Big Brother 2006, I forgive you for everything. For the most banal and boring mix of housemates yet. For completely mishandling the turkeyslap incident, which could have been used to send a powerful message about misogyny out to teenage audiences, but which was completely mishandled. For dull, repetitive telvision.Why?
For reuniting David and his boyfriend Sherif.
Throughout the whole series we've regularly seen David gazing yearningly at the photo of the bloke he'd met three weeks before he went into the house. He's spent the last three months hoping that the guy would be waiting for him when he came out. I can't imagine what that must have felt like.
Tonight, when David was evicted, I was gutted. I so wanted him to win. I actually voted to save him forfuckssake. In short, I was pissed off.
And then, Big Brother, you made up for it all by reuniting David and Sherif. You showed them running towards each other from opposite ends of the catwalk and meeting in the middle, in a long, passionate embrace.
I bawled.
My hands were clasped to my mouth, I was sobbing, and tears were dripping onto the backs of my hands. It was pure and perfect and beautiful.
There's romance and drama aplenty on television, but how often do you get to see real love, authentic love, blossoming before your eyes? We just saw one man reunited on national television with the man of his dreams. Instead of scripted emotion we had one of the single most beautiful moments I think I've ever seen.
If that's not a powerful message about the acceptance of homosexuality in the wider community; a slap in the face to homophobes who think that being gay is all about sex, not love; and a moment of pure, uncomplicated joy, I don't know what is.
I love Big Brother.*
And the coolest thing? I get to interview farmer Dave on Tuesday for MCV. Hurrah!
*Yes, I am deliberately evoking 1984 in case you were wondering.
15 comments:
I cried too; I know how he feels. Hopefully my Summer Rain moment will come.
You and me both, babe. Made me need a cuddle even more.
Dave staring at, talking to and even kissing the photo of Sherif (if that is his real name) throughout his stay in the BB house was nothing but a sad pathetic attempt at a gameplan. Awww....he is so sensitive and caring. Bullshit. They knew each other for three weeks. Sherif only hung around because Dave is now a D grade celebrity. There was nothing romantic or authentic about the producers manufacturing "real love" by sending Sherif, on cue, up the catwalk. David has been boiling up for months now, so Bert Newton could have been sent up the catwalk instead and David would have wanted to throw a saddle on him and ridden him home. David and Sherif can now sell their three week love story to all the ladies mags, part company and go back to hitting the saunas during trips to Melbourne and Sydney. Farmer Dave has been about as useful as tits on a bull when it comes to sending powerful messages about the acceptance of homosexuality. He has made me hate gays, and I bloody am one. However, have fun interviewing him for MCV...a pointless, shallow "newspaper" that is steadily going down hill.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, anon. The 'they only knew each other for three weeks' thing seems to be a sticking point with a few people, true, but hey, haven't you ever fallen for someone hard and fast before? I sure have.
As to the authenticity of what we witnessed last night - yes, the producers set it up to have Sherif walking down the catwalk, but from that point on, all the emotion we saw was real.
Finally, if you don't like the content or direction of MCV, try writing a letter of complaint to the editor, or even better, submitting a few articles of your own, instead of making snide comments about the paper from the safety of anonymity.
fucking anon! if it's really your opinion, tell us who you are.
hahaah I'm not "anon"... but I'm more than happy to second what he said.
Please do fuck off Anon. Your cynicism at this point will not infect what in our view is a touching love story.
Beautifully put Richard. I was bawling and screaming with joy at the same time. It was an utterly joyous moment in television and I was so proud to be a fag hag last night and for my sister brothers to finally be celebrated in prime time.
And what gorgeous babies they would have if they could.
Ukele - hell yeah, imagine the cheekbones the offspring of David and Sherif would have!
Fred - which bit were you seconding? The Bert Newton comment maybe, or perhaps the crack at MCV? ;-)
WOW what a nasty comment from anon, I hate it when people use the anon function it is cowardly and defeats any validity in thier argument or comment as far as I can see.
I have had the same experience with comments on my blog recently. Get some balls man.
Have your own opinion but be confident to sign off on it at least.
I hate BB and the whole David thing I am a little dubiouse but have not really made an opinion due to me not watching the show and only reading about it.
It has captured the attention of many people that I think are pretty well informed and switched on (eg. the bloggers here) so I will give it my time to find out more.
I just think it was nice that someone was moved by something on commercial television.
Cheers
What nationality is Sherif? Very cute accent. And nice with the love and the reuniting and the gays getting yays on tv. But yes, Sherif. SIGH.
I'm not sure sorry, Fluffy - but his accent made me go weak at the knees...
Thanks for the comment, Jay.
I am not a BB watcher so missed the reunion. However, did I read right in The Age that poster boy Dave is lining up to be a candidate for the National Party?
So he's a right wing, gay, ex-model, farmer, now "D-grade" celeb? That will make a very interesting interview. Nab him for the R's, hand him over to Bigsy and this could make really interesting talk back don't you reckon?
A.O.F. - yes, he is a former member of the Young Nationals and has spoken about joining the party. His views on gay marriage are certainly at odds with most of the party, although not every Nationals MP is a frothing redneck - take NSW senator Russell Turner for example.
I'd love to be able to ask farmer Dave more about his political affiliations, but it looks like Ch.10 have pulled our interview, which is typical. The gay press only get attention when the mainstream media aren't interested. Once a gay person develops a degree of fame, we get pushed out of the way by the media scrum...
I also thought it was an amazing moment. I haven't stopped thinking about it since Sunday night! Here's a link to the clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbvmJEi3ocg
Thanks for the link, kate!!
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