Celebrity Big Brother Racism Controversy
The Celebrity Big Brother racism controversy was a series of events related to incidents of allegedly racist behaviour by contestants on the television series Celebrity Big Brother 2007 shown on British television station Channel 4. The incidents centred on comments made by contestants on this reality television show, most notably the late Big Brother contestant Jade Goody, glamour model Danielle Lloyd, and singer Jo O'Meara, which were directed towards Indian actress Shilpa Shetty. The screening of these comments on UK television resulted in national and international media coverage, responses from the UK and Indian governments, and the show's suspension during the 2008 season.
Many agencies and corporations cancelled their contracts with the housemates accused of racism, citing the allegations as the reason for the terminations. Also, many sponsors of the Big Brother series cancelled or suspended their sponsorship of the show. After the show, Goody stated that she understood her comments appeared as racist and apologised for any offence caused. Shetty later told the media that she forgave Goody. After conducting an investigation, Ofcom ruled that Channel 4 had breached the Ofcom code of conduct, and statutory sanctions were placed on the network.
Read more about Celebrity Big Brother Racism Controversy: Background, Reaction, Sponsor and Corporate Backlash, Apology, Big Brother Intervention, Additional Claims, Viewership
Famous quotes containing the words celebrity, big, brother, racism and/or controversy:
“The star is the ultimate American verification of Jean Jacques Rousseau’s Emile. His mere existence proves the perfectability of any man or woman. Oh wonderful pliability of human nature, in a society where anyone can become a celebrity! And where any celebrity ... may become a star!”
—Daniel J. Boorstin (b. 1914)
“Whoever is in a hurry, shows that the thing he is about is too big for him.”
—Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl Chesterfield (1694–1773)
“It is the child of avarice, the brother of iniquity, and the father of mischief.”
—George Washington (1732–1799)
“I don’t think America’s the center of the world anymore. I think African women will lead the way [in] ... women’s liberation ... The African woman, she’s got a country, she’s got the flag, she’s got her own army, got the navy. She doesn’t have a racism problem. She’s not afraid that if she speaks up, her man will say goodbye to her.”
—Faith Ringgold (b. 1934)
“And therefore, as when there is a controversy in an account, the parties must by their own accord, set up for right Reason, the Reason of some Arbitrator, or Judge, to whose sentence, they will both stand, or their controversy must either come to blows, or be undecided, for want of a right Reason constituted by Nature; so is it also in all debates of what kind soever.”
—Thomas Hobbes (1579–1688)