John Howard demands Big Brother axe

[T_i_B]

You know something's up when John Howard calls for something that I agree with! The UK version is simply awful and the Aussie version sounds pretty dreadful too by the look of this.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5139856.stm

Australia's Prime Minister John Howard has called for the country's Big Brother to be axed after allegations of sexual assault on the reality TV show.

Police investigated the programme over the weekend after a female contestant claimed a man held her down while another rubbed his crotch in her face.

No charges were made, but two men have been thrown off the programme.

"Here is a great opportunity for a bit of self-regulation and get this stupid programme off the air," said Mr Howard.

[foreigncorrespondent]

1. Well...

...I have been keeping a close eye on this incident. I have read lots, not from the media either. After all they have the tendency to blow things right out of proportion. And they have.

But regardless of what Channel 10 does with one of its top rating shows I do not agree with Howard. I believe the PM has no business telling us what we should and shouldn't be watching on TV. And if that happens then perhaps Gretel Killeen should begin hosting a new Big Brother show called Big Brothers Howard Government is watching you. And show us weekly snip bits of just how the government intrudes on our lives and gives us a "turkey slap" on a daily basis.

The incident in question was NOT aired on TV. It was streamed through the Web site. And after the incident the streaming was shut down for quite a while.

Big Brother has not broken any broadcasting rules, so why should they be axed?

If the incident in question had been aired, or the incident was more serious (Camilla the girl who was on the receiving end of the turkey slap didn't think it was serious enough to press charges so the government has no right to think it is serious enough to call for an axing, but then this is what happens when you get a bunch of religious "moralists" leading countries) then yes, I would be the first calling for its axing. And further, being a lesbian I find the incident in question disgusting (boys just love playing with their toys) but it should not lead to the axing of a popular program.

And no, I am not such a big fan of the show. I loved BB03 and that was the only BB I have ever truly enjoyed. Most likely because of the fact they all weren't young and idiotic like they have been since, with the occasional older person thrown in for good measure.

[Violet_Crumble]

4. They may have broken broadcasting rules...

The incident in question was NOT aired on TV.

They streamed the incident live on the BB website. I'm not sure if that's breaking broadcasting rules or not, though. I watched the first two episodes of the first series, thought it was mindless crap, and have avoided it like the plague since. What shat me about it is that I loved watching Supernatural and it was sandwiched between BB episodes and BB always ran over time so I had to put up with ten or so minutes of mindless crap to get to the show I wanted to watch. I think Channel 10 could have saved themselves a lot of time and money and just set BB on a P&O cruise using the passengers and crew rather than at Dreamworld...

Regardless, the PM should pull his head in coz he doesn't have a right to say what we should or shouldn't watch. All he's done is ensured that more people will tune into it to see what all the fuss is...

[gemini_liberal]

2. Sorry, don't agree

As much as I loathe the programme, I'll defend its right to be on air. The incident was not Big Brother's fault. It was the fault of two independent entities, who happened to be contestants on the show. Just like it's not the fault of a public place if somebody gets murdered in it, or whatever. BB actually reacted properly to the incident.

Don't trust John Howard AT ALL. This isn't about doing what's right or defending any honour, this is about him being able to say "Haha! I get to decide everything you see and do, and there is nothing you can do about it!" He is a twisted evil man, and he and his henchmen have been eyeing BB for a while now - this is just what they've been waiting for.

This, of course, will lead to the push for new "decency" laws, and stricter discipline for breaking them. Count on it. They've been aching for a catalyst to do it.

[Matilda]

3. Probably just Howard having his two cents' worth, as usual.

He's got to be in whatever's going. Last week he was a soccer fan, this week it's Big Brother.

The real tragedy for me is that anybody watches these shows at all. Not much different to being
a nation of peeping toms.

[Agit8dChop]

5. Blame Mr Murdoch

Big brothers shameful.
the first 2 seasons had there perks..
but after this long its just a waste of TV time.
Its pathetic TV
Its not even reality..

its a controlled enviroment.. what about that makes it reality?

But they dont really CARE what the public think any more.
Good ol rupert...

as long as he's making a fraction of profit from advertisers during this shows time... he'll keep it on air..

having a definiate money maker in advertising such as this, will always be put on TV compared to a TV Show that the public LOVE, but brings in less profit.

Face it, we the people mean nothing any more.