The only season of “Big Brother” I followed was the one that “Evil Doctor Will” starred in. In the United States, the CBS reality show documents the lives of strangers stuck in a home filled with video cameras that follow their every move while they play a game of survival. The last one standing at the end wins $500,000.
The show has several versions, but it is the one airing in Australia right now that has been making headlines. An Australian production company recently made an apology to the country of Mexico for a segment from their version of “Big Brother,” which shows contestants throwing water balloons at the Mexican flag. According to news reports, the apology came only after Mexico’s Foreign Relations Department sent protest letters to the show’s producers and the Australian government, pointing out that the country’s flag had been desecrated on a recent show. Mexico’s protest letters said that the country’s flag “has a long and proud history and it stands as a powerful symbol that identifies and unites Mexican citizens wherever they live.”
After receiving the letters “Big Brother” show producers sent a note of apology and added that the segment was “intended as a lighthearted tribute to Mexico and its vibrant cultural heritage, which we all admire and enjoy.” Oh, puh-leeze! We’ll see what they’ll be saying once Australia’s government regulator of television broadcasters, the Australian Communications and Media Authority gets involved.
Do you think the Mexican leaders are overreacting to the incident? You make the call. Here’s what happened during the “Big Brother” segment in question: Show contestants donned oversized Mexican sombreros and droopy false mustaches then hurled balloons at a Mexican flag. As part of the competition the housemates were also asked to name the country from which Mexico won its independence. One contestant answered the United States and was told that was the correct answer. (Uh, Mexico gained independence from Spain, genius.) Talk about adding insult to injury.
Related Articles:
Fashion Files: Miss Mexico’s Controversial Pageant Gown
The Fall Seen Around The World… Over and Over and Over and Over Again