Gheesling has a chance to alter reality TV
-By Mike Moore-
Those who know him best, know him as a quiet and cocky (he’s proved it’s possible), well-mannered, well-respected, even well-groomed young man with a passion for coaching and a skill for teaching.
Those just getting to know him, may know him as a staunch republican who would have left the country if Hillary Clinton had entered the Oval Office as Commander in Chief.
That’s what he said, anyway.
What everyone knows now, though, is Dearborn resident and Divine Child grad, Dan Gheesling is a cast member on the tenth season of the CBS reality show Big Brother, and he has an opportunity unlike any other…an opportunity that has nothing to do with the $500,000 on the line.
Reality shows of all flavors aim for those few key objectives, capture an audience, entertain said audience and keep them coming back for more. (Ten years now for Big Brother)
Still, the modus operandi for the threesome of objectives listed above has become so painfully predictable, I give you, sex, booze and conflict, afflicting a cast of characters that seems as stale and rerun as some of the shows themselves.
For every well-endowed blonde (here it’s Keesha Smith, a 29-year-old Hooters’ waitress) there’s a pile of muscle (Jessie Godderz). For every character that will seem impossible to side with (April Dowling, who claims to have O.C.D) there’s the one impossible not to pull for. (Go ahead and try to root against Jerry MacDonald, the 75-year-old former Marine.)
And, of course, what show would be complete without a gay cowboy?
This, however, is where Gheesling’s opportunity lays, where he could throw a wrench into the hardened perception of what reality shows such as this have to be about.
While other cast members spoke about hot-tub orgies, their sexuality benefiting them or how proud they were to recently lose their virginity, Gheesling talked about the moral dilemma’s he is certain to come face to face with. The temptation he plans on avoiding and the perception of himself he wants to hold true to.
“My moral struggle is still being a role model for the students,” he told CBS in a camera interview. “I don’t want the students I taught to think anything less of me. I care about them, and I want to continue to be role model. I hope they can disseminate reality from the game.”
Asked about hot tub orgies, he just smiled, “I do have a girlfriend if that’s what you’re getting at.”
While his comments about feminists and leaving the country should Clinton have been elected will certainly provide angst from some of the other cast, Gheesling’s persona could be more about who he is, instead of a character he needs to play.
Sure he will have to compete, maybe even lie and stab a roommate or two in the back along the way. But, as he explained, this is in fact a game. “Would I steal Monopoly money to win a game? Yes. Would I steal money in real life? No I wouldn’t.”
Quizzed about skeletons or secrets to be revealed, Gheesling simply flashed a smile, saying, “I’m a pretty straight-forward person.” With a chance to allow morals, beliefs and an unbending sense of character redefine the landscape of the show.
Asked about his reason for entering the house, he said, honestly, “Without a doubt … I’m doing it for finances.”
As is the case for most. His next statements set him apart, though.
“I know $500,000 is a lot of money,” he said. “It’s enough to set me up for so I can do what I want the rest of my life. So I can teach and coach. Is it going to make me widely rich? No.”
Win the money in this opportunity in order to live a life and hold professions that pay pennies on the hour.
Who knows how it will all play out? We get our first glimpse inside the house, into Gheesling’s new life, Sunday night beginning at 8 p.m. Chances are good the persona he carries, the morals he stands by (notice the crucifix he wears during the taping) and the overall boredom of his objectives won’t be “great TV,” so to speak. Then again it may make him a more likeable person for those in the house, those responsible for voting him out or keeping him on.
Either way, no matter how long he stays, Gheesling made it, (almost in spite of the above traits), giving him a chance to, if not change, slightly alter the face of reality TV.
Although Gheesling won’t need to move anytime soon, many in this country thought a woman could never have a legitimate shot at the presidency. If that can and did happen, why couldn’t a straight-forward Catholic from a middle class city have a shot to steal the spotlight in Hollywood?
Those that know him best, know he can.
Come back to Mooretosay.com as season 10 plays itself out to track Gheesling’s appearance.
To watch the entire video where these quotes were taken, visit http://cbs2.com/video/?id=71126@kcbs.dayport.com
To see the entire cast, vist http://www.cbs.com/primetime/big_brother/video/video.php?cid=613117335&pid=0fkSgxL7jh_vvDvGOqRC04_msxP6tylX&category=popular&play=true.
Mike Moore can be reached at mjm12@albion.edu
