It’s now official. There’s no more drama left in Big Brother 12, and despite their best efforts (READ: the Saboteur), the producers can’t even drum up any sparks if they even try. So what else is there to do? Well, from the looks of Wednesday’s episode, the Big Brother brass tossed their hands up in the air and resigned themselves to silly high jinks at the mercy of the house guests. And guess what? It worked! Wednesday’s episode had only a smattering of drama, but that was okay because the rest of the hour played out as a goofy exercise in surreal television. Not only did we get a bizarre yet totally inspired giant clam with a penchant for showtunes, but we had a deliriously funny sock puppet sequence that lasted many minutes on end, followed by spontaneous dance parties, all held at the whim of Big Brother.

Here’s the deal. The Veto ceremony brought us the annual resurrection of Otev, the strange monster that always requires sacrifices in the form of former houseguests’ dolls (or in the case of Wednesday night, CDs). I could try to explain it further, but all you really have to know is that in a departure from the tiki monsters of the past, this year, the producers reimagined Otev as a giant clam. Look, I’m bound to laugh anytime anyone says the word “clam,” but when Big Brother contestants are forced to say it over and over again, well, let’s just say that’s what I call a good time. Making matters even more crazy was the added character detail that Otev happened to simply ADORE Broadway showtunes — so much so that he sang them nonstop (and even came adorned with a fey little top hat, cane, and bowtie combo). I’m not sure who was smoking what to bring about this incarnation of Otev, but it was clear that this person had a fantastic time with the idea.

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Fun times on last night’s Big Brother. The episode had a lovely mix of real strategizing and goofy antics, thanks in part to the veto challenge, which appealed to various players’ greedy impulses. The conceit was one we’d seen before: house guests could either vie for the Veto or minimize their chances by opting for prizes. It’s become a classic Big Brother dilemma, one that I believe was first used during the All-Star season. Back then, Danielle was annoyed because her alleged allies grabbed all the goodies instead of focusing on stealing the Veto away from whoever it was she was targeting. Since then, the pattern has more or less remained the same as evidenced by Britney’s failed attempt to keep her nominations the same. Rather than stymie Brendon’s ability to gain points that would earn him safety, Brit’s alleged allies of Lane and Hayden spent their time culling trips to Hawaii and phone calls home. Why? Because they didn’t care if Brendon got the Veto. In fact, they wanted him to come off the block. That’s right, the Brigade had bigger (metaphorically) fish to fry: Matt.

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With Kathy gone from the Big Brother house, the game has all but eradicated its “floater” players, which means that the war is on! Well, as “on” as this season can be. Yes, we have the Brigade vs. Team Ragan, and so far, tensions are… slightly elevated. For the first time all season, we’re seeing some true intrigue as the likes of Enzo, Hayden, and Lane try to cut Matt from their ranks, but of course this was all handled calmly and without much drama. The guys quietly murmured about Matt’s murky loyalties, and eventually made their case to Britney for putting him up as a pawn against Brendon. As for Matt, he did his usual thing: he smiled and giggled his way through various lies, ultimately throwing Enzo under the bus to Britney. I gotta admit that for the first time all season, I’m actually rooting for The Brigade.

What’s this? I’m rooting for someone? And most importantly, I’m rooting against someone else? Oh, glorious Big Brother! We finally have some signs of life!

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