Gheesling dances into the finals
-By Mike Moore-
He came in as one of the most controversial contestants, thanks mainly to his religion and political views, but now, with just two episodes remaining, he is down to the final two, guaranteed at very worst second place, and $50,000.
Believe it or not, it’s been 69 days since Dearborn and Divine Child’s own, Dan Gheesling entered the Big Brother house.
As Thursday’s show wrapped up, Gheesling could be seen dancing on a table, throwing out high fives to his “Renegade” partner, Memphis, and pacing the kitchen in a state of shock.
Truth be told, Gheesling may be surprised at his success, shocked, however, he can’t be.
Since the first day he entered the house, he entered with a game plan. He threw competitions early on, dominated others at the right moment. He formed alliances that would only benefit him, while faking others he could use when needed.
No matter your opinion of him as a person, his play as a competitor in this game has been unmatched. And it’s that little word, “game,” that so many people seem to forget about when speaking of Gheesling, and, for that matter, his success.
He’s gone against his word when needed, sorry Ollie, while other times hiding what his true word was. Keep in mind he would have voted out Keesha just as quickly as Memphis did.
It’s impressive, even hard to believe at times, that Gheesling has maintained his reputation, kept his normal persona, all while advancing to this point in the game. Not once did he compromise his job at St. Mary’s, and aside from what seemed like one disingenuous comment about the sacrament of confession, (his only statement that’s bothered me to this point), he’s found a way to win with smarts, intelligence and a little deception.
The makings of a good coach, right?
It’s hard to believe the journey has brought him this far, given what reality TV usually strives for. Rarely, if ever, has the good kid, a Catholic boy at that, had such success in an industry driven by sex, lies and controversy.
Through it all, he’s maintained his relationship to his girlfriend (only a few more days Monica), he’s honored, or better said, made his mother proud, all the while being the Dan Gheesling so many of us have come to know, and, in a weird way, come to love.
It was some 69 days ago, when the show first began, that I said, and I quote, “why couldn’t a straight-forward Catholic from a middle class city have a shot to steal the spotlight in Hollywood?”
Well, he has, and if the vote goes his way Tuesday, (he’s played his cards right so that it will) he won’t just steal said spotlight, he’ll take it all the way to the bank.
Check back with Mooretosay.com in the days following the final episode of Big Brother as i hope to secure an interview with Gheesling, win or lose.
Mike Moore can be reached at mjm12@albion.edu
