Internet Fans Targeted By Rockford Register

The ClubHouse: Big Brother 2000: General - Archives: Weeks gone by: Rockford: Internet Fans Targeted By Rockford Register

Eddieluver

Sunday, September 03, 2000 - 10:38 am Click here to edit this post

It's just a show

Time to lighten up

By GERI NIKOLAI
Rockford Register Star

"Reality" TV, we've learned, is more about the people who watch than the people we're supposed to be watching.

That became painfully evident Thursday when fans of "Big Brother," a CBS show that has Rockfordian George Boswell among its TV guests, went crazy when they thought one of the cast members was wrongfully voted off the show.

Threatening e-mails and phone calls flooded the Rockford Register Star, other local media and the "Big Brother" Web site, claiming residents of the Forest City conspired to keep popular George on the show by voting against popular Brittany, the newest cast-off.

It's just a TV show, right? Then what turns couch potatoes into crazies who feel personally wronged by the departure of a favorite cast member?

Publicist Beth Feldman of CBS has the right perspective.

"As long as people keep watching, it's all in the name of entertainment," she said.

"But at the end of the day, it's just a TV show. These are not politicians. They are everyday human beings who decided to take part in an experiment this summer.

"They will not be running our country. This is just television."


The Obsessed

Why would people get so overwrought about (1) a TV show ("Big Brother") that's entertainment, not life and death, and (2) people they've never met -- and never will?

We asked Scott Campbell, a counselor at SwedishAmerican Hospital's Center for Mental Health.

"A lot of people are substituting electronic virtual relationships for healthy, external human relationships," Campbell said.

That is not a good sign.

"I see a danger in people taking time and energy from actual, good, real-life relationships and causes that could make a difference in people's lives and society," he said.

The Internet also plays a role, having given an anonymous voice to people who might never speak out in public, pick up a phone or write a letter to give an opinion.

Campbell added one more point -- one we heartily second: "Some people just have too much free time."


The Blissfully Unaware

Even when "Big Brother" had its highest ratings, 80 percent of Americans weren't watching. That includes Wendy Perks Fisher of Rockford.

When we called her Friday for a comment on the hoopla, she pled ignorance. "I've never watched it," she said.

But, like us, Fisher got dragged into the story. As head of the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, she keeps a close eye on our fair city's image. We asked if 500 or so people throughout the nation, condemning us and calling us names, could haunt us.

Fisher said it's hard to know.

"If this was an organized response, it's probably representative of far fewer people than it seems," she said. "But anytime a person hears something negative, it creates a stronger impression than we would like to think, and it takes a lot of effort to correct it."


They love controversy

As they say in show business, any publicity is good publicity.

If the blowup gets more people watching "Big Brother," CBS will be happy.

It already is promoting the next installment with a spot about the voting ruckus.

"We'll see if it helps ratings," said Diane Ekeblad of CBS' publicity department. " ...It does make the whole thing more interesting, doesn't it?

Jim Stone of WXRX (104.9 FM), whose station organized the Rockford call-in supporting George and started this all, says he'd do it again "in a heartbeat" because it's good for community spirit. Yup. Also good for WXRX, and that's good business.

The rabid negative reaction is "silly," said Stone.

"This was a bunch of people working toward a common goal, something good for the city. It was fun."


**HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS**

Rockford can't take the heat and the insults they are getting from what Teresa pulled and now they are blaming the world wide web. How mature is that? I can't believe this article. I, for one, know I have not abandoned any of my real life for this show nor this board. I still have a full-time job as a legal secretary and do that every day of the week and then I go to college full-time at night. Please, and so many friends are being neglected by this as well? NO, I also disagree on that point.

When I get on this board and discuss these people it's just for that to discuss. I'm not so serial killer waiting to go after poor Georgie and his family. I was insulted by this article when these people don't even realize the true reason people are upset about this. They are trying to make the people that are upset by this look like the villains. This town is disgusting and I'm glad I'm not from there.

I don't know if anyone else has already posted this article but I found it on the banish george website that I saw this morning. If it's already been posted I apologize for this thread but I thought this was very interesting and disturubing. Teresa strikes again and even has the local newspaper backing her up. This is so sad.

Memyselfi

Sunday, September 03, 2000 - 10:49 am Click here to edit this post

--Why would people get so overwrought about (1) a TV show ("Big Brother") that's entertainment, not life and death, and (2) people they've never met -- and never will?

Ok, let me see if I understand correctly. Everyone that particiapted in all their little stunts in Rockford PERSONALLY know George, right? The community that has built a billboard, organized a campaign using television, radio and newspapers, and apparently have NOTHING better to do with THEIR lives is calling people with a differing viewpoint lame? This article had me laughing as none other has this whole summer! What a joke!

Eddieluver

Sunday, September 03, 2000 - 10:54 am Click here to edit this post

Me: I know and yet we're the ones with no lives and vengeance in our hearts? Please, I will tell you one thing when I'm on this board I don't cackle at the thought of George leaving. *rolls eyes* What a bunch of fruit loops. No wonder they like Georgie so much.

Sid

Tuesday, September 05, 2000 - 04:33 am Click here to edit this post

Here's another article from Rockford Register Star from today's edition ....

Excerpt: "Forget that the number of calls made from a Rockford restaurant to the CBS 900 line was 700 or less, and more than 40,000 votes were cast to oust Brittany."

The person failed to mention how Teresa's targetting Brittany via the radio stations and other public announcements would have also accumulated votes, not just the 700 from the restaurant.

Another article quote: "First, some people truly have no lives."

I can't stand it when someone has nothing constructive to say in defense and uses the "get a life" line. Does the writer not realize the same can be said of all the Rockford residents who have participated in the George rallying!?!

Anyways ... here's the article:


Rockford Register Star
Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2000
No lives
'Big Brother' rants lose touch with reality
Last week's outpouring of hostility and threats over Rockford's bid to keep roofing contractor George Boswell in the "Big Brother" house proves at least two things.

First, some people truly have no lives.

Second, "reality TV" may be a label used by TV critics but it has nothing to do with reality.

What else would lead people who are most likely considered normal and functioning by their friends and family to take a small-scale publicity stunt and harmless boosterism and turn it into an evil conspiracy by an entire city?

If you haven't been following this made-for-TV controversy, callers and e-mailers claimed a Rockford vendetta to vote a young woman named Brittany off the CBS show (one houseguest is voted off every two weeks) to keep Boswell in, thus preserving his chance at the $500,000 prize. Forget that the number of calls made from a Rockford restaurant to the CBS 900 line was 700 or less, and more than 40,000 votes were cast to oust Brittany.

Consider some of the comments e-mailed to the Register Star's Web site rrstar.com late last week (and these aren't the nastiest ones):

-- "I think what your town did ... is the equivalent to a lynching. Your town should learn to play fair and to find some morals ..."

-- "You absolutely make me sick. You are all an embarrassment to humanity ..."

-- "You guys in Rockford have turned what should have been a fair contest into a cheesy free-for-all ..."

-- "I don't even know anyone in your town, and I don't like you ..."

-- "What George's family and town did was dishonest and tasteless ..."

-- "The actions of your town and the radio station that sponsored this voting bloc for George ... (are) in violation of free speech as far as the rest of the United States is concerned. It is one thing to say, 'Don't vote for George,' but to tell people how to vote violates the Constitution of the United States."

-- "Your town has always had a horrible reputation and this stunt to keep George around is just gonna seal his fate. Wouldn't expect anything else from you guys ..."

Gee, we hope Money Magazine isn't following this thread.

The city's support for one of its own has been lighthearted from the beginning. Everything from Boswell's nephew's truck displaying a message to "Keep George in the house," to a billboard to the Register Star's daily show update, complete with a caricature, has been in the right spirit.
But with money at stake -- in this case, a $500,000 prize for the last person in the house -- people suddenly get serious.

And vindictive.

So the game now begins, or has it been going all along? When George was nominated for banishment, were his family and friends NOT supposed to vote for someone else?
Even though he was the most disliked character, fans and critics all agreed "Survivor" winner Richard Hatch "played the game better than everyone else." Isn't this the game on "Big Brother?" To keep your favorite in the house?

After all, it IS just a TV show. It isn't reality.

Maury

Tuesday, September 05, 2000 - 07:09 am Click here to edit this post

>>>Even though he was the most disliked character, fans and critics all agreed "Survivor" winner Richard Hatch "played the game better than everyone else." Isn't this the game on "Big Brother?" >>>>>

Sure, sounds good. Problem is that Richard's mommy didn't attend tribal councils and offer lollipops and ice cream to those who would help her son. Rich won on his own merits. George is losing this game and if left to his own devices would possibly be out already.

My biggest problem with all this Teresa crap revolves around that quote (and I suck at quotes so here's a half-assed paraphrase): Justice must not only be done, but must also SEEM to have been done. I see a huge town rallying around a single person, radio, free calls, billboards, newspapers, etc. and I look at $5 in my hand and think 'why bother?'. You can tell me over and over that Rockford did not affect the vote but you can't get rid of the image and sound of large groups of people happily voting in one direction. I won't be voting anymore because the fun is gone. My delusions about having an effect on the outcome are shattered, whether factual or not.

Deni_San

Tuesday, September 05, 2000 - 11:29 am Click here to edit this post

If it were only a game, then why was Theresa going on radio to target other HGs and why would airtime be devoted to it? Wouldn't that airtime be better spent covering the Presidential race or more pressing issues to Rockford than a low rated TV program? If it is only a game, why not let it play out the way it should without resorting to tactics other family members have more class to not get involved in?

Comparing George and Richard is a fallacy. Richard is smarter than George and far more strategic than George. Richard won without any outside help, and played the game without burning any bridges. He was clear from the very beginning that he was only playing a game. George plays the sweet simpleton blue collar worker, and says how much he loves the other HGs. Richard always upfront that he was not in it to make friends, but play the game by knowing himself and other contestants motivations and weaknesses. Survivor had specific rules and clearly was a game, while BB seems to be making up the rules as he goes along. So they are comparing oranges and apples.

Watchers

Tuesday, September 05, 2000 - 08:39 pm Click here to edit this post

"It's only a game" - yeah a game with 500K at stake. I wonder how Rockford would react if they brought in a referee to the Chicago Bears games that would always call fouls and infractions only against the Bears. What an uproar that would cause. But it's only a game....

Rmgreco

Wednesday, September 06, 2000 - 11:24 am Click here to edit this post

Good point Watchers!!

I have not given up any of my life for BB. It's a show I enjoy. And part of enjoying it is getting involved and casting my votes. SO it makes me upset when someone plays unfairly and disrupts my involvement. Rockford needs to take responsibility for it's actions. Yeah, it is nice to band together and support a local, I'm all for that. But to target one housemember so viciously is uncalled for. They got carried away and they should admit it. If they would simply apologize to Brittany, I am sure everyones opinion of the city would be a bit higher.