Big Brother grows a conscience?!

Or did they? The moment Big Brother stepped in to intervene on an issue of morality, they cover it up!

If you like me don’t watch Big Brother then here’s an update on the hot topic that’s got everyone talking. Three contestants known in the Big Brother house as John, Ashley and Camilla were involved in an ‘incident’ in the very early hours of Saturday morning. Media outlets are describing it as ‘sexual misconduct’. The only reason this captured my attention is because in was a front page headline on Sunday’s Herald Sun paper.

I went out of my way then to watch Big Brother live eviction on Sunday night because I was interested as to how they might address this very serious allegation. The show began with replaying highlights of Friday in the house. I was then reminded why I don’t watch Big Brother. I would describe these adults in their 20’s and 30’s living in the house as nothing short of juvenile delinquents. The maturity levels of these adults is much to be desired, and it’s an embarrassment to think that I fall into that age group.

Then mystery falls over the show and if it wasn’t for what I read in the paper, I would have had no idea what was going on. Big Brother does some quality editing work here by the way. What I mean by that is, they lead us (the viewer) exactly where they want to lead us by the information they disclose and withhold.

It’s Saturday morning and Camilla is in the diary room very abstractly referring to an incident she was involved in with 2 other housemates just hours earlier. While it could be seen that she is submitting an official complaint, Camilla herself plays the incident down. Instead of hearing Big Brother’s response or further discussion the Big brother TV commentator says the incident is being taken under consideration by Big Brother. ‘Mmmm…thinks the viewer, what’s there to discuss?’ Then later that day the two housemates in question, who turn out to be John and Ashley are called to the diary room. For the first time you don’t actually see the diary room discussion, instead the commentator explains how they broke a fundamental house rule and they will be removed from the house because of it.

So after the advert, all the housemates are called into the diary room and the news is broken to them that the guys have been removed at which Camilla breaks down in tears. All the housemates are clearly upset, so Camilla suggests that either her or Big Brother explain why the guys were removed and full details of the incident. Credit to Big Brother for naming the seriousness of the incident and assuring Camilla that it wasn’t her fault. Camilla was left to explain to the housemates outside the diary room what happened. We will never know exactly what she told them I guess because the commentator gave Big Brothers own explanation over the top of hers. What we do hear Camilla saying is that she tried to wriggle free then the other one was going to have a turn. She describes it as a joke that went wrong. She found herself in a situation that got out of hand. While the 2 guys may only have been messing around, it is a serious game to be playing and in public would not be tolerated. From what can be understand one held Camilla down while the other thrust his crutch into her face. Then when they were swapping she said a stern ‘no’ and wriggled free. You could tell by the reactions of housemates that some did not approve of the actions of John and Ashley. What amused me the most was the comment of one housemate who was clearly upset, 'reality is just setting in now.' Um...this is a reality show. Even that's laughable.

What if her ‘no’ was ignored? What were the others in the house doing? What if she couldn’t wriggle free? What if there were no cameras? Could this have become rape? I would say this is pretty serious business Big Brother, sexual harassment in the least. There’s laws against that.

And here’s where the great cover up comes in. Enter Gretel Killeen with dazzling light and sound and celebration. Here’s how she opens the live eviction show, “It gives me great sadness to announce that John and Ashley are no longer housemates because they were removed from the house yesterday following a breach of the Big Brother rules. Today and presumably for the rest of the week you may be inundated with exaggerated, ill informed stories in the media which do nothing but perpetuate ignorance and hurt those involved. Ashley and John were fantastic housemates bringing nothing but joy not only to their fellow housemates but to Australia as a whole. And we are very sorry that one foolish incident on their behalf has led to them leaving. But the Big Brother house is a community and like all communities it must has rules and unfortunately the boys broke one of those rules and have consequently left the house. We wish them well. Now leys get on with live eviction 9.” Touching speech Gretel.

So do Big Brother think they have control over what happens in the house? That’s a laughable issue. Fine when rules are broken remove the contestant, but the deed has already been done. How far will Big Brother let things go before they step in. Will they step in if a law is broken? Are they above the law because they have 'rules'? Are Big Brother then the police when laws are broken? What's to stop something more serious from happening like rape, or even murder? It's possible, wherever there are people in community anything is possible. You might be able to tell I’m not a fan of the show, in fact I feel it’s a complete waste of space. Is there a point to it? Federal Liberal MP Trish Draper, also chair of Classification Issues Group in the Coalition, has called for the show to be taken off air. Senator Joyce says, ‘I don’t think the Australian people would lose much if Big Brother was evicted from our TV screens.” I agree, get rid of it.

It seems that now even the Prime Minister of Australia has stepped in and given his opinion to shut it down. Even the poloticians are divided as the Queensland Premier is keen to see the show continue because 'it's good for business'. The bottom line is, the future of Big Brother as a big rating, revenue raising program on channel Ten will be decided not on moral grounds and common sense but purely on financial viability which unfortunately works in it's favour.

So it's all come down to this senseless human vice; greed for power and money. Oh that's what this is all about. Why didn't they say that in the first place.

Get rid of it I say.

Shalom
Mark