Happy Ending For Celebrity Big Brother Unpleasantness
You’ll recall that two weeks ago I urged readers to vote in the CELEBRITY BIG BROTHER show, which was having a spot of bother about racist remarks directed toward Shilpa Shetty, a Bollywood actress. Well, you might think that the remarks of a single American blog can’t influence world events, but Jade Goody, (a “celebrity” by dint of her triumphant appearance on another reality show - I think it was BIG BROTHER) was voted off that week, just like I asked.
And my awesome powers of persuasion have soldiered on despite my not following the story since then or even watching the show. Over the weekend the finale was broadcast and the the contestant (”contestant”?) left standing was the lovely Shilpa. Shilpa, who just wanted to look fabulous and cook lavish meals for the rest of the household, was the subject of racist remarks and cat-fighting so severe that Parliament took it up in regular session. The abuse was so awful in fact, that in England now Shilpa Shetty is an actual celebrity.
Even better news, by the way, is that the runner-up was Jermaine Jackson! Formerly of the Jackson Five, Jackson was dwelling in the crawlspace of the Big Brother house when they started renovating. Producers admired his plucky spirit and ability to survive on a diet of common household insects. Ha ha, just kidding Jermaine! I’m glad that you and LaToya are getting work.
This whole ugly sequence of events demonstrates at least that people don’t automatically side against the foreigners, though in this case the foreigner was more attractive. One draws conclusions from reality shows at one’s own peril, but clearly the lesson we learn about this racist episode is that we should be careful, because it could easily happen to us.
No, not racism. But any one of us could be called a celebrity and made to appear in a reality show. Oh hell… I was on a Japanese news show once! I’m less safe than most of you! Time to go underground again.