Big Brother Gaffe

by Libby Pelham | More from this Blogger

19 Feb 2008 08:21 AM

If you are watching the reality show "Big Brother," you probably saw that a contestant on the new Couples season made a comment the other day that has sent many in the community reeling. This season, the big twist to the show is that all the contestants supposedly came in not knowing each other. Based on questionnaires they filled out before the show, they were matched with a person who seemed to be their perfect mate.

Adam, a contestant who claims that he works for an autism foundation, but the show's web page says he is a public relations manager, was talking to his "partner" on the show Sheila. Actually, the two cannot stand each other and frankly, I cannot stand either one of them. Of all the contestants, they are the most offensive and on top of that, Sheila is very whiny. Anyhow, they were having a conversation about Adam's job and he was saying if he won the show, he would use part of the money to open a hair salon for people with developmental disabilities "so retards can get together and get their hair done." As soon as the words came out of his mouth, I was like 'WHAT?" His partner Sheila went on to say, "Don't call them that," but Adam said "Disabled kids. I can call them whatever I want. I work with them all day, OK?" He even went on to explain that they were retarded and tried to imply that "retards" was an acceptable term.

Now, the national autism group Autism United is demanding an apology from CBS. The executive director, John Gilmore, says he has been trying to contact CBS execs since the broadcast of the show last week. So far, there has been no official word from CBS.

In the past, "Big Brother" has denounced other contestants for improper comments on subjects such as race, sexual orientation, and ethnicity. Will they do the right thing this time and condemn Adam's comment? What do you think?

Learn more about Libby Pelham

Libby Pelham is a work-at-home mom located in Jacksonville, NC. She has a beautiful little boy, Will, born in July of 2004.

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Lisa P (24013) 20 Feb 2008 02:27 PM

I think maybe they should have edited that out... What a loser.

Libby Pelham (12965) 20 Feb 2008 03:57 PM

Yeah, it is almost like CBS is trying to start something by letting that air. You know they could have edited it out if they had wanted to.

Michele Cheplic (37445) 14 Mar 2008 05:08 AM

I used to watch this show before I got married b/c one of the photogs I used to work with was obsessed with it and we'd talk about it while out on stories. Back then I used to ask myself: "Where do they find these people?" and I can see that nothing has changed.