Why Clay Leaving ‘Big Brother 17’ Would Suck

If you had asked me a week ago if I wanted Clay to be evicted from the Big Brother house, here's what I would have said, in order: “Yes!", "Where's the door?”, and “Do you need someone to sign his eviction notice?” But, these days? Now, I'm wondering if Clay leaving Big Brother 17 would be an absolute disaster. Though it can definitely said that the Big Brother contestant is one of those who ride other people’s coattails (*cough* Shelli *cough*), I don't think Clay's time in the house should be over yet — and here's why.

On Sunday's episode, when it was actually looking like Clay might be evicted, I started to panic. As much as I don’t respect the guy’s game, it's hard to deny that Clay leaving the house would effect the players who do deserve to win this game — and for that, he needs to stick around, at least for the near future.

And I know I’m not alone in thinking this. Plenty of fans either love Clay or, if not, love the alliances he is apart of. So, as much as I might want him 100 percent gone girl, I’m starting to realize why Clay leaving the Big Brother house at this point in the game would be an absolute disaster. For instance...

1. The Sixth Sense Would Be In Shambles

With Austin on the outs and Liz a potential defector, the core members of The Sixth Sense are really Clay, Shelli, and Vanessa. If Clay left now, Shelli and Vanessa wouldn’t have the numbers to pull through until the end — and right now, there is a real power in numbers.

2. Shelli Would Be Sad

I want to see Shelli dump Clay flat on his cute little butt at the end of this season and admit that, all along, she was using him for the sake of the game. How would I get that satisfaction if he left now?

3. The Pretty Quotient Would Drop By 50 Percent

Shelli would still help boost it a bit, but seriously — I do need my daily dose of pretty.

4. Viewers Woulde Have No One To Make Fun Of

Seriously. Everyone else in the house is a total doll. Who would I roll my eyes at every Sunday and Thursday night if Clay were evicted?

5. Shelli Would Be In Danger

Clay might be riding her coattails, but he also has her back from that position. If he left, Shelli would have a huge target on her back, and she doesn't deserve that at all. Shelli for the win!

6. No More Love Story

With Liz and Austin’s showmance turning into a total nomance, Clay and Shelli are the only lovebirds the show has left. If Clay left, there would be no love story left in the house, and that would be devastating. What is a story without a little love somewhere in it?

7. We'd All Go Through Ab Withdrawal

Like, really, really bad. It’s already hard enough to wait until Thursday for more – if Clay left for good, I don’t know that I could quit his abs cold turkey.

So as much as I might secretly despise Clay, I’m starting to see the value in keeping him around. Admit it: you see the value in all that ab, too.

Of course, things change so quickly in the Big Brother house, it can be hard to keep up. To keep track of everything going on in the Big Brother house, check out Bustle’s very own Big Brother podcast, The Diary Room. Listen to the latest episode below, and be sure to check out future episodes on Bustle’s SoundCloud page and iTunes.

Image: CBS (8)