I can't see why this has to be tagged as an 'international' event or a diplomatic fallout. Celebrity Big Brother, is after all a manufactured 'reality' and contestants know in advance the rules of engagement.
Shilpa Shetty was a victim, and is indeed the victim --of her own celebrity need to be on camera. But not of racism. She should have known going in, that bullying was to be expected, if she had done her homework on Germaine Greer's experience.
I am more interested in how Channel Four is handling this. As of today, the public is banned from attending the 'eviction' of a participant in the house. The crowd, scene, that is.
And how's this for damage control? A charity stunt!
As well as removing the risk of nasty, televised scenes this evening, the broadcaster announced that all the profits from its telephone vote — a direct contest between Shetty and Goody, which the latter is expected to lose — would be donated to charities chosen by contestants at the end of the show.
Advertisers and politicians have chimed in. One politician has suggested revoking the license of Channel Four. Oh, my. If TV licenses were to be revoked on the basis of how insulting the content is, then we may end up with a handful of stations everywhere. Which may be a good side effect to a ridiculous media non-issue.
I agree 'Shilpa' would have known rules of engagement in advance.
I think bringing 'Shilpa' in and creating a buzz around the 'racial comment' is more of a stunt to boost the stagnated viewership.
Posted by: Peter Solomon | Wednesday, February 07, 2007 at 06:14 AM