Big Brother's Big Fracas

No part of me wishes to turn this blog into a topical news debate but my anger at the national media has driven me to comment here on the current furore over 'Celebrity' Big Brother. The treatment of Bollywood star, Shilpa, by Jade, Jo and Danielle is unacceptable. It is bullying in its rawest form, immature and cruel - and there is no doubt that they should know better. Furthermore, Shilpa is five thousand miles from home, in a strange country with strange people on a strange TV programme. Whatever she is doing, however rude or annoying she is being, they should appreciate that she is an outsider and should let it go.

However, claims in the press that Shilpa is an entirely innocent victim and the news that she is now favourite to win the show are also riling. There is not a shadow of a doubt that her behaviour has been inflammatory. Her conservative Indian upbringing and her huge success in the Indian film industry, where stars are worshipped as divinities and seen as a 'class apart', have given her the opinion that some people are better than others, and this is now emerging in her treatment of her fellow housemates. Both in the diary room and during arguments with Jade et al, she has revealed her conviction that she is superior to other contestants. She has told Jade she needs elocution lessons and told the show's cameras that she is pleased because her grasp of English is so much better than the others' in the house. Her apparent belief in her own superiority has, not surprisingly, caused resentment and irritation among the other housemates. This divide has not been helped by the soothing tones of Jermaine, who has regularly been spotted trying to calm Shilpa by crooning patronising statements such as, 'You can't mix class with no-class,' as if the other contestants are beneath contempt and beyond help. Instead of exacerbating the gulf, could he not be using his alleged wisdom and patience to create a bridge between the two groups as Cleo is doing?

Last night's show contained a screaming match between Jade and Shilpa that was a few minutes in length but seemed to last for a decade. Vastly uncomfortable viewing such as this has meant ratings have shot up for the show which was previously being dubbed a failure by the media. As I watched, heart in mouth, as Jade's expletive-riddled rant was egged on by a giggling Jo and Danielle, it was not hard to predict the villification that the currently-oblivious three will receive on their exits from the house. Bullying is never, ever acceptable, and especially not this attack on someone so far from their own home and culture - but Shilpa is being held up as a blameless paragon by the press, and that representation is unfair. Yes, it is her culture that has caused her to see herself as superior - but still, it is understandable that Jade and co. would find that behaviour angering. I would estimate that the vast majority of the three million or so watching the programme will see the truth that both sides are guilty of creating this mess - but the remaining fifty million - and countless further millions in India - are forming half-baked opinions based only on the helpful digest provided by the nations' rabble-rousing news corps.

I was so stressed I had to watch the repeat of the Hendry/Stevens snooker until nearly 2am before I calmed down enough to go to sleep and am now simultaneously exhausted and outraged. Thankfully, both girls are up for eviction this week and soon the visual ordeal will be over. Until then, I will have to rely on Rodney to destress me.