Big Brother UK cleared over offensive language

The latest season of the UK Big Brother was given a pass by the British Office of Communications (Ofcom), which responds when viewers complain about television programming. There were two incidents that drew complaints: first one houseguest was evicted for using the n-word, then another mocked the masculinity of a straight houseguest by calling him a "poof". The season was under extra scrutiny since Channel 4, which broadcasts Big Brother, saw protests around the world over the racist remarks made against Indian actress Shilpa Shetty in the last Celebrity Big Brother.

Ofcom essentially declared that these sorts of slurs can't be prevented on a reality show like Big Brother and that the important thing is the context in which the slurs are aired. In the first incident, the houseguest was evicted and it was made clear that her use of the n-word prompted her ouster. In the case of Laura Williams' homophobic slur, the program showed Big Brother telling her that such language was not acceptable. Big Brother viewers also got the chance to kick Williams out themselves in the next eviction vote, though that required making a telephone call that cost a fee. Ofcom also found it apt that the two slurs weren't punished similarly, saying that the words aren't equally offensive since Willaims' "poof" wasn't directed at a gay man and because "within the gay community itself, the word 'poof' can be used in a playful, affectionate or self-deprecating way."

Once more, I find this to be an interesting contrast to the way CBS and latest season of the USA Big Brother handled homophobic comments. In the US edition, one contestant was captured by subscribers of the daily feed saying that "..all the gay guys in West Hollywood used to go around and say 'I'm clean, I don't have HIV' when they weren't", repeatedly making sexually themed insults to the remaining gay houseguest and calling him "princess" (which was repeated by viewers in YouTube comment threads and message boards after it was broadcast).

CBS previously declared that they didn't feel responsible for what they broadcast over the internet, just the airwaves. While the most offensive comments were edited out of the broadcast version, the homophobic display was aired and given a positive spin (he did it for his daughter, you see, so all that verbal abuse is okay). Internet subscribers never saw that houseguest reprimanded for his behavior. Instead, they were left with the impression that Big Brother producers were trying to help him win the season, even exerting influence in a key vote that otherwise would have seen him evicted.

Then again, even if Ofcom's response is better that what USA Big Brother viewers have gotten, it's still infuriating. Did they really play the 'if gay people say it, it's okay for everyone' card? The same could be said of the n-word: I mean just look at shows like Chapelle's Show and The Boondocks. Evidently, someone needs to go and highlight the entry for "reappropriation" in every dictionary in Ofcom's offices. Worse, it's okay because she didn't say it to a gay man? I mean, seriously?

It's too bad Ofcom felt the need to address the difference in how Channel 4 handled the two incidents. I think it would have been fine to just say that the show did enough to demonstrate its disapproval of the language. Now, it feels like they've set up some odd standards for when it's okay to used these hurtful and offensive names.