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Charlie Brooker Predicted the Future (Before "Black Mirror")

A group of Big Brother housemates have yet to hear about the spreading viral pandemic...which is the exact premise of Dead Set

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Picture this: There's a viral pandemic quickly sweeping across the globe.

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Netflix Logo - Photo by David Balev - Unsplash

Assuming the way one chooses to spend New Year's Day (not to mention the first day of the new decade) sets the precedent for everything that follows, I've made a grave, grave mistake in 2020.

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TV

“Big Brother” Is Undeniably Racist

While the racism is clear to fans, the producers still try to cover it up in editing.

Monty Brinton/CBS

Three people of color left the Big Brother house on the same night amidst blatant racism and all sorts of other nasty behavior from the other contestants.

CBS' reality mainstay follows a group of houseguests stuck together in a house full of cameras as they compete for a monetary prize. To truly live up to the Orwellian implications of the title Big Brother, the show streams live footage of the cast 24 hours a day on the CBS All Access app. But what was once a summer guilty pleasure feels extra dirty this year, thanks to racially-charged bullying and disgusting comments from half of the show's contestants. But what's just as bad as the racism in the house is the producers' attempts to ignore it.

Racial lines were drawn from day one, when Camp Director Jackson selected Jess, a Latina woman, David, an African American, and Ovi, a Bangladeshi American, for possible banishment. Later, David, Ovi, and Kemi, a black female, were the first evicted and sent to Camp Comeback, a twist that allowed them to remain in the house to await a chance to re-enter the game. Viewers certainly noticed the race-based decisions of those in power. David went so far as to say, "Camp Comeback is looking real colorful," causing the live feeds to quickly switch off him.

Jack and Jackson, two physically fit white dudes, remain the two biggest problems. On the feeds, Aquaman-wannabe, Jack, was caught saying, "F**king Kemi makes me want to stomp a f**king mud hole through her chest." Jackson said he wanted to "cut this tumor out of us because she's a cancer on the house." What did Kemi do to deserve this treatment? She simply existed. But instead of showing footage in the episodes of Jack calling her "dogsh*t," "toxic," and a "f**king maggot," producers aired a clip of the Jacks insincerely comforting Kemi.

The show's production team is breaking a sweat trying to give Jack and Jackson glorified nice-guy edits, repeatedly refusing to acknowledge their racist overtones. The hate seems to be contagious, as many other houseguests are guilty of similar behavior. After David temporarily exited on Day 1, houseguests reamed him for being "a villain," "terrifying," "intimidating," and "disrespectful." David was only in the house for a few hours, yet the hate machine churned against him. And then there's Nick, a children's therapist, who said he wanted to spit in Kemi's face because "she's a piece of sh*t." Think this will make it on air? Don't hold your breath.

So, when exactly did Big Brother turn into a dumpster fire?

This isn't the first time the show has faced accusations of racism. In 2013, four season 15 houseguests were fired for similar racist behavior. When the episodes' edits reflected what was actually happening, live feed fans felt vindicated that the racism and ugliness they witnessed was finally exposed on national television. When Aaryn Gries was evicted, host Julie Chen Moonves grilled the Texan college student, reading back all the disgusting comments she dished out on the feeds. It was a savage serving of justice. But it's not likely that a similar reckoning will happen in BB21. Kemi, David, and Ovi deserve better.

Adding salt to the wound, producers tried to manipulate Kemi to act like a racist stereotype. Kemi told other houseguests, "I think I'm portrayed as a bitch. One-hundred percent. They were like, 'Oh, why don't you, like, wag your finger and be like, 'Uh uh girlfriend.' I'm like, 'I don't even talk like that,' I literally don't talk like that, so, like, what are you trying to do?"

On the feeds, Kemi was sweet, hilarious, and loyal to her friends, yet the show worked overtime to paint her as a villain to excuse the other houseguests' racist behavior and opinions. If disliking someone's cooking and putting her water bottle in the fridge are reasons for this much hate, then this is a cruel world.

The show has a long history of hiding bigoted remarks from the designated Golden Child of the season, but Twitter is tired of the BS, defending Kemi and calling out the show.




Even former houseguests are stepping up. Audrey Middleton (the show's first trans contestant), recently called the show a "completely corrupt operation," tweeting, "They protect the worst individuals on the show and undermine the edits of the minorities because they need people to keep watching. They can't exploit the Jacks because they need to be likable for the long game to retain viewership. They represent those that suit them. If you don't, they will discredit, sabotage, and exploit those who they deem lesser than to limit their voice."

If the show is a microcosm of American society, it's clear we have a long way to go towards equality. While you can't always control what people say or do inside a pressure cooker like the Big Brother house, purposely altering the narrative or changing the context of houseguest's character isn't editing magic, it's unethical deception. As the novel 1984 warns, Big Brother is always watching. But heads up, Big Brother, so are we.

TV

Expect the (Un)Expected: "Big Brother" Is Back in Session

"Big Brother 21" is shaping up to be a rollercoaster ride.

Monty Brinton/CBS

CBS's human zoo is officially open for business! Welcome to Big Brother 21: the human chess experiment where strangers live in a house with zero privacy, a bajillion cameras and microphones, and monster-sized squirrels that break in and stuff them into sacks.

We're only a little over a week into this summer's shenanigans, and it seems the men have already lost their shirts while the rest have lost their sanity. Thanks to the sheisty powers of editing, the 16 houseguests have been reduced to mere caricatures, including Token Old Guy, Nerdy Long Islander, Beefy Attractive Guy #1, and Beefy Attractive Guy #2, in addition to a Broadway dancer, a therapist, and a truck driver. Each guest is equal parts quirky and annoying in his or her own way, but they're all primed for the game and ready to backstab. As last season's winner, Kaycee Clark, would say: Let's go!

While Big Brother's motto is to "Expect the Unexpected," the show has become rather formulaic, despite coming off a series-best season with #BB20. As far as twists are concerned, our neighbors to the north at Big Brother Canada have been running circles around BB:US. But let's just be thankful for the steadfast delivery of super extra attention-whores, hungry for camera time and reality TV glory. Bless.

While we pray for savage backdoors, blindsides, and emotional turmoil, the show has more or less primed us to "expect the expected." But Big Brother fans are nothing if not patient and loyal, and no matter what happens, we're here for all the pots, pans, unitards, broken promises, and shattered hearts—bring on the diary room tears!

Here are a few predictions and first impressions following the show's first batch of episodes:

This cast is going to try to mimic last season's successful Level Six alliance...and they are going to fail miserably.

"Big Brother 21" predictionsCBS

Camp Director Jackson had his crew of jocks in tow (Nick and Aquaman Jack), and they recruited Holly, Bella, and new HOH Christie to their ranks. My money is on them falling apart the second someone outside their alliance wins the crown. I know it's early, but I don't believe for a second that any of these six have the social skills and gameplay of Tyler and Kaycee. In fact, I'd bet a week of slop on it.

The outsiders need to stick together.

CBS

The outliers seem to be Cliff, Nicole, Kemi, Ovi, and Jessica, but if these five want to survive, they're going to have to start their own Quack Pack and fire a direct hit at the main six (we need silly alliance names ASAP please!). Jessica's emotions could land her in hot water, but Nicole is the outsider you should have your sights on. She's a big fan of the game and seems to have a good head on her shoulders, but will she be able to assimilate herself into this crowd of hot LA bartenders? It's a toss up.



David and Ovi aren't going anywhere...yet.

"Big Brother 21" predictionsCBS

David, the photographer from Atlanta, was kidnapped by a furry and banished from the BB house, only to return in a new twist called Camp Comeback. After Ovi's eviction, Host Julie Chen Moonves announced that the first four evicted houseguests will compete for a chance to re-enter the game, but they're going to live inside the house while they wait for that chance. So a pre-jury Battle Back is in our future. Shocker. I'm not a fan of the Battle Back; the "twist" was overkill when Victor won his way back into #BB18 about 72 times. If an evicted houseguest is going to re-enter the game, producers need to get creative and zig when we expect them to zag. To be fair, the show did get creative with last season's Power App, but Kaitlyn wasn't able to finish a six-piece puzzle ofherself. Sometimes, it's hard being a Big Brother fan. Sigh.

Jackson had a serious case of HOH-itis, and he was only the Camp Director.

"Big Brother 21" predictionsCBS

His choices for banishment weren't surprising. It was all very jock-picks-on-perceived-weaklings. If we must have an evicted houseguest back in the fold, David returning with a vendetta against Jackson could be something to root for. In just a single day, Jackson certainly got some (wait for it)...blood on his hands.



With David and Ovi in Camp Comeback and Jack as the new Head of Household, who will be the third houseguest sent packing? Find out next time, kids! (Or, you know. Check Jokers Updates for feed deets.) And let's just pray to OTEV that this season is filled with strategy, shifting allegiances, and cunning gameplay. A killer Big Brother season is exactly what Rockstar's daughter deserves for her birthday.

TV Features

The Cycle is Complete: Anthony Scaramucci to Join 'Big Brother' Cast

If the Trump administration proves anything, it's that politics are pop culture. Politics aren't seeping into your favorite shows, your favorite shows are seeping into politics.

You probably remember Anthony Scaramucci, (A.K.A. the Mooch), the former White House Secretary to Donald Trump who was fired after just ten days in the position.

But soon you'll know him more intimately, as a face and voice that appears in your living room more consistently than your teenage children. It's been announced that the Mooch will be a contestant in the next series of Big Brother: Celebrity Edition.

Given Scaramucci's obvious hunger for attention and shockingly poor decision-making skills, this new gig doesn't really come as much of a surprise. While a bragging, gossip-filled late night phone call to a reporter isn't a great look for a high ranking executive branch official, it's exactly the kind of bravado and lack of self-awareness that makes for an excellent reality TV star. We can only hope he'll get drunk and share some top secret information live on CBS, because—treason or not—that's good television.

Scaramucci is actually the second ex-Trump-staffer to appear on the show, after Omarosa Manigault Newman appeared on the first season. As Rolling Stone eloquently puts it, Scaramucci will be joined by a particularly pathetic group of people: "The Mooch joins a desperate cast of has-beens and wannabes including Lindsay Lohan's 'momager,' Dina Lohan, as well as Blossom actor Joey Lawrence and infamous O.J. Simpson houseguest Kato Kaelin. Comedian Tom Green and Real Housewives' Kandi Burruss will also be on the show." The fact that a former White House Secretary is not resting on his laurels in a tenured professorship at an Ivy league, but instead joining the ranks of C-list celebrities empty enough to subject themselves to 24/7 surveillance in the hopes of winning $250,000, is a nauseating reminder of the decay of the boundaries between celebrity and politician.

Popdust asked several real Big Brother fans their thoughts on Scaramucci joining the show, and while most expressed indifference, Erin Murdoch, a long time fan of Big Brother, responded, "You either want to die all the time or you convince yourself reality TV shows aren't deeply evil, and that's the Sophie's choice of our time. Also, Mooch will so quickly be taken down by a dominant Kandi-Jonathan secret alliance. Jonathan Bennett is my pick to win even though in my heart I want Tom Green."

Scaramucci's appointment to the Big Brother house means more than just a sad little man straining for relevance. It means the cycle is complete: the network television to White House pipeline has reversed direction. Working at the White House has become a way to gain experience in order to move into a more important sector: entertainment. In an America where we embrace unstable reality TV stars as democratic leaders, maybe it really has become a genuinely good career move to sign on for a show in which cameras watch you sleep, betray strangers for approval, and wrestle in foam. If Scaramucci wins the show, we may even elect him President! Or maybe not. After all, why run for office if you already have a million Twitter followers?

Most of all, this news indicates that the only sane response to your Republican uncle saying, "Taylor Swift is a singer, she has no business getting political! There shouldn't be any politics in pop culture!" is to throw your head back and laugh a long, hollow, dead-eyed laugh. If the Trump administration proves anything, it's that politics are pop culture. Politics aren't seeping into your favorite shows, your favorite shows are seeping into politics.

In the 2016 election, Americans confirmed once and for all that we ascribe to no true religion or way of life except that which we mindlessly watch at prime time while shoveling lean cuisine into our mouths. In a society that is about the production of content for the amusement and entertainment of an audience—whether that audience is your 200 Instagram followers or CBS' coveted 18-49 demo—politics are just another facet of popular culture: treated as a thing to consume, retweet, watch on TV, and discuss. The cycle is truly complete: reality TV no longer changes to meet reality; reality changes to meet reality TV.


Brooke Ivey Johnson is a Brooklyn based writer, playwright, and human woman. To read more of her work visit her blog or follow her twitter @BrookeIJohnson.


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Julie’s Facing the Jury

Julie Chen (Moonves) Makes a Simple, But Not-So-Subtle Statement on Big Brother

Moonves. Julie Chen Moonves.

She's best known for heading up lively discussions and lingering debates on television's The Talk, but Julie Chen (or as of last night, Chen Moonves) is not talking much at all about her husband Les Moonves' current sticky situation. As you've surely heard, he recently resigned as CEO of CBS, but Chen has not appeared as head of her talk show since allegations of sexual harassment on the part of her husband made news.


OK, so Chen is taking some time away from The Talk. Understandable, since her family's dirty laundry (or at least allegations of such) is hot in the headlines. The rest of the show's panel is filling in, discussing the debacle, and feeling the pressure of being pulled in too many awkward directions as their co-host, friend, and former boss are at the forefront of their cringeworthy conversation. Will Chen return to The Talk and face both fans and foes? Time will tell, but that hasn't stopped her from keeping her career kicking as longtime host of Big Brother (also on CBS).

And last night, Chen was on television, showing her face for the first time since her husband's resignation. "The show must go on," as they say, and she did her part to keep things running smoothly. But it wasn't the show's content itself that made Big Brother fans inhale a collective gasp as the reality competition came to an end. It was the host's final words to close out the program, signing off as Julie Chen Moonves. "From outside the Big Brother house," she said, "I'm Julie Chen Moonves. Goodnight." According to Us Weekly, "In the show's 20-season history, she has always referred to herself simply as 'Julie Chen.'"

People are freaking out. Some are confused. There is support and there is frustration. Is she in denial? Does she believe he didn't do anything the however-many women claim he did? Perhaps he confessed to her yet she chooses to work things through. Maybe she's just not sure how she feels yet, but she holds her marriage vows sacred. And has anyone stopped to think that there is, in fact, a chance that Moonves is innocent?

We don't know what Chen is thinking, but we can see that she is standing by her husband at this time. And that's OK. She is a woman who has the choice to live her life the way she sees fit. If it comes out that Moonves is charged, we will see how Chen reacts. And if she still chooses to remain Mrs. Moonves, that is her prerogative. If we'd do something different, we can (heaven forbid we find ourselves in a similar situation).

That said, as host of The Talk, it only makes sense for Chen to get back to the table and start doing just that. If she needs this time to be with her family and sort out how and when she'll make a comeback, then fine. But if she dodges this whirlwind and comes back in a few weeks to discuss Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin's upcoming wedding or whatever may be stewing on the Stormy Daniels front, viewers will be the first to call her our for being hypocritical.

Being in Chen's position must be beyond stressful. Accusations like these are not to be taken lightly, and this is her husband we're talking about. And none of this is private. Her whole world is crashing down around her and she is holding on to the person she chose to be her partner for life. The truth will unfold and her marriage will either make it or this will break it. But until Chen talks on The Talk, all we can do is speculate on how she's surviving.

Stay tuned.


Melissa A. Kay is a New York-based writer, editor, and content strategist. Follow her work on Popdust as well as sites including TopDust, Chase Bank, P&G, Understood.org, The Richest, GearBrain, The Journiest, Bella, TrueSelf, Better Homes & Gardens, AMC Daycare, and more.


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