No Irish, no blacks, no gays

I've added those last two words myself, but the first two thirds of that headline was apparently a common sight on signs outside Birmingham pubs in the early 1970s. The IRA pub bombings, coupled with unchallenged racist attitudes, made life here very difficult for anyone with darker skin or an Irish accent. Last night's eviction of Adele from the Big Brother house made me think that this unfortunate slogan now sums up the programme. Those commissioning editors at C4 responsible for 'minority' appeal must be cursing the televoters (and Endemol). I was, and still am, shocked by the result, as my mouth hit the floor when the word 'Jade' didn't spill forth from Davina's lips. It wasn't even close, despite what we had been led to believe (to encourage more of us to swell the coffers by voting, of course). Around 64% for Adele, 34% for Jade, and 1% each for Kate and Jonny. So, with the eviction of the last of the three black people and the only one who has admitted to anything other than heterosexuality (as well as being the most duplicitous person in the house), we are now left with officially The Most Boring Big Brother So Far. Sunita walked of her own accord, leaving three black contestants. It's been particularly noticeable that these three have been voted out in the first five evictions decided by the public. (The first eviction, of Lynne, doesn't count for these purposes as the housemates decided who was leaving.) Also, every black contestant has been voted out at the first opportunity that the public has had to vote for them. But am I reading too much into this? Am I making a disctinction that the public isn't really making, and assuming racism on the part of C4's audience which isn't really there? Maybe. I was comforting myself with the thought that the results of previous years have shown a good cross-section of society in the final threes. A gay winner, an Irish, lesbian ex-nun second. Dean and Darren both black men in the final three. But then it struck me - I don't think Dean and Darren ever faced the public vorte. They both reached the last three because they were popular in the house. Then, on the final day (or penultimate day, whenever it was), three people faced the vote, and the black contestant was out first each time. Oh dear, oh dear, please tell me I'm wrong. It's all very worrying.

As for the Irish angle, this was surely a cock-up of huge proportions by Endemol. Each of the previous three Big Brothers (including the celebrity version) had an Irish contestant, thus ensuring Irish viewers and Irish advertisers. Anna came second, Tom was well-liked, Keith Duffy was funny, Brian won. This year, nothing. I've heard from friends in Dublin that viewing figures in the Republic are well down this year, and no one is talking about Big Brother over there. An opportunity missed, I think.

On the positive side, good to see a bit of humanity in the house tonight,as Kate and PJ reacted to their video messages. PJ clearly has deeply ingrained emotional issues, being scared his mates in Brum might see him expressing perfectly normal tears. SiIly boy. And what an inspired idea to have the possible evictees declared on Saturday night instead of Tuesday night. SIX WHOLE DAYS of income from televoting for Endemol instead of three! Just call me cynical...
[Originally written, but not posted, on Sun 07/07/02]
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