The Spurious Squirrel
22-05-2006, 22:21
I have just seen an episode of Big Brother and I have to say, it's plumbed new depths in causing pain and humilation in the contestants.
Specifically there are two housemates; one Pete, I think his name is has Tourette's syndrome. While he seems a really lovely guy, his disability has him saying expletives and whistling involuntarily. If there was a valid programme to explore and become aware of Tourette's syndrome that would be fine. However, this show is making him seem a figure of ridicule. It seems that, at least, most of the other Housemates accept him for who he is, I don't think Endemol are being at all responsible in how he is viewed.
The more serious concern however, is Shabaz, a gay Pakistani, who refers to himself as a Paki poof. He has manged to alienate himself from the rest of the Housemates. They for their part appear to delight in alienating him from the group, seem to take pleasure in responding to his need to cause extreme friction and now have decided "the collective" will no longer recognise him as a person in their midst.
I believe Shabaz probably has mental health issues, exhibits a great deal of bullying to some of the other Housemates. He seems also to prefer to see himself as a "victim" and sad to say, the other Housemates are only too willing to make him a victim.
The dynamics of this group are questionable, while he clearly is a bully, the others delight in being the group that bullys him. he has now hidden all the food in the house because they are no longer prepared to talk to him. His reasoning is they will now be forced to talk to him if they want their food.
How far does a show like Big Brother think it has to go, in order to have the viewing public "entertained". As I am writing this, I have a sick feelling because by viewing it, I have contributed to this.
This is not public entertainment, this is an excercise in humilation, shame, contempt, mental and emotional duress.
I don't think I am over reacting but I would be interested in what others might feel?
Specifically there are two housemates; one Pete, I think his name is has Tourette's syndrome. While he seems a really lovely guy, his disability has him saying expletives and whistling involuntarily. If there was a valid programme to explore and become aware of Tourette's syndrome that would be fine. However, this show is making him seem a figure of ridicule. It seems that, at least, most of the other Housemates accept him for who he is, I don't think Endemol are being at all responsible in how he is viewed.
The more serious concern however, is Shabaz, a gay Pakistani, who refers to himself as a Paki poof. He has manged to alienate himself from the rest of the Housemates. They for their part appear to delight in alienating him from the group, seem to take pleasure in responding to his need to cause extreme friction and now have decided "the collective" will no longer recognise him as a person in their midst.
I believe Shabaz probably has mental health issues, exhibits a great deal of bullying to some of the other Housemates. He seems also to prefer to see himself as a "victim" and sad to say, the other Housemates are only too willing to make him a victim.
The dynamics of this group are questionable, while he clearly is a bully, the others delight in being the group that bullys him. he has now hidden all the food in the house because they are no longer prepared to talk to him. His reasoning is they will now be forced to talk to him if they want their food.
How far does a show like Big Brother think it has to go, in order to have the viewing public "entertained". As I am writing this, I have a sick feelling because by viewing it, I have contributed to this.
This is not public entertainment, this is an excercise in humilation, shame, contempt, mental and emotional duress.
I don't think I am over reacting but I would be interested in what others might feel?