Big Brother Gang Won't Budge -- Even for $50,000
Sept. 7, 2000 -- CBS’s attempt to buy out one of Big Brother’s less-than-thrilling contestants failed. The housebound bunch each turned up their noses at a $50,000 bribe to leave the ratings-challenged reality show early.
The plan to lure a contestant off the show with a tempting cash settlement was leaked to the media-deprived group Tuesday when a woman with a bullhorn trumpeted the network’s scheme to the Big Brother strandees on their soundstage.
Producers were ready with a new contestant, a lively, attractive 22-year-old blond woman named Beth, whose appeal was made clear by clips of her in a bikini — just like the women of Survivor! — and her proclamation that sometimes people think she’s “a bitch.” Gosh, shades of Survivor again — did someone say “Sue?”
Betting on the MillionWith advance notice of the producer’s game plan, the remaining six contestants dug in their heels and refused to budge, despite the large amount of cash offered. First host Julie Chen proffered a suitcase with $20,000 in cash. “That’s a night at the bar for me,” Eddie sneered. When that failed, she offered one with $30,000, and then both suitcases for a total of $50,000. There were still no takers, even though Eddie, Curtis, and Cassandra are all marked for banishment and might be the next to go.
The Big Brother players are all taking their chances on getting to the final three; of those currently remaining, three will go home empty-handed and the first-, second- and third-place winners will receive $500,000, $100,000, and $50,000, respectively.
Chen told the stubborn housemates, “Congratulations on your resolve,” but she sounded disappointed. Also expressing surprise was would-be contestant Beth, who said, “I think they’re all insane not to take that money.”
Big Brother still has 24 days to go until its not-so-anticipated finale.
Snickering OverheadOne viewer is so fed up with the low-rated show that he’s trying to stage a mercy killing. Jeff Oswald, who says the show makes him sick to his stomach, has hired a pilot to fly banners over the show’s Studio City, Calif., location for the past two weeks to get the contestants to walk out.
The banners include exhortations such as “Big Brother is worse than u think. Get out now!” and “There is dignity in walking out,” according to the Los Angeles Daily News.
“Our main goal [is] to make sure CBS never lets this happen again,” Oswald told the paper. CBS has asked the Red Baron company to cease the flyovers and reportedly told the company that it might sue. According to the New York Post, CBS has denied that it will take legal action against the company.