CBS CEO Les Moonves voiced his opinion on the controversy surrounding this seasons cast of Big Brother. A handful of BB’s season 15 cast have been dubbed racist, sexist and homophobic after viewers watching the 24 hour live feed witnessed houseguests voicing horrific beliefs.
“Big Brother, it's obviously is a social experiment. It always was," Moonves explained Monday at Television Critics Association press tour according to The Hollywood Reporter. "Clearly that's what's happening this year."
Season 15 had barely kicked off by the time racist and homophobic remarks surfaced. Most notably on fans’ radar is Aaryn Gries and GinaMarie Zimmerman who have both been fired from their jobs after airing their racist and homophobic views. Both women have been witness bullying fellow contestant Candice Stewart who is African American. Gries has openly stated that Helen Kim, who is Asian-American, should “shut up” and “go make some rice.” She also stated that Kim is the first Asian she has met that doesn’t work in a nail salon.
Zimmerman and Gries have also made comments about openly gay contestant Andy Herren.
Since the comments surfaced aired both online and during the primetime show, the network opted to air a disclaimer prior to the show for the first time since ever.
Moonves explains, “I think we've handled it properly. It makes us uncomfortable."
Host Julie Chen, Moonves’ wife, has expressed her hurt over Gries’ anti-Asian comments on her other show, The Talk. Moonves reveals that he and his wife discuss the hurtful comments in private.
Image: CBS