Merlin the magicians protest

[Munga]

I'm a bit worried about his well being. He's obviously got a screw loose, and now he'll probably get heckled on the streets. The guy could end up hanging himself! Of course that might be going overboard. But he made that choice, he should know what's coming. If anything its probably done more harm than good. There's a time and a place. "Think of the children, somebody please think of the children!". Seriously, people don't want to see that.
Having said that,
I LOVE LIVE TV!!!!!!

 

[Squeak]

Originally posted by Munga
The guy could end up hanging himself!

I don't see the problem.

 

[Mr Ripper]

Would have been hilarious if the refugees actually had've been released while he was in "the house"

 

[bunsen burner]

Would also be hilarious if he got deported.

 

[w00dy]

Originally posted by Mr Ripper
Would have been hilarious if the refugees actually had've been released while he was in "the house"

they should have just told him that... he wouldn't have known any different... then he mite have spoken...

 

[aussierules0k]

Merlin was once a refugee and showed a lot of guts to advertise the plight of other refugees. Well done Merlin. However, once his point had been made, he should've shown Gretal some respect by talking.

 

[mulhollanddrive]

Agreed that perhaps explaining his reasons behind his view would have been more productive, but for everyone saying hes a ****er,******** etc when was the last time you tried to do something to make a difference, and not sit behind a computer screen being judge and jury on people you dont know.

 

[bunsen burner]

Originally posted by mulhollanddrive
but for everyone saying hes a ****er,******** etc when was the last time you tried to do something to make a difference,

You're delusional if you think that will make a difference. Get back to me when they let all the refugees out.

and not sit behind a computer screen being judge and jury on people you dont know.

We do know him - he bared his personality on BB. It happens that most people think he's a tool.

btw: why are you sitting behind your computer screen and judging us?

 

[Lady Lawrence]

I am a little befuddled by it all. I don't understand how someone feels they can make a political statement about Australian policy when they don't have a right to one. He is not an Australian Citizen, therefore doesn't vote.

No vote no voice.

 

[P_D]

Rove website says he'll still appear on Tuesday.

 

[Milkman]

Originally posted by bunsen burner
You're delusional if you think that will make a difference. Get back to me when they let all the refugees out.

It gets people talking, and brings the issue somewhat back into the limelight. Better than doing nothing.

 

[ruth]

So was this guy living in a refugee camp eg Woomera.or did he like frineds of mine come here and gain residency and live in the community immediatley.

What a loser.If he wanted to say something he shouljd have opened his damned mouth abd said it.it just shows how immature he is.Mind you I would have wanted Paul to snot him one.getting emotional like he does is just plain daft.if he thinks he has the chicks onside,then he is worng.He has been the hot topic of loserdome at work these last few weeks.

 

[Docker_Brat]

Originally posted by ruth
Mind you I would have wanted Paul to snot him one.

How is that mature?

 

[Watto]

Check this out:

Merlin defends Big Brother stunt

June 14, 2004
THE Big Brother contestant who hijacked last night's eviction episode with a mute protest broke his silence today to reveal the stunt was designed to put the mandatory-detention issue on the election agenda.

Merlin Luck, 24, of Sydney said his controversial call to free refugees from immigration detention had been planned for months and was not designed to ruin the nationally-televised program.

Luck created turmoil on the set of Big Brother when he arrived on stage with his mouth taped shut holding a sign on a piece of white sheet which read "Free Th Refugees".(The "e" fell off.)

Ironically, Luck's refusal to speak to host Gretel Killeen made him the most-talked-about contestant of the fourth Big Brother series.

"When I did this stunt it wasn't to slap in the face the people that gave me this opportunity," Luck said today.

I wasn't trying to destroy the show. If people want reality television then this is reality."

Luck's actions were celebrated by pro-refugee groups and chastised across the country by talk back radio callers who condemned the German-born resident for criticising Australia's refugee policy.

Luck said he had wanted to spark debate about the incarceration of refugees and asylum seekers ahead of the federal election.

"The vast majority have risked their lives to fight for the basic human rights we take for granted," he said.

"This issue needs to be put back on the political agenda."

Luck is the first contestant to use the television show to make a premeditated political statement.

He revealed he had planned the protest months before entering the house and sewed the sign inside a T-shirt patch on the night before he was locked away.

All contestants are thoroughly searched before entering the house.

"It went unnoticed," he said.

Luck apologised for upsetting and confusing some in the audience.

"I'm sorry for the young kids who didn't know what was going on," he said.

"If national television is not the place for debate about an issue about this magnitude then that's a sad reflection on our nation's priorities."

The refugee lobby group, A Just Australia, said Luck was courageous and had brought the issue to a non-political show like Big Brother.

"He is to be congratulated for bringing the plight of refugees to a new and broader audience," said spokesman Greg Barns.

Luck clarified today that he had never been a refugee but came to Australia with his family when he was four years old on a tourist visa.

They overstayed their visa and lived here illegally for seven years. His family now has residency but Luck has retained German citizenship.

The show's host Gretel Killeen said she was surprised and disappointed by Luck's performance and hoped he would not regret it in future.

"I felt at the end of the day disappointed that Luck didn't use the opportunity to actually discuss the issue," she said.

"I thought it came across a little aggressively, I hope he doesn't regret that moment."

Ten has extended tonight's Big Brother show by an extra half an hour to include coverage of the controversy.




From the australian website.

 

[choc_a_holic]

Well well...Yeah bloody Merlin, it was weird, and yes I agree that he could atleast spoke to Gretel...a bit rude.

And it probably could have been something to do with nerves or maybe not..he seemed pretty keen to leave, he was revving up his housemates once his name was read out!
He jumped through the Lancer's window and suddenly pulled out that white cotton sheet was it? It had a couple diagonal black lines in the right bottom corner too. Where did he get it from?

He seems like a bit of an attention seeker, there was already enough talk and sh*t about refugees in the house which I thought was offencing to him, why would he wanna bring it up again?
DId he not want to be asked any questions about it from Gretel maybe?

 

[Sydneyfan]

It all made great viewing, something I definitely didn't expect.

I wasn't a huge fan of Merlin whilst in the house though have gotta give him props for having the courage to go through with his protest.

I agree with his message, though don't entirely agree with his method. Though it has achieved a bit of talk which can't be an entirely bad thing.

Felt a little sorry for Gretel, though she handled it well. It was rude of Merlin not to talk to Gretel but it's also rude to keep 5 year olds behind bars ... so it's all in perspective.

 

[Flyinby]

Well I'm surprised NO-ONE said anything and he of all people got away with it..

Smells fishy to me.

 

[Flyinby]

Originally posted by Sydneyfan
It all made great viewing, something I definitely didn't expect.

I wasn't a huge fan of Merlin whilst in the house though have gotta give him props for having the courage to go through with his protest.

I agree with his message, though don't entirely agree with his method. Though it has achieved a bit of talk which can't be an entirely bad thing.

Felt a little sorry for Gretel, though she handled it well. It was rude of Merlin not to talk to Gretel but it's also rude to keep 5 year olds behind bars ... so it's all in perspective.

Feel like planting this in the ' I have an agenda' board.

FFs it's entertainment... keep the political notions out of here

 

[mattyc2422]

Originally posted by choc_a_holic
Well well...Yeah bloody Merlin, it was weird, and yes I agree that he could atleast spoke to Gretel...a bit rude.

Rude?

It was a silent protest. A silent protest which had more volume than him talking. All Gretel would have asked him was ****y questions about housemates farting and such.
I imagine he didn't care about Gretels questions - neither would I. He wanted to express a point to a mainstream audience which generally has their head in the sand.

As SydneyFan touched upon, it's 'rude to keep 5 year olds behind bars'. Precisely.

Merlin had a point which extended beyond the materialistic prizes and faux entertainment of questions about why he didn't stick it in Ash.

 

[aaricho]

Calling Merlin a Tool is insulting to all the tools out there, he is the King Tool !!

His "Stunt" was misguided and didn`t work, this thread proves it didn`t work, nobody is talking about the "issue", just the way he went about his protest.

He used an entertainment medium for political reasons, he was extremely rude to Gretel and the viewing public who watch this show for light entertainment, NOT to see some tosser airing his political views in an aggressive and rude way.

Channel 10 and Gretel handled this with complete proffessionalism and I`m sure any attempt in future to use the show as a political tool will not be tolerated.

I had thought that Merlin was a reasonably intelligent person up until last night, now he has shown he is just a TOOL !!

 

[Dogwatcher]

Great point. Great protest. He backed it up on Monday night on Big Brother eviction night. Now let's see him take out Australian citizenship.

Amanda Vanstone's reaction on the news last night was very interesting:

"He must be misinformed, there are no refugees in detention centres."

So.....ummmmm....if the government has decided that these people are not refugees or asylum seekers, then why are they still behind bars and not on their way home?

 

[red+black]

Why has the issue of him being a cutter been avoided? Did he slit his wrists in a detention centre? He always wears sweatbands, and I'm not the only one that has seen marks on his wrists when he has taken a band off. So, what's up with that?

I'm with Paul all the way. Merlin is a sook, and should commit to Australian citizenship. He has never explained why he won't take it out. He can keep his European passport. I have an Aussie and Euro passports.

BB should never have let in someone with such emotional problems. Then again, the casting hasn't been all that great anyway.

 

[bunsen burner]

Originally posted by red+black
Why has the issue of him being a cutter been avoided? Did he slit his wrists in a detention centre? He always wears sweatbands, and I'm not the only one that has seen marks on his wrists when he has taken a band off. So, what's up with that?

Just like his episodes with the boxing bag, he is an attention seeking toolwit.

I'm with Paul all the way. Merlin is a sook, and should commit to Australian citizenship. He has never explained why he won't take it out. He can keep his European passport. I have an Aussie and Euro passports.

You have to question why he hasn't become an Australian citizen.

BB should never have let in someone with such emotional problems. Then again, the casting hasn't been all that great anyway.

We all need people to laugh at.

 

[Lechensko]

Originally posted by bunsen burner


We all need people to laugh at.

Yeah, especially you.

That is, if you actually watch Big Brother.

 

[choc_a_holic]

Originally posted by mattyc2422
Rude?

It was a silent protest. A silent protest which had more volume than him talking. All Gretel would have asked him was ****y questions about housemates farting and such.
I imagine he didn't care about Gretels questions - neither would I. He wanted to express a point to a mainstream audience which generally has their head in the sand.

Who give a **** about the questions anyway, the point is that he knew he was evicted & was going to be asked questions, he WAS rude for ignoring Gretel. That was the time or place to protest.
Even though it was a good chance to, but still, that's not what he was there for.