This is the worst reality show on TV.  I've been saying that since season one.

You asked for readers' opinions, so here's mine: you're over-reacting.

I should preface by saying that I'm not a sensitive person. I do not correct people or become indignant at phrases like, "that's so gay." I don't think this means I'm socially irresponsible or even apathetic, but simply represent a live and let live philosophy. Many people don't understand the gravity of what they say, but "gravity" is so often in the eye (ear?) of the beholder that I don't see any point trying to "share enlightenment." And when you do encounter that person who intends their words to sting, let's not take it out of context. They are words. In the real world, verbal abuse is so devastating because of everything it entails besides words: inescapable harassment, even the threat of escalation to physical violence.

The Big Brother house is most certainly not the real world. As far as I know, anyone can at any point leave the house, drop out of the game, and never have to see or hear from Dick ever again. Of course, that would mean forfeiting the $500,000 prize. So we're not really concerned anymore with protecting an individual's right to live their own life free of harassment; you're talking about instituting free speech restrictions with the aim of giving an equal playing field on a reality television show. But let's face it, that's not how the game is supposed to be. CBS artificially creates an atmosphere of hostility and ruthlessness to achieve exactly this dynamic.

So with this in mind, I'd like to know where the real injustice lies here.

Is it that the players are being unfairly subject to this harassment? As far as I'm concerned, contestants should be prepared to deal with harassment much worse than what Dick throws around on a daily basis. This is the cost of the privilege of being able to compete for a half-million dollars. Players (who remain in the game) are not allowed to leave the house, surf the internet, talk with family and friends, or even eat what they want to eat. These are fundamental rights of individuality compromised for the sake of making the show more interesting or entertaining. Why should the players' right to a harassment-free environment be any more inalienable?

Is it that you personally, the viewer, are witness to messages of hate and bigotry? The simple answer there is that, your job aside, there is nothing keeping you in front of the television set. It may seem juvenile to suggest, "If you don't like it, don't watch," but such a sentence is the most succinct way to say that it is not Dick or CBS or anyone else subjecting you to these "messages of hate," but rather you yourself. As far as your world and your life is concerned, you do have absolute power to end Dick's abuses, once and for all, any time you want.

But I suspect the real problem is that you would view Dick's tirades as unchecked hate speech, that when moved from within the walls of the Big Brother house into to the homes of live-feed viewers, transforms from ruthless game strategy to destructive and viral societal influence. This is the one concern of the three that is, in my opinion, valid. It is also the one concern that Dick personally has nothing to do with. You are absolutely right to call out CBS for their failure to take responsibility for the content of the live feeds and Showtime content. They created the environment that fosters behavior like Dick's, broadcast the result (even if not over airwaves), and they really should consider themselves responsible for its influence on the outside world.

But as for Dick himself, he's just playing the game. I don't have any illusions about his motivations for being a verbal bully, either. He's not just telling it like it is, he's trying to destabilize the other players and weaken their resolve. It was explicitly stated in the last episode that Dick's goal at this point is simply to make everyone hate him, and to be as thorough and complete in this endeavor as possible so as to ensure Danielle's safety. Of course, his motivations can't be completely altruistic. He undoubtedly gains a large measure of satisfaction from letting everything fly. It's cruel, but is it really more cruel than slop? Or the way the other houseguests say horrible things about Jen behind her back? Personally I'd rather have someone say something mean to my face than whisper it to my housemates when I'm not around. *cough* Dustin *cough* No one is innocent in this game-- the very premise of the show ensures this.

Dick is a ruthless player, yes, but I don't think that makes him a ruthless human being. We've all had arguments with people at one point or another where we think about all the things we could say, but hold back. Whether it's tact or consideration or something else, we realize that we exist in a civilized society where such actions would be inappropriate. If Big Brother does anything, it removes its players from civilized society. There's nothing there to hold Dick back. Nor should there be. Go after CBS, and leave it to the viewer to decide which players should be condemned as individuals.

I've never liked Dick since the very beginning, but I didn't know it was quite this bad. I don't understand how he is the most popular or why CBS is catering to him to make him seem likeable. Most of his arguments don't even make sense. Three things make me cringe this season - Dick going off at everyone randomly, the America's Player segments and Amber's crying. And unfortunately we get those 3 things in every episode. I really really hope he goes home this week and Amber next week. I don't think I can stand watching the whole season of those two like I did last season with Mike Boogie and Erica... and I think Dick and Amber are more annoying that both of those two were. This season is just going way downhill. I don't know if it's redeemable or not, if it's even worth the time of watching it anymore. I think that CBS should address these issues, either tell them that if they do it again they'll be kicked out or just kick them out straight away... I don't know. They should have done something about it straight away.

while you at it, don't forget to mention that dustin was telling amber that he calls his dog a "nigger bitch" because it is black and a dog, and that his dog hates black people.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ucqedy8l1fI&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fdlisted%2Ecom%2Fnode%2F13827

 

at time "1:19"

Among some of the offensive things being broadcast on the live feeds is Eric's insinuations that Dick and Daniele have an incestuous relationship.

I could not agree more. My outrage is not about Dick anymore. It is about CBS and the viewers.

I read those comments on youtube a couple days ago. Very few people were against Dick's behaviour. "They deserved it." Are you kidding me? Just like that girl who was raped was asking for it because she dressed provocatively?

The Jew comments made a HUGE media stir. Why is this man not on CNN? The misogyny, homophobia and racism this man spews is 1000x the hate speech Amber has said.

And CBS, if you aren't going to reprimand Dick (he has been warned not to go near Dustin's face, and stop the threats. Everything else is fair game), could they possibly portray him on the show as the ass he is? I can't believe this man has a 10% lead over all other houseguests in the polls.

Is it all the beaten wives, gay haters and white supremacists voting? But even then people who bear witness to the full effects of his speech cheer him on.

Misogyny and homophobia unfortunately are more accepted in society. I say, contact NOW, and GLAAD, and get this some media outrage.

Also, whenever it is brought up to Dick fans, they reflect to the bad things the others have said. Sorry, other people having prejudices does not excuse Dick.