Here it is, Day #81  Here's a re-cap of how we got here: 14 houseguests moved in and began the battle for a half million million dollars. Unbeknownst to them the first of two twists were soon to be revealed.  There's another group in the house with them.   About to be reunited were an estranged father and daughter,  Bitter ex-boyfriends,  and high school rivals.

But the pairs became the early targets and Carol,  and Joe were early casualties.  Dick and Daniele escaped an early eviction and were forced to deal with their fractured relationship.  When the late night crew alliance was formed,  they began dominating the game.  Dick and Daniele began to make progress in their relationship.  When they found themselves on the block together, Dick went on the offensive to ensure his daughter's safety.  But when Dick and Daniele made a deal with Jessica and Eric,  they unknowingly aligned them self with America's Player.  The secret second twist to the summer.  With America's directive,  the unthinkable happened.  This new power alliance took control of the game.   When both sides began to doubt each other, the Donatos struck first. 

When Zach tried to take down the Donatos,  Daniele won her fifth veto of the season,  sealing Jameka's fate.   In the final three-part head of household competition,  Zach won the first round, leaving the Donatos to compete against each other. battle,  but Dick won the final part. 

Now, after a summer of outrageous behavior,  romance,  heart break, and confrontation,  12 houseguests have departed, and seven will return to make a difficult decision.  Who will be crowned the winner of  Big Brother 8 and walk away with a half million dollar prize?  And what will happen when the America's Player" twist is finally revealed?  It all starts right now. Live on the season finale of  Big Brother 8

The jury was unhappy to see Zach,  they really wanted to see a Donato evicted, but they didn't their wish.  The jury told Zach if he was final two with either Donato,  Zach would have won 6:1.

The Inquisition:  Nothing was off limits for this jury, as they began to question Dick and Daniele.  Dustin:  "Hello, Dick.  Hello,  Daniele.  It's Dustin."  The Donatos:  "Hello,  Dustin."  Dustin:  "I don't want to say kudos to both of you.  You got what you wanted. The two of you are sitting in the final two.  Let's not forget this is  Big Brother and there is only one winner. So with that said, Dick,  knowing that your daughter had said,  'I will carry my dad with me because he is a terrible person and I would love to sit next to him because it guarantees me a win.'  How do you feel sitting next to her now?"  Dick:  "I feel great sitting next to Daniele now.  It doesn't matter what she said.  We have had the hardest game of anyone in this house.  Nobody really carried anyone.  This I look at as the best team that has ever played this game.  Nobody else as a team has ended up here at the final two." 

Amber:  "Hi,  Dick,  Daniele."  The Donatos:  "Hey Amber."  Daniele: "Hey, girl."  Amber:  "My question is for Daniele,  why should I give you a vote considering what you did to your boyfriend on national television with Nick?  Honestly you're a very pathetic person for what you did to him. Why should I respect you as a person?"  Daniele:  "To be honest,  Amber my personal life has nothing to do with this game.  Nobody knows my situation with Nick, how I really feel about him,  what happened, or what didn't happen.  And if you're going to base your vote strictly on my personal life I don't want your vote because that has nothing to do with this game."

Jessica:  "Hi, guys, it's Jessica."  The Donatos:  "Hello,  Jessica."  Jessica:  "Dick,  if there could be one other person besides Daniele that you could be sitting next to right now,  who would that be?"  Dick:  "It never crossed my mind. I never envisioned anything but Daniele.  It was about both of us getting here.  I haven't lied to you,  Jessica. "  Jessica:  "You did lie to me because you assured me all week I was staying and Jameka was leaving but both of you lied so I want to say this will be a very tough decision for me on who I will pick."

"Dick, you have personally slandered every member of this jury at one time or another. So I'm going to ask you to do the opposite.  Please tell me the reason that each jury member would deserve to be in the final two.  Start with Dustin.  Why does Dustin deserve to be here in the final two?"  Dick:  "I don't believe he does.  Sorry.  Let's move on to the next one.  Jen absolutely does not deserve to be in the final two.  Why would Amber deserve to be in the final two?  I don't know.  There was no real strategic or huge moves in the game made by Amber,  by sliding through as the 'good people'  Jessica made some moves when she was HoH but she tried not to bloody her hands too much.  Eric,  I believe that you were the best player in this game,  and a force to be reckoned with.  Jameka, we did give  Jameka the opportunity to stay in this game longer than she was going to.  And I think that Jameka appreciates what we did.   Zach came on huge at the end and almost made to the final two."

Zach:  "Guys, it's your neighborhood roguer what is going on?"  Dick:  "Word up, roguer."  Zach:  "My question to both of you is the same.  I will start with Daniele's answer first.  I want to know what you have learned and will take with you outside of this house from each member on the jury?"  Daniele:  " Wow.  Eric, I'm going to take Eric's sense of humor out of this house.  Jessica,  you brought so much happiness into the house.  You're just your typical fun-loving girl and that's definitely something take out of this as well. Amber, you have a huge, huge heart. You were making sure, 'Daniele are you eating your slop, taking your vitamins.'   Definitely the mother out of the house and I will take that out of this."   Dick:  "What have I learned from Dustin, to be careful with overconfidence because it will get you in trouble, especially in this game. Jen, I think what I have learned is, no matter how a person seems on the outside,  that there is, somewhere, a real person down deep in there, and it's sometimes hard to find.  Jameka.  Jameka is probably the best hearted person in this place.  I do respect you a lot.  Zach,  you definitely gave us a run for our money.  Difficulty learn that underestimating someone's will and heart is not a good idea and you showed me that."

Eric:  "Daniele, what exactly do you credit yourself for in terms of the biggest moves and not using your father to help you advance in the game?" Daniele:  "It's really hard for me because I know that a lot of people have seen us at one person.  And the whole Eric thing, when I was first HoH was all my planning.  Another big move would have been,  sorry,  but back dooring  Jen.  It was about making it to the final two and doing what I thought was best."

Jen:  "Hello, it's me,  I'm actually here."  The Donatos:  "Hey, Jen."  Jen:  "I obviously don't respect either of you as people in the real world,  but at this point I have no choice but to vote for one of you.  Dick, do you think that this has helped you build your relationship with Daniele?"  Dick:  "Wow, that's a very odd question coming from you.  I'm almost blindsided.  This has been an absolutely amazing experience to share with someone that is so dear to me that I love so much.  Having this as a beginning to building some type of normalcy in our father-daughter relationship,  I appreciate even more than being here in the final two.  I think I showed that in this game.  And if you don't already know,  then you're an idiot." 

Daniele:  "I never in a million years thought we would have worked this well together.  It's not your normal father-daughter relationship.  So it is what you make of it.  And I honestly think that we made a lot out of this.  There's nobody I would rather be sitting next to.  And I hope that you guys just vote with your hearts, do what you think is best and I'm completely content with that." 

Dick:  "I played hard,  I have had to play this game hard from the beginning.  There was no sliding under the radar.  When I was on the block against Dustin,  the deal I proposed to Eric changed the game completely,  a 180.  It was a last-ditch effort in order to try to convince Jessica and Eric to become our allies instead of our enemies,  which we did and we were a very strong alliance.  When that came to an end,  that's probably the thing that I feel the worst about in this house was turning on Jessica and Eric.  I did a lot of the dirty work.  I did what needed to be done.  Not just for myself but for Daniele.  I'm here,  I made it with my daughter.  As far as I'm concerned, we won.  Thanks, guys."

After The Inquisition:  "That was kind of crappy."  Daniele says to Dick.  "What?"  he asks.  Daniele:  "Your speech."  Dick:  "My speech?"  Daniele:  "Yeah. Why was it crappy.  Because I said the whole time,  it's not going to be campaigning for me to win. I didn't sit there and call out every single thing I did and everything else.  That was just kind of crappy.  Whatever.  It's fine."  Daniele walks away, and Dick says:  "Great. Something else for her to be pissed at me about. Unbelievable. "

After a few remarks from Dick and Daniele (So happy to be here together,  yada yada),   Julie:  "Well, your jury is right here and it's time for them to cast their votes for either you Dick or you Daniele to win Big Brother 8.  Jurors,  I'm going to ask each of you to step up to the voting box one at a time and insert the key of the person that you want to see win Big Brother 8.  Without revealing your decision,  you will be allowed to make one final statement to the Donatos before you cast your vote.  And,  Eric,  you are up first." 

Eric:  "Guys, congratulations once again.  To me, this was a clear cut choice.  And best of luck to both of you."  [Voted Dick]

Jameka:  "Congratulations Donatos.  My vote will be going to possibly someone whose gained my respect.  Thank you, and good luck." [Voted Daniele]

Dustin:  "Hey, guys.  I just want to let you know that someone in the house once said to me that actions speak louder than words so I am basing my vote on strategic action, not just words." [Voted Dick]

Jen:  "Honestly,  I would prefer to vote for anyone besides either of you in the house but I have no choice so I will have to vote for one of you." [Laughter] [Voted for Daniele]

Zach:  "Well,  I was in the house longest with both of you and I met you both competitively and personally.  With that,  I will leave my vote." [Voted for Dick]

Amber:  "Congratulations, guys, to both of you.  I was close to both of you in the house and I had ups and downs with both of you.  I'm basing my decision strictly on game strategy purpose." [Voted for Dick]

Jessica:  "Congratulations,  Dick and Daniele.  I am voting for the person that I enjoyed more in the house. [Laughter] May the best Donato win." [Voted for Dick]

Julie: "For the first time in the history of the show, two family members have made it to the final two.  I am standing here with Charlotte who is Dick's mother and Daniele's grandmother.  She also raised Daniele and Vincent who is Dick's son and Daniele's brother.  Welcome to both of you.  Charlotte, let me begin with you.  You must be so delighted to so see your son and granddaughter make it to the final two.  What was it like to see two people who you love who have not talked in two years forge a relationship in the house?"  Charlotte:  "It's a miracle."  Julie:  "You mean it wouldn't have happened if not for --"  Charlotte:  "It would have taken a while.  It wouldn't have happened now.  I hope they keep it up, this relationship and the support they have for each other.  They make a great team and I hope they keep it for the rest of their lives.  It has been great. "  Julie:  "Thank you. Vince, your dad played a provocative if not controversial game.  Is he always like this?"  Vincent:  "Yes." Julie:  "How do you think he played the game. "  Vincent:  "I'm sure everybody brings a little of himself into the game but it's still just a game.  He played the game and it got him far."  Julie:  "It did. Thank you Vincent and Charlotte.  It's time to reunite the first five evicted house guests with the jury and the final two. They have been at home watching and know everything that's happened this summer. Please welcome Carol,  Joe,  Mike,  Nick and Kail.  It's good to see you all back.  Nick,  I want to begin with you.  You flew to New York to help Daniele on The Power of 10,  and you didn't get a chance to see her. Here is your chance.  What do you want to say?"  Nick: "Hi,  Daniele. How are you?"  Daniele:  "Good."  Nick:  "I will see you had a little bit."  Daniele:  "Awkward."  Nick:  "Exactly."  Julie:  "Is it awkward for you?  Nick:  "Yeah, a little bit.  Good though.  We can't wait to see the reunion."

Julie:  Carol, let me turn to you. What was it like for you, watching at home, seeing your high school rival Jessica last all the way to week number nine? What surprised you most?"  Carol:  "You know,  I was actually kind of proud of the way she handled herself.  She did a good job throughout the process,  however there were some hurtful words and what not that were said.  But it's just a game."

Julie:  "Joe, let me turn to you.  What was it like for you watching your ex-, Dustin,  play. How do you think he did?"  Joe:  "Watching  Dustin play was pretty enjoyable.  It was neat to see him fall apart and put himself up there.  It was -- I couldn't have hoped for anything better.  Honestly all I could say is congratulations,  you did well and got far.  So good job. "  Julie:  "Dustin, do you want to say anything to that?"  Dustin:  "No."  Julie: "OK. Let me turn to Mike. In the beginning of the game,  we saw you in the 'Mrs. Robinson Alliance.'   Zach was one of the members.  Were you rooting for him to make it to the final two?"  Mike:  "I actually was.  Sorry you couldn't pull it through but I was behind you all of the way."  Julie:  "Kail, you were one of the first people that wanted to see Dick out of the house.  Are you surprised me made it this far?"  Kail:  "Not at all."  Julie:  "Why?"  Kail:  "We knew that Dick and Daniele were strong players.  They came out strong and they finished strong." 

Julie: "The five of you have been watching the show at home.  And you all know something that the rest of the houseguests don't.  It is time to reveal the big twist of  Big Brother 8.   Dick,  Daniele?  Jurors, as we always say, 'Expect the unexpected.'  And what could be more unexpected than a twist that has played out this entire summer and has made an impact on both of game and life in the house.  One of you has a secret. One of you has not been playing the game alone. One of you is not all you appear to be. Who is it? And what is the big twist of Big Brother 8?"

Julie turns to the monitor, where a pre-taped explanation from Eric is played:  "Hey, guys. I'm the big secret twist of  Big Brother 8. I'm called 'America's player.'  What that means is all summer long,  I have been secretly playing this game for the viewers.  Every week, America voted and told me what to do.  From whose shirt to cover in mustard -- to who to get nominated?"  Eric explains all the tasks and shows the votes.   Eric said,  "I'm disappointed to say that I never got to cast my own vote to evict. America told me who to evict and that's what I had to do."

Julie asks Jessica:  "Now that you know the secret, what are you thinking?  And what did he just whisper to you."  Jessica:  "I'm thinking oh, my God.  He just said that we could talk later.  Wow.  Someone I lived with for that long and I didn't know that.  I'm sure he wasn't allowed to tell me but I'm just in shock. I can't believe it."  Julie:  "Are you mad at him?"  Jessica:  "No.  All season I have not been able to be mad at Eric and I'm not so -- "  Julie:  "He is wiping the sweat away now.  Dick, let me turn to you. Had it not been for America's Player,  had it not been for America and for Eric,  you could have been voted out week six instead of Dustin.  So how surprised are you?"  Dick:  "I'm really surprised.  At the time though I was seriously ready to go.  I thought I was going and I was here to push Daniele forward.  I thought I made a great power play in the game and it turns out it's just everybody watching  that kept me in the house and sent Dustin packing."  Julie:  "Don't forget that Eric had to campaign to convince the people to vote Dustin out and not you.  He only gets one vote so he has to persuade the others." 

Julie: "Welcome back. It all comes down to this moment.  It's time to crown the winner of Big Brother 8.  Dick,  Daniele,  I'm about to count the votes.  Just a reminder, the winner will receive $500,000, and the runner-up $50,000.  I will pull the keys from the voting box and reveal who each juror chose to win Big Brother 8.  You need at least four votes to win.   Eric has cast America's vote for dick to be crowned the winner of  Big Brother 8.  Jameka has cast her vote for Daniele.  Dustin has voted for Dick to win Big Brother 8.  Jen cast her vote for Daniele.  And we are tied at two votes for Daniele to win,  two votes for Dick.  Zach voted for Dick to win the game.  Remember, you need four votes to win.  Amber has voted for -- Congratulations, Dick, you are the winner of Big Brother 8. [Applause] [Applause]  Dick, congratulations on winning. "

Julie:  "Welcome back to Big Brother 8.   Let's just for the record,  Jessica voted for Dick to be the winner and that means, Dick, you won 5-2. Congratulations again to both of you.  You have $500,000. What are you doing with all of that money?"  Dick:  "Taking a trip and away from some of these people and going to relax and doing the around the world thing for sure."  Julie:  "You are runner-up,  you got $50,000. How do you feel?"  Daniele:  "To be completely honest,  I know nobody believes me but I'm ecstatic.  We won.  It doesn't matter.  It doesn't matter.  I'm absolutely ecstatic. "  Julie:  "Congratulations to both of you."

Julie:  With 81 days and 32 competitions, this has been an exciting and emotional summer.  Thanks to all of our Big Brother 8 houseguests for an incredible season and thank you, America, for being an important part of the game.  I'll have more with Dick and Daniele tomorrow morning on the early show.  Don't forget, tomorrow night at 8:00, 7:00 central, is the series premier of 'Kid Nation' and then on Thursday, the premier of 'Survivor, China.'  I'm Julie Chen. Good night, everybody. "

Morty:  "And don't forget to stop back tomorrow when we post the names of all the people that gave up their summer to write our daily updates, capture pictures and video, manage our forums, and make this page possible." 

See full episode here