I have been watching Big Brother, a CBS reality TV show where 13 people are stuck in a house, for ten long seasons. Some seasons were great; some were just okay, but no season had people who were just so unbelievably rude that their family should just be ashamed. Like every season, there were some mild insults like "she’s a b!tch" or "he’s a womanizer." Although I may not necessarily agree with such terms, I’m not parading around saying how horrible these people are, but there were three incidents this season where I am shocked that these people even exist.
A couple weeks ago, Jerry, a 75-year-old man, got very upset that Dan, a Catholic school teacher, went back on his word. In reality, Dan was a part of a special twist where America controlled his vote. However, Jerry didn’t know this and called Dan "Judas." As a practicing Catholic myself, I found this extremely offensive. Religion should not be touched in this setting. Big Brother is a game in which everyone lies. That’s like saying you can’t bluff in poker. Dan did take it well though, realizing that this actually took attention off of him and probably got him farther in the game.
Ollie — who had sex on national television multiple times — called Memphis, the mixologist (someone who creates drinks) from Los Angeles, and Dan f*gg*ts at different times for again playing the game. I’m sorry, but this is the 21st century, and we should not stoop to such things. Being called that is offensive to gays, who are people too. What is this guy? Fifteen? He needs to grow up.
Then there’s today where Michelle called Dan (once again) a child molester. Dan put her up so this apparently gives her an excuse to say something that can get him fired. It’s also probably because he’s a CATHOLIC school teacher, which makes it stereotypical. She definitely took getting put up well, huh? This is so unacceptable.
I believe the houseguests have indeed gone too far and it amazes me that people like this actually exist. These people are grown adults. It makes me wonder about the maturity of America.
Article comments
1 - El Bicho
Maddy, I think you are a couple seasons too late with this. After Dick's regular rude outbursts and actions towards Jen and then (oh I can't remember the guy who was in the final three with them) that the producers tacitly endorsed, I was disgusted and decided I wouldn't go back. Then on YouTube during last season, I caught the gay guy in the hot tub with his unbelievable profanity-laced outburst and knew I had made the right choice.
2 - Jordan Richardson
Let's not forget Justin from season 2. I think that asshole still takes the cake.
3 - Maddy's Mom
Maddy thinks Dick is cool. She met him in person once. I don't know WHY this season bothers her (and her sister) so much. I am regularly in trouble for liking the wrong houseguest (though liking is a bit strong a word for the 10 seconds of attention I give the show).
4 - CallmeMaddy
Dick was pretty bad. I did not agree with his actions on the show. I liked Eric and Jessica season 8. However, I ran into him at Disneyland in February and he was really nice to me and we talked about the show and stuff. So, I don't hate him.
5 - misha
If they let dick off the hook then nothing is gonna happen this season
6 - Greg with one G
El Bicho had it right... what about Joshie from season 9... Told Amanda that she needed to get a noose and hang herself like her father did... That is almost as low as you can get... He also made fun of Sheilas child... was going to put ketchup in Natalie's bed to simulate one of her abortions... (Oh yeah, Nat kills defenseless babies ) But of course he was gay so we cannot put him down or bring criticism to him or that would be offensive... riiight?
7 - Christopher Rose
Wouldn't "Greg with one G" be Gre or Reg? ;-)
Spellboy
8 - Greg with one G
there are two gs just not right next to each other... that is what is meant
;>)
good observation but you failed to recognize an ATTEMPT (keyword) to be clever.
9 - Christopher Rose
2 G Greg: So I shouldn't go by what you said, but magically divine what you meant? In that case, let me say that you are a great guy. :-)
Just leave the clever stuff to me!
10 - Greg with one G
Also Maddy -
please recognize tht it is okay to say whatever you want to anyone you want. If you let my words hurt you then that is on you for giving me that power. Being offended is a choice... being offended is a state of mind of the offendee, not the offender. I can make all my best efforts to keep from offending someone, but does this guarantee that they won't be offended? Of course not. In the end, I have no control over whether they are offended or not, because their state of mind is their state of mind, not mine. It's pretty obvious that someone who is determined to be offended can be so, regardless of how far we go to prevent it.
I am reminded of the old adage - "sticks and stones can break my bones but words will NEVER hurt me".
I do not think any houseguest has gone too far with what they have said only their actions have... case in point.. ollie busin up others (cbs) property. That is not offensive... that is illegal.
This is America you can say what you want - freedom of speech - you just have to be ready to accept responsibility (getting evicted from bb house). Sometimes things they say show how stupid they are - it is not a crime to be stupid - yet.
word
11 - Bob
I agree that these are bad, but also the HG's are probably baited and antagonized by the producers in the Diary Room when a certain event happens such as nominations or a small fight. I sort of take everything they say as heat of the moment especially with all the stress with being stuck in the house away from family and friends. I'm not trying to make excuses for them, but it is probably magnified with the conditions they are in.
12 - Damien
Until last Tuesday I was a strong supporter and fan of Dan. However, seeing his comments, acts and behavior, and bragging about being a good Catholic is disgusting. He deserves any comments he has received and then some. He deserves to go next. No one will ever convince Dan packed that raincoat and gloves in his small travel bag. He no doubt was given it by BB executives to increase his chances of winning HOH. The actions of the current HGs are no worse than other years especially Dick. At least some of the actions this time are justified Dick's were not at all.
13 - greg with one G
Dan used socks with holes cut out... Ollipop used real gloves
14 - to Greg with one G
People like you are responsible for ignorance and intolerance in this country. Just because Josh, an individual, says something that no one condones does not give you the right to hold that against gay people. Attempting to victimize yourself by stating that you would get criticized for calling him gay, while he is allowed to condemn abortions and ridicule Amanda's tragic situation is even more deleterious than Josh's comments.
Your assumption that you "cannot put him down or bring criticism for him" "because he was gay" (he IS gay, by the way), suggests that instead of criticizing for his comments you would choose the immature and childish retort of finding something to make fun of and/or talk trash about him.
Why can't people just be mad at someone for what they say, instead of trying to find a reason to make them "hypocritical." Isn't the fact that they made rude and infuriating statements enough to make them a bad person? But instead you stoop to HIS level by trying to insinuate that him being gay is an example of something about him that should be hated and made fun of.
I don't want to go into a "political" debate right now about morality (though, if you think about it, it's not even something that should require a debate), but neither being gay nor what Josh said should even be insulting. However, people like you who try to turn being gay into something to be ashamed of, or people like Josh who try to ridicule a woman's right to choose and a relative's heartbreaking depression are the root of the problem and not the solution. Yours was arguably worse as Josh was at least clearly doing so for strategic reasons in a game, and I doubt he actually feels that way.
15 - JP
The homophobic remarks Ollie used were like the N-word to the gay community. Had someone used the N-word to Ollie, there would have been a firestorm. Ollie's use of homophobic slurs is nothing atypical of the African American community, Ollie only shines a bright light on it.
16 - Greg with one G
Thank you, you just made my point...
you have given me power over you... I can control your emotions - how cool is that!? You should never cede that to anyone.
I did not, nor do I hold anything against gay folk. You misread what was written....
My point was if someone is gay (or bi in Joshies case), black, handicaped or what have you you are far more likly to be condemed or one may become easily offended by what you say due to their minority or victim status. If I say McCain is articulate and you say Obama is articulate you will be pegged for being racist when it was otherwise a harmless comment.
"...of course he was gay so we cannot put him down or bring criticism to him or that would be offensive... riiight?" This was in reference to my comments of the things he did not of what he does in the bedroom.
I guess I can see how you may have taken it the wrong way but SO WHAT... You got all worked up over some silly post. I got under your skin w/o trying...
For this I am "responsible for ignorance and intolerance in this country" Me? Wow? My neighbor was "unaware" that his downspout was connected to the sewer (a big no no) and this is my fault? By definition, I am responsible according to you. according to the dictionary: ignorance - The condition of being uneducated, unaware, or uninformed. My brother in law does not have a college degree - this is my fault?
I think you may be a lil misguided in your accusations. If you think I am ignorant does that make me responsible for me being ignorant? Maybe I am not smart because of the beatings I took from my neighbors father when I was a kid or due to my cerebral palsy - would everyone else who is intolerant or uneducated or ignorant be because I have trouble remembering things due to my physical or mental problems? I have heard of 6 degrees of separation but oye vay?
again you made my point by being offended by words...
Thank you for the power you gave me... I am now master of your domain...