Opinion Piece: How Big Brother 14 Producers Do NOT Manipulate The Game
August 10, 2012 |Please Note: This is a 100% opinion piece. Take what you want from it, agree or disagree. I’m sure there will be some loyalists who will discredit anything said below – but it’s OPINION based. Post a comment if you agree or disagree.
There have been MANY a conspiracy theory amongst internet fan boys and girls over the diary room leak this week. That leak saw a producer talk to Dan Gheesling in the Diary Room while it was broadcast over the loud speaker into the house.
This took live feedsters and die hard fans into a tail spin and alleging (again) that producers were manipulating houseguests to help further their OWN game and trying to fix the outcome of the show we’ve all come to love and adore.
I’ll be the first to admit it that the game has really lost it’s sparkle over the past few years. Producers insist on bringing back former houseguests (they were once newbies too, you guys) and adhere to a RIGID Big Brother format that the die hard fans are getting sick of. But believe it or not the amount of DIE HARD Big Brother fans VS. casual viewers is a pretty wide margin. Although I’m sure they do love the die hards, they’re not producing the show for you.
Now onto the real reason for this article: producer manipulation.
It’s been SEVERAL years that those crazy fans have gone ON and ON about how producers manipulate the game to benefit the production of the show. I for one believe this is bullshiat. I’m no lawyer and have done little research on the topic but from what I understand Big Brother most likely has to adhere to the same or similar rules that game shows do. Therefore if they were caught cheating or fixing the show in anyway there would be MANY lawsuits and hefty fines from the FCC. And let’s be honest. The show has around 5 million viewers per episode. Do you really think they would think it would be necessary (or worth risking fines) so that Janelle could win? Please. It’s ludicrous.
I will say that producers DO manipulate (for lack of a better term) Diary Room entries and show edits. But that’s 100% to be expected. They coax houseguests into getting what they need to complete a story – personally I’ve had first hand knowledge on how this is done on EVERY reality show. I’m sure what Big Brother does is tame compared to other reality shows.
At the end of the day it’s a TV SHOW. There has to be some sort of thread of something going through a show to make it fun and interesting. 95% of the viewers of the BROADCAST show do NOT watch the live feeds. Therefore, to be able to explain the back-end of every story ever shown on the show would take much longer then 3×40 minute shows per week. Feedsters watch 24/7 and pick up on everything and then bash the show when not every single minute of footage is aired. Big Brother is unique because of the internet feeds, and if every show had nit picky fans watching 24/7 they would find flaws in EVERY reality show.
Yes, it’d probably be nice if they didn’t manipulate the edit a bit – but that IS reality tv. At the end of the article is a clip from Charlie Brooker‘s Screenwipe where he talks about Reality TV editing – it’s a brilliant representation of what Reality TV editing is like. Big Brother is just one of thousands of show across the world that subscribe to this. Don’t like it? Don’t watch Reality TV. Done.
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25 Responses to “Opinion Piece: How Big Brother 14 Producers Do NOT Manipulate The Game”
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I completely disagree with your article. While I understand your point of having to cram a weeks worth of content into 3×40 minute shows, It is blatently obvious that the editing is directly contrary to what is actually happening. Lets take for instance last nights show. CBS portrayed Ashley and Ian into “having a showmance” of sorts, even highlighted them with their families. This could not be further from the truth. Ashley cannot stand Ian. The wonderful “kiss” that was used in the show from the “spin the bottle” game, Ashley said of it that “she wanted to throw up”. And in truth, just 3 minutes before that kiss, she had a full on deep throat kiss with Mike “Boogie” Malin.
Another instance to note, is Danielle. This chick is far beyond DELUSIONAL, and CBS is going out of their way to make her look like the sweet southern belle from Alabama. This girl is hardcore crushing on a man who really isnt into her at all. Yet, CBS will play up that “showmance” as well. Never do they portray what the true motivations of nominations or evictions are, they pick and choose snippets from the week that tell the story THEY want the Television Fans to see.
Lets talk about manipulation. It is obvious that CBS has a big invested interest in Frank. Why else would they pull the coaches in BEFORE the eviction of Frank. Oh, and this AMERICA’s CHOICE thing…. On the feeds today it was mentioned by Britney that they knew ahead of time they were going into the game. Janelle apparently negotiated that if she made it to jury she could have Violet there. If this was in negotiations, then it was NOT America’s Choice and it was “scripted” all along.
Say what you will about the production staff, but there have been two very crucial diary room leaks this season. Granted the HG are too stupid to catch on, but if they had, it would have changed the outcome of the game, on BOTH occasions.
I think your defending CBS and the BB Producers are admirable, yet completely misguided.
Respectfully,
Michele
Furthermore, in a development that raised eyebrows among some viewers, the FCC apparently responded to some complaints in the summer of 2007 claiming that producers were overlooking “cheating” on Big Brother 8 by stating that it appeared not to be a “game show” but a “for entertainment only” show, in which outcomes are at least partially predetermined. There are reports that the FCC has said something similar about American Idol.
OK if you really don’t think they manipulate the game I will guarantee that BOOGIE and FRANK will go to Final2 I said that when they showcased Franks family the week they brought the coaches in and this is not a game show and they do not have to adhere to game show rules they have a lot of flexibility to have the outcome they want So you seen it here first I suppose BOOGIE and FRANK will be saved every week they will stoop to no level to Keep BOOGIE and FRANK they will pull out the DPV (diamond power of veto if Frank and Boogie are on the block and frank or boogie will have it to remove themselves from the block
big brother does fall under the game show definition because there is a money prize at the end and prizes won along the way the FCC is like the IRS they will cripple you if you cheat
Furthermore, in a development that raised eyebrows among some viewers, the FCC apparently responded to some complaints in the summer of 2007 claiming that producers were overlooking “cheating” on Big Brother 8 by stating that it appeared not to be a “game show” but a “for entertainment only” show, in which outcomes are at least partially predetermined. There are reports that the FCC has said something similar about American Idol.
THE FCC DOES NOT CONSIDER BB A GAME SHOW SO NO INVESTIGATION WOULD BE DONE ON CHEATING CLAIMS.
I disagree….
This season was PERFECT for proving that the production crew DOES influence how the house is ran…
FOR INSTANCE…
When Danielle was on the block against JoJo…. Jo Jo went home. Keep in mind, this was BEFORE the coaches were allowed to play the game.
Had Danielle went home, Dan would have left as well, and they would essentially lose TWO players that week… Just saying.
BB, dont make it so obvious. This season is one of the worst that Ive seen yet……
Totally agree with everything that you say it is rigged and they only want who they want to win that is how Rachel won last year is because of CBS
I Totally agree with everything that you say it is rigged and they only want who they want to win that is how Rachel won last year is because of CBS
I Totally agree with everything that you say it is rigged and they only want who they want to win that is how Rachel won last year is because of CBS.
I have to agree with IamMichael and Shari Tackett. If they want us to believe the DR leak was an accident then someone should be held responsible and their ass booted out. I don’t understand how a production company does not see the ratings are going down and listen to their fans when a lot of us said NO MORE VETS. It’s a shame because before last year I was a huge fan, this year when I saw the vets/coaches come in my tv got turned to a different channel and Wednesday night was the first night I watched it since. When I read the updates and found out about the DR leak my first thought was BS. BB is becoming a joke and I would be ashamed of having my name attached to any of it. In my opinion it focuses on making people look like idiots and for whatever reason their head swells so bad that they think they are movie stars after. Shame on CBS for allowing what once was a great show turn into a circus.
I agree. I stopped watching BB too. Its a joke. No more Vets.
I’ll disagree. Doesnt make me a loyalist. They manipulate the game, Ive seen enough of the last 4-5 seasons to gather an stance on it. Why wouldnt they? It’s a tv show. I expect them to. It’s just something you have to know when watching. Yes, things are planted, certain comps are manipulated. Houseguest have said MULTIPLE times. I can recall Kevin from season 11 hinting strongly at such during a post-show radio interview. To me, it’s kinda obvious some aspects are manipulated. But I still watch, Im not complaining.
I think this is one of these situations that your damned if ya dont and damned if ya dont….im thinking the reason BB changes its show so much is that it is trying to please all the fans but you cant make everybody happy all the time..there will always be someone not happy with whats going on ex: if Danielle had of been sent home that night then Dan would of been gone to then the fallowing week they bring the coaches back they ya would have people complaining that wasn’t fair to Dan so like i said a damned situation…now i have the feeds and im yet to see Ashley say the cant stand Ian…(but then again i can hardly understand anything she says)anyway i love BB always have always will just my opinion …keep on Rockin BB!!!!
OH stop the belly aching. Every time someone gets voted off, someone starts yelling manipulation and accuses the producers of everything. Take me for instance, I absolutely love Janelle and hate Boogie and Britney and I would have loved to have it all be wiped away and Janelle stay in the house but so far it’s not happened. This year the most disgusting person in Danielle, other than Boogie that is, and she’s had her big mouth and huge butt piled up in that bed for a week and I would love for her to drop off the face of the earth but I doubt that happens for a while either. I thought about not watching any more but what else do I have to do this summer with the stupid Olympics on all the time. I still say BB should let us do all the voting and deciding if we want to use the veto but I been suggesting that for years and it hasn’t happened yet. Who knows maybe Glasshouse will turn out to be a better show if they keep putting the likes of Boogie and Danielle in the BB House.
I’ve been watching the glasshouse and so far I don’t like it, it’s more based on personal things, and the comps they have aren’t that good. I prefer the way bb have there guesthouse actually fight to stay in.
It’d really be nice if they went back to voting systems. The reality-watching public has changed since 2000. They should give us a bit more credit at this point. But that would probably have to involve major changes to the game, which I doubt they’re willing to do.
I think the producers of Big Brother manipulate the game. Their job is to create big tv ratings. That is why the contestants have to sign contracts preventing them from talking about the show. It is also why you hear “You are not allowed to talk about your diary sessions”. I have lost interest in Big Brother and I am no longer watching this show.
To keep Ashley here in pain just isn’t the smart thing to do. Maybe they are hoping she’ll quit before they need to get her out. As for Danielle she has to be one of the worse players in the history. She’s so head over heals over Shane that it borders on Stalking/Sexual Harassment. During her wrestling match with Shane her friggen vaJJ was hanging out
Shane has to have some issues in this too, he is leading her on expect for saying here I have no interest in you in that kind of way. He is using her to get through the game, making them two strong competetiors
I’ve watched random episodes with friends the last couple of years. I watched most of last season. This year, I’m obsessed. I have live feeds, Dick @ Nite, Joker’s Updates, BB Access, Hamsterwatch, and a few others that I follow on Twitter.
This is my first true season. It’s unbelievable how much production is manipulating the game. Or accidents, whatever they want to call it. At Season 14, there should not be accidents with DR leaks. The tech is better. There should be no excuse.
Certainly, we all have heard that Ian purchased Gheeslings book and they corresponded prior to the show. That could not just be a coincidence and I, for one, believe the outcome was forced and guarantee Gheesling will win 1st or 2nd place. I think maybe the rest of his flock were “guided” to protect and secure his position, however delicate, I think the messages were put forth by production. Perhaps by an executive living vicariously through Dan. I see Gheesling as quite disgraceful, even when held up against previous controversial players. He never worried about eviction, did not think up the funeral idea, and was overheard telling DR they’re messing up his game one day with a chuckle.The thrill is gone.
I have suspected that they would want to keep at least one coach/team member through to the end.
How could they predict that Janelle’s team would implode on itself, and Ian would be successful in getting Mike out.
Again just my “opinion” but Dan’s funeral was not a great game move. It did not improve his chance to get off the block. Only thing that got him off was Jenn. NOTHING ELSE!
Jenn is only there for the exposure to advance her music career.
The same can be said for Will and Joe. Perfect pawns to get a coach and player to the end.
From what I have heard, the major of this years “cast” were recruited.
This is not a game show, it is a reality show. The HG are a “cast” not contestants.
The majority of the cast are recruited by agents searching for certain types of people. So it can no way qualify as a game show, allowing “production” to do as they please.
All terms associated with BB support the fact that it is not a game show.
This doesn’t fall under the same category as Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy or the like. To say so would be to bring real games shows down to BB’s level.
I wonder if they are trying to cover giving Dan information by their constantly asking him to change his battery.