Commentary by Eleanor Meilinger
September 21, 2005
I watched yesterday's HouseCalls live broadcast to see what Maggie and Ivette had to say about the culmination of 80 days in the Big Brother House. Earlier, I sat through their disappointing and unenlightening interviews on "The Early Show" and "Regis and Kelly".
The first thing I noticed was that Ivette apparently found out a few things from "Tushy" and has disassociated herself from the friendship as I predicted. She is on the defensive and keeps proclaiming that no one knows what it's like to be inside the house under those conditions. My reply to her argument is multi-fold:
1. Five previous groups of houseguests are fully aware of exactly how it feels and they never sunk to such levels as this group did.
2. You all knew what you were in for and you signed away your rights to privacy of any sort for an opportunity to win $500,000.
3. Not all of the players resorted to vulgar attacks on people outside of the house who were not playing the game, though most allowed themselves to sink pretty low when interacting with their fellow housemates. That part is forgivable and even an expected element of reality show gameplay.
4. This was not "Survivor". You all had many of the comforts of home. You did not go hungry or without water, struggle with extreme weather conditions or other outside elements. The worst you suffered through was lack of privacy and PB and J for a few weeks. Yet, no "survivor" has ever behaved so deplorably.
5. It was your words that condemned you outside the house.As cast members you all had an open forum to display your true characters and no editing or manipulation made you say the words that sealed your fate once you return to the "real" world..
6. I have no criticism of the way you played the game or any behavior you employed in order to win. My only gripe is with the way members of your alliance trashed entire groups of people who had nothing whatsoever to do with the game. Medicaid recipients? Unemployed people? The viewers who support Big Brother and provided a forum for you guys to voice your opinions and have them validated? The millions of people in the hospitality industry (of which you are a part)?
Many of us who started out supporting Ivette and her fellow alliance members respected the way they approached the game. Gradually, we grew to deplore the way they lashed out when disappointed or jealous. That was not a result of being cooped up for 80 days. People survive much harsher terms and conditions and still manage not to display prejudice and ignorance. To blame the game is irrational.
Still, nothing that Ivette did has caused her to be as disliked as Maggie.
All of the players had moments they will regret, but sadly, Maggie still believes she won the game. She showed no remorse on any of these early interviews and when given the opportunity to admit (as Marcellus so aptly suggests) "Mea Culpa" she smiles her bland smile and stares blankly, shrugging off any suggestion of anything but "playing with integrity" being responsible for her taking home the grand prize. She seems to think that by purchasing gifts for her teammates who shouldered her way to the top, she will atone for any sin she may have committed in the house. I wonder if a weekend of revelations will open her eyes? Frankly I doubt it, but we will have the opportunity to find out on Monday.
I encourage everyone to tune in to HouseCalls on CBS.com Monday at 1pm ET (Start calling in at least an hour before (323-227-1000) At that time the houseguests will reunite for a "Town Hall" to answer further questions after having viewed all the tapes, read the live-feed transcripts and witnessing first-hand all of the transgressions carried out by themselves and their fellow housemates (They may even read a few articles posted on the net )
You can bet a few of them will be trying to get out of making that appearance.
This edition of HouseCalls has the potential.....
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