British BB -- And we think we're bad?!
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TV ClubHouse: Archive: Archives Two: British BB -- And we think we're bad?!

Yankee_In_Ca

Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 02:11 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/entertainmentstorydisplay.cfm?storyID=2050931&thesection=entertainment&thesubsection=tvvideo&thesecondsubsection=general

British reality show suicide fear

09.07.2002

The British version of Big Brother has wandered into a storm of controversy, with the nightly reality TV show accused of vote-rigging and possibly even driving one contestant towards a breakdown by portraying her as stupid.

The accusations against Big Brother, which pulls in 6 million viewers a night in Britain, centre around one notoriously unpopular contestant, Jade Goody, 21.

She's been described in the tabloids as "the most hated woman in Britain".

The series is the third, and the most successful so far, with ratings up by 40 per cent on last year. But it is Goody, a solidly built blonde from London's working-class Bermondsey district, who has held class-conscious Britain in thrall.

A new word - "Jadeism" - has even been coined to describe her famous general knowledge gaffes. For example: "Rio de Janeiro - isn't that the name of a person?" And: "I thought chickens ate cheese."

Her former school, Bacon's College, has tried to distance itself from her apparent lack of intelligence, and children around the country who resemble Goody have been hit by a wave of bullying.

In the latest scandal, the Sun tabloid yesterday accused the show's Channel 4 editors of reversing its policy of showing Goody in a bad light so viewers would not vote her off.

They feel she acts as a useful social catalyst. "This was a deliberate move to keep Jade in the house because she stirs things up - and to avoid criticism they have turned Jade into a monster," a Big Brother insider was quoted as saying.

Channel 4 called the accusations of biased editing "complete nonsense".

Jade - who like all contestants does not see media coverage of the show - is thought likely to be traumatised when she eventually learns of her vilified status.

"Their biggest fear is that a housemate suffers a high-profile breakdown after appearing on the show and then tries to sue," the "insider" added.

Last week, the Mirror tabloid quoted Goody's aunt, Michelle Craddock, as saying the persecution could even drive Jade to suicide.

"She should be pulled out because the world is being really nasty to her," Craddock said. "She could hang herself because of what people are saying."

- REUTERS

Yankee_In_Ca

Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 02:12 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/media/story.jsp?story=312399

'Big Brother' hate figure is unprepared for public wrath
By David Lister Media and Culture Editor
06 July 2002
Inmates the Big Brother house can't see the outside world; they can, though, hear it when it shouts loudly enough.

Spectators at the gates have been shouting the words "Jade" and "pig" in conjunction so loudly that, inside the house, Jade has begun to put two and two together.

As she faced possible eviction last night into a world ready to lynch her ("lynch" is the word used by her mother), the blonde, raucous, intellectually stilted but harmlessly ebullient dental nurse will learn that she has metamorphosed from being a national figure of fun into a national hate object.

Jade has just turned 21. This is not the first time that Channel 4's reality TV series has turned one of the show's contestants into a national hate figure. "Nasty Nick", a housemate in the original series, was the first, but he emerged with some dignity. The boos and hisses that greeted his exit contained an element of respect for a manipulative and scheming villain.

The case of Jade marks a departure. She has been vilified in the press for her gaping mouth and the inane utterances emerging from it in a way no reality TV character has before. This week The Sun referred to Jade with the headline: "Vote Out The Pig." (In the interest of balance it should be noted that her fellow housemate, Adele, was referred to as "a real cow".) Nevertheless, Jade's mother retorted to the paper: "My daughter will get lynched. I can't stand seeing her treated this way. It's torture every time I switch on the TV or hear someone talking about her."

The porcine comparisons aren't exclusive to The Sun. Graham Norton on his Channel 4 TV show refers to Jade as "the stupid pig". And he did not wait for her 21st birthday to insult her so crassly.

Only the tabloid circulation war has saved Jade from further vitriol. In an attempt to boost circulation by taking a different line, the Daily Star has started a "Save Jade" campaign. But that will be too little to prevent a traumatic homecoming for Jade into the real world, where reality is inevitably harsher than on the unreal world of reality TV.

There is no denying that in a series that has tried harder than ever before to turn viewers' stomachs with discussions about verrucas, eating toenail clippings and shaving chest hair, Jade's contributions have been among the most stomach-curdling for the unfortunate viewers. They have included a sex act under the duvet with a fellow inmate, a trainee solicitor, and worse, this time unfortunately above the duvet, picking her nose and eating the contents. That's not the best advert for a dental hygienist.

A national poll of young people voted Jade the tackiest character on the programme and, though it might offend her media-tuned sensibilities less than the press coverage, even her old school has denounced her. Perhaps Jade's stated belief that Cambridge was in London was not a great advert for its teachers.

Cynthia McVey, a psychologist at Glasgow Caledonian University, who has looked before at the effects of reality TV, said last night: "It will be difficult for Jade in the outside world, because the campaign against her has gone across all the key elements, her looks, her brains and her personality. If people only criticise one of those, then you can say 'well, at least I'm good looking, or at least I'm brainy' but she's been under attack on all three. She will need the support of her family and friends, and the psychological support that Channel 4 will give her."

A Channel 4 spokesman said: "People in the public eye can find themselves under close personal scrutiny by the media. This is why we try to prepare the contestants as fully as possible for the intense experience of life in the Big Brother house and the impact it may have on their lives.

"Contestants have an in-depth psychological screening at least twice before they are finally chosen to enter the house. They are also subject to a 'talk of doom' on several occasions where producers fully outline all the possible negative aspects of taking part. Once contestants leave the house we have an aftercare support system in place so that every aspect of their welfare is looked after by professionals. This includes being able to talk to a psychologist, as well as to the production team, about their experience.

"In light of all these measures, we are fully confident that Jade, along with all the other housemates, is up to the challenge of Big Brother."

Kador

Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 02:17 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Big Brother is HUGE in the UK, bigger even than Survivor I was here. SO I can easily see this happening. I feel sorry for this girl when she gets out.

Britchick

Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 02:25 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
The media coverage against Jade has been really horrible at times but these stories aren't giving the whole facts. Jade's mother has since given interviews saying that she never gave quotes about lynching and that she is not at all afraid for her daughter since she thinks she is strong enough to cope. And last Friday, Jade was up for eviction along with 3 other housemates but the public didn't vote her out (she only got 30% of the 2.5 million phone votes) so she is definitely not the most hated woman in Britain. But I'm not defending the tabloid press coverage of Jade, which really did go too far.

Adamblast

Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 02:32 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
A general rule of thumb: if you eat your boogers, don't apply for Big Brother.

:)

Britchick

Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 02:34 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Adamblast, or at least have the decency to hide under the duvet when you do it!

Zachsmom

Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 02:37 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
and not while she is having sex..

Treasure

Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 03:18 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I read the UK news at sky.com/skynews and they follow the goings on of Jade & co. quite closely. One report said large mobs stand outside their BB house and scream obscenities at Jade. At least we only have angels floinging *needed items* over the wall!

Theowl

Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 03:57 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I've been to England, and the booger probably tasted better than anything else she could find to eat.

Zachsmom

Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 03:58 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Theowl....LOL!!!!!

Bastable

Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 07:23 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
The UK BB is truly incredible. One guy recently escaped from the house by climbing over the roof!

Sad thing is, men only win there, too.

Britchick

Thursday, July 11, 2002 - 01:28 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Treasure, the large mobs don't go there simply to shout at Jade (or anyone else). Crowds go down there on Friday night for the eviction - there are usually crowds of at least a few thousand there as the show is live and the atmosphere is usually great! (it made me feel that Julie Chen and the US BB studio seemed so wooden and flat). When the crowds are there, obviously things get shouted so that's when shouts have been heard by the housemates. Didn't want you all the get the impression there were hordes of angry BB fans roaming round London looking screaming abuse at housemates :)
Theowl, since you've been so nice to me I won't get offended by your insults to our national cuisine (or lack of!) :)

Treasure

Thursday, July 11, 2002 - 06:55 am EditMoveDeleteIP
No worries BritChick! I'm sure we're all aware that the few nutjobs standing there with placards calling for, say, "Ms. Piggy's (Jade's) head on a platter", don't represent all of the luverlie folks of Britain. But by their actions they do *stand out* and call attention to themselves much more so than the average person sitting at home. Know what I mean?!

Peace, and Tennessee Fried Chicken grease!

PS
I don't think the cities of Lost Angels would kosher to the idea of large crowds gathering, even outside the BB3 house - what will rioting still imprinted on their cellular memories and all.

Britchick

Thursday, July 11, 2002 - 07:38 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Treasure, I know exactly what you mean about certain people standing out but glad you realise that we're not all like that! The tide has certainly turned in Jade's favour of late because the housemates have isolated her a little bit, so she's getting more public sympathy now. I don't think she will get too horrible a welcome when she comes out of the house.

About only men winning - if Kate survives eviction this week, she's the most likely female to win BB ever so I'm keeping my fingers crossed as it would be nice to have a woman win.

Wilsonatmd

Thursday, July 11, 2002 - 10:37 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Britchick, from what I read, there have been female winners on other BB in the world before...If I remember right, the winner of BB in Mexico this year was female.

Joan

Saturday, July 13, 2002 - 04:53 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Wow! That's horrible! Do they only hate her because she is a bimbo or is there more to it? I can't see people despising someone for being an airhead over here in North Amercia. They'd probably make fun of her, sure, but hate? No way. Also, is she obese? I don't understand the "pig" comments but maybe it means something else in the UK.