In LA w/ Cassandra

The ClubHouse: Big Brother 2000: General - Archives: Houseguests: Cassandra: In LA w/ Cassandra

U__Da__Man

Tuesday, September 19, 2000 - 08:24 pm Click here to edit this post

We started off leaving from the hotel to go to the CBS lot that held Big Brother. Well for those of you (Kenny) the lot is in Studio City. Everything looks like office buildings. You have to check in at the gate before you can enter. Sorry but I could not see exact street names. One thing that I did notice was that there was a school bus of people at the gate also. More on this later. As we passed the gate we bared right, down a small hill and boom. We were there. Not far from the main street. The studio that is. We got out at where the banishee enters the studio to be greeted by Julie Chen. This was on our left. On our right was a fence with what looked like concrete barriers that would carry rain water run-off. Then on the other side of that were townhouses. More on this later also. Well, we were greeted by a couple of producers and they wanted to walk us through the whole sequence of the show. They asked who would greet Cassandra at the gate if she was the one banished. It was me and her mother. Her two best friends would meet her in the studio. One guy pulled me and Cass’s mom aside to show us how to walk in to the studio after we greeted her at the gate. Well this guy was saying things like Eddie’s family gave him such a hard time. We said Eddie’s family is here? He said all 3 familys were there. Hmmmm. I said to myself. Anyway he said that he had a bet that Cassandra was going to be the winner anyway. First red flag went off in my mind. Next they took us to the first holding area. We went to a trailer type of building that acted as a dressing room. They offered us water and chips and stuff. We were there for about 15 minutes. Then they took us to the second holding area. This was at the studio just outside of entering it. A sound guy came over to Cass’s mom and me to put mikes on. Similar to what the HGs wear. That was the second red flag. At this time they were showing the in-studio audience what to do when they were on the air. They practiced clapping when the applause light came on and such. Very scripted, folks. Now it’s showtime. We thought that we were going to sit in the audience or just be inside the studio. No chance. They closed the doors and we did not see or hear anything about the show. We were just standing there talking to security guards and just waiting for what was next. Now that first producer who showed us in motioned to have just me and Cass’s mom to come with him. Cass’s two friends had to remain. Now I was getting the picture. He took us outside to a waiting van that he said was to take us to the BB gate to meet up with the other familys in vans. Mind you we never saw any one of those familys during the time that we were there. The ride was about 50 yards. You could see the townhouses that I spoke of running along side the opposite side of the door that the Hgs leaves from. Soon as we pulled up to the gate Cass’s mom looked over to me and said, “I guess there’s no question now” How right she was. There were no other vans. The same guy came back over to the van after he got out to talk to the crowd that was assembled outside of the gate. He said that he was suppose to get word in a few minutes through his earpiece who the banishee was. After about a minute he said well I guess I lost the bet. She’s out, sorry. We knew it anyway. We just graciously said that’s okay. We are ready to see her. He took us to the gate and showed us where to stand. I at that point took over and asked the crowd where everyone was from. Would you believe those people are bused in. YES. George don’t believe the HYPE. Some people were on vacation from Australia, others were just there. Evidently these people are asked on the street how would you like to be a part of a tv show. (How many people here just had their bubble busted). As you saw Cassandra came to the gate and we greeted her. They wisked us back in to the van to take us back to the studio. So when the show cuts back to inside of the house we are driven back to just outside of the studio and we pretend like we are walking inside. We are suppose to stop at the gate then her girlfriends and Julie take over. During the commercial we are seated in the audience. The live show begins. Not much to talk about here. Only thing is at the commercial break the makeup artist runs in to do a touch-up on Julie’s face and hair. By the way, the audience members are friends and family of people who work on the lot. Sheesh. Okay the show is now over. All the big wigs and cronies are congratulating Cassandra on her interview. Guess who pops up to say hi. None other than KAREN. Yes, with her two daughters in tow. Ashley is a sweet girl. Jill. I think that was her name, is nice but very head strong. She loves to be in charge. She has more sense than her mother. Well well. Karen was doing some serious damage control. Saying that she didn’t mean to omit Cassandra’s name during the goodbyes. Karen also ran interference for Brittany saying only trust Curtis and Eddie. It was interesting to watch this as all in attendance was waiting to see what Cassandra’s reaction was going to be. Well keeping with her true diginity and personality Cass graciously said to Karen not to worry about it. No harm was takened. This woman really is something folks. How many of you would have handled it that way. Well Karen went on and on and on. I didn’t know Karen was as short. She’s not tiny but I pictured her a little taller. One note though, Julie Chen really is that thin. I gave her a hug goodbye and I could have wrapped my arms around her twice. Cassandra was then wisked away in a golf cart to the BB control room to see the HGs behind the scenes and for her shake. She said the control room is huge with about 150 people in it. I had no idea. The rest of us went back to the hotel to wait for Cass to be debriefed so we could go to dinner. We only had to wait about 45 minutes. We then went to Asia De Cuba on Sunset Blvd. Very chic place. Only the elite and whose who go there. This is where Cassandra wanted to go and why not. She may never get this opportunity again. I’m not good with names but I recognize faces. A lot of industry types were there. Anne Haiche (check my spelling please) was there w/o Ellen of course. Director John Singleton and none other than Pamela Anderson with her new beau. There were other celebs but I couldn’t tell you their names to save my life. We then closed the night out by going next door to the Sky Bar. What a place. You are transformed in to another world. You have to really know someone to get in to this place. Tough guy at the door. Money means squat. You HAVE to be on the list. He turned away some really beautiful people but they were not on the list. We stayed there till about 2:30am pst. Cassandra said that the HGs talked about all of them getting together to go there. I can just see Karen getting toasted and falling in to the lavish pool. Huge white pillows were plentiful along with teak lounge chairs. You are at an oasis when you are at the Sky Bar. Check it out if you can. That was about it folks. Whew my fingers are cramped and I know your eyes are burning. I hera that George might be next but that’s just hearsay. That was my trip. I enjoyed every moment. I’m from NY but I was falling in love with LA. I have to go back some day. One note here, Karen was offered so far two soap opera roles. Brittnay has a host of offers. Jordan co-hosts a radio show. Will Mega is shooting himself in the foot with that sorry tough-guy “I am Bigger than life” attitude. He’s not earning a lot of friends. Jordan is not taking her BB experience too well. I would not be surprise if she did not show up for the final show. My picks for the finale?? Josh or Curtis. This show will be over folks. And guess what CBS is really looking to BB2 in the spring. Let’s hope they have better casting and that they stick to their own rules. Thanks for reading.
U__DA__MAN (Tony)

Lawyerman

Tuesday, September 19, 2000 - 08:32 pm Click here to edit this post

Thanks Tony. You da man!!!

Ricmunoz

Tuesday, September 19, 2000 - 08:51 pm Click here to edit this post

Thanks so much, Tony! I was especially fond of all the juicy dish on the departed HGs who preceded dear Cassandra. ALL of us agree there is plenty "wrong" with Big Brother, but I can confidently declare that there is NOTHING wrong with Cassandra. Thanks for sharing your story. Glad you had fun the short time you were here--come back soon!--L.A. needs more bright and fun people like you and Cass!

Jenhavins

Wednesday, September 20, 2000 - 07:50 am Click here to edit this post

Thank you for the great update. I was at Studio City in March (won a contest through CBS) and I was very surprised to see how everything was scripted. Studio Audience member to pages. Anyhow, Cass was one of my favorites from the beginning and I was sad to see her go. However, she is the epitomy of class and I wish her the best of luck in the future. Once again, thank you for taking time out to post this message.

Txgirl

Wednesday, September 20, 2000 - 10:40 am Click here to edit this post

Thank you Tony...You are a lucky person to know cassandra and of course she is very lucky to have a person like you to support her when she got out.. I was hoping she was one of the finalist she sure was there for everyone in the house even Mega and I give her lots of credit to put up with him...

Rod

Wednesday, September 20, 2000 - 11:30 am Click here to edit this post

Tony

see this site for reactions to your story. It's in the BB USA General section.

http://www.bomis.com/bigbrother/discus/messages/65/4775.html?969474464

Thanks for sharing it with us.

Dlnflr

Thursday, September 21, 2000 - 08:22 am Click here to edit this post

Tony...thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. I really enjoyed reading your post. I know you've heard this a million times, but I want to say your cousin Cass is a super person with lots of class. I wish you both all the best. Thanks again and have a great day! :)

Ccc

Thursday, September 21, 2000 - 02:42 pm Click here to edit this post

Tony, thank you so much for giving us the behind the scenes. Lots of stuff I didn't know about. Cassandra was in my favorite for final 3, too. I understand she doesn't want to watch anything or read things - but please tell her we loved her.


When Cassandra goes back for a visit -
Please ask her to tell them about the Big Brother Fan Club Angels' covert operations to get toilet paper and more to them. They don't understand how secure they really are. I think they'd enjoy it.

Good luck to all of you and thanks to Cassandra for letting us share her life for awhile.