"Big Brother" Competitor's Possible N-Word Use Sparks Criticism/Gloria Reuben Samples Life Behind the Cameras

Internet reports that a "Big Brother" contestant dropped the N-word live on line the other day are "completely unconfirmed at this point" says exec producer Allison Grodner.

"I'm not even saying the word was used, but it's being said that it was used in terms of a bunch of guys talking, and it wasn't use of the N-word in the way you would think but as a colloquialism," she adds, referring to the racial epithet. The contestant was off-camera, but that's not keeping the suspected culprit's name out of blogs.

Last year, contestant Amber Siyavus was heard making anti-Semitic remarks on the CBS show. It led to a public outcry. Says Grodner, "These are people in a very intense situation who bring in their own points of view and prejudices, and sometimes they are things we certainly don't agree with." At the same time, she says, "We're not looking for anyone spreading hate speech."

As far as the most recent lapse, Grodner indicates there may be some sort of network statement forthcoming, but don't look for anyone being bounced off the show. What WOULD cause a "Big Brother" contestant to be ousted for behavioral reasons? "Physical violence is not tolerated in the house, as we saw on Season 2, and then of course on Season 4," Grodner says, referring to Scott Weintraub's expulsion after a violent outburst.

The current, Season 9, group is comprised of singles partnered with a potential "soul mate." They're younger than past groups, and "more emotional," Grodner finds.

At the same time "Big Brother 9" is playing out, Grodner and partner Rich Meehan are gearing up for "Big Brother 10" this coming summer. "We are casting, so people who are interested should submit their information," she says.

THE BIG-SCREEN SCENE: Former "ER" regular Gloria Reuben says being a hands-on executive producer of the indie Sundance Film Festival winner "Padre Nuestro" provided a revelation. "It really taught me a lot. I was on the other side of the casting table, and when these actors would come in, you automatically knew if they were right for the part of not. I realized it just may be the essence and it has nothing to do with your talent. It was interesting to experience that on that side." She adds, "I remembered that lesson the next thing I auditioned for. As an actor, you can't try to figure out what they want. You do what you do, and either it fits or it doesn't."

Reuben — who's breathing a sigh of relief that TNT has ordered 10 episodes of Stephen Bochco's legal drama "Raising the Bar" with Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Jane Kaczmarek — says they've found "an international distributor for 'Padre Nuestro,' and it's going to be released this spring." The film is "about betrayal and family and looking for a place in the world. Two young boys cross the border illegally, one running away from a crime-filled past, the other one with a letter of introduction to his father in New York from his mother who's passed away. The father doesn't even know he has a son. They befriend each other, and then the young man who is the criminal steals the identity of the other to steal his fortune, and that boy is left on the streets of New York."

ENVIROMENTAL ROLE: Former "Malcolm in the Middle" star Bryan Cranston tells us he's one of the latest celebrities to go "green" as he spent time off during the writer's strike working on an environmentally friendly home. "I'm designing a house for my family. It's a vacation house. I'm going to draw the design myself and have it built in green with solar panels, recycled materials and things like that," says Cranston, who will be following in the footsteps as such stars as Leonardo DiCaprio and Darryl Hannah. As for his professional endeavors, Cranston says his next project is with the famous husband/wife team of Helen Mirren and Taylor Hackford in the movie "Love Ranch." "I have a nice role in that," he adds.

SPEAKING OF 'BIG BROTHER': "Dancing With the Stars" recently announced its new set of celebrities with the likes of Priscilla Presley, Adam Carolla, Monica Seles, Steve Guttenberg and Mario among the bunch. Original cast member John O'Hurley says he looks forward to each new season as he believes the show brings out the best in its participants. "It's a wonderful tribute to ballroom dancing and to great television — in that you are rewarding talent as opposed to ambition. Sadly, we've kind of retreated into social voyeurism with things like 'Big Brother' and that 'Lord of the Flies' show they tried. I just turn my head in disgust," claims O'Hurley, who's been busy as a successful author and host of the "Family Feud." "Every time they do 'Dancing With the Stars,' there's some wonderful audience provoking controversy, yet the heart of the show remains constant."

With reports by Stephanie DuBois and Emily Feimster.

To find out more about Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith and read their past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2008 MARILYN BECK AND STACY JENEL SMITH

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