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Archive through August 23, 2007

The TVClubHouse: Big Brother 8 ARCHIVES: Big Brother 8 - Part 7: EW interview with producer Alison Groener...: Archive through August 23, 2007 users admin

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Wilsonatmd
Member

01-23-2001

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 8:22 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wilsonatmd a private message Print Post    
(not sure if it belongs here or not, if it isn't mods, you can move it)

20052968%2C00.html,http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20052968,00.html

The Q&A
'Big Brother': Burning Questions Answered!
We asked exec producer Allison Grodner about a decision to punish rule-breaking Jen, how exactly America's Player works, and more


By Lynette Rice

Say it ain't so — Big Brother 8 is more than halfway over! We asked executive producer Allison Grodner to take a time out from refereeing the latest fight between Dick and Jen to talk about America's Player, the overuse of the back-door strategy, and what makes this season so craptastically better than the others.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Anyone who watched Big Brother: After Dark this week saw how Jen went off slop to eat burgers and cottage cheese. Why did you penalize her? (Jen's punishment will be revealed on tonight's show.)

ALLISON GRODNER: We always reserve the right to give penalty nominations when rules are broken that are not safety violations or something so extreme that you should be ejected. But this was unprecedented [someone who was already nominated breaking a rule].

EW:Why not give her a penalty nomination next week?

AG:At this point, our feeling is that the offender should be penalized within the week the offense took place. So this is a new way of dealing with rule violations by the nominees themselves.

EW-What else is unprecedented about this season?

AG-The unprecedented use of the veto, especially the [subsequent] eviction of the replacement nominee. Jen has been on the block four times. The amount of arguments and fights in the house on a regular basis. We've had very dramatic turnarounds over the years, but this season we've seen even bigger surprises — the Dustin eviction, for one. What's also incredibly unprecedented about this season is America's Player [the contestant, Eric, secretly performs tasks mandated by viewers at home for money]. The viewers are involved, and he's still in the house.

EW-Have you thought about changing the rules to avoid back-dooring (targeting a replacement nominee for eviction)? It really puts strong players at a disadvantage.

AG-It's possible. One of the adjustments that was made last year was the random drawing of ping-pong balls [to choose players for the veto competition]. That encouraged people from back-dooring. This year, people just seem to be getting lucky in terms of the ping-pong balls! It's hard to say how much we'll change. Nakomis coming up with the whole six-finger plan back in BB5 was genius. These people are playing like that and we've had more HOHs change their mind [about who should be on the chopping block] midway through the week than we've ever had before — though I don't think it was always their intent to back-door somebody.

EW-What about making the rule that if you win the veto, you can only use it to save yourself?

AG-I feel like that takes some of the strategy out of the game. People have alliances and friends in the house. This is what is so interesting about the veto — what happens if you use it or don't use it if you aren't on the block. We wouldn't have had Jameka saving Jen, or Dick saving Daniele — another thing that's unprecedented about this season.

EW-Was Jen admonished for destroying Dick's cigarettes?

AG-There is a rule about destroying personal property in the house. It would be a big mess [if allowed to continue], so we have to have some rules to prevent all hell from breaking loose.

EW-But how do you justify admonishing Jen when her shirt was vandalized with mustard?

AG-Obviously it was an America's Player situation [Eric was told to do it]. She was able to wash it and it was fine. If that had been a situation in the house, we probably would have admonished the person who did it. But Jen doesn't know who did it!

EW-Jen was contending that she was admonished for destroying Dick's cigarettes, yet Dick was never admonished for his foul behavior toward her. Is that true?

AG-That's not necessarily true. By the way, we don't discuss who is admonished and so forth in the Diary Room. But I will tell you as an overall note that when people are close to crossing the line in terms of violence in the house, they are warned. Jen doesn't necessarily know [what, if anything, happened to Dick]. They don't know what happened with her with regards to the cigarettes. We don't discuss people's Diary Room visits with the other houseguests.

EW: Fans watching the feeds see the houseguests come out of the Diary Room and start talking about how the producers attempted to sway their vote. Cynical viewers think you are trying to strong-arm the houseguests into doing your bidding. How do you respond to that?

AG: [Sighs] We are the only show that is heavily scrutinized because of the live nature of the Internet, which is also what makes the show so terrific. We can't manipulate the houseguests because we know we have the viewers watching us. That's something that we are very much against here. We do ask the houseguests to talk to us in pros and cons so we can understand their line of thinking. It's important for us to do that in order to understand the strategy, which can get so complex. That's what is happening. We are very careful to ask balanced questions. We will ask them to weigh both sides.

EW-Does Eric have to do everything America tells him to do?

AG-When it comes to the vote, yes — that's a given. He needs to make every effort to complete America's task to get credit for it.

EW-And if he says no?

AG-He has never done that, but he basically has a contract with America to be America's Player, which means he will do his absolute best to try to complete a task.

EW-How much has he earned so far for completing the tasks?

AG-He has his first $10,000. I think he's closing in on another $5,000. For every five tasks, he gets $10,000. He will have $30K if he completes all of his tasks this week.

EW-If Eric makes it to the final two, will he be able to tell his fellow houseguests that he's America's Player?

AG-That would certainly be part of the finale, but I'm not saying when he'll be able to reveal it. That needs to be determined. He needs to be judged on how he played the game and how he's perceived. So the question is: Should he reveal it before or after? It's my opinion that it should be revealed after in order for him to have a fair shot of winning this game. But that has yet to be determined.

EW-Why didn't Julie Chen tell Kail about Eric being America's Player during her exit interview?

AG-We had a tight show. It's live TV. Sometimes you have to make decisions about what's important. I believe she was told the next day on The Early Show.

EW-How did you feel about the banner flown over the house that accused Amber and Eric of lying and compared the Late Night Crew to BB6's Nerd Herd?

AG-It's great that there seem to be so many fans involved with the show who feel compelled to do something like that. I don't condone them whatsoever. They interfere with the game. Was this the most intrusive banner in BB history? No. Those occurred in BB2.

EW-There is a rumor going around that Jen somehow managed to stumble upon an America's Player card in the Diary Room...

AG-I heard this. Where did that come from? We know better than that! What's fascinating is the conspiracy theories that fly through this house. I believe there was one moment — and the video is available on YouTube [of players talking about it] — where Eric leaves the Diary Room and Jen says, ''Mr. America!'' And he kinda goes, ''What?'' It was just her doing her thing. But that was exaggerated by viewers. We are very careful about America's Player envelopes.

Scotchbright
Member

10-05-2006

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 8:28 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Scotchbright a private message Print Post    
Thank you, Wilson for the article. I love that it discusses the DR questions...and states that they ask the pro and con questions to get at their strategy - not to sway their votes.

Yoda
Member

08-11-2005

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 8:29 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Yoda a private message Print Post    
I asked this in Q&A but I'll ask it here also...any thought that there could be some truth to Jen finding an AP card? Has anyone heard Jen say anything about it?

Hobbs
Member

08-05-2002

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 8:30 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hobbs a private message Print Post    
I like the fact that the interviewer was really up on BB and the feeds and the internet. It wasn't just some flunky asking fluff questions. Congrats to EW!

ETA: Nice find WilsonatMD!

Tvwatcher
Member

04-17-2004

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 8:30 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Tvwatcher a private message Print Post    
I think it was just a rumour - AG is so certain that BB doesn't have slipups. LOL

Nyheat
Member

08-09-2006

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 8:37 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Nyheat a private message Print Post    
I'm sorry--what does the six-fingered plan mean? I didn't watch that season.

Milosmom
Member

06-10-2006

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 8:40 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Milosmom a private message Print Post    
Thanks for the article. Food for thought. Now I can see why Jen is somewhat confused about being told she can't destroy hgs belongings. Her tshirt was destroyed (AG said it is there and pristine, but I haven't seen it) AG goes on to say that mustard squirt would have been punished if it had been a reg hg, but since its AP it was ok. No wonder they are all confused!!!

Klaw73
Member

08-21-2006

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 8:41 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Klaw73 a private message Print Post    
AG said it was unprecedented to have a PN when someone is already on the block, so they had to change the rule. Wasn't it unprecedented anyway and Jen would have been the first to get one?

[ETA: They just didn't anticipate it would be used as a loop hole and that's not Jen's fault, IMO]

Citadelle
Member

07-06-2005

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 8:43 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Citadelle a private message Print Post    
Ny, the six-finger plan was Nakomis's idea in BB5 to eliminate Jase. She nominated two alliance mates, and together the three of them agreed to use the veto, no matter who won it, and nominate Jase as a replacement and evict him. That was when the HOH and nominees chose their own veto players. It worked like a charm and led to the choosing of balls for veto players!

Boberg
Member

10-04-2002

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 8:47 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Boberg a private message Print Post    
I also really appreciate that the interviewer was up to date and knew what was currently happening!

I think Allison tried to have it both ways though...up front about Jen's admonishment for destroying property....big fudge about Jen's shirt since it was BB=Alison Grodner Prod. who came up with the task of doing it...then after talking about Jen's behavior being admonished refused to talk about any admonishment Dick may have received.

Again seems they are protecting their darling Donato's.

Why not come out and talk about any admonishment Dick recieved??? She already talked about Jen's.

Nyheat
Member

08-09-2006

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 8:47 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Nyheat a private message Print Post    
Okay thanks! So the six fingers represent each HGs vote? I am being dumb here.

Sidecar
Member

07-23-2007

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 8:58 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sidecar a private message Print Post    
Ugh....it seems to me the people on this board could craft a better show then AG. It drives me crazy that SHE can become an exec producer of a TV Show! She should spend the next nine months reading all of the posts here and get a real feel for what works and what does not. I mean, why is she not CERTAIN about the AP status? She really does not have a clue! It SOOOO Frustrating!

Rubyroo77
Member

08-13-2005

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 8:58 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Rubyroo77 a private message Print Post    
I don't buy it.

Cndeariso
Member

06-28-2004

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 9:00 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Cndeariso a private message Print Post    
essentially, allison said, do as i say not as i do regarding the mustard/cigarrettes.

What555456
Member

06-14-2005

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 9:00 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send What555456 a private message Print Post    
Can anyone say....whitewash?

She can't say what happened to Dick for his abusing women? I mean...short of a penalty nomination or kicking him out, what else is there that has any force?

I can just see Allison in the DR:

"Bad Dick! Bad, bad, Dick! If you do that again, you'll be in real trouble!"

Then, a half hour later...

"I told you that you'd be in real trouble if you did it again. Now you ARE! 'Real bad Dick! Real, real bad, Dick!' There, now maybe you have learned your lesson!"

And then she thinks she has done something.

Sheesh!

Chicogirl
Member

07-23-2007

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 9:33 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Chicogirl a private message Print Post    
I don't see where she said that Dick wasn't admonished for his behavior, or what Jen's admonishment was for destroying the cigs.
Jen received the PN, then the PV for breaking the rules and eating when she was on slop.
She DID if the mustard had ruined Jen's shirt, there would have been a admonishment. It didn't, so he didn't get in trouble.

Biloxibelle
Member

12-21-2001

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 9:48 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Biloxibelle a private message Print Post    
I have to agree with them stopping Jen and replacing Dicks cigarettes. The reason being if they had not, complete pandemonium would have broke out in that house. If they had allowed that destruction what would have stopped Dick from dumping all her clothes into that garbage can full of bleach, setting them on fire or whatnot. Which would have resulted in Jen going after more of Dicks things. It would have just taken on a life of it's own, until the only thing left would be the Swat team pulling Eric out of the hot tub.

Do I think BB told Jen she could destroy cigarettes? Yes, I do. I also think they never told her they wouldn't replace them if she did. I doubt that ever came up. She might have got away with it if she had used her head and done it slowly. Taken 4 or 5 out of the pack and broke them at different times. Until Dick couldn't figure out why they were all gone. In other words she should have been sneakier. I don't think BB would have replaced them if that was the case. Her other mistake was telling all the HG's from the very beginning she had asked if she could and was planning to do it.

Again I mentioned this the other day. I think the mustard on the shirt was a whole different ballgame. BB had always reserved the right to destroy stuff. Remember the bonfire the year Erika's pink hat took an early demise? I think they did something like that twice. That is BB and I am sure that is all covered in the contract. Not the same as HG's just being to destroy at will.

I do think there would be less wondering on our part and less conspiracy theories if BBUS would let us hear more of the DR sessions . Along with letting us hear BB asking and interacting with the HG's like they do with BBUK. As it stands now BBUS seems to think if we don't hear or see them we will forget they there. Not likely, just makes things look more like a cover up.

I want to say thanks for posting the interview.

Hobbs
Member

08-05-2002

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 9:52 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hobbs a private message Print Post    
They should make them where a dunce cap and stand in the corner for an hour when they are bad.

Biloxibelle
Member

12-21-2001

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 9:53 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Biloxibelle a private message Print Post    
Ahh Milos you are right. I keep forgetting that we see and know all, where as the HG's don't. Yes I bet that is confusing to Jen as to why her shirt was targeted, but she got in trouble. She has to know that BB is watching all and wondering why someone didn't get in trouble.

I keep thinking about when BB had mass destruction of HG's clothing in the past. Now I realize the HG's were all in on that and knew upfront it was BB. Jen has no idea it was BB.

Klaw73
Member

08-21-2006

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 9:56 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Klaw73 a private message Print Post    
ROLMAO, Hobbs!!! That would be too funny!!!

Zachsmom
Member

07-13-2000

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 10:00 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Zachsmom a private message Print Post    
She should spend the next nine months reading all of the posts here and get a real feel for what works and what does not.

well, it seems it IS working. we are all here watching, listening and talking about it!

Eeyoreslament
Member

07-20-2003

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 10:01 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Eeyoreslament a private message Print Post    
Good find Wilson! Thanks!

Mack
Member

07-23-2002

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 10:04 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mack a private message Print Post    
"We are very careful to ask balanced questions. We will ask them to weigh both sides." - AG

I'd love to ask her more about this. I'm a clinical psychologist trained mostly in the non-directive approach. This means I ask questions and through those questions try to lead the client to an understanding of their situation. The point is that I know where I want them to go but instead of telling them I make them come to the conclusions themselves. It's a matter of them taking ownership of their actions, both past and future. It works and it can be very persuasive. Should also mention that I've had clients say, even though it's their own decisions/conclusions reached through facilitation, that I "told" them what to do or how to act.

Gidget
Member

07-28-2002

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 10:04 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Gidget a private message Print Post    
Just because it is human nature to look at a train wreck doesn't make it the best viewing that could be offered.

Mssas
Member

08-04-2006

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 10:08 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mssas a private message Print Post    
My question is WHY did they NOT stop Dick's vile mouth?