Big Brother Africa
 

Yes, Big Brother has even made it to Africa. I found this New York Times story on another listserv:

September 4, 2003

Reality TV Rivets Africa, to the Churches' Dismay
By MARC LACEY


NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug. 31 — Nigerians howl at it. Botswanans scream at their screens. Ugandans watch it over cold Nile Beer, while some African politicians and clergy want the plug pulled on this continent-wide sensation.

It is "Big Brother Africa," the latest incarnation of the reality television show that started in Europe. An estimated 30 million Africans are watching, making it the most popular, and most controversial, show in Africa.

The show throws together strangers as housemates and then lets viewers watch their every move — and the sparks that fly. The African variety has plucked a dozen young professionals from countries all across this vast, diverse continent and moved them into a comfortable house in Johannesburg with an oversize Jacuzzi.

At the start of the show there was an amorous Ugandan law student. An argumentative Nigerian businessman. A saucy South African business consultant who flirted with a cocky Kenyan psychology student — and every other man in the house. The last one to survive 106 days in captivity wins $100,000.

Cameras catch their breakfast table belches, romantic liaisons and constant bickering and broadcast them to millions of homes and bars, and the contestants' interactions have become a Rorschach test of Africans' views of themselves.

"What is an African?" said Kole Omotoso, a Nigerian author who teaches drama at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa and was hired as the show's cultural adviser. "This show is prompting Africans to debate that issue. It's also educating viewers on so many other different levels, even though it doesn't seem like educational television."

Not everyone is so sanguine.

Parliament in Malawi recently banned the show from its public station because of what lawmakers described as its corruptive nature. President Samuel Nujoma of Namibia ordered the government channel to broadcast educational programs, or anything other than a show he considers harmful to his countrymen.

Religious leaders have been vocal in denouncing "Big Brother Africa." They seem not a bit amused by all the kissing, and portions of "shower hour" during which the camera records the contestants scrubbing themselves, has been declared dangerously close to pornography.

In Uganda, where the show's followers — and detractors — are fanatical, the Rev. Timothy Sekyanzi of the Church of Jesus Christ has prayed publicly for the Ugandan housemate, Gaetano Kaggwa, 31, to be voted off. The minister said he wanted to spare children from watching him roll around under the covers with Abergail Plaatjes, 25, a vivacious, tattooed South African.

"We shall have saved them from being eaten up by immorality," Mr. Sekyanzi said.

But "Big Brother" defenders are many. Though it may be subtle, one theme they point to is democracy. The contestants are nominated for eviction by their housemates and then voted off by viewers on the Internet or by cellphone text messaging. The will of the people decides how the show unfolds.

During late-night discussions, some important topics arise. The housemates have discussed the problem of AIDS, even though viewers were left to wonder if Abby and Gae, the show's hottest couple, were using condoms.

Stereotypes are mentioned as is the racial mix of the house, which is mostly black but includes a white man and several people of mixed race. (ST's note -- haven't we discussed something like this? :p )

"Big Brother" fans say even the housemates' revelry may send an important message in this strife-torn continent. "The fact that 12 different people from so different backgrounds can live in the house together for so long should be a lesson," said Alex Holi, 21, the Kenyan housemate who was recently voted out. "Our leaders can learn from us."

That came from a man who slipped laxatives as a joke into the beef stew he prepared for his housemates. Big Brother, a voice that booms over speakers throughout the house, ordered him not to serve it.

Mr. Holi returned to Kenya as a celebrity. During a visit to an orphanage the other day, he found youngsters who knew of his every recent move, sometimes to his embarrassment.

"Some parts of it aren't right for children," said Mary Wanderi, who works at the Shelter Children's Home outside Nairobi. "We let them watch, but there are times when it gets uncomfortable. They all turn and look at me."

But Ms. Wanderi, thrilled to have a television star visiting, said she tries to use the show to teach right and wrong. "We teach them not to do everything they see on the screen," she said.

When housemates break the rules, they are sent to the "sin bin," a drab room where they are forced to perform chores. The housemates questioned Big Brother's authority at one point, amusing many viewers who have known authoritarianism all too well.

"I've watched it since Day 1," said Lupita Nyong'o, 20, a college student from Nairobi, as she ate lunch at a restaurant that keeps the show blaring nonstop. "They used to be total strangers. Now I feel like I'm part of their lives."

She and other die-hards can go on and on about the antics of the housemates. Shocking, isn't it, that Abby kissed Stefan, the white Namibian, and then let Bayo, the Nigerian, hold her bare breasts in the garden?

Ms. Nyong'o cried when Sammi, a Ghanaian radio disc jockey, was voted off. For her, he was the epitome of a gentleman. "We're all curious to see what other Africans are like," she said. "There are quiet ones, two-timers, all types."

From a business perspective, "Big Brother" has been a runaway success for M-Net and MultiChoice, which joined together in the early 1990's to offer satellite television in English across the continent.

Satellite dishes and cable subscriptions are up since the show began in late May, and cellphone usage is booming as well with text messages voting out contestants every week. A winner will be chosen on Sunday.

Only a tiny percentage of Africa's 900 million inhabitants — less than one in 20 — own television sets, but the reach of "Big Brother" is far greater than that. Viewers gather in bars, shopping malls or anywhere else the show is playing. Those without cable can catch 30 minutes of "Big Brother" highlights on local stations, which receive free daily summaries from M-Net.

"Big Brother" has made it clear that Africans want more television about themselves. Across the continent, shows like "Friends," "Jerry Springer" and "Beverly Hills 90210" dominate. In Kenya, Raphael Tuju, the information minister, recently gave all local stations until January to begin devoting at least 20 percent of their airtime to local shows.

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Where are the BB fans? It's getting down to the wire....

I'm here! Can't wait to see who the final three are.....and I hope one of them isn't Alison (I can't stand her!!!!)

Well I just read some spoilers so tonight and tomorrow will be very interesting.

While I've only seen the second half of tonight's episode, I starting bawling my eyes out when Robert got to talk to his daughter. It was SO sweet!!

HC I was thisclose from crying when Robert was talking to his little girl!!!

She is TOO precious! I was a little bit aggravated that he called her "mama" like a million times, but I had to overlook it. :D I had a feeling that he would win because he seems so sincere about talking to her. Like Erika said, she is grown @ss woman, so she should stop harping on the fact that she would like to talk to her mom. I see where she is coming from, but again, she is grown. That baby needs to talk to her daddy. And no one in America really cares if Alison and Jun get to talk to their "boyfriends." :rolleyes: PULEEZE!!!

Thumbs up, America for letting Rob talk to the kid!!!

That comment that Erika made about the blimp was REALLY HORRIBLE & UNNECESSARY!!!!! :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

She should be ashamed of herself and I lost ALL respect for her (as if I ever had any)! :rolleyes: :mad:

Well RD, tell us how you REALLY feel................


I was pissed the other day when I saw that Alison had won the veto. She's like a roach, they can't seem to get rid of her azz. I hate that she always has that much power. I feel a little comfort knowing that the evicted houseguests would NEVER vote for her azz to get the $$$

Girl, that comment made me really angry! I couldn't help myself. It's a game and I know that she wants to win, but to wish death on someone is just lowdown. What if something horrible like that would have happened? Notice that Robert looked a little repulsed by her comment. That's why she did that awkward laugh and said that she was just kidding.

Her azzzzzz needssssssssss to go! :mad:

I'm not surprised Alison won the power of veto. The houseguests have had more than enough opportunity to get her out, but they haven't. I think they believe she will be the easiest one to beat because everyone hates her.

I DID cry when Robert was talking to his daughter. I cried like that the first time I called my mom from school. It brought back fond memories.

I think Robert and Alison will go to the finals, with Rob winning.

I think that I actually like Allison. Heck, look at how many times they've wanted to get her out, but each time she's figured out a way to stick around - either winning a veto, hoh, or humping a male housemate. Heck, her integrity may not be too hot, but she's playing this game to the end. I personally wouldn't trust her to be alone for 5 minutes with my man. I also think that she and Robert will be in the final 2, but Robert will probably win over Allison because of all the enemies and backstabbing she's done along the way.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

I'm down for ROBERT all the way!! Long live the Dream Team/3 Stooges!

Plus, his babygirl is precious! :D

Yall I really can not stand Allison. I think she is living in a dream world thinking that with all the back stabbing she has done that somebody is going to vote for her! I want Robert to win. Cause "momma" is tooo precious!:)

I agree. I cannot stand the fact that Alison is still in that house. I blame this all on Nate for thinking with the wrong head. :mad:

What exactly did she say about the blimp? I missed that part.

What happened last night?

Erika and Robert were talking about Jun and Ali taking the trip in the blimp. Erika mentioned something about what if the blimp blew up with Jun and Ali in it. :eek: Erika kind of snickered then said *J/K*. Mind you, this is not verbatim, but in essence this was her comment.

They might as well sign that check over to Jun right now....

I can't believe that she is gonna win this money... :rolleyes:

I didn't want Robert to win anything after all of the "*itches and *oes and *luts" talk -- he deserved to be kicked out.
http://www.click-smilie.de/usersmili..._foshizzle.gif

[QUOTE]Originally posted by RedefinedDiva
They might as well sign that check over to Jun right now....

I can't believe that she is gonna win this money... :rolleyes: [/QUOTE


I'd rather Jun have it then Ali. This has been the worst season of Big Brother so far. I should stop watching the show. (But ya'll know I'm going to be watching next summer):o :D

I agree. :D

I don't feel like watching anymore now that Robert's gone! I don't want either of them to win the money, but I would prefer Jun over Ali anyday! Ali is so dumb to think that anybody will vote for her!

But. I can't stay away & I'll be watching the final episode :D

I may be the only person in America who wants Alison to win, but I do. I don't really like Jun. I think she is horribly fake. I think that she is constantly trying to be someone she is not. I think that she treated Jee like complete crap.

IMHO Alison is not fake. She's a snake and she knows it. She has lied and she has admitted it. She has schemed and manipulated throughout the game, but she did what she had to do. Each week, someone wanted her out, and she did whatever she had to do to stay safe each week. Heck, it's a game. She wasn't there to make new friends. She was there to win $500k. For that, I hope she wins. I know it's highly unlikely, but I think she may have a few votes (Jack, Ericka, Nate....and she may even get Robert if she's lucky.

Her idol is Britney Spears.

She could be the Dali Lama and that alone would make her unbearable.

Doesn't it seem like Jun is uncomfortable with her race? She always claim " I only date caucasians" but her other actions seem to me like she really wants to be white.

Yeah. I'm glad the best person won. PM me if you want to know who won BB4

She deserved to win because she played tricks on everyone. A 6-1 vote.... I didn't think that she would get that one vote, especially from that person.

I'm talking in code because I don't want to blow the surprise for those who haven't seen it. Someone break the ice....

She may had deserved to win, but she ran her mouth in the DR. That's what killed her. It was a repeat of last year

I don't think it was a repeat of last year at all. Last year, everyone in the house had a chance to watch the episodes as they happened and got a chance to stew on the things that others said on the show and in the diary room. This year, the evicted houseguests were sequestered and only got a chance to talk to each other about the things that happened in the house either while they weren't looking or after they got voted out. They had to vote and then and only then they watched the shows; they had to make their decisions before they saw the shows.

6-1. Nathan still voted for Allison! I thought he would feel more betrayed by Allison than Jun. But, like Dana said, they had to choose the lesser of two evils. I'm glad Jun won.

I wonder if Allison's boyfriend is mad at her and that is why he decided not to come.

noo, i think they did see the tapes before they voted...they just showed it in a different order to keep the viewers guessing...it seemed evident of that by what the jurors said...

glad Jun won instead of Allison....didn't really like either one but like Dana said, had to go with the lesser of the two evils.

Nope they voted first and then watched the entire season. After they watched the season, each person in his or her own room, they had the roundtable discussion about what people had been saying.

Michelle: Get over it! HE slept with a woman on National TV. Do you really think Dave cares he's no longer welcome in your home?


Jee: You should have tore Erica a new hole for her comments.

Nathan: Still supporting Ali after all her chit??

Did you feel the chill as everyone entered? No one hugged Jun except Ali. Damn!

That show was a hotttttt mess! :D

I would not have cared if they congratulated me or not! Just gimme the money.

Why were they so smug! I mean IT WAS A GAME! They were upset that they DID NOT make the final 2. WTFE!

I LOVED the show! I LOVED how Jun & Ali got no love. That says something. There have been past big brothers where the winner did what they had to do strategy-wise but w/o the rudeness & uncalled for comments. Folks have been happy for past winners, so there must be something w/ these two. Talk about the other houseguest being nothin all you want but it hurt Jun that nobody was happy for her. I was extatic that Ali didn't win. Her attitude, face & voice irks me beyond reason! Jun won that money being just like Ali except she was a tad less obonoxious & talked less ish about the other house guests personally.

Erica lost ALL points when she made that comment about Jee. Anyone who can say such racists things over a game needs to look within themselves.:o

And Nathan was the big dumb ball till the very end,:rolleyes:

Looking forward to the next one!

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: That was the most boring episode......huuuuuuuuuffffffffffff.........


Nathan: Is the foolest of the fools........I just can't believe that there are people out there as dumb as him....Hmmph!

When I did finally wake up, I noticed Jun's family wasn't even there just her man.........well maybe she is the official black sheep now.

Ali's mammy and pappy came, but her man sends a letter.....hmmmm, shoot, I aint even gonna lie, I really thought it was going to be a dear Johna letter.........now that would have been wild.........:o

http://www.superbabies.homestead.com/files/smilie_y.gif http://www.superbabies.homestead.com/files/smilie_e.gif http://www.superbabies.homestead.com/files/smilie_p.gif -- that's when they started tearing each other apart for saying the things they said in the diary room.

FROM THE BIG BROTHER 4 WEBSITE:
"The evicted HouseGuests return to the BIG BROTHER House for the biggest day in the game, as they cast their votes and make one person half a million dollars richer. Before their secret vote, the jurors throw tough questions at Jun and Alison. And then, after the secret votes are cast, they finally sit down to watch all the episodes and learn every secret, every lie and every nasty comment in the House. And although none of the jurors seem happy with the two finalists they have to choose from, their votes are revealed, and Jun wins the $500,000 prize by a vote of 6-1."

It was a Dear John letter -- he didn't say that he couldn't get enough of her. He said that she never ceases to amaze him. That doesn't mean what she thinks it means . . . it means that he saw her bed-hopping and swapping spit with enough people on television that he decided that she surprised even him with her behavior. She was fast throughout the season and Jun let her have it during the conversation between the finalists and the evicted houseguests. I almost spit out on my water when she said that she deserved to win because she didn't have to get physical with people and chose to use her brain.