Chima's shocking eviction and the 'Big Brother 11' double standard

August 16, 12:02 AMBoston TV ExaminerMichael Langston Moore

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  Is there a 'Big Brother' double-standard?  (Big Brother Network)

In the wake of reports that Chima Simone has quit Big Brother 11 (CBS claims she was evicted by the show's producers), a persistent double standard has once again reared its ugly head.  And no, the issue isn't about race.  It's about gender. 

I know that Chima called Russell "a terrorist"--which rightfully angered many fans.  Some say it was because she claimed he was "terrorizing the houseguests."  Others who are avid live feed viewers claim Chima compared herself to the Twin Towers, making an implicit 9/11 reference while simultaneously invoking Russell's name.

That's inexcusable.

But where's the equal outrage for Russell?  While fans have been upset at Ronnie for being a "rat" and playing the game the way it was intended, Russell berated Chima and other women using derogatory terms and claimed that the only thing Chima was good for was running her mouth and performing fellatio.

Has Russell been reprimanded by the show runners?  Is he on thin ice?  No.  The producers complied with the rules of the game and allowed the Coup d'Etat power to save him from an evening with Julie Chen on Thursday night.

Men clearly get away with far too much on Big Brother--and no doubt on other reality shows as well--that it's become glaringly disturbing.  Dick Donato, known by fans as "Evel Dick," did more "terrorizing" of his fellow houseguests on season eight of the show than Russell could ever imagine.  When Jen--in a frustration equal to Chima's though certainly exhibited differently--became angered by Dick in the backyard, he blew cigarette smoke in her face. 

Dick was beloved by fans due to the venomous words he spewed and the chaos left in his wake.  The sheer lack of remorse for his destructive behavior was what fans loved most about Dick.  He was deemed "real," a man who could have a tender moment with his daughter Danielle one minute and pick a fight with Amber, Jameka or Jen the next.  That's not to say that Dick was a monster--but it was his actions towards others, often women, that both shocked and thrilled audiences at home.

With Dick's volatile nature--his own theme music played whenever he went on his Bruce Banner-like rages--were plans for a live eviction ever re-tooled?  Did fans give him as hard of a time as Chima is getting right now?  Certainly not--he was beloved by the Big Brother producers and fans for the drama he brought to the television screen.

It must be noted, too, that contestants on Big Brother must undergo a rigorous screening to get onto the show, a process that involves a psychological evaluation.  Clearly, Allison Grodner (executive producer of Big Brother) must know what she's getting into when she casts these people.  Could it be that Big Brother casts stable men and unstable women?  Volatile men and emotionally scarred women?  Are contestants of both sexes not sound in the mind for a mental game such as Big Brother?  Wherever the truth lies, it would seem unfair to believe that Chima's behavior is so far gone--so egregious--that she would need to be removed from the show while her male counterparts have been able to remain in the Big Brother house after committing similar offenses.

For those that dislike Chima--I'll admit that I don't understand you.  If you dislike confrontation and drama, a majority of reality television shows are probably off limits.  If you do enjoy some strife within the house, how is a Chima-less Big Brother going to raise the entertainment level of the program? 

Doesn't every show need a villain?  Or can you only be "Evel" if you're a Dick?

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Michael Langston Moore is also a writer for the African-American Entertainment Examiner

OTHER 'BIG BROTHER' NEWS:

What Ryan Jenkins and Chima Simone have taught us about reality television

Details on Chima quitting 'Big Brother 11' begin to surface (Poll)

Jessie evicted as Jeff opts to use the Coup d'Etat power

'Big Brother 11': CBS makes changes to live eviction show due to Chima's 'threats'

Massive fight on 'Big Brother After Dark' (Videos)