Big Brother!  Fly on the Wall Production Company, CBS

This is an open op-ed from a long time reviewer/op-ed writer about the downward spiral that Big Brother has taken.  For the past years, we have seen lazy production and some questionable decisions by Allison Grodner and Rich Meehan, executive producers of the program.  This year is no different.  I’ve actually spent Season 22 and 25 writing to you for change.  It never comes at the executive level, but it comes from you, CBS network, or Julie Chen Moonves as host.  Julie can only do it on stage for improper conduct.  She can’t control what goes on in production offices where the real ordeal starts. 

When I, a writer, spent both seasons 21 and 22 telling you the problems, it is bad.  It shouldn’t have to come from a fan who does op-ed pieces!  It should have been seen and called out by production.  Thank goodness that CBS took a stand and instituted a zero-tolerance policy during season 25.  I’d hate to see what the witches and non-players would have done in seasons 27.  The real question becomes why have Fly on the Wall, Allison Grodner and Rich Meehan not handled these situations before CBS stepped in and what are they trying to hide! 

Let’s start with the obvious – production bias and maneuvers.  There are many instances of Big Brother production making horrible decisions with their actions.  The excuse, as seen in the statement from the production company over Rachel Reilly’s unfair reindeer game dismissal of “expect the unexpected” may only work with  casual viewers (non-feed followers).  That may have worked once but with the use of social media and “leaks,” this is becoming harder to cover up.

This year, production hit a new low that caused any long-time viewers to tune out and off.  The introduction of the Mastermind was sunk before it began.  You don’t put that type of villain into play then forget about him for weeks.  It was only when jury came into play that Grodner and Meehan rolled him out again.  The reason, I feel, was simply to get rid of a CBS favorite, Rachel Reilly.  They knew she understood the game.  Yet, production used the old “reindeer game” drop wheel to eliminate Rachel.  This is unheard of in the history of Big Brother.  Sure people have left without a vote but never over a game.

Let’s review the situation.  The houseguests get called to the living room and outside.  Ava won the advantage and had to set the wheel in motion.  Rachel knew what was coming.  She’d seen that wheel before during “Reindeer Games” (another stupid Grodner move).   Reilly knew that wheel was hard to move (harder if it was set to be difficult which I expect happened).  She wanted to go first but Ava chose Vinny of all people.  Vinny then chose next and his allies Lauren and Morgan played.  By the time Rachel got a shot, the time to complete the task was so far down in minutes.  .  She was eliminated to jury without a nomination ceremony, Power of Veto play, or house vote. 

This is not how Big Brother is played.  Not only did the show insult Rachel with what appeared to be a production planned elimination, production set things in motion that showed the houseguests as petty and, frankly, stupid.  The cast is primarily younger players (some who didn’t know the game) whose jealousy came out.  They wanted Rachel gone day one because she had won and was an older player who knew the game.  They should have wanted her to stay but no, she’d take the prize.

From the start, Kelley threatened witchcraft, and Ava insulted her and discussed sending her to jury first so she’d be alone on her wedding anniversary.  Good hearted players right!  Petty, childish, jealous, idiotic is more appropriate.  Also consider that Rachel, a former Worst Cook participant, ended up cleaning and cooking for the house. 

With this decision, Fly on the Wall faced backlash.  Did Grodner or Meehan speak.  No!  They left it for an unsigned production assistant to say “expect the unexpected.”  They honestly thought live-feeders/updaters wouldn’t notice the elimination.  Social media riped Grodner to shreds over it.  Now, production again did it off camera with Keanu.  At least he did get an hour to work out a way to stay.  With Vinny, Keanu knew he was gone and finally told Vinnie what he thought of Vinnie’s loyalty.  Once again, Grodner and Meehan thought we wouldn’t notice.  And this is why all live feed followers know you want to kill the live feeds. 

Now, I know I television history.  Believe it or not, it was taught in a college history class with the Groucho Marx show as an example.  I have some television trivia for you.  Did you have that “reindeer game” rigged?  To me, Rachel had a harder struggle turning the wheel than the others.  But I’ll be kind and not point out how it could have been done.  Let’s go to production’s attitude.  Allison, you should have addressed the public.  That would have worked much better than the message from production which talked down to viewers.  Lazy, much!

But let’s move on to other issues, shall we.  I’m going to give a few examples from the past.

The physical conditions.  Hello Grodner and Meehan!  Who thought it was a good idea to put at least half of the house outside for a week under a blistering sun and extreme heat.  This show isn’t done in a cold climate but sunny, hot California.  Plus, there have been bad storms that causes rivers to rise. Isn’t the Big Brother house near a ravine that fills with water?  Jankie’s World was cute but taken to violent extremes when you killed Jankie off.  Of course, you had to rectify that when viewers complained.

At least the 27 cast didn’t have to deal with extreme weather conditions.  Their problem was a “Mastermind” which wasn’t well thought out.  Just put Boston Rob in his Traitor’s costume and let him handle the guests inside the house.  I know Clue is a new game show in development, but that is what should have been played.

Live feeds have always been a sore spot with producers.  In years past, we had to pay for the right to see them only to find you blacked them out with “be right back” when something you (a) didn’t want us to know or (b) wanted only to use when the shows aired for ratings.  I understand that.  You need fresh material. 

I think that the live feed issue goes much further than that.  Live feeders (and those who keep track of the show from them) want to know what goes on in the house.  This year, the long duration of outage and the dull Big Brother Unblocked program  show that you are moving toward what Canada did – eliminating the live feeds entirely.  Did you ever stop to think that will turn fans against you more Grodner?  Live feeders have called out misconduct over the years. Without us, who will tell the truth about the houseguests.  Certainly not you.  And without complaints, CBS can’t act since you don’t relay problems to them. 

Viewers also noticed that production favors certain players (mostly ingenues and hunks).  The “favorites” are allowed to break rules at will and suffer no punishment.  This was most noticeable during Season 21 when Jackson Michie (the ultimate recruit winner) would eat watermelon and other food while a “have not.”  When called out on it by social media, the rumors started that his mother complained and said he had a eating disorder.  Yet, others had to be a “have not.”  Let’s face it!  For anyone who has food allergies, slop (steel grated oatmeal) could cause health issues.

Next issue is the attitude of entitlement, harassment and bullying caused to the non-Caucasian and LGBTQ communities.  Season 15 was the first most noticeable case with Aaryn Gries.  She was an equal opportunity insulter.  Not only did race come into play but the LGBTQ angle  was an issue also.  She showed her disdain through words (Aunt Jemina) and actions but was never ejected from the game.  GinaMarie Zimmerman and Spencer Clawson were just as bad that season.   GinaMarie made comments while Spencer offended with Adolph Hitler comments.  No ejection or comments from Grodner or Meehan.  Julie Chen had to do it!

Then Big Brother 21 happened.  Jack and Jackson formed Gr8teful who took it upon themselves to show the outsiders how they felt.  Jack was aggressive and mouthy.  Jackson used  his power as HoH to target outsiders and make comments.  With the social media outrage, the network or production intervened, and both FINALLY got called out.  While Jackson took it to heart and laid low (with his girl friend), Jack was finally voted off the show. 

Moonves didn’t let them off easy.  Aaryn knows what the fan base thought and she lost her job.  Julie Chen Moonves is the only one who called them out publicly.  Aaryn looked shocked when Julie turned up the heat.  Jack tried to play if off as a joke and the heat of the moment.   Jackson, the eventually winner, seemed to fade into the background as soon as he could after Julie had words with him. 

Season 25 finally saw the ejection of a houseguest for a racial slur.  Luke Valentine, who had ‘sensitivity issues’ was caught on live feeds making a racial slur.  I congratulate CBS for expelling him and starting a zero-tolerance policy.  The question is:  Would production have done it without live feeders talking about it and CBS’s intervention? 

Production (especially Grodner) hates social media for getting the facts out to the public.  She hates the leakers even threatening The Spoiler Girl on X with legal actions.  Is this the way to run a show!  Production should “expect the unexpected” from viewers.

Other issues that need addressing are the showmances which Grodner loves.  Granted some have found their soul mates because of Big Brother (Brendon/Rachel and Jeff/Jordan), but girlfriends and boyfriends are left humiliated.  Production plays it off as a love story.  Fans see it as wasted space. 

One last issue is bullying.  This came to an all new high with the isolation of Taylor Hale.  At least the Cook-Out realized what was happening and protected her.  That doesn’t happen often on a show where the producers bully participants. CBS, I could go on.  I’ve faithfully have watched since season 6 and remember those incidents.  Never were any of recent) as bad as the knife incident of season two. 

Please consider a change to the show.  If you want a reality show that is a sociological study of people living together, let them interact.  Go back to the book, 1984, that the show drew on with voices telling them what to do.  Don’t use fake games (like with Rachel and Keanu) that deprive us of seeing what happened.  Get rid of the “have-nots.”  Make sure that favoritism isn’t in play.  Yes, we know production really wants Vince t win this season.  We’re watching how you manage to pull this off.  Watch you step!  You better “expect the unexpected” from viewers and sponsors.