Big Brother’s 24-hour live feeds pick up everything, including the use of insensitive language, and in the first week of the competition, one houseguest has been caught using an expulsion-worthy slur on the live feeds. Big Brother 27 may have only just begun, but the houseguests’ behaviour is being watched thoroughly by live feed viewers after a significant delay in availability.
With the live feeds turning on five days after the houseguests moved in, viewers couldn’t access them until Sunday, July 13. Even so, within days, one houseguest was caught using an offensive, insensitive term (via TMZ). Isaiah “Zae” Frederich, who’s currently nominated for eviction, used a slur during a game of chess with his fellow houseguest Keanu Soto, claiming he was “a f***ing r****d.”
While Zae quickly corrected himself and explained that was “one of the [words] I was working on not saying,” to Keanu, who reassured him that it was late and the feeds likely wouldn’t be showing him. Unfortunately for Zae’s public perception, Keanu was wrong. Now, many BB fans are rallying behind the show to expel Zae for his misconduct despite him being nominated for eviction.
Zae, who used his experience in the Mormon faith as an introductory tactic during the Big Brother 27 premiere, was quick to correct his behavior, but the fact that he openly used a slur and clocked it wasn’t something he should’ve done doesn’t erase that he did it in the first place. Zae’s behavior is expulsion-worthy, but Big Brother isn’t likely to take action.
Throughout Big Brother history, the show has expelled houseguests for using derogatory language and racial slurs, most notably BB 25’s Luke Valentine, but has been more lenient on slurs that don’t revolve around race. While their policies aren’t clear to viewers, it’s likely things move on a case-by-case basis. When BB 25’s Jared Fields used the same term, he wasn’t removed from the game.
While Jared may have been a special circumstance considering he was there with his mother, Survivor legend Cirie Fields, it was clear that he was spoken to about his language. Zae, who may be facing eviction in the next 36 hours, could have been given the same treatment. Unfortunately, allowing Zae to continue in the game sets a precedent for houseguests using offensive language.