Comment on bb3 from chicago sun times
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TV ClubHouse: Archive: USA 2002: Outside the House: Comment on bb3 from chicago sun times

Cafstr

Monday, September 23, 2002 - 01:10 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Too much reality is intruding upon our overanalyzed lives

September 5, 2002

BY PAIGE WISER SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST



There's a new national excuse, a contagious catch-all phrase that explains away almost any kind of horrible behavior you can imagine:

It was the editing.

There are so many reality programs now, and game shows and dating competitions, that you can't toss your remote control out the window without clocking a former contestant in the head. And they all want you to know, "I'm not really a bad person. I was just edited to look that way."

My favorite recent example is Chiara Berti, who was nicknamed "Chi-Whora" inside the "Big Brother 3" house and banished two weeks ago. Since then, she's told an Internet chat site that it was all, really, in the editing; the CBS show focused on just "5 percent" of her personality.

For any non-"BB3" enthusiasts out there, that would be the 5 percent of Chiara that lathered up one female housemate with shaving cream in the community shower; smoked cigars and made out in the hot tub with another female housemate; snuggled every night in bed with "close friend" Roddy and a security blanket named Woobie; climbed up on the dinner table, spread her legs and spun around on the lazy Susan; modeled a peanut-butter bikini until it started to melt, and repeatedly, graphically propositioned the house virgin, Jason.

"A lot of that stuff was good old-fashioned fun," Chiara told the Hartford Courant.

One of the problems with Chiara's argument is that "BB3" fans have the unique opportunity to watch the housemates ("the hamsters") 24 hours a day, via live Internet camera feeds. For obsessive reality television fans who are bored with overanalyzing ourselves--and there are so many of us--it's a multimedia dream come true.

Among the passionately debated topics online: whether host Julie Chen is actually a Fembot; why Marcellas insists on wearing socks with his flip-flops; whether Jason is suffering from Stockholm Syndrome; which contestant most deserves a lucrative cheese endorsement. Here's just a sampling of the insights from message boards, mixed metaphors and all.

From "Woodpecke(TM)": "Roddy is trapped in a sewer with no ladder and a ton of stench. Josh, Chiara, Amy, Eric and Gerry were all evicted and he didn't lift a finger to help. He is dead. He has 16 and the dealer has a King showing. He is betting on a hand without a pair. If he is able to escape eviction this week, I will call him the Master of Manipulation, the King of Deceit, the best friggin player in the history of game shows since Dr. Joyce Brothers Fourth and 33 on his own 6-yard line with 4 seconds left. The rent is due and all he has is a cup of pennies. I can't wait."

From "Bbholden": "Damn I love this show!!"

I do too--but then, I love all reality television, and I love blindly. Get a life? When would I have the time? My schedule is built around "Survivor," "Bachelorettes in Alaska," "Sorority Life," "Meet the Parents," "The Mole," "Road Rules," "The Real World," "American Idol," "Elimidate" and that PBS series about families dressing frumpily and living as frontierspeople.

Now comes news that real-life updates of "The Beverly Hillbillies" and "Green Acres" are in the works. Lorenzo Lamas and '80s teen idol Tiffany are just two of the big names participating in the upcoming "Celebrity Boot Camp." And in London, auditions are under way for "Sick Day," in which three men will live in the same house for two months and try to catch as many illnesses as possible: nits, lice, the flu, venereal diseases, warts. One wannabe roommate told the Sun, "It's up to contestants to find ways to catch the disease, but they talked about snorkeling in sewage."

And me without any free nights left.

A few days ago I was interviewing critic and radio show host Michael Medved for another story, and I confessed my viewing habits--without much prompting, actually. He told me he had come up with an idea for the ultimate reality show, the reality show that would put other reality shows to shame, the reality show that would star . . .

O.J. Simpson.

Think about it: We watch O.J. play a round of gold, sign autographs, search for "the real killer," decide what to wear out to the clubs, plot his big comeback, show off his "Capricorn One" memorabilia. Something tells me he'd even let the cameras follow him into the bedroom.

I know I'd watch.

Wendo

Monday, September 23, 2002 - 02:38 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Wow, Wood and BBholden, congrats on being quoted in a major newspaper. If I could get a Sun Times for you with this article I would (I live in Chicago.) Very cool for you guys.

Curiouscat

Monday, September 23, 2002 - 03:14 am EditMoveDeleteIP
This writer did not say which message board these posts were from ... isn't it proper reporting to do so?

Ryn

Monday, September 23, 2002 - 06:16 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Hmmmm - yes it would have been nice to get a quote - but i think we can do without luring folks that might drive us nuts with Q's this late in the game - lol.

And I guess we can assume Page is a member here... somewhere.

Whats the matter Page? Afraid to advertise the TVCH?? lol

Ginger

Monday, September 23, 2002 - 06:45 am EditMoveDeleteIP
HOLY COW you guys! Our own beloved posters are being quoted in newspapers! That is so cool!

I love it that Paige got on Chiara about what a lie her "it was the editing" statement is. I wonder if Chiara will read it.

Bbholden

Monday, September 23, 2002 - 08:27 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Wow, This is awesome!! I am among good company. Thanks!!

Itsallgood

Monday, September 23, 2002 - 10:24 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I bow down to Woodpecker and Bbholden...great job you 2. :-)

Bigbrotherbelle

Monday, September 23, 2002 - 10:37 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Finally! AN article saying it isn't just the editing! Yes, yes, yes! I hate when they use that excuse.

Congrats Wood and Bbholden and thanks, OP.

Seamonkey

Monday, September 23, 2002 - 11:03 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Very cool, Wood and BB...

Scorpiomoon

Monday, September 23, 2002 - 11:26 am EditMoveDeleteIP
When you hear/read that people are reading the board, it is really hard to fathom until you see things like this and then it just seems so surreal.

That is very cool.

Juju2bigdog

Monday, September 23, 2002 - 11:39 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I guess mostly we tend to think we are just talking to each other on this board (or any board), but we are really putting things out there for the world and forever.

Goddessatlaw

Monday, September 23, 2002 - 11:45 am EditMoveDeleteIP
How much fun is this? Congrats, BB and Wood, you MEDIAWHORES, you (LOL).

Bastable

Monday, September 23, 2002 - 01:29 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
It's good to see at least one newspaper calling the HGs on their convenient finger-pointing at CBS!

Woodpecke®

Monday, September 23, 2002 - 05:55 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks everybody. Thank you to MinistryofTruth for making me aware of this article. The only place I go for reality T.V. discussion is T.V Clubhouse. This place has the wittiest people and the best analysis, not to mention the great job done on Live Feeds. See you all tomorrow in chat at 9:00 EDT. Especially Paige Wiser. LOL!