R2OK!

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Media regulator Ofcom has received 200 complaints about alleged racism in Celebrity Big Brother after viewers complained that Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty was being targeted by other housemates.

Viewers have contacted the regulator over what they saw as alleged racism by housemates Jade Goody, Danielle Lloyd and Jo O'Meara towards Shilpa. Jade Goody's mother, Jackiey Budden, also repeatedly referred to Shilpa as "the Indian" while she was on the show and refused to pronounce her name.

Over the weekend, former beauty queen Danielle and ex-S Club 7 star Jo poked fun at Shilpa's accent.

The incidents have provoked Big Brother fans to debate the racism question on websites.

An Ofcom spokeswoman said: "We have had approximately 200 complaints of racism. Quite a lot of websites have been discussing the issue and urging people to get in contact with us. We will look into each individual complaint."

Jade, Danielle and Jo have ganged up on Shilpa in recent days. When Shilpa tried to console Danielle after Carole Malone's eviction on Friday night, the girls were unimpressed.

"She makes me feel sick. She makes my skin crawl," said Jade. Danielle added: "She's a dog."

Last night, Shilpa ended up in floods of tears after making a roast chicken for the group which Jo to refuse to eat it.

"I don't trust that chicken. I want to eat it but I'm scared," Jo complained, claiming it was undercooked and too spicy.

Commenting on the alleged bullying, ex-Steps star Ian said: "It's turning into that film - Lord Of The Flies."

"Were they bullying Shilpa last night?" asked Jermaine Jackson today. "Yeah," Ian replied. "I'm not playing those games. I'm not going to be part of it."

Shilpa emerged from the bedroom today hiding her eyes behind dark glasses. She put on a brave face, insisting: "This will make me into a stronger person."

Jermaine told Shilpa: "Jade can't read you because she's not on your level. It's like going to a meeting and it all going over your head. You have to stay true to the person in your heart."

And in the words of the song by his brother Michael, he told her: "Look at the song Man in the Mirror. They need to look in the mirror before they can make that change."

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It questions should Big Brother staff let this carry on when they can see it happening?

MIKERAPHONE · Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 12:36 pm Post subject:

Hi Mark..nothing on Earth would ever make me watch this programme.
However racism is not acceptable in any format.
I only hope this gets the programme closed early and dropped forever.
Racism classed as entertainment is a path we should NEVER ever go down

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Racism is a big word. I just wonder if people when complaining to ofcom are using this out of context?

Toggy tea slurper · Guest

I have only seen the clips on the news and from what I have seen they are certainly ganging up on the young lady. I'm not sure though wether their comments are born of racisim or ignorance. Wherever they come from they are not acceptable and something should be done about it.

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

This has come up on the CBB thread in the Coffee Bar as well.

We don't get to see and hear everything (even those who get live streaming) and I only watch the evening highlights, from which it looks like the playground bullying and bitching we have come to expect, having seen it displayed on previous series. Alas, it is human nature and does reflect what goes on in real life. The fact that it is directed at someone who is not white has hopefully heightened public awareness and revulsion of it, (and may come to rebound on the antagonists when they leave the House), but I would hesitate to say, without access to the full coverage and transcription, that it is racist.
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Ron

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

I think shilpa has been bought up in a different world and it's not racism it's more school playground bullying. It's about a different type of class IE Common etc.

Big Brother plays mind games with the contestants as they are confined in one space from the outside world. They can turn people two faced. Maybe the others are trying to suck up to Jade or each other as they seem more secure?

Remember Jermaine isn't getting racist remarks as he's black. People are getting on the bandwagon too much with this culture thing.

Cherskiy · Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 12:24 pm Post subject:

iwarburton · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 2133 Location: Northumberland

I don't watch the prograamme so can't comment on specifics but do you think it's possible that Channel 4 and the participants have set the whole thing up to attract publicity and boost ratings?

Ian.

Behind Geddon's Wall · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 9:03 am Post subject:

At the risk of being told off by John, I offer the following comment

Shilpa has a culture, Jade needs to be incubated in Agar for about 5 years to develop one.
_________________
Geddon

You simply mustn't blame yourself -- the days were perfect
And so were exactly what I was born to spoil
For I am the Rider to the World's End
Bound across the cinder causeway
From the furnace to the quarry
Through the fields of oil

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Ofcom have 27,000 complaints now and are looking into it. It looks like Jades career is over? Gordon Brown is in india and it is very embarrassing for the UK. I think we may see the last of celebrity big brother?

Clive55 · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1336

Big Brother is an abomination & it has been since its very inception.
The Big Brother bosses saw ratings of this series plummeting, so they decided to create controversy.
They instigated the bullying of this actress. Now Britains image abroad is being blackened, especially in India, & trade may suffer
The bosses of Big Brother should be made to foot the bill for any loss of trade to Britain
I hope this fiasco will mean this will be the last ever big brother
Lock those behind Big Brother in a house & throw away the key Mad

SantaFefan · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 12:12 pm Post subject:

I think it'll be the opposite, more idiots will tune in and Goody will appear on the likes of Jonathon Ross and Brand for an extortionate fee. I mean, what the heck was she about in the first place??

They won't care about the UK's image abroad....

Cherskiy · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 12:14 pm Post subject:

Behind Geddon's Wall · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 1:21 pm Post subject:

Cherskiy IMO you should add the prefix 'in-' to famous
_________________
Geddon

You simply mustn't blame yourself -- the days were perfect
And so were exactly what I was born to spoil
For I am the Rider to the World's End
Bound across the cinder causeway
From the furnace to the quarry
Through the fields of oil

Clive55 · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1336

gfloyd · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:43 pm Post subject:

Carphone axes Big Brother deal

MediaGuardian.co.uk

Carphone Warehouse has pulled its sponsorship of Celebrity Big Brother in the wake of the racism row that has engulfed the Channel 4 reality show.
The company's chief executive, Charles Dunstone, said the behaviour of some of the housemates was "entirely at odds" with its brand values, and said it had decided to act after watching last night's programme.

The sponsor took the decision to withdraw its name from the programme after complaints to Ofcom and Channel 4 about the show topped 30,000 and contestant Shilpa Shetty for the first time accused her fellow housemates of racism.

Dunstone said: "Our concern has rapidly mounted about the broadcast behaviour of individuals within the Big Brother house.

"We are totally against all forms of racism and bullying and indeed this behaviour is entirely at odds with the brand values of the Carphone Warehouse. As a result we feel that as long as this continues we are unable to associate our brand with the programme.

"We had already made it clear to Channel 4 that were this to continue, we would have to consider our position. Nothing we saw last night gave us any comfort.

"Accordingly we have instructed Channel 4 to remove our sponsorship name and branding with immediate effect."
_________________
His name was ernie ........ and he drove the fastest milk cart in the west.....

Clive55 · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1336

Excellent! Weldone Carphone warehouse!
Big Brother's Shock/sensationalism tactics are backfiring big-time
I doubt there will be many big name sponsors who will want to have their names muddied by an association with the show
I wouldn't be surprised if advertisers begin to pull their ads from the breaks in the show. Who would want to be tainted by such an association?

Cherskiy · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 4:02 pm Post subject:

Well, it's all the producers' fault for pandering to the same sort of audience that watches the 'Nuts and Sluts' hour on ITV of a morning.... what do they expect? Rolling Eyes

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Natasha · Little Miss Lovely Smile Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Posts: 790

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

The Perfume Shop chain has also decided to withdraw sales of Jade's perfume from its shelves following the controversy.

However, a spokeswoman for Goody has denied she is a racist.

"It is clear to all that Jade and Shilpa are rubbing each other up the wrong way, but what is going on is nothing more than a clash of personalities between two strong characters," she said.

"Jade will be mortified when she comes out to learn that her conduct is being interpreted as racist. Anyone who knows Jade knows that she is not a racist."

gfloyd · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 9:56 pm Post subject:

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Looks like if jade is evicted out the house she will have police protection taken to a secret location for a week until it has all calmed down and channel 4 are paying for this.

Big brother made her now looks like they have broke her.

Clive55 · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1336

I was amazed to learn there was a perfume named after Jade. Was hers ever an image anyone wished to aspire to?
Whether the bullying of the Indian lady was racist or not is immaterial.
It was very nasty bullying. Channel 4's behaviour in this thing has been abhorant. And stupid. They will loose advertisers, & sponsors.
It also looks likely that proposals for C4 to receive public subsidy may be ditched because of all this.
Jade isn't the only clown in this affair. The real idiots are Channel 4 bosses.
They engineered the whole thing to get ratings up. Now it has backfired

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

My wife and I have been talking and she said "it's a game and this is how big brother works, but people take it out of context. I sure they hate each other, but it dosn't mean there is any racist motive.

Cherskiy · Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 12:37 pm Post subject:

Natasha · Little Miss Lovely Smile Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Posts: 790

Jade is a gobby cow. It's what she's famous for and why C4 brought her back - it wouldn't have had the same impact if Jon 'Time-delay toaster' Tickle had been dragged in. She has an axe to grind for whatever reason - but I don't think it's racist. I suggest it's insecurity and sheer jealousy. Who knows the way her mind works?

I didn't realise - until today - that Danielle was replaced as Miss Great Britain by Preeti Desai, a British girl of Indian ancestry. I think this explains a lot in her case - sour grapes, me thinks.
Moral being, if you hadn't lain on your back with a faded footballer, sweet-cheeks, you'd still be wearing a sparkly crown and opening super-markets, with a shining QVC/late night quiz show career in front you - instead of being shown for what you really are on trash TV - a bitch of very little brain.

As for chain-smoking Jo - she's typical of the 'mate' who flows with the sewer - little to say independently but quite happy to back up her 'mates' as a way of showing 'gang loyalty'. Pathetic.

So racism? No I don't think so. I think it's just good old-fashioned bullying. I've seen it and heard it all before. As I mentioned in an earlier post - no doubt a few of the forum members suffered similar treatment when younger - I was bullied for years at school and bullies follow the same format - the leader starts the verbal and the others follow suit - in my case coupled with the insults, a bit of amateur hair styling and assault was thrown in for good measure.

Let's just hope that once the 'celebs' have left the house to carry on with their pampered life style or once again disappear into obscurity, that this is the end of not only the media frenzy but Celebrity Big Brother.
_________________
Eternal nothingness is fine if you happen to be dressed for it.

Behind Geddon's Wall · Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 2:16 pm Post subject:

...and the fellas are remaining quiet (nice one chaps!)
_________________
Geddon

You simply mustn't blame yourself -- the days were perfect
And so were exactly what I was born to spoil
For I am the Rider to the World's End
Bound across the cinder causeway
From the furnace to the quarry
Through the fields of oil

Clive55 · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1336

Clive55 · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1336

Ooops- i did add on comments, but they got lost! Embarassed

They were- Nice one, Natasha!
I think common garden variety bullying is just as bad as racist bullying

gfloyd · Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 4:51 pm Post subject:

The baying mob have been given the night off tonight. This must be the first time ever a mob were cancelled from appearing at a lynching.
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His name was ernie ........ and he drove the fastest milk cart in the west.....

Cherskiy · Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 4:54 pm Post subject:

gfloyd · Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 4:57 pm Post subject:

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Jade was evicted and appologised for being nasty, but insists she isn't a racist. Early in the day a plane flew past with the words bullying coming out the back whilst some of the housemates where in the hot tub including Jade. She will need more than a hot tub as it looks like she's in hot water as her career could nose dive.

Cherskiy · Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 10:48 am Post subject:

nod · Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 3558

Remind me, why is (was) Jade a celebrity ?

gfloyd · Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:52 am Post subject:

We should all protest against Big Brother by switching off Dermot O'Leary at 4.30pm this afternoon.
_________________
His name was ernie ........ and he drove the fastest milk cart in the west.....

John W · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 3367 Location: Warwickshire, UK

gfloyd · Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 12:04 pm Post subject:

nod · Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 3558

gfloyd · Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 12:19 pm Post subject: