Smallscreen News
CBS' 'Big Brother' in hot water with Autism activists
By M&C Smallscreen
Feb 19, 2008, 17:16 GMT

CBS producers let a contestant on the reality show "Big Brother" make a bigoted remark, and did not edit it out for airtime.

National autism advocacy group Autism United and their executive director John Gilmore is now demanding an apology from CBS because of one “Big Brother” contestant who made the hurtful remarks on the air.

On last Monday’s “Big Brother” broadcast on CBS, a contestant named Adam called the persons that suffer from autism “retards” in one of his remarks. According to the show’s website, the 29-year-old “houseguest” is a public relations manager from Delray Beach, Fla. and works for an autism foundation.

The remark referenced the notion that if Adam won the $500,000 prize he would then open a hair salon for disabled persons, “so retards can get it together and get their hair done.”

When castmate Sheila had issues with his comment, Adam replied: “Disabled kids. I can call them whatever I want. I work with them all day, OK?”

CBS stands by the statement that contestants’ comments "do not represent the networks’ opinions."

In a statement released this Monday, they say that it is a private opinion and that neither the network not the show’s producers share it: “We certainly find the statements made by Adam to be offensive but believe they were countered by the immediate reaction of shock and condemnation from a fellow houseguest, Sheila.”

Autism United is seeking not only an apology from CBS but some repercussions for Adam as well, citing the notorious dismissal of radio talk show host Don Imus in April 2007.

“This dehumanizing language is unacceptable,” a message posted on the group’s official website reads. “When Don Imus used racially callous language on his program CBS executives Leslie Moonves and Sumner Redstone issued an apology, fired Imus and cancelled his show.

“We call up Mr. Moonves and Mr. Redstone to issue an apology to people with autism and other developmental disabilities, fire Adam Jasinski, and cancel Big Brother.”