Eviction surprise!
May 25, 2007 4:22 AM Subscribe
So you're in the Big Brother house in Australia. Your dad died last Wednesday. His funeral was on Monday. But his dying wish was that you shouldn't be told that until you're evicted. So when will you be evicted? Since you're not up for eviction this week, it'll be at least a fortnight. A letter from Emma's brother.
This makes me want to go live in a cabin in the forest with no electricity, and much, much tinned food buried near by.
Lots of stuff has made me feel that way, lately.
posted by Jimbob at 4:46 AM on May 25, 2007 [2 favorites]
Lots of stuff has made me feel that way, lately.
posted by Jimbob at 4:46 AM on May 25, 2007 [2 favorites]
Much as I hate to defend this bunch of self-absorbed asshats and their despicable zookeepers: (1) the daughter knew her father was dying when she went into the competition; (2) the father knew his daughter was going into the competition, and was, according to the stories, OK with it; (3) it was the daughter's request that she not be told of her father's death while in the house, because it would distract her from the competition; (4) it was the father's request that his daughter not be told of his death, because it would distract her from the competition.
Not exactly normal behavior, but I don't see the harm.
posted by aeschenkarnos at 4:46 AM on May 25, 2007
Not exactly normal behavior, but I don't see the harm.
posted by aeschenkarnos at 4:46 AM on May 25, 2007
liquorice I think she has every right to know and others in her life shouldn't be making that choice.
Definitely; but does she have the right not to know, and to ask others to enforce her choice not to know?
posted by aeschenkarnos at 4:49 AM on May 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
Definitely; but does she have the right not to know, and to ask others to enforce her choice not to know?
posted by aeschenkarnos at 4:49 AM on May 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
...not be told of her father's death while in the house, because it would distract her from the competition...
The Get-Your-Priorities-Right Generation. *sigh*
posted by i_cola at 4:50 AM on May 25, 2007
The Get-Your-Priorities-Right Generation. *sigh*
posted by i_cola at 4:50 AM on May 25, 2007
Hmmm. Imagine you go on a month's holiday and when you come back you find out your dad died at the beginning of the month and he's been buried and everyone's getting into phase two or probably three of the grieving process...
Now multiply everyone by the population of Australia...and the population of the internets...
Wow! not in my family i hope
posted by criticalbill at 4:56 AM on May 25, 2007
Now multiply everyone by the population of Australia...and the population of the internets...
Wow! not in my family i hope
posted by criticalbill at 4:56 AM on May 25, 2007
Will be interesting to see if the public now vote her out sooner so she can be made aware or make her the winner because they feel sorry that her father died.
I think the family could have at least delayed the funeral until she came out. James Brown wasn't buried for months.
But yeah, I agree. Priorities all out of whack if winning a stupid reality show is more important than your father's death.
posted by gfrobe at 4:57 AM on May 25, 2007
I think the family could have at least delayed the funeral until she came out. James Brown wasn't buried for months.
But yeah, I agree. Priorities all out of whack if winning a stupid reality show is more important than your father's death.
posted by gfrobe at 4:57 AM on May 25, 2007
Anyone whose priorities weren't out of whack wouldn't be on Big Brother in the first place.
posted by aeschenkarnos at 5:02 AM on May 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by aeschenkarnos at 5:02 AM on May 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
liquorice writes "Two outcomes:"
Three: audience rises, everybody wins !
Watch for the followup : she can't leave the houze until it's over, but they need to bury/burn the poor dead fella. To giveth or not to giveth her a special permission to live the houze !
In other news : being idiot isn't necessary , but it helps playing golf.
posted by elpapacito at 5:06 AM on May 25, 2007
Three: audience rises, everybody wins !
Watch for the followup : she can't leave the houze until it's over, but they need to bury/burn the poor dead fella. To giveth or not to giveth her a special permission to live the houze !
In other news : being idiot isn't necessary , but it helps playing golf.
posted by elpapacito at 5:06 AM on May 25, 2007
Can we please take all these 'reality' shows out back and shoot them?
posted by notsnot at 5:17 AM on May 25, 2007
posted by notsnot at 5:17 AM on May 25, 2007
<Judgment statement> I suspect like most competitors, she's a vacuous twit. Plenty of people are happy to cede their lives to commercial television. Big brother fodder? who gives a shit? Not me.</Judgment statement>
posted by mattoxic at 5:18 AM on May 25, 2007
posted by mattoxic at 5:18 AM on May 25, 2007
Wow. I can't believe the reaction here. I've never seen the show but assume it's Survivor in a house. Regardless, here's the thing: It's none of anybody's fucking business but the family's and the family--every one of them, it seems--agreed on this plan of action prior to her entering the show. They're following that plan and it's got zip to do with you.
People on reality shows may have their priorities out of whack but it seems so do people who judge people on reality shows. They're like paparazzi who aren't smart enough to know how to work a camera.
posted by dobbs at 5:22 AM on May 25, 2007 [3 favorites]
People on reality shows may have their priorities out of whack but it seems so do people who judge people on reality shows. They're like paparazzi who aren't smart enough to know how to work a camera.
posted by dobbs at 5:22 AM on May 25, 2007 [3 favorites]
Maybe radical Islam does have a point about western civilisation after all.
posted by rhymer at 5:32 AM on May 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by rhymer at 5:32 AM on May 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
Related: Channel 4 to broadcast formal apologies.
Heavy criticism of Celebrity Big Brother has forced Channel 4 to pull its head out of the sand and listen to viewers' opinions
*
Big Brother was in crisis today after police said they could re-examine claims of racist bullying. Officers are waiting to see footage of contestants making up a limerick about Shilpa Shetty referring to the word "Paki". The re-opening of the case is based on a tape that was withheld from the original police investigation.
• It will pose a serious threat to bosses at Channel 4 - including chief executive Andy Duncan - and Big Brother producer Endemol.
•Questions are being asked about whether the new series, due to start on Wednesday, can go ahead.
•There is also the possibility of charges against Jade Goody, Jo O'Meara and Danielle Lloyd who were accused of leading a campaign against the Bollywood actress.
posted by chuckdarwin at 5:49 AM on May 25, 2007
Heavy criticism of Celebrity Big Brother has forced Channel 4 to pull its head out of the sand and listen to viewers' opinions
*
Big Brother was in crisis today after police said they could re-examine claims of racist bullying. Officers are waiting to see footage of contestants making up a limerick about Shilpa Shetty referring to the word "Paki". The re-opening of the case is based on a tape that was withheld from the original police investigation.
• It will pose a serious threat to bosses at Channel 4 - including chief executive Andy Duncan - and Big Brother producer Endemol.
•Questions are being asked about whether the new series, due to start on Wednesday, can go ahead.
•There is also the possibility of charges against Jade Goody, Jo O'Meara and Danielle Lloyd who were accused of leading a campaign against the Bollywood actress.
posted by chuckdarwin at 5:49 AM on May 25, 2007
What they really need to do is lie and tell one of the other contestants that their family have died in a terrible accident. Once we've feasted on their grief, the family can be brought in for a tearful reunion. As the relief and joy from that are just settling, *bam*, hit this lass with news of her dad's passing. Top telly!
posted by Abiezer at 5:59 AM on May 25, 2007 [3 favorites]
posted by Abiezer at 5:59 AM on May 25, 2007 [3 favorites]
Okay, all of that said. Having been my mother's caretaker and dealt with a long illness I do understand this. And I can relate to it. If your parent has been dying a long time, you've had a long time to deal with it. No matter what, their death is going to suck but the illness has already sucked and provided a lot of stress for the entire family. For a long time. In the best case scenario, you have made your peace with your parent, they with you. (Seems Emma has done this.) They are proud of you and you know it. Your relationship becomes more about the life you spent together than about when or where they die. Those details don't mean anything.
As someone who gave up a lot of things to take care of a parent, I can tell you that when a long term illness has happened, people have to find ways to keep the normalcy going because otherwise the situation can very literally put the healthy people's life progress at a standstill while waiting for their loved one to die. No good parent wants to see their illness ruin their child's life or the opportunities they have in youth and no good child wants their parent to feel guilt that their illness ruined their life. You are in the beginning of your life, they are at the end. They want you to live for them because they can't anymore.
When I went to Egypt last year, I had to go through all sorts of "If my mother dies while I'm gone" scenarios. I almost didn't go. I was going to be far away if anything happened. Too far away to help, and I've been her caretaker for years. But I had stopped doing any extended traveling for 8 years because of her, and so I promised my mother I'd go. And if she died and nobody told me, I would've known that the reason I wasn't told was was because she wanted me to stay on my holiday with a clear mind, knowing I couldn't change anything.
That would've been her gift to me. Didn't happen, but it easily could've. And I would've had to understand that decision was made as a gift to me.
So after reading the letter from the brother, I can completely empathize with their decision & their mindframes. I understand it. I relate to it. If his description of the situation is correct, then Emma will be just fine with this, as much as anyone is fine with the death of a parent.
posted by miss lynnster at 6:14 AM on May 25, 2007 [11 favorites]
As someone who gave up a lot of things to take care of a parent, I can tell you that when a long term illness has happened, people have to find ways to keep the normalcy going because otherwise the situation can very literally put the healthy people's life progress at a standstill while waiting for their loved one to die. No good parent wants to see their illness ruin their child's life or the opportunities they have in youth and no good child wants their parent to feel guilt that their illness ruined their life. You are in the beginning of your life, they are at the end. They want you to live for them because they can't anymore.
When I went to Egypt last year, I had to go through all sorts of "If my mother dies while I'm gone" scenarios. I almost didn't go. I was going to be far away if anything happened. Too far away to help, and I've been her caretaker for years. But I had stopped doing any extended traveling for 8 years because of her, and so I promised my mother I'd go. And if she died and nobody told me, I would've known that the reason I wasn't told was was because she wanted me to stay on my holiday with a clear mind, knowing I couldn't change anything.
That would've been her gift to me. Didn't happen, but it easily could've. And I would've had to understand that decision was made as a gift to me.
So after reading the letter from the brother, I can completely empathize with their decision & their mindframes. I understand it. I relate to it. If his description of the situation is correct, then Emma will be just fine with this, as much as anyone is fine with the death of a parent.
posted by miss lynnster at 6:14 AM on May 25, 2007 [11 favorites]
Nicely put miss lynnster, I have had a similar experience. The dying are good councilors
posted by mattoxic at 6:20 AM on May 25, 2007
posted by mattoxic at 6:20 AM on May 25, 2007
having said that... I dunno, I'd prefer it was private, between me and my parent, but that's me. I'm not the BB type.
posted by mattoxic at 6:22 AM on May 25, 2007
posted by mattoxic at 6:22 AM on May 25, 2007
That would've been her gift to me. Didn't happen, but it easily could've. And I would've had to understand that decision was made as a gift to me.
Sounds like your mom did give you her gift miss lynnster. You went on your holiday knowing what you WOULD have done and that probably made all the difference. You don't always have to unwrap a gift to receive it. Moms are clever like that.
posted by three blind mice at 6:25 AM on May 25, 2007
Sounds like your mom did give you her gift miss lynnster. You went on your holiday knowing what you WOULD have done and that probably made all the difference. You don't always have to unwrap a gift to receive it. Moms are clever like that.
posted by three blind mice at 6:25 AM on May 25, 2007
sort of related about BB here in 2001--How the Game Played Out in Spite of 9/11 -- ...About two weeks before the end of the second season, the September 11 attacks pre-empted television for an entire week. In a move away from the rule of not letting the houseguests in on information from the outside world, the three remaining houseguests were told of the news. The "Big Brother" voice asked Monica to enter the diary room, and she was told that her cousin Tamitha was as yet not located at the World Trade Center. The week after the attacks, the game continued as normal.
On finale night, the audience was updated that ... Monica's cousin Tamitha had died at the World Trade Center. ...
posted by amberglow at 6:36 AM on May 25, 2007
On finale night, the audience was updated that ... Monica's cousin Tamitha had died at the World Trade Center. ...
posted by amberglow at 6:36 AM on May 25, 2007
I'm with liquorice on this case--she is an adult and should have been told. She can always leave the house voluntarily on hearing the news, or choose not to.
posted by amberglow at 6:39 AM on May 25, 2007
posted by amberglow at 6:39 AM on May 25, 2007
Remember that season of survivor where one guy faked his grandmothers death so he could win one of the challenges and play mind games with the other players. That was classic.
posted by chunking express at 6:53 AM on May 25, 2007
posted by chunking express at 6:53 AM on May 25, 2007
In the letter from the brother, he said that it was supposed to be private but that someone leaked it to the press. He sounded pissed.
Well, apparently this girl really wanted to be on Big Brother. And if she found out her father died, she probably would've gotten upset and said "Let me out." She would've gone to the funeral. She would've been upset and grieved. She would've never had the chance to go back to big brother, the opportunity would never come again. But would her leaving the house have changed a thing about her father's death? No. Staying in the house most definitely would change his daughter's life though.
So, makes sense to me. Same thing with my trip to Egypt. If my mother had died, I would've stopped whatever I was doing and hightailed my way back to America. I would've, without a second thought, avoided seeing a single freaking pyramid because I would've felt it was my job to come home. And then when I came home... it's not like I could change that my mother was dead. It's not like I could help her. She would be fine. She would be out of pain or whatever. I'd be there more to placate the living people. And to pack up my mom's things.
Meanwhile, I would probably have never returned to Egypt again to see any of the things I missed. It would've been a lost life experience that my mother would've wanted me to have.
So like I said, I understand this.
posted by miss lynnster at 6:58 AM on May 25, 2007
Well, apparently this girl really wanted to be on Big Brother. And if she found out her father died, she probably would've gotten upset and said "Let me out." She would've gone to the funeral. She would've been upset and grieved. She would've never had the chance to go back to big brother, the opportunity would never come again. But would her leaving the house have changed a thing about her father's death? No. Staying in the house most definitely would change his daughter's life though.
So, makes sense to me. Same thing with my trip to Egypt. If my mother had died, I would've stopped whatever I was doing and hightailed my way back to America. I would've, without a second thought, avoided seeing a single freaking pyramid because I would've felt it was my job to come home. And then when I came home... it's not like I could change that my mother was dead. It's not like I could help her. She would be fine. She would be out of pain or whatever. I'd be there more to placate the living people. And to pack up my mom's things.
Meanwhile, I would probably have never returned to Egypt again to see any of the things I missed. It would've been a lost life experience that my mother would've wanted me to have.
So like I said, I understand this.
posted by miss lynnster at 6:58 AM on May 25, 2007
And I can tell you this... if she would've been told and had chosen to stay in the house? You think people are being nasty about this now, they would be much worse then. People would turn on her as a bad daughter. But they wouldn't even have to because she probably would've been out of the house in minutes.
As I said, this was something her father did as a gift for her. And I can respect that. If you haven't been through a similar situation I know it's hard to wrap your mind around though.
The importance of death is very much redefined when you've lived with its approach for a long time.
posted by miss lynnster at 7:01 AM on May 25, 2007
As I said, this was something her father did as a gift for her. And I can respect that. If you haven't been through a similar situation I know it's hard to wrap your mind around though.
The importance of death is very much redefined when you've lived with its approach for a long time.
posted by miss lynnster at 7:01 AM on May 25, 2007
I agree with dobbs and miss lynster - she is an adult and can make up her own damn mind as to whether or not she wants to be told. We are intimately looking at someone else's family and judging based on our own families and experiences what we would want, or what we think we would want. She, and the rest of her family, have clearly thought through this decision from beginning to end - they discussed it with her before she went on the show, and again as she was on the show. She knows what she wants, her dad knew what he wanted, these wants coincide, what is the problem here?
posted by arcticwoman at 7:01 AM on May 25, 2007
posted by arcticwoman at 7:01 AM on May 25, 2007
I'm ashamed to admit it, but I've been watching bits of this years debacle^Wseries. In the first episode, bits of the contestants audition tapes were shown, and Emma stated that she has been estranged from her father for years, and had only recently been in contact with him again. Several of the other contestants also seemed to have fairly unconventional family backgrounds. I think Jamie is an orphan and Aleisha is from a blended family of step-parents, step-siblings & half-siblings. I believe it was mentioned that her father suicided.
More and more families aren't the sterotypical mum, dad & 2.5 kids, and I don't think any of us have the right to judge how these complicated extended/blended families deal with their issues. From the statements made by her brother & her partner, it looks like Emma & her father have reached some sort of closure.
If we're going to judge the vapid fuckwits on Big Brother, can we do it via their behaviour on the show, and leave their families out of it?
I do grief counselling, and this is one of the least unsual stories I've come across
posted by goshling at 7:03 AM on May 25, 2007
More and more families aren't the sterotypical mum, dad & 2.5 kids, and I don't think any of us have the right to judge how these complicated extended/blended families deal with their issues. From the statements made by her brother & her partner, it looks like Emma & her father have reached some sort of closure.
If we're going to judge the vapid fuckwits on Big Brother, can we do it via their behaviour on the show, and leave their families out of it?
I do grief counselling, and this is one of the least unsual stories I've come across
posted by goshling at 7:03 AM on May 25, 2007
he didn't want his death to impose either negatively or positively on Emma's Big Brother experience.
We have really turned a corner as a people, haven't we?
"Life vs. the Big Brother Experience".
I really thought life would have won that one.
(also - he didn't even want to positively impose? What, and destroy the sanctity of the Big Brother competition?)
(I really, really hope that we're gonna soon run out of this reality TV Kool-Aid.)
posted by Tbola at 7:08 AM on May 25, 2007
We have really turned a corner as a people, haven't we?
"Life vs. the Big Brother Experience".
I really thought life would have won that one.
(also - he didn't even want to positively impose? What, and destroy the sanctity of the Big Brother competition?)
(I really, really hope that we're gonna soon run out of this reality TV Kool-Aid.)
posted by Tbola at 7:08 AM on May 25, 2007
amberglow, this reminds me very much of Big Brother around 9/11. To my shame, I was following the show closely then, and I remember debating heatedly from the position that the three remaining in the house really ought to understand what was going on, the enormity of it. Because even after CBS first told them a bit about it, it was clear they didn't grasp the scale of it.
What houseguests have been told (ignore the dateline on this article, it's just plain false) conveys some of the feeling that was floating around the fan sites at the time.
*shrug* Hey, it was easier to focus on something like this that was one step removed than on the actual tragedy, at the time. Bread and circuses, bread and circuses.
But in 2001, events transpired that nobody involved with the show could have anticipated. In the current case, if the family and the contestant knew about her father's health well in advance and jointly agreed on how to deal with it, it's nobody's business to interfere.
The trick, of course, is that the whole point of Big Brother is to make private matters everybody's business.
posted by clauclauclaudia at 7:17 AM on May 25, 2007
What houseguests have been told (ignore the dateline on this article, it's just plain false) conveys some of the feeling that was floating around the fan sites at the time.
*shrug* Hey, it was easier to focus on something like this that was one step removed than on the actual tragedy, at the time. Bread and circuses, bread and circuses.
But in 2001, events transpired that nobody involved with the show could have anticipated. In the current case, if the family and the contestant knew about her father's health well in advance and jointly agreed on how to deal with it, it's nobody's business to interfere.
The trick, of course, is that the whole point of Big Brother is to make private matters everybody's business.
posted by clauclauclaudia at 7:17 AM on May 25, 2007
This is a good thread in which to recommend Ben Elton's book "Dead Famous", which is a murder mystery and social commentary that centres around a murder committed in a Big Brother house, that nobody saw. Ben Elton is a good enough writer to make that premise work.
posted by aeschenkarnos at 7:28 AM on May 25, 2007
posted by aeschenkarnos at 7:28 AM on May 25, 2007
Maybe he's not really dead.
"I don't want to go on the cart!"
posted by katillathehun at 7:30 AM on May 25, 2007 [2 favorites]
"I don't want to go on the cart!"
posted by katillathehun at 7:30 AM on May 25, 2007 [2 favorites]
"Life vs. the Big Brother Experience".
I really thought life would have won that one.
How? Emma goes to her father's funeral and... raises him from the dead?
posted by arcticwoman at 7:37 AM on May 25, 2007
I really thought life would have won that one.
How? Emma goes to her father's funeral and... raises him from the dead?
posted by arcticwoman at 7:37 AM on May 25, 2007
Perhaps BB can keep up with the standard they set a couple of weeks ago, when they tormented grieving mother housemate Kate with a toy baby. Perhaps a task based on pretending the house is a hospice, or a Weekend At Bernie's style "Convince the Daughter her Dad is Not Dead" task.
Kate tries to convince us that she was inspired to go on BB to educate the public about Pre-eclampsia. Or to win $1 million. Whichever.
posted by goshling at 7:38 AM on May 25, 2007
Kate tries to convince us that she was inspired to go on BB to educate the public about Pre-eclampsia. Or to win $1 million. Whichever.
posted by goshling at 7:38 AM on May 25, 2007
Another letter from Emma's Big Brother
DAY 56 16:30
The Big Brother housemates were aware of the possibility that the apocalypse may occur whilst they were in the Big Brother production. Human society has been profoundly sick for a considerable amount of time and didn't just vanish suddenly; the housemates did have time to prepare themselves. We reassured them that, in the event that this did happen, grieving about everyone's death when they were released from Big Brother would be no less meaningful or significant than when human civilization actually passed away.
Big Brother spent the last week of humanity's life in on its TV screens, and one thing humanity was absolutely certain about was the fact that it didn't want its own demise to impose either negatively or positively on the housemates' Big Brother experience.
Humanity made us promise that no-one would notify the housemates of the apocalypse. It was adamant and clear in expressing this request. It also requested that the end of all other human life on the planet would remain private from the Big Brother ‘hype’ - but unfortunately due to the fact that members of the media and cockroaches survived the nuclear blast we have been unable to honor this wish.
posted by the quidnunc kid at 7:50 AM on May 25, 2007
DAY 56 16:30
The Big Brother housemates were aware of the possibility that the apocalypse may occur whilst they were in the Big Brother production. Human society has been profoundly sick for a considerable amount of time and didn't just vanish suddenly; the housemates did have time to prepare themselves. We reassured them that, in the event that this did happen, grieving about everyone's death when they were released from Big Brother would be no less meaningful or significant than when human civilization actually passed away.
Big Brother spent the last week of humanity's life in on its TV screens, and one thing humanity was absolutely certain about was the fact that it didn't want its own demise to impose either negatively or positively on the housemates' Big Brother experience.
Humanity made us promise that no-one would notify the housemates of the apocalypse. It was adamant and clear in expressing this request. It also requested that the end of all other human life on the planet would remain private from the Big Brother ‘hype’ - but unfortunately due to the fact that members of the media and cockroaches survived the nuclear blast we have been unable to honor this wish.
posted by the quidnunc kid at 7:50 AM on May 25, 2007
Ben Elton is a good enough writer
Wha!?
My apologies. :) Ben Elton is a good writer who has won a number of awards. I meant to say that he is good enough to perform a difficult feat, that is, to write a believable new variation on the locked room mystery, specifically the addition of cameras. Not that he is "merely good enough".
posted by aeschenkarnos at 7:53 AM on May 25, 2007
Wha!?
My apologies. :) Ben Elton is a good writer who has won a number of awards. I meant to say that he is good enough to perform a difficult feat, that is, to write a believable new variation on the locked room mystery, specifically the addition of cameras. Not that he is "merely good enough".
posted by aeschenkarnos at 7:53 AM on May 25, 2007
I don't give a shit. I read about this, thought about this, I even tried to care, but there's nothing there. I really couldn't give a flying fuck. I feel much better now that I've admitted to this.
posted by ob at 8:05 AM on May 25, 2007
posted by ob at 8:05 AM on May 25, 2007
I should clarify this by saying that I'm not glad that the guy's dead or that she's in this position. That's not it, it's just that I've realized that as a generally pretty empathetic person that empathy has it's limits and I just don't care.
posted by ob at 8:10 AM on May 25, 2007
posted by ob at 8:10 AM on May 25, 2007
Glad that announcing that makes you feel better, ob.
posted by miss lynnster at 8:25 AM on May 25, 2007
posted by miss lynnster at 8:25 AM on May 25, 2007
Maybe if enough viewers write in, the writers will bring her dad back for the end of the season.
posted by Uther Bentrazor at 8:25 AM on May 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by Uther Bentrazor at 8:25 AM on May 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
I thought about not writing that as I didn't want to seem trollish and I saw that people were equating this with similar positions that they've been in so maybe I shouldn't have said anything, but frankly I'm sick to death of Big Brother and the whole bullshit that surrounds it.
Her dad was dying and they both decided that she should go on with the show no matter what. That's up to them. People in her father's position (i.e. terminally ill) have mostly made their peace with their situation and if he wanted her to go on with the show then I can't see what there is to discuss. It's all just media bullshit, the show and the press that surrounds it. That's why I don't give a shit. If I've come across as an arsehole that wasn't my intention, and I certainly didn't want to denigrate the similar experiences of anyone on this thread.
posted by ob at 8:55 AM on May 25, 2007
Her dad was dying and they both decided that she should go on with the show no matter what. That's up to them. People in her father's position (i.e. terminally ill) have mostly made their peace with their situation and if he wanted her to go on with the show then I can't see what there is to discuss. It's all just media bullshit, the show and the press that surrounds it. That's why I don't give a shit. If I've come across as an arsehole that wasn't my intention, and I certainly didn't want to denigrate the similar experiences of anyone on this thread.
posted by ob at 8:55 AM on May 25, 2007
Our dad was extremely proud of Emma’s achievements so far on Big Brother
I guess some Dads are more easily impressed than others.
posted by vito90 at 9:40 AM on May 25, 2007
I guess some Dads are more easily impressed than others.
posted by vito90 at 9:40 AM on May 25, 2007
Yeah, it sucks when Dads are proud of everything their kids do.
posted by smackfu at 9:52 AM on May 25, 2007 [2 favorites]
posted by smackfu at 9:52 AM on May 25, 2007 [2 favorites]
Wow, vito90, must be nice to be... what, a Rhodes Scholar? Peace Corps member? Mt. Everest climber? Self-made billionaire philanthropist? Dalai Lama? I sure hope your dad is rightfully proud of all your more legitimate and impressive achievements.
Not that it's for me to really speculate, since it's so tacky to presume to judge a relationship between a total stranger and his kid.
posted by pineapple at 10:06 AM on May 25, 2007
Not that it's for me to really speculate, since it's so tacky to presume to judge a relationship between a total stranger and his kid.
posted by pineapple at 10:06 AM on May 25, 2007
Maybe radical Islam does have a point about western civilisation after all.
Islam is Western Civilization. Either that, or the majority of the Western world has been practicing Eastern religions for the last fifteen centuries. What you mean, of course, is "modern civilization." Radical Christians and Jews don't like that either.
posted by kid ichorous at 10:07 AM on May 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
Islam is Western Civilization. Either that, or the majority of the Western world has been practicing Eastern religions for the last fifteen centuries. What you mean, of course, is "modern civilization." Radical Christians and Jews don't like that either.
posted by kid ichorous at 10:07 AM on May 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
How? Emma goes to her father's funeral and... raises him from the dead?
Cheeky.
I would say dealing with the death of a family member would qualify as "Life". As in, shit that happens to us and we all need to deal with.
"The Big Brother Experience" isn't "Life", now matter how hard it pretends.
It's a contest, it's entertainment.
That a dying person would respect his daughter's entertainment experience more than the value of his own life/death is very, very sad.
posted by Tbola at 10:09 AM on May 25, 2007
Cheeky.
I would say dealing with the death of a family member would qualify as "Life". As in, shit that happens to us and we all need to deal with.
"The Big Brother Experience" isn't "Life", now matter how hard it pretends.
It's a contest, it's entertainment.
That a dying person would respect his daughter's entertainment experience more than the value of his own life/death is very, very sad.
posted by Tbola at 10:09 AM on May 25, 2007
That is, Shinto is an Eastern religion. Taoism is Eastern, as is Buddhism.
Islam is descended from Judaism, and cannot be any more unlike the religions above, or more alike to Judaism and Christianity, really.
posted by kid ichorous at 10:10 AM on May 25, 2007
Islam is descended from Judaism, and cannot be any more unlike the religions above, or more alike to Judaism and Christianity, really.
posted by kid ichorous at 10:10 AM on May 25, 2007
Remember that season of survivor where one guy faked his grandmothers death so he could win one of the challenges and play mind games with the other players. That was classic.
That would be Jonny Fairplay and what host Jeff Probst has called the biggest lie in Survivor history.
posted by ericb at 10:18 AM on May 25, 2007
That would be Jonny Fairplay and what host Jeff Probst has called the biggest lie in Survivor history.
posted by ericb at 10:18 AM on May 25, 2007
Like miss lynnster, I went through the same thing with my dad. Except I didn't go anywhere or do anything for a decade and couldn't even leave my end of the state for the last few years. Then again, I didn't exactly have any siblings or nearby relatives who were going to step in for me in my absence the way Emma's brother sound like he's doing.
It does suck to be on hold forever. I don't blame the family a bit for not wanting her told. It's an unpleasant surprise to say the least, but otherwise she couldn't have the experience. And trying to plan for a time when you can "safely" do anything without possibly having to run the hell out of it and disappear for weeks because someone died -especially when you spend months or YEARS in that situation- is incredibly difficult.
I'm surprised nobody's mentioned Jenna from Survivor yet, who went through the same thing on her first go-round and dropped out of the second.
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:49 AM on May 25, 2007
It does suck to be on hold forever. I don't blame the family a bit for not wanting her told. It's an unpleasant surprise to say the least, but otherwise she couldn't have the experience. And trying to plan for a time when you can "safely" do anything without possibly having to run the hell out of it and disappear for weeks because someone died -especially when you spend months or YEARS in that situation- is incredibly difficult.
I'm surprised nobody's mentioned Jenna from Survivor yet, who went through the same thing on her first go-round and dropped out of the second.
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:49 AM on May 25, 2007
I don't even watch Big Brother. Never got into it. So I just put my reviews of it aside and was thinking of the story from a human perspective. Cuz really, the the show itself isn't the story here so much as this person's sad family situation. So hey, even if a tragic situation happened to a castmember on that 80s piece of crap Perfect Strangers I still would try to put my review of the show aside & attempt to consider that person's situation on a human level. Even though LORDY did everything about that lame ass show annoy the living fuck out of me. Fuck that retarded Balki guy. [No offense to retarded people.]
But I will disagree with anyone who says that reality television is not a part of life. That a television show is only entertainment to you means that to you it's just a distraction. But to the people involved on these tv shows, whether they are the producers, the hosts, the participants, actors, cameramen, key grips, whatever... this experience is very much their lives. Creating that show is how they have chosen to spend some of their short time on Earth.
You may have chosen to go to college, get a job, maybe you chose to be unemployed for a while, to backpack through Europe, to read poetry at coffee shops, to become an investment banker, whatever... we all have our crosses to bear when it comes to how we spend our waking breaths. ALL of that stuff IS a part of life. Just because it's on tv doesn't make it less so for the people involved. Being on reality tv is probably a better summer job than working at McDonald's. So moral of the story: reality tv may mean nothing to you & that's cool. But for the people who participate in it, it's not like they're frozen in time when they're participating in these things, like none of their televised days count. It's still one less day they have on Earth... thus... life. Now, maybe it's not YOUR idea of life, but everything isn't about you, y'know.
Some people might just look at your life and have issues with how great it is too, but it's not their life. So they can suck it.
I still hate Balki though.
Oh, and Jonny Fairplay is an idiot.
posted by miss lynnster at 11:00 AM on May 25, 2007 [2 favorites]
But I will disagree with anyone who says that reality television is not a part of life. That a television show is only entertainment to you means that to you it's just a distraction. But to the people involved on these tv shows, whether they are the producers, the hosts, the participants, actors, cameramen, key grips, whatever... this experience is very much their lives. Creating that show is how they have chosen to spend some of their short time on Earth.
You may have chosen to go to college, get a job, maybe you chose to be unemployed for a while, to backpack through Europe, to read poetry at coffee shops, to become an investment banker, whatever... we all have our crosses to bear when it comes to how we spend our waking breaths. ALL of that stuff IS a part of life. Just because it's on tv doesn't make it less so for the people involved. Being on reality tv is probably a better summer job than working at McDonald's. So moral of the story: reality tv may mean nothing to you & that's cool. But for the people who participate in it, it's not like they're frozen in time when they're participating in these things, like none of their televised days count. It's still one less day they have on Earth... thus... life. Now, maybe it's not YOUR idea of life, but everything isn't about you, y'know.
Some people might just look at your life and have issues with how great it is too, but it's not their life. So they can suck it.
I still hate Balki though.
Oh, and Jonny Fairplay is an idiot.
posted by miss lynnster at 11:00 AM on May 25, 2007 [2 favorites]
And jenfullmoon, I feel for you. My siblings are equally lame so I know how frustrating that can be. I wish I had an "Emma's brother" too. Be sure to take care of yourself. Don't forget to do that.
posted by miss lynnster at 11:03 AM on May 25, 2007
posted by miss lynnster at 11:03 AM on May 25, 2007
miss lynnster is dead on. Whatever you think about reality shows (I particularly, hate them - even more so for having worked on a few) this is purely a family decision, and has fuck-all to do with us and what we've judged of a person who goes onto one of these shows.
The family had made peace with his death, and this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Emma. Moreover, it seems that watching his daughter on national television every night gave thew father quite a bit of joy in his final weeks.
Put yourself in the father's shoes. Once you left, would you want to have your daughter's opportunity blown so that she could come and grieve immediately? It's not like his memory or legacy has a half-life in which to be best celebrated. If any of my family were in a similar situation, I imagine it would play out in exactly the same way, except that maybe the person going on BB wouldn't have agreed to it.
I guarantee you that Emma spends every day concerned about this, knowing that it has perhaps already occurred. Still, this is something that she's in the midst of, which is likely the biggest (in one respect) thing she'll ever do in her life. There will be time for grieving, but now is not the best time for it, and while I have certainly grieved in my life, there's nothing so sacred about it that it should halt all other things in life from having their chance. It's about coming to grips with mortality and saying goodbye to someone close to you. Emma has done nothing wrong here, and neither has her family. Whoever leaked it, however, is an asshole.
Anyway, it's got nothing to do with us.
posted by Navelgazer at 11:06 AM on May 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
The family had made peace with his death, and this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Emma. Moreover, it seems that watching his daughter on national television every night gave thew father quite a bit of joy in his final weeks.
Put yourself in the father's shoes. Once you left, would you want to have your daughter's opportunity blown so that she could come and grieve immediately? It's not like his memory or legacy has a half-life in which to be best celebrated. If any of my family were in a similar situation, I imagine it would play out in exactly the same way, except that maybe the person going on BB wouldn't have agreed to it.
I guarantee you that Emma spends every day concerned about this, knowing that it has perhaps already occurred. Still, this is something that she's in the midst of, which is likely the biggest (in one respect) thing she'll ever do in her life. There will be time for grieving, but now is not the best time for it, and while I have certainly grieved in my life, there's nothing so sacred about it that it should halt all other things in life from having their chance. It's about coming to grips with mortality and saying goodbye to someone close to you. Emma has done nothing wrong here, and neither has her family. Whoever leaked it, however, is an asshole.
Anyway, it's got nothing to do with us.
posted by Navelgazer at 11:06 AM on May 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
A little quiz. Which of these things doesn't belong?
Rhodes Scholar
Peace Corps member
Mt. Everest climber
Self-made billionaire philanthropist
Dalai Lama
Contestant on reality show
Yeah, it sucks when Dads are proud of everything their kids do. Yes, it does. Some things aren't worthy of being held in esteem. My dad sure wasn't proud of everything I did. That made the things he was proud of more meaningful.
posted by vito90 at 11:31 AM on May 25, 2007
Rhodes Scholar
Peace Corps member
Mt. Everest climber
Self-made billionaire philanthropist
Dalai Lama
Contestant on reality show
Yeah, it sucks when Dads are proud of everything their kids do. Yes, it does. Some things aren't worthy of being held in esteem. My dad sure wasn't proud of everything I did. That made the things he was proud of more meaningful.
posted by vito90 at 11:31 AM on May 25, 2007
And since many people in this thread are being candid about their own experiences, here's mine. My Dad died last year of lung cancer. His last 6 months were crappy, his last week of life was in the hospital. I basically worked about one day a week for the last month, took out a credit card or two to compensate for my loss of income and spent every single goddamned second I could with my dad, and my mom, and my motherfucking family. That's what dad would have done for me, that's what mom would have done for me, that's what I'll do for my mom when that time comes. I was by his bedside in the hospital for about 72 of his last 96 hours. He died at 2 in the morning, I had left the hospital 3 hours earlier, when I got the call I turned around and went back to the hospital. That's my fucking experience. I was there for my family, and you can bet your fucking ass my dad would have been proud of THAT.
posted by vito90 at 11:38 AM on May 25, 2007
posted by vito90 at 11:38 AM on May 25, 2007
Some things aren't worthy of being held in esteem. My dad sure wasn't proud of everything I did. That made the things he was proud of more meaningful.
Are you being intentionally dense because you wanted to gangpile on the snark and got called out for being so douchey about it?
Or are you alluding that "selling pet food" is somehow as noble as Dalai Lama yet "reality show contestant" is clearly the bottom of the barrel? Which was my point, after all. If you're not the Dalai Lama or Michael Dell or a Noble Prize winner yourself, you aren't exactly in a solid position to rain your snobbery down from on high.
Sorry that your dad was whatever he was, and that you had whatever [my own tacky adjective redacted because it's NOT MY PLACE TO JUDGE] relationship you did. But you're still way off-base here.
posted by pineapple at 11:44 AM on May 25, 2007
Are you being intentionally dense because you wanted to gangpile on the snark and got called out for being so douchey about it?
Or are you alluding that "selling pet food" is somehow as noble as Dalai Lama yet "reality show contestant" is clearly the bottom of the barrel? Which was my point, after all. If you're not the Dalai Lama or Michael Dell or a Noble Prize winner yourself, you aren't exactly in a solid position to rain your snobbery down from on high.
Sorry that your dad was whatever he was, and that you had whatever [my own tacky adjective redacted because it's NOT MY PLACE TO JUDGE] relationship you did. But you're still way off-base here.
posted by pineapple at 11:44 AM on May 25, 2007
So in light of your follow-up comment, here's more:
I'm sorry about your loss. Really, really sorry. My mom died of cancer too and it sucks and I hope you and your family are getting on the best you can.
But you are not really being objective about this thing with the BB girl -- just judgmental. And it's understandable and all, given your personal situation -- but it doesn't change the fact that your experience with your family is not better or more right or more noble or wiser or more loving or more committed or whatever than anyone else's. It's just yours.
posted by pineapple at 11:50 AM on May 25, 2007 [3 favorites]
I'm sorry about your loss. Really, really sorry. My mom died of cancer too and it sucks and I hope you and your family are getting on the best you can.
But you are not really being objective about this thing with the BB girl -- just judgmental. And it's understandable and all, given your personal situation -- but it doesn't change the fact that your experience with your family is not better or more right or more noble or wiser or more loving or more committed or whatever than anyone else's. It's just yours.
posted by pineapple at 11:50 AM on May 25, 2007 [3 favorites]
Thanks kid ichorous for pointing out that Islam is Western Civilization.
Firstly, everyone knows exactly what I mean. That, surely, is the point of communication.
Secondly, I actually said "radical Islam" which I think very few people would argue is part of "western civilisation" in the sense that most people understand either.
And thirdly, it was a totally facetious comment. For the sake of comic brevity, I omitted the footnotes.
posted by rhymer at 12:02 PM on May 25, 2007
Firstly, everyone knows exactly what I mean. That, surely, is the point of communication.
Secondly, I actually said "radical Islam" which I think very few people would argue is part of "western civilisation" in the sense that most people understand either.
And thirdly, it was a totally facetious comment. For the sake of comic brevity, I omitted the footnotes.
posted by rhymer at 12:02 PM on May 25, 2007
Are you being intentionally dense because you wanted to gangpile on the snark and got called out for being so douchey about it? No.
Or are you alluding that "selling pet food" is somehow as noble as Dalai Lama yet "reality show contestant" is clearly the bottom of the barrel? Wrong again. I didn't bring up my career, you did. But since you did, yes I'm pretty sure my dad, no in fact I know for sure that my dad was super proud that I have started and currently run two successful retail businesses.
Sorry that your dad was whatever he was. No you aren't, and please don't insult me by pretending you are. That is douchey. If you want to continue this my email is in my profile, which you know because you went there seeking ammunition to throw at me.
posted by vito90 at 12:02 PM on May 25, 2007
Or are you alluding that "selling pet food" is somehow as noble as Dalai Lama yet "reality show contestant" is clearly the bottom of the barrel? Wrong again. I didn't bring up my career, you did. But since you did, yes I'm pretty sure my dad, no in fact I know for sure that my dad was super proud that I have started and currently run two successful retail businesses.
Sorry that your dad was whatever he was. No you aren't, and please don't insult me by pretending you are. That is douchey. If you want to continue this my email is in my profile, which you know because you went there seeking ammunition to throw at me.
posted by vito90 at 12:02 PM on May 25, 2007
Vito, you can keep ignoring my point till the cows come home but it doesn't somehow make it go away.
I brought up your career (the one you made public on this website, not me) because of your continued comments that you and your father are such infinitely better and more impressive people than the girl on the television show and her family. Don't try to twist my comments to fit your agenda.
There's nothing to take offline, because the only discussion I've ever been participating in is the public one: people are seeing fit to publicly trash this family and their decision, including you. I'm seeing fit to publicly disagree. You saw fit to make your personal situation part of the public conversation, including that your dad withheld praise and pride and that makes you better than Emma. Nobody held a gun to your head to say those things, far as I can tell. It's petulant to now play the "ooh, it's getting too personal" card.
(well, not without me thinking even more than I already do that you are way too close to this situation to have rational discussion about it)
posted by pineapple at 12:37 PM on May 25, 2007
I brought up your career (the one you made public on this website, not me) because of your continued comments that you and your father are such infinitely better and more impressive people than the girl on the television show and her family. Don't try to twist my comments to fit your agenda.
There's nothing to take offline, because the only discussion I've ever been participating in is the public one: people are seeing fit to publicly trash this family and their decision, including you. I'm seeing fit to publicly disagree. You saw fit to make your personal situation part of the public conversation, including that your dad withheld praise and pride and that makes you better than Emma. Nobody held a gun to your head to say those things, far as I can tell. It's petulant to now play the "ooh, it's getting too personal" card.
(well, not without me thinking even more than I already do that you are way too close to this situation to have rational discussion about it)
posted by pineapple at 12:37 PM on May 25, 2007
miss lynnster: I take your point and while I don't totally agree with it I do see where you're coming from.
posted by ob at 2:23 PM on May 25, 2007
posted by ob at 2:23 PM on May 25, 2007
Actually, there HAVE been Rhodes Scholars on reality television (case in point). There have also been various people on Survivor, Amazing Race, & other shows who were certified geniuses but went on the show because they thought it would be a fun adventure.
At this point in history there have been THOUSANDS of people who have competed as reality show contestants. I find it statistically hard to believe that they are ALL drooling idiots that are totally inferior to you just because they're doing something you aren't interested in. I mean, come on. So you're not going to go on one yourself & you don't like watching them. That's fine. What do you want, a medal?
Being a genius doesn't inherently make someone holier than thou & too good for reality tv. Hell, as I see it, a genius is probably even more likely to eat a harmless grub in front of a camera for $1million than someone who's uneducated and squeeked out about the dangers of eating a grub. A genius would be more likely to think, "Yes, I've read that they eat these in Namibia. They have good nutritional value. Very few carbs."
posted by miss lynnster at 2:29 PM on May 25, 2007
At this point in history there have been THOUSANDS of people who have competed as reality show contestants. I find it statistically hard to believe that they are ALL drooling idiots that are totally inferior to you just because they're doing something you aren't interested in. I mean, come on. So you're not going to go on one yourself & you don't like watching them. That's fine. What do you want, a medal?
Being a genius doesn't inherently make someone holier than thou & too good for reality tv. Hell, as I see it, a genius is probably even more likely to eat a harmless grub in front of a camera for $1million than someone who's uneducated and squeeked out about the dangers of eating a grub. A genius would be more likely to think, "Yes, I've read that they eat these in Namibia. They have good nutritional value. Very few carbs."
posted by miss lynnster at 2:29 PM on May 25, 2007
Beauty and the Geek is a good example of smart people on reality TV. Actually they were casting in our local bar the other day and as a result I know a guy who's pretty likely to be on the new season. I should say though that they're looking for more than just smart people, but the point still stands.
posted by ob at 2:39 PM on May 25, 2007
posted by ob at 2:39 PM on May 25, 2007
A little quiz. Which of these things doesn't belong? ... Peace Corps member ... Contestant on reality show...
Try again. Meet Survivor contestant Julie Berry of Gorham, Maine who was accepted into the Peace Corps. BTW -- she and Survivor host Jeff Probst have been dating since 2005.
Lest we forget retired astronaut Dan Barry, veteran of three space flights, having logged over 734 hours in space including four space walks who was a contestant on "Survivor: Panama - Exile Island."
I enjoy Big Brother and Survivor. It's fascinating to observe the behavior, strategy and tactics the various participants employ -- often faced with emotional and ethical dilemmas. For those who despise reality television -- don't watch any. No harm, no foul.
posted by ericb at 3:13 PM on May 25, 2007
Try again. Meet Survivor contestant Julie Berry of Gorham, Maine who was accepted into the Peace Corps. BTW -- she and Survivor host Jeff Probst have been dating since 2005.
Lest we forget retired astronaut Dan Barry, veteran of three space flights, having logged over 734 hours in space including four space walks who was a contestant on "Survivor: Panama - Exile Island."
I enjoy Big Brother and Survivor. It's fascinating to observe the behavior, strategy and tactics the various participants employ -- often faced with emotional and ethical dilemmas. For those who despise reality television -- don't watch any. No harm, no foul.
posted by ericb at 3:13 PM on May 25, 2007
Not that he is "merely good enough".
I think you may have got the wrong end of the stick on this Ben Elton thing. My point with the "wha!?" was that he's a potboiler-writing hack of Jeffrey Archer proportions. Thought that would be clear. Unless you're just having me on, in which case, uh, yeah.
posted by reklaw at 3:17 PM on May 25, 2007
I think you may have got the wrong end of the stick on this Ben Elton thing. My point with the "wha!?" was that he's a potboiler-writing hack of Jeffrey Archer proportions. Thought that would be clear. Unless you're just having me on, in which case, uh, yeah.
posted by reklaw at 3:17 PM on May 25, 2007
Will be interesting to see if the public now vote her out sooner so she can be made aware or make her the winner because they feel sorry that her father died.
I note from the Big Brother Australian website that the public votes for eviction. Here in the States such was eliminated after season 1. The Head-of-Household nominates two participants with the remaining houseguests casting votes for elimation (ala Survivor).
posted by ericb at 3:23 PM on May 25, 2007
I note from the Big Brother Australian website that the public votes for eviction. Here in the States such was eliminated after season 1. The Head-of-Household nominates two participants with the remaining houseguests casting votes for elimation (ala Survivor).
posted by ericb at 3:23 PM on May 25, 2007
I think you may have got the wrong end of the stick on this Ben Elton thing. My point with the "wha!?" was that he's a potboiler-writing hack of Jeffrey Archer proportions.
A potboiler is a work written to make money. Dreadfully declasse I know, but still, one must keep the wolves from one's door. As I recall, Jeffrey Archer is quite good at making money from his writing.
Thought that would be clear.
Duck noises aren't, in general, clear. If you don't know the difference between literary criticism and a duck noise, I'm not going to take your attempts at either seriously.
I said "Dead Famous" was a good book about a murder in a Big Brother house. Perhaps I misspoke, and should have said that "Dead Famous" was a book about a murder in a Big Brother house that I personally enjoyed. If you read it and disliked it, you're entitled to your own opinion, of course.
posted by aeschenkarnos at 4:19 PM on May 25, 2007
A potboiler is a work written to make money. Dreadfully declasse I know, but still, one must keep the wolves from one's door. As I recall, Jeffrey Archer is quite good at making money from his writing.
Thought that would be clear.
Duck noises aren't, in general, clear. If you don't know the difference between literary criticism and a duck noise, I'm not going to take your attempts at either seriously.
I said "Dead Famous" was a good book about a murder in a Big Brother house. Perhaps I misspoke, and should have said that "Dead Famous" was a book about a murder in a Big Brother house that I personally enjoyed. If you read it and disliked it, you're entitled to your own opinion, of course.
posted by aeschenkarnos at 4:19 PM on May 25, 2007
self-absorbed asshats and their despicable zookeepers
Yeah -- like professional soccer player Ethan Zohn who won Survivor: Africa and donated his $1 million prize to co-found Grassroot Soccer, an organization whose goal is to "mobilize the global soccer community to combat the AIDS epidemic in Africa."
posted by ericb at 4:33 PM on May 25, 2007
Yeah -- like professional soccer player Ethan Zohn who won Survivor: Africa and donated his $1 million prize to co-found Grassroot Soccer, an organization whose goal is to "mobilize the global soccer community to combat the AIDS epidemic in Africa."
posted by ericb at 4:33 PM on May 25, 2007
Well, congrats to Ethan Zohn.
I'm sure a bunch of exceptionally worthy people can be found among reality TV show contestants, especially if you care to cast your net wide enough to take in the more intellectually and physically demanding shows, and the celebrity contestant shows. Big Brother isn't like that. Its contestants, at least in Australia, are well-chosen for their vapidity, conformance to one or more stereotypes, good looks (on average), easily "tagged" personalities, lack of insight, high sex drive and poor sexual impulse control, likelihood of creating amusing situations by taking dislikes to one another but remaining below the level of actual violence, etc.
Any criticism, or praise, of reality show contestants belongs at least as much to the producers as to the contestants themselves. They are carefully selected from a large pool of applicants by the producers, whose intentions are definitely at odds with the best interests of the contestants. I admit that "despicable zookeepers" is an overly melodramatic description. But the producers of BB really, really aren't "nice" people. Examples abound.
posted by aeschenkarnos at 4:57 PM on May 25, 2007
I'm sure a bunch of exceptionally worthy people can be found among reality TV show contestants, especially if you care to cast your net wide enough to take in the more intellectually and physically demanding shows, and the celebrity contestant shows. Big Brother isn't like that. Its contestants, at least in Australia, are well-chosen for their vapidity, conformance to one or more stereotypes, good looks (on average), easily "tagged" personalities, lack of insight, high sex drive and poor sexual impulse control, likelihood of creating amusing situations by taking dislikes to one another but remaining below the level of actual violence, etc.
Any criticism, or praise, of reality show contestants belongs at least as much to the producers as to the contestants themselves. They are carefully selected from a large pool of applicants by the producers, whose intentions are definitely at odds with the best interests of the contestants. I admit that "despicable zookeepers" is an overly melodramatic description. But the producers of BB really, really aren't "nice" people. Examples abound.
posted by aeschenkarnos at 4:57 PM on May 25, 2007
Its contestants, at least in Australia, are well-chosen for their vapidity
Well, that makes sense. After all, it's widely known that Australia traces its roots to being an 18th. century penal colony -- a dumping ground for criminals and the detritus of mankind. What can one expect these days? -- I keed, I keed. ;)
posted by ericb at 5:43 PM on May 25, 2007
Well, that makes sense. After all, it's widely known that Australia traces its roots to being an 18th. century penal colony -- a dumping ground for criminals and the detritus of mankind. What can one expect these days? -- I keed, I keed. ;)
posted by ericb at 5:43 PM on May 25, 2007
It's all due to the influence of American culture :).
posted by aeschenkarnos at 7:14 PM on May 25, 2007
posted by aeschenkarnos at 7:14 PM on May 25, 2007
It's all due to the influence of American culture :).
No. Let's blame the Dutch.
After all Endemol N.V. is responsible for Big Brother, Deal or No Deal, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Fear Factor and Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
BTW -- Survivor stems from Sweden. Brit Charlie Parsons created the original series for Swedish television in 1992 called Expedition Robinson.
posted by ericb at 10:20 PM on May 25, 2007
No. Let's blame the Dutch.
After all Endemol N.V. is responsible for Big Brother, Deal or No Deal, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Fear Factor and Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
BTW -- Survivor stems from Sweden. Brit Charlie Parsons created the original series for Swedish television in 1992 called Expedition Robinson.
posted by ericb at 10:20 PM on May 25, 2007
'MODEL': Hi, my dad's dying but I want to win a million bucks and that's worth more to me than being with him. Can I be on your television show?
BIG BROTHER PRODUCER: Your dad's dying but you want to win a million bucks and that's worth more to you than being with him? Of course you can be on our television show!
I'm not sure which part of this makes me more sad.
posted by Artaud at 11:30 PM on May 25, 2007
BIG BROTHER PRODUCER: Your dad's dying but you want to win a million bucks and that's worth more to you than being with him? Of course you can be on our television show!
I'm not sure which part of this makes me more sad.
posted by Artaud at 11:30 PM on May 25, 2007
EMMA: Dad, I know you're dying, but this has been going on for some time. I've got an opportunity that I don't think will ever come along again. Do you think you can hold on 'til I get back, or should I hold out waiting for you? Or what? I don't know what to do.
FATHER: Go. Do it. Take your opportunity. I'll hold on. And if I can't, then just believe I did until you hear otherwise. DO your best.
I'm not sure which part of this makes me more sad.
posted by Navelgazer at 11:43 PM on May 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
FATHER: Go. Do it. Take your opportunity. I'll hold on. And if I can't, then just believe I did until you hear otherwise. DO your best.
I'm not sure which part of this makes me more sad.
posted by Navelgazer at 11:43 PM on May 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
Those Dutch are at it again -- Contestants to vie for kidney on reality show.
posted by ericb at 10:34 AM on May 29, 2007
posted by ericb at 10:34 AM on May 29, 2007
« Older Friday Flash Fun: Miestas | Who will debunk the debunkers? Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by i_cola at 4:34 AM on May 25, 2007