With a celebrity special on 9th July. And what a spectacular birthday present that will be.

Do you remember All New Blockbusters? It was briefly popular for about a fortnight.

I’m pretty happy housemates can discuss nominations on Big Brother this year because it adds a layer of strategy and the lines between bitching and discussing nominations were so blurred anyway the rulings were often inconsistent.

BUT, I hope there are more tasks (like the Timebomb one) where people’s right to nominate are rescinded, or some people earn extra nomination rights – to keep everyone on their toes. The difference between BBUK and BBUS is that the grand final will have so many people in it you aren’t going to get the bloc infighting that provides the natural entertainment of this sort of thing.

Vote to save works better with three or more people up. So why not put three or more people up?

Edit: Oh, they’ve been banned from nom talk now.

OK this is very exciting so thanks to FortBoyard.net for the list and pictures, it’s this year’s batch of new games!

By the looks of it there are just three new tests and ten new adventures, although by the sounds of it some of these new adventures may well be tests. Of note, Gagarin is this year’s twist on Pere Fouras’ riddle – now they must try and solve it whilst being spun round in a gyroscope. From the Earth to the Moon is a reversioning of the Chapel Clock, and Red Alert is a reversioning of Topkapi, both of which were great games but it’s a shame they don’t have new ideas. At least a number of the old games are going to have visually themed rooms.

The Percolator and the Cold Room are listed as adventures but sound more like key tests. Otherwise 101 Ways to Leave a Gameshow seems to have inspired the Inverse Tyrolene (no news as to whether this will be played in tandem with old ship Tyrolene that’s been bought back for the special night time editions) and the Anvil. The Elastic Jump is back with a new focus, just as much on the rest of the team as the jumpee.

Very much looking forward to it, as there are still details yet to be discerned – rule changes, new challenges in the Hall of Judgement and the Council.

The first episode is on July 7th and Saturdays thereafter, but it will be taking a short break for the Olympics.

…because of lack of ticket sales.

Although goodness knows why, playing to empty crowds would just be another more real and credible way it would differentiate itself from The X Factor.

What exciting things do we have for you this Sunday, you’re probably asking yourself? Well I’ll tell you.

I’ve done a review of The Million Pound Drapp for iOS. The download is free for playing along with the TV, a £1.49 in-app purchase unlocks the play anytime element (and I note you can’t seem to play anytime with the online web version now). I’m going to continue referring to it as The Million Pound Drapp UNTIL YOU LIKE IT.

NEXT tonight is the Bother Season of Poker Closing Ceremony with The Shipping Forecast – a £3.30 speed rebuy (plus an optional add-on after half an hour) winner take all tournament. You only need to buy in once and could win loads, especially as I’ve got about £20 in my account I’m happy to blow if necessary. The fun starts at 8pm, and you will need to be a member of Brig’s Poker Club to play:

– If you don’t already have it, download the free PokerStars software from www.pokerstars.com
– Open the main poker lobby, then click on the Home Games tab
– Click the ‘Join a Poker Club’ button
– Enter my Club ID number: 466738
– Enter my Invitation Code: onlyconnect

Then look for the tourney in the Home Games tab. Ten minutes late registration is available but there’s no entry after that. I will need to approve entry to the club so don’t leave it to the last minute. Rebuys and add-ons are £3 each if you want them.

And finally, Alex Sutton pointed out that a recent Applause Store mail had a picture of the The All New Skillful Red or Black set, so to look at it let’s go over to Gamesmaster (click then click again for a slightly larger version):

Blimey, I hope they didn’t need to stand for the entire recording.

Exciting!

In other news, Lost in TV is suggesting there’s a special recording of Millionaire? on Saturday 7th July, including new elements, presumably trialling things before the live days start on the Monday. Interesting! Thanks to @Buzzerblog for the tipoff.

July 7th a very exciting date, there.