupid attempts to try to 'control' events are beyond stupid.

[photo fox]

I only saw a few minutes today.  Bri was giving the tour and bragging about how much they love their cows!  The one is due in nine days, and they will hand raise it!  We're so excited!

 

I don't get the feeds (and I've missed some actual episodes), so I'm looking for some clarification.  Are they still milking both cows?  Even the one that's due to calve in nine days?  That's a huge no-no.  Cows need to be "dry" for a period - typically around 60 days - before each calving.  The reason is two-fold.  First, the cow needs to be putting all her energy toward growing her unborn calf, not making milk.  Second, not having a dry period negatively affects a cow's colostrum, the first milk she gives after calving, which is super-high in nutrients and antibodies that the calf needs to thrive outside the womb.  If a calf gets low quality colostrum, it will affect it's health throughout its lifetime.

 

Allowing this, and insisting that the cows be milked from the same side (which is essentially an old wives tale), really makes me call into question the level of dairy knowledge of the show vets.