“Big Brother” is embroiled in a racism controversy Again

As “Big Brother” enters its Season 21 finale, the reality show’s history of contestants using racist language once again raises questions about CBS’ diversity push.

The show BigBrother wraps its 21st season last tonight with a $500,000 prize winner — and a cloud of controversy.

First, some important context about this season of #BigBrother https://t.co/EFbNrdNLV5 pic.twitter.com/5au5TrbQHi

— LAT Entertainment (@latimesent) September 25, 2019

Kemi Fakunle, the only female African American houseguest, also said she was encouraged by a BigBrother producer to use a stereotypical black accent for a soundbite in the show’s confessional “diary room”

But BigBrother’s race problem is not new. The series — unlike a number of its reality-TV competitors — has consistently had a predominantly white cast since its first season in 2000.

In 2013, Aaryn Gries said in a reference to African American houseguest Candice Stewart: “Be careful what you say in the dark, might not get to see the bitch.”

Aaryn Gries flipped over Stewart’s mattress, mocking her with a stereotypical black accent. Gries’ friend GinaMarie Zimmerman got in Stewart’s face and said, “You want the black to come out?”

The next season, BigBrother fans discovered homophobic and racially inflammatory comments posted on social media by Caleb Reynolds, who referred to then-President Obama as a “Muslim monkey.” He also used an anti-gay slur on the account.

The BigBrother controversy is particularly uncomfortable for CBS execs, who eagerly promoted last month significant progress on the diversity front, touting new fall series—“Evil,” “All Rise” & “Bob Hearts Abishola”—with people of color in leading roles.

Ahead of tonight’s finale, CBS execs declined to comment on if they'd reexamine #BigBrother's casting formula or vetting process.

Instead, CBS & production companies Endemol Shine North America and Fly on the Wall Entertainment released a joint statement https://t.co/EFbNrdNLV5 pic.twitter.com/QCqs7oHHpE

— LAT Entertainment (@latimesent) September 25, 2019