Big Brother 20 controversy: Times it went too far with offensive statements but never seemed to learn
'Big Brother' season 20 has received a lot of social media flak, based on "inappropriate behavior and offensive comments" that had outraged viewers severely. Following that, CBS has now issued a comment on the issue, condemning the behavior of the contestants.
Referring to the "prejudiced" statements - such as the ones made by contestants, Rachel Swindler and Angela Rummans, which have been deemed as racist, CBS shared, "Big Brother is a reality show about watching a group of people who have no privacy 24/7—and capturing every unfiltered moment and conversation in their lives. At times, the houseguests reveal prejudices and exhibit behavior that we do not condone."
They also added, "The producers have addressed two such incidents that were seen recently on the 24/7 online feed. In both cases, those involved have been warned about their inappropriate behavior and offensive comments, as well as future consequences. These events will not be part of any future 'Big Brother' broadcast on CBS."
The said racist comments were broadcasted on Monday night, on the show's 24/7 live feed, and showed Rummans and Swindler use the term "ghetto" while they were referring to their skin colour. Swindler went on to the extent of comparing her tan to their African-American roommate, Bayleigh Dayton. "My stomach is as dark as Bay," she said. "I can't be in the sun for two days straight. … I will change ethnicities. I already have."
To that comment, Rummans responded with, "I'm looking ghetto here with the skin coloration."
The offensive remarks weren't lost on viewers as they quickly took to social media to share the tone of their proclamations and demanded the show's producers step in to take necessary action.
Unfortunately for the show, this is not the first outrage from fans and followers that has happened over the course of this season itself. Previously, the show's Season 20 contestant JC Mounduix was accused of sexual harassment by viewers, for inappropriately touching another fellow contestant's genitals with an ice cream scooper. The clip of that was posted on Big Brother's live feed - following which fans called for Mounduix's removal from the show.
Similar to that, Jessica Graf - from Big Brother 19 - drew major social media outrage as she used to repeatedly stick her fingers into other houseguests’ butts and vaginas without permission. What's worse? She used to laugh it all off as a joke.
Also, back in 2013, the series was riddled with another controversy due to some of its season 15 contestants exhibiting racism while on the show. Contestants GinaMarie Zimmerman, Aaryn Gries, Spencer Clawson and winner of the season, Andy Herren, suffered the consequences of their behavior by losing jobs and suffering public admonishments from current and previous employers.
One of the remarks made by Zimmerman included her snide comments at their African-American fellow contestant Candice Stewart, claiming she is "is on the dark side, but she's already dark." Gries added, "Be careful what you say in the dark because you might not be able to see the b----."
Other than that, the then 22-year-old Gries had also pretended to be an Asian nail salon worker, and told a friend that their Korean-American housemate Helen Kim should "shut up, go make some rice." He then shot at their co-contestant Andy Herren, saying that if Herren got MVP, no one would vote for whoever "that queer" nominates.
Even Zimmerman had lots of offensive things to say to Kim, such as: "I’m gonna punch her in the face. I’m like, 'Oh, maybe it’ll make her eyes straight.'" Zimmerman had also referred to welfare as “n----r insurance.”
When it comes to Spencer Clawson, he was heard praising Hitler and making gay slurs on the show's live feed. "The values represented by Spencer Clawson's comments during the 'Big Brother' show do not at all align with Union Pacific's values," the company had shared on it website. "Mr. Clawson is on unpaid leave of absence while participating on 'Big Brother.' Union Pacific does not condone his comments. Union Pacific is acting in accordance with Collective Bargaining Agreement terms regarding Mr. Clawson."
Also, Bronte D’Acquisto — a houseguest on “Big Brother 18” — has some snide remarks to share about wanted to “kick (contestant James Huling’s) little Asian ass back to Hong Kong or wherever he came from.”
But of course, the mention of offensive statements on Big Brother's history is incomplete without Jason Dent; the 2017 contestant was a fan favorite until a live footage of him threatening to “f—k” Kevin Schlehuber’s wife and tie up his daughters and make them watch, in case Schlehuber cheated him in the game.