‘Big Brother 15’ review: The Aaryn Gries – Julie Chen faceoff; Head of Household competition
We’re wondering whether or not “Big Brother 15” did not have enough footage tonight, given that there really was not much in the first half-hour that was related to this season. Then again, we’d rather watch Dani Donato and Dominic than Amanda and McCrae any day of the week. Heck, it even made us not that upset over yet another Big Jeff interview, who may be so overplayed at this point that he may as well live in the house year round. (Also, Dan Gheesling! Hooray!)
But let’s be honest: The only thing that you were really interested in seeing whether or not Julie Chen laid the verbal smackdown all over Aaryn. This was the main event, like a wrestling pay-per-view. Was it everything that we hoped it would be and then some? Definitely.
Aaryn basically got a Mortal Kombat finishing move to the face during this interview with Julie, as she literally acted on live TV like she never said “go make some rice” … even though she clearly said it. She also tried to blame most of her comments on being Texan, which is a terrible representation of a state that is not like that in the slightest (take it from someone who is Texan), and she should never be allowed therefore to eat barbecue or pecan pie again. She was booed by the audience, laughed at, and was given a huge rude awakening as to what she’s facing outside of the game. Aaryn is off somewhere now knowing that her entire life is in shambles. Easily, this was the most notable exit interview in the history of the show.
Also, bonus points to Julie for the humor this week, mocking Spencer for not being on the block; she also more or less tried to shame Amanda without saying it in so many words. Julie has really done a good job this season, acting as host while interjecting a little more finesse and moral authority than usual. This is not an easy mess to be a part of, but Julie is a total boss in our mind.
What was especially weird about this episode was the quick transition from the Aaryn interview into the Head of Household Competition, and the weird noises and the chicken suit punishment. Yet, the game goes on, and we’re going to have updates in a separate article. (Click here to follow along and refresh!)
What did you think about this episode? If you want to take a look at some more news from the show’s live feed, just be sure to head on over to the link here.
Photo: CBS
Blue
August 30, 2013 @ 5:30 pm
Racism does not have a dictionary of what word is worst then another. And what Julie Chen did to Aaryn on live TV was well perfect to make her own up to the statements she made in the house. Now Aaryn can spend her time in the jury house going over everything she said while in the house. Candice, Jessie and Helen all know how Aaryn acted toward them.
And yes I think Julie will give each exiting house guest equal grilling. Its going to be a bigger wake call when these people go back to the real world.
That guy
August 30, 2013 @ 4:03 pm
I agree Julie and the crowd over did it all. Never has this show turned me away like they did yesterday.
The reaction from Julie and the Crowd made them no better then Aaryn. How can you complain and booo at someone because the were judging others while you are judging them yourself? I don’t agree with Aaryn’s actions in the house, but Julie and the crowd really showed a lack of character and professionalism. Borderline “AMBUSH” — I hope Julie takes a step back and watches her own footage.
Kyle
August 30, 2013 @ 3:16 am
I feel like this could have and should have been handled a different way. I do not condone the comments by Aaryn, though I feel like what Big Brother did could have and should have been handled differently. This is the fifteenth season of BB and I find it hard to believe there has never been any other racist comments made in the house. I feel like this has been fueled more by the recent events that have been in the news and was used as a ratings ploy. There is an equally national plea against bullying, but Amanda can go around bullying and basically harassing other players and not much is said to her. Social situations like this should be used as a growing experience and not a witch hunt. In the exit interview with Aaryn it is clear that she had no idea this was going to come up. At least they could have warned her or waited for another interview to talk about this. BB and Julie have had weeks to figure out what they wanted to ask and Aaryn had mere seconds to come up with answers to those questions in mere seconds in front of a live audience who were mocking her. For Aaryn to have told GinaMarie to go with the house, and vote her out to protect her game play, shows that she can not be all bad. As far as Amanda goes it just seems like she is an awful person that is self-centered and can emotionally attack and harass people without any consequence. Big Brother puts the disclaimer up saying that the actions and words from the cast do not reflect them, but this live interrogation does reflect them and Julie. I know they wanted to get this situation out in the open but not giving someone an opportunity to reflect on their own actions is harsh. We should all treat people how we think we should be treated if we were ever in a similar situation.
MissMoody
August 30, 2013 @ 3:44 am
I agree with you on certain points here. I remember in reading the exit interviews of the earlier houseguests, when they were asked about Aaryn’s comments, they had not had a chance to actually view any footage of their time in the house. Thus one of the guys defended Aaryn and in the process, made himself look a little racist as well. Problem was, he didn’t have any real idea of what he was defending because, as you pointed out, they have had no time for reflection. Then again, it’s a TV show where the houseguests KNOW they are filmed and miked up 24/7. Even with that knowledge, to still spew racism in spades? Sometimes people just need to face the consequences of their actions, as hard as those consequences may be. Such is life
Kyle
August 30, 2013 @ 10:09 pm
This was not a normal exit interview where Julie asks the contestant to reflect on the rest of the house and how that reflected the vote. Aaryn’s comments had nothing do with her leaving the house, but it was turned into a mock interrogation in front of a projecting audience. I never said anything about not having consequences, we all know she is going to face consequences (The girl has already lost a job over it). I was saying knowing how this exit interview was going to go they should have not have had the crowd and let her know this issue was coming up. When you put someone on the spot like that, over words you said or actions you took a month ago, of course you are going to clam up. Do you think if Helen had said something racist about Aaryn this interrogation would have happened the exact same way? If you really want to make an impact on someone you need to teach and coach them not oust them like that. Whether it be from a ratings ploy or motivated by emotion this just comes off as just a bad situation and not a learning one. How can you teach someone about respecting other people when you do not have enough respect to do things the right way?
MissMoody
August 30, 2013 @ 10:38 pm
“When you put someone on the spot like that, over words you said or actions you took a month ago, of course you are going to clam up.” You had me up until that sentence. According to other posters, as early as the night before her eventual eviction, she was making racist comments. Also heard she referenced “go make me some rice” as her favourite line of the season. **jaw drop** She makes it very, very hard to defend her. Also, this whole “teaching” thing rubs me the wrong way. It’s a reality game show where lying, cheating and backstabbing are encouraged. She crossed even THAT lax line and now she is facing the consequences. Thanks to globalization and oh, you know, the internet, no one can play the ignorance card. It’s not up to CBS, Julie Chen or random posters online to teach her why she was wrong. That’s her problem
Kyle
August 30, 2013 @ 11:46 pm
See you keep saying defend her defend her but I am not defending her. I know that Aaryn said things wrong but if you grow up in an area that does not correct these things you do not know what is wrong or right. This question about racism has nothing to do with this game that is not the reason why Aaryn got voted out. My point of the whole time is “Why did Julie have to bring it up at that time”. She just wanted to be the first of what is going to be many Witch-Hunters for ratings purposes. Let’s face it, this season has been very very boring compared to other seasons and their contestants have been very one-dimensional, so they use this and Amanda’s harassment’s as filler material. So does that mean that it is up to CBS and Julie Chen to take these matters in their hands and to act the way they did? What makes her so different then the way Amanda and Gina Marie acted and lets not forget Spencer? So you do not think we should not use every opportunity to learn and teach one another during every situation in life? You back up your arguments with “facts” that you learn off other people’s posts? It seems everyone is ready to malign everyone without fully knowing that person’s true feelings.
MissMoody
August 31, 2013 @ 1:08 am
I understand where you are coming from. But I do feel as though you are defending her. For example, “It seems everyone is ready to malign everyone without fully knowing that person’s true feelings.” Ever heard the oft-repeated quote that when a person shows you who they truly are, believe them? Aaryn has been in the BB house for months and there is unedited footage of her entire stay. Why should I have to give her the benefit of the doubt when I can see for myself, in private moments, how she behaves and the things she feels it is appropriate to say? Aaryn grew up in Colorado and Texas, goes to university and presumably has access to the internet and a television. Her racism/ignorance has NO excuse, geographic location or otherwise. As to your point about Amanda, GM and Spencer, they have not been evicted as of yet. When they are evicted, I expect Julie to be just as stern with them as she was with Aaryn. If she is not, then that’s another matter which we can debate when it comes to pass
Kyle
August 31, 2013 @ 3:07 am
To try and clear this up since your responses keep going to how much a racist Aaryn is and that I am defending her. (“It seems everyone is ready to malign everyone without fully knowing that person’s true feelings.” – meaning we do not know her no matter what we have seen or heard from and about her so why is everyone so critical about just her since other people in the house are just as bad.) My whole reasoning behind my arguments is the following: How can Julie and Big Brother question anyone about a topic like that in that situation? Julie is quoted in saying “I need to shine a light on that a little bit, but not in a harsh way”, but then goes out and throws the mock interrogation in front of a live audience like that. Several people in the audience booed when she walked on stage, at least they could of asked the audience not to respond when they brought up this matter. Julie is also quoted in saying “I want to be fair and open-minded and want to be able to make her feel comfortable enough where she speaks the truth and doesn’t say what she feels she has to say to cover her butt”, I don’t think that mission was accomplished there at all. Clearly Julie wanted to use that as a learning experience for Aaryn (which I talked about in early responses). So how do you teach compassion to others without showing them compassion?
MissMoody
August 31, 2013 @ 4:05 pm
I’m with you on the audience. I remember when this story first started blowing up and everyone was speculating on how an eviction interview would go down with Aaryn, a lot of posters said, and I agreed, that a live audience would be a tad much. And it was. That was the point when I really felt for the girl, seeing her reacting to the boos and jeers from the crowd. Julie however, in my opinion, did a great job. She is the host of BB and it is her job to question the contestants on their experiences in the house etc. With Aaryn, her racism was not just a factor outside the house but it was discussed and a hot topic within the house as well so to not discuss it at all…I don’t see how that could have worked. I saw Julie on her other show, the Talk, discussing Aaryn’s comments a while back and she was very animated and very offended. Having seen that segment, watching Julie question Aaryn about her words/actions, I was actually surprised by Julie’s restraint. I also feel like Aaryn made that interview more difficult for herself by not just copping to saying stupid stuff instead of blaming the editing of the show.
Red haired diva
August 30, 2013 @ 2:52 am
Amanda said more offensive things than Aaryn. I do think Aaryn matured thu the game and made friendships with folks she judged in the beginning. Amanda has actually gotten more vile with each passing day. Julie better grill her twice as hard.
Former JC fan
August 30, 2013 @ 2:47 am
Julie should have left her personal feelings out of the show and not ganged up on Aaryn. Shame on you Julie!
MissMoody
August 30, 2013 @ 3:31 am
How do you say, on live TV, knowing the HOST of Big Brother is Asian, that you don’t like Asians and that they should just shut up and go make some rice? Her and GM were apparently trash-talking Asians just last night and were caught on the live-feed. No sympathy for racists. Sorry not sorry.
janet
August 30, 2013 @ 5:44 am
It was okay for Aaryn, Amanda and Gina Marie to gang up on Candice and Elissa. Julie Chen just stated the facts. Own up for your actions!!!
Vanessa Callender-Wilson
August 30, 2013 @ 2:37 am
PRICELESS
TJ
August 30, 2013 @ 2:13 am
Epic show tonight! Really praying for Aaryn to be a better person!
Fred
August 30, 2013 @ 2:01 am
Julie over did it.
Niyah 821
August 30, 2013 @ 3:50 pm
The hell Julie over-did it. I felt absolutely no pity for Ms.Gries some-what fake remorse. I just hope seeing her actions and the consequential responses from the general populace open her eyes to the serious problems that bias cause. I just hope that the remaining HG(s) that have shown equally disturbing behavior are given the same if not worse reception and admonishments.
Steph
August 30, 2013 @ 1:58 am
Kudos Julie, you did a magnificent job