Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

'Big Brother' Called Out For Having An Audio-Based Competition Despite Deaf Houseguest

CBS screenshot of Matt Klotz on "Big Brother"
CBS

The reality TV show faced criticism after a recent episode featured a listening competition that included the show's first-ever deaf houseguest, Matt Klotz.

A recent episode of the hit reality show Big Brother sparked controversy and raised questions about inclusivity and fairness when a hearing-based competition challenge was introduced—despite featuring the show's first-ever deaf houseguest.

The 25th season of Big Brother ushered in a multiverse theme, setting the stage for a diverse range of challenges and experiences for the contestants.


However, a recent Power of Veto competition named "Twisted Tasks" took a turn that didn't sit well with many of the show's viewers.

During the Twisted Tasks challenge, six participating houseguests, including Klotz, were instructed to don headphones and listen to records containing a series of audio clues. These audio cues needed to be pieced together correctly in the shortest possible time to achieve success in the competition.

Unfortunately, Klotz did not manage to secure a top-three spot in this challenge.

Ahead of the episode's airing, Entertainment Weekly published an exclusive feature revealing the extensive efforts undertaken by the Big Brother production team to ensure a level playing field for Klotz, even noting the following ahead of the episode's air date:

"Klotz had already proven himself to be a fierce competitor, representing the United States as a world record holding swimmer at the Deaflympics."
"But having a deaf contestant enter the house meant that 'Big Brother' producers had to reevaluate how to best accommodate the player for interactions in both the Diary Room and during competitions — and those accommodations will be put to the test tonight in a Veto competition called Twisted Tasks that is based heavily around audio clues."

The behind-the-scenes adjustments included the incorporation of a parametric or directional speaker that could be positioned accordingly. This setup was meticulously tested by Klotz himself.

Additionally, producers crafted a combination of the right tone and voice for his ear and utilized noise-canceling headphones compatible with his hearing aids, minimizing the risk of feedback.

Despite these diligent preparations, the hearing-based nature of the competition bothered viewers, some of whom questioned the fairness of the challenge for Klotz.



The failure on the part of Big Brother to accommodate Klotz is an example of ableism, which is defined as discrimination and social prejudice against people with disabilities or who are perceived to be disabled.

Sadly, it's all too common in the United States, despite the protections afforded to disabled people in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Earlier this year for instance, Chris Hinds—a city councilman in Denver, Colorado, who uses a wheelchair—said he was "humiliated" and "felt like a circus clown" after he was forced to hoist himself onstage at the venue for a mandatory debate because the stage was inaccessible.

While a spokesperson for the venue told reporters the facility is ADA compliant, they acknowledged the stage itself had limitations and said the venue would seek a long-term solution.

Last year, conservatives mocked Vice President Kamala Harris after she introduced herself by mentioning her pronouns and the color of the suit she was wearing during a roundtable discussion commemorating the 32nd anniversary of the ADA.

Harris was criticized even though she was following recommendations put forward by institutions such as the Perkins School for the Blind, which encourage image descriptions that include the placement of objects in an image, image style, colors, names of people, clothes, animals, placement of text, emotions (such as smiling), and general surroundings.

More from Trending

Screenshots of Justin Bieber being hounded by paparazzi
X17OnlineVideo

Fans Defend Justin Bieber After He Confronts Paparazzi For Constantly Hounding Him

Fans defended Justin Bieber after he berated the relentless paparazzi and accused them of only being concerned with turning a profit over valuing people's lives.

According to X17, the "Intentions" singer's retreat to Palm Springs, days before the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, was anything but relaxing as he clashed with the paparazzi for a third day in a row.

Keep ReadingShow less
RFK Jr.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

RFK Jr. Slammed After Claiming HHS Will Discover The Cause Of 'Autism Epidemic' By September

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declared that scientists would determine the cause of the "autism epidemic" by September, even though scientists haven't discovered a breakthrough despite decades of research.

In a cabinet meeting with Republican President Donald Trump on Thursday, RFK Jr. stated:

Keep ReadingShow less
J.D. Vance and Usha Vance listen to Susan Meyers during his Greenland visit
Jim Watson/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Space Force Commander Fired Over Email Criticizing Vance's Greenland Comments

Vice President J.D. Vance and the wider Trump administration are facing criticism now that Colonel Susan Meyers was removed from her post as commander at Greenland's Pituffik Space Base after breaking with Vance in an email she wrote following his controversial visit to the island territory.

Greenland is an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark, alongside the Faroe Islands, the only other autonomous territory within the Kingdom. Citizens of both Greenland and the Faroe Islands are full citizens of Denmark. As one of the Overseas Countries and Territories of the European Union, Greenland’s citizens are also recognized as EU citizens.

Keep ReadingShow less
Karoline Leavitt and Scott Bessent
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Karoline Leavitt Dragged After Making Mind-Numbing Claim About Trump's Tariffs Reversal

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is getting called out after she attempted to justify President Donald Trump's sudden reversal on his proposed tariffs, telling reporters that his actions make sense because he has a master plan to make the world bend the knee.

Trump declared a full 90-day suspension of all the “reciprocal” tariffs that took effect at midnight April 10—except for those on China—in a dramatic about-face from a president who had long championed his historically high tariff rates as permanent.

Keep ReadingShow less
religion signs
Noah Holm on Unsplash

People Explain What Stopped Them From Going To Church Anymore

There's been a perception of a bit of an exodus from religion for the last several decades. But humanity has gone from no organized religions to oppressive religious regimes to rebellion and back again over the last several millennia.

But is the 21st century when religion finally fails to bounce back?

Keep ReadingShow less