The bb8dish Interview with Eric's Brother Josh

Hey Dishers... One more little, well, BIG actually, treat for you before the showdown tonight. I was fortunate to speak with America's Player Eric's brother Josh several times over the past couple weeks, and he has MUCH to tell us.

Please sit back, relax and enjoy the read.

***When posting this elsewhere, please include a direct link back to the blog before the text portion. Thank you.

http://bb8dish.blogspot.com/2007/09/bb8dish-interview-with-erics-brother.html


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bb8dishCarolyn: Thanks so much for agreeing to do an interview with me. I really appreciate it. There's so much to ask you, and so many levels I could pursue this from (including America's political psyche, and the effect upon Eric), I'm not really sure where to begin... so, I'm going off the cuff, and I'll see where that leads me.
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Eric's Brother Josh: Not a problem, thanks for having me. Sorry that with my schedule I couldn't get it done before he was evicted but what can you do?
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bb8dishCarolyn: What an emotional roller coaster this summer must be for you and your family. The BB audience can be a bit on the fickle side... One minute, everyone's enchanted with the notion of being allowed to participate, the next everyone's calling for your brother's head on a platter (with the Nick eviction), and then Eric's able to win back favor in the most unlikely of circumstances - his complete desolation at Amber's hands (and mouth). For me, that was the turning point... I just sat there feeling horribly for him, and thinking, if he can get himself out of this mess, he is a tremendous player, and he has my support 100%. Then with his entire relationship with Jessica, he's on a steady upswing... How have you and your family been coping through all this? it can't have been easy…
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Eric's Brother Josh:This entire summer has been a roller coaster. From the second BB came to visit and give him his key in the middle of a game of wiffle ball in central park, until he was evicted this past week at the end of the FF episode, it was a whirlwind. The season started out rough with the announcement of Eric as America's Player which - if you recall from BB's first visit to NYC to my apartment - we were not happy about. And the first week on the feeds had Eric on slop, grouchy, very out of sorts, butting heads with Joe and Dani - it was hard to watch. Fortunately, as we began to once again get used to the ebb and flow of the game (always takes me a little time each year) he also started to relax.

I think the first AP task with Kail helped him get his footing - when he did exactly what I hoped he'd do and made up a story to try and explain his altercation with Dani - it was the first time I sat back and said "ah, he's thinking, he's getting his head into it, and he's going to be okay". From that point through the formation of the LNC up until the banner plane it was a very good time with Eric helping evict threats to his game, gaining allies/making friends, and entertaining the house. Then came the plane, Dick and Dani back-dooring him, the Amber stuff, and the constant flipping back and forth of his friends as to whether or not to save him - that was brutal. Eric mentioned on the feeds that he lost 10 pounds that week - well I lost 6 and barely slept - it was horrible. After that it was another patch of fun and smooth sailing as the JEDD alliance formed. And then there was last week - but by then I was at peace with whatever happened.

Luckily our friends and family have served as a giant support network for eachother. There have been a lot of group viewings; people making sure nothing important or funny happened on the feeds without us knowing; help rallying support for AP votes that wouldn't hurt Eric; and so on. When Eric comes home he's going to find that his friends and family are closer than ever.
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Carolyn: We heard what you said during your CBS interview with regard to Eric, his old girlfriend and Jessica.. Can you expand upon that a bit for the bb8dish readers? Clearly, as his brother, you know him best. Do you believe wholeheartedly that his intentions toward Jessica are sincere both within and outside the game? (I do.) What is it about his actions that lead you to believe as you do?
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Josh: Eric swore up and down that he would never EVER get involved with someone during the show. While it is true that he entered the house single, the situation back home was always a complicated one and if it was going to end once and for all he didn't want it to be conveyed on the show, without being able to explain things. In addition, he was concerned (and rightfully so in retrospect) that getting involved with someone could hurt his game - both by distracting him and providing others with a way to hurt him. (Sadly, that is sort of what happened.)

However, pretty much as soon as Joe left, Eric began bonding with Jess and from there it developed as we all saw. Joking around became flirting, flirting became confiding in one another and aligning, and then it just kept on progressing. Having known Eric for 27+ years you just know how to read someone - he clearly cares for Jess, appreciated her friendship and that she provided him with an escape from the game, and really did want to protect her as best her could.

I think things moved as slowly as they did because both Eric and Jess had exes looming back home in unresolved situations; there were the cameras; and Eric knew Jess was afraid of being played by a man while on the show and, therefore, he tried as best he could not to move forward - especially because of the AP reveal looming at the finale. Eventually the bond was just too strong I guess. I happened to be watching the feeds when they shared their first kiss and I was shocked. What happens post show out of the house, when distance becomes an issue, and other people are back in their lives, who knows. I imagine no matter what they'll remain close friends for a long time.
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Carolyn: Eric has described you and the rest of your family as serious reality tv fans. Can you please take a moment to critique your brother's performance this season? What did you feel were his strengths, and what were his weaknesses? What did you wish he did differently? What made you most proud?
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Josh: I was very impressed that Eric came in with a plan and despite the AP twist he still executed it. He wanted to delay forming any alliance right off the bat (ala the MRA) and instead try to spend time with as many people as possible so he could keep his options open. Early on he wanted to be helpful around the house, be an ear to those who needed one, and help keep people entertained. Then he eventually wanted to form a large alliance, with a smaller alliance within that, and then have one person he could 99% trust. Amazingly, this is what he did. He took his time aligning and then was part of the LNC (7 people), then the LNCv.2 (5 people), then the JEDD alliance (4 people), and he, of course, had Jess as his core partner.

I also think he used his strengths to help cover up the AP tasks. For example, his willingness to do just about anything to entertain people was a good smokescreen to help hide the absurdity of some of his AP tasks (the Sunday night ones). When Eric was yelling catchphrases or imitating Dick it just seemed like Eric doing what he does - if Mike had to do it, people would have known something was up real fast. Similarly, Eric's ability to dissect any debate and argue every side allowed him to develop a reputation as someone who could analyze all sides of any decision - which helped him set up nominations and evictions.

His weaknesses are pretty clear. First, he couldn't win a competition - especially a physical one - when it mattered. He definitely threw some of the earlier ones (Eliminator being the clearest example) but when he needed to win HOH and/or POV during last 2 evictions he couldn't. Not sure if it was nerves/stress; fatigue; distraction - but it was a problem. Second, and I think this has been an issue for all of the HGs, when things were going well he got cocky. For example, during the LNC days he was happy to treat Zach as an outcast and that ended up nearly biting him in the ass the first time he was on the block, and did bite him in the ass when Zach wouldn't trust him and still harbored ill-will last week. Finally, I think he allowed the situation with Jess to distract him over the last week he was in the game. If he had been playing for himself when he had POV he might have back-doored Dani. I think he didn't do it though b/c he feared AP would make him vote to save Dani (making him out to be a liar to Jess) and then AP would target Jess to try and punish Eric. After AP forced him to give Jess the silent treatment I think he was always worried about AP forcing him to harm Jess again and his game suffered for it.

Overall though, he made the F5, was part of many of the major story arcs this summer, and "got the girl" & 40K in AP money plus his stipend - I'd say given that he did it all as AP I'd give him a solid A-.
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Carolyn: The mere title, "America's Player" is such a heavy burden. Not only must he do America and Canada's bidding, or suffer their wrath, but he must also find a way to do this while still furthering himself in the game... When Eric was at his lowest points in the house, it dawned on me that he might very well be suffering from America's own political breakdown and general sense of just being fed up - that feeling we're just not represented by those who we've chosen (or not chosen) to represent us... What's your feeling on this?
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Josh: Hmm...that's a heavy question and one I've never pondered. I do think that our society has become somewhat bitter and seems to greatly enjoying attacking and mocking the very things we simultaneously obsess over (the relationship between vote for the worst and American Idol immediately comes to mind). The internet has certainly provided fans a way to become much more involved in event tv, but it also allows cynics an avenue to attack a show's producers if they're unhappy about something - especially when there's an interactive element. And I think there was certainly some of that going on with the AP voting. In addition, there was certainly an element that just wanted to screw with Eric for their own amusement or because they simply didn't like Eric (he certainly was polarizing) - which is their perogative. Then you have to factor in people just trying to vote to help their own favorites (even if those weren't Eric's allies). All and all I think there were serious issues with the twist that I'd like to think would be re-worked if they ever tried this again. (Though I don't suspect they will.)
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Carolyn: If you could have had a 3 minute uncensored conversation with Eric during his last week in the house (let's say right after Zach won the F6 HOH), what would you want to tell him?
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Josh: First there would have been the pleasantries/pep-talk - "good work," "we're proud," "keep it up," etc. After that I would have told him that: Dani never got over the Nick eviction and has convinced herself it was his fault (even though Dick was a big proponent of it and Dani herself voted to evict him); that Jameka was talking serious crap about him to Jess in an effort to make herself Jess' top ally and he should privately call her out on it; that he needed to try to forge some relationship with Zach because though he appeared to be a floater (going from HOH to HOH to stay safe), he had a much stronger bond with Dick and Dani and that might be a problem so he should indicate he respects Zach's strategy (even if he doesn't) and try to make a deal with him even if he intends to break it down the road; and that while crossing Dick might hurt him in AP, crossing Dani might be easier than he thinks in the right situation. Finally, I'd tell him that while we all think Jess is great, he needs to remember that his main goal is winning 500K and not to lose focus -- continue to spend time with everyone all over the house and never assume you or your allies are safe.
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Carolyn: Amber's anti semitic (and anti new york) comments caused a firestorm of negative publicity for CBS this summer. How did you (and your family) take it when she went off on her rant? Were you personally offended? How about Jameka's admonishment to her that she needed to stop, not because it was wrong, but because people could hear her on the internet.
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Josh: Of course I was shocked and upset. I'm from NY and I'm Jewish, sure I'm not very religious, but it's still a part of who I am. I'm glad it got some serious mainstream press coverage (cnn, fox news, ny post, tmz, etc.) because it helps create awareness that this is still an issue in our country.

As for Jameka, especially having seen her conversation earlier in the season with Dick after he made the comment about starving children in Africa - I was surprised that she didn't tell Amber it was wrong for more fundamental reasons. She never came out and said the comments were offensive, just that it was bad to speak in generalities, especially over the internet. Jameka certainly looked bothered by the comments and I hope had it become an ongoing thing she might have spoken more strongly. But it's not something I hold against Jameka. Those were Amber's comments and I'm sure Jameka felt very uncomfortable hearing them.

I do hope BB prepares Amber, Eric, Jameka, and the others for this issue before giving the press access to them - because I can't imagine how out of left field this is going to seem to them - especially considering they'll all just want to relax and enjoy the end of the show.
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Carolyn: Are you surprised by how much attention has been focused on Eric's being Jewish? Not negatively, like with Amber, but just in general.. that it's a constant source of conversation. (I am) As if he were a martian... something so different... (it reminds me of when i was in a summer theatre program in connecticut, and some girl actually felt my head for horns - so bizarre)
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Josh: Sadly, my late grandfather told me a nearly identical story from when he served in the Army during WWII - I would have thought we'd be past that (especially at a CT theater camp). Those two or three weeks when Eric's being Jewish was a huge topic were very odd to me. Obviously growing up in various parts of NY State and having attended school on the east coast - it's something we give no thought to. So it's strange for me to see other people who live in the US but find being Jewish so novel. And Eric very well might be the least Jewish jewish person I know, so having him act as a spokesperson of sorts really amused my family. BTW, Happy New Year to those celebrating!
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Carolyn: Prior to this week's events, how did you feel about Eric's decision to align with Dick and Daniele? From here, it looked like he was trying to give reality tv lovers a finale they can truly look foward to... with a completely deserving final 2.
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Josh: I liked it. At the time they aligned I thought they were the 4 best players in the house and it would have been a great F4 if they could have pulled it off -- the girls were challenge champs, Eric was the brains, and Dick was the enforcer. Also, I think Eric finally decided to work with America - who clearly was supporting Dick - and embrace their wishes instead of trying to juggle the AP votes and his own agenda quite as much as he was trying earlier in the game. Rather than go against the AP vote and risk being punished or hurt by it, why not change gears, work with a strong tandem like Dick and Dani (he clearly got along very well with Dick earlier in the show), and know that America would likely have his back in the process (and help him earn some money). Also, the fact no one knew that they were together was very impressive. Of course, the ladies killed the alliance by both constantly doubting it. I still believe if Dani and Jess hadn't constantly worried about problems with the others, Eric and Dick would have honored the deal to F4. It's a shame it didn't happen because it would have made this last week much more entertaining as a viewer.
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Carolyn: Backtracking a bit, how did you feel about Eric's alliance with "The Good People"? (blech-- it's no secret - dustin made me ill)
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Josh: I'm assuming you're talking LNCv.2.0 - Eric/Jess/Jameka/Dustin/Amber. I thought it was his best option at the time. For various reasons I obviously have issues with Amber (the remarks, the constant crying, and especially her attempts to hurt Eric by spreading lies about his personal life to Jessica during her last week) - but I liked the others. I thought when she wasn't sobbing in prayer or joining in Amber's "good people" rants Jameka was very funny (her fight with Dick and one conversation she had with Eric and Jess during their last week about one of our friends at home are two of my favorite moments of the season); Jess was great with Eric; and right until he nominated himself for eviction I thought Dustin was a very good player - then, not so much. Plus, Dustin was very good to Eric - he was a huge source of compassion when Eric was having problems the first week in the house and then - even if it was for strategy - he did save Eric from being back-doored. I expect Eric will stay in touch with Jess, Jameka, and Dustin (among others, like Dick).
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Carolyn: What key moments stand out for you as the defining moments in Eric's game? In the show as a whole?
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Josh: For me and my friends the best moments were hearing Eric tell our favorite stories or talk to the other HGs about us - so nothing that anyone else would really appreciate as "big moments." Regarding the game, I think his successful navigating of the AP tasks repeatedly shook up the house and provided big moments - "mustardgate", the stray votes, aligning with Dick and Dani. And I liked that when he finally got to play in a POV comp he actually won.

But most likely his defining game moment for us was the night before his first possible eviction - a few of us went to see the Beastie Boys in Central Park that night pretty convinced he was done. However, as the night went on we kept getting text messages and e-mails that let us know he was going to fight and had convinced Dani to allow him to use her HOH room to talk to Jess, Jameka, and Dustin - and with each conversation he started out focused on preserving personal friendships and then slowly turned it back to game and his value to the LNCv.2.0 going forward. When I finally got home and started watching the feeds I was very impressed. The vast majority of the emotion demonstrated during that push was completely genuine, but the way he managed to mix the personal and strategic issues in a way that forced the others to go back and rethink their plan was well played. Plus it worked.
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Carolyn: Often, when we watch reality shows, we being to feel like we know the people playing them... In talking with you, I have the rare opportunity to ask, who is Eric outside the house? What's an act? What's genuine?
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Josh: I think the Eric you saw on the show was fairly accurate just with everything cranked up several notches. Eric is usually the "funny man, jokester, entertainer" and on many occasions has taken money from us to do extremely silly or outlandish stunts. Eric is also very bright and very analytical - sometimes to the point of driving himself nuts - though at the end of the day he is less pensive and more impulsive in real life than you saw in the house. Eric also has a very colorful over-the-top vocabulary - and I mean that in terms of large words, cursing, and insults. (And our entire group of friends prefers those types of out there insults and exclamations of anger as opposed to basic cursing - we've all said some pretty crazy stuff over the years and we look back and laugh about it.)

And, Eric often has a much more sensitive persona that only comes out when he has feelings for someone. Even Eric's DR persona is something we've seen before, it's his "putting on a show" face/voice that we often tease him about - it's as if all those years of performing on stage come rushing back and possess him and his eyebrows. The only thing that you didn't see in the house is that Eric is usually fairly athletic and good at physical competitions - that skill seemed to escape him in the house entirely. Oh, and though you couldn't tell - he has a great singing voice.
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Carolyn: Eric never won an HoH. Most viewers believed this is intentional on his part, because he wouldn't be able to control his own nominations. And houseguests have also wondered if he threw competitions to avoid having the spotlight of HOH. What is your feeling on this? Was he intentionally throwing them?
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Josh: I think for the first many weeks of the game he threw (or tried to throw) every HOH (never was it more obvious than in eliminator, where he tried to throw a question, got it right, cursed, then immediately buzzed in again before Julie asked the next question, and got himself tossed). A little further into the game he threw things until he was comfortable with who was left - or could ensure that either he or someone he trusted at the time would win (i.e., when he deliberately put the opposite answer of Dani in the post-Dustin eviction HOH to make sure amber didn't win). Clearly, he didn't want to have to step up and make nominations that could make him a target early on. Instead, as we all saw, he preferred to promote his agenda to everyone else so that others eventually believe it was also in their best interests and then collectively his large group would endorse a plan and he would still get his way (like with Joe and Nick's evictions).

Then, when he needed to win at the end, he just couldn't. Not sure if it was nerves/pressure, exhaustion, not having stepped into the gym in 2 months (he goes all the time at home), or a combination of everything. Knowing how competitive he is and how hard he can be on himself it was tough to watch (especially after the "fill the bowl" HOH comp) - we felt awful for him.
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Carolyn: Can you also please address the incest comments Eric made re Dick and Dani... Game? Not Game? Just appealing to his alliance at the time (the LNC v 2.0)?
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Josh: First off, let's be clear about something - go back and watch the footage, Amber was the first person to raise this concept, followed by Dustin, and then Eric - though Eric in his typical style cranked it up to a different level (and it started b/c of a comment Dick made that the others found a bit disturbing about young hot blondes). But in general, Eric's style of trash-talking is to make very over-dramatic statements. Remember, this came right on the heels of Dick and Dani trying to back-door him and failing.

That was by far the worst week for him in the house as D&D really tried to assassinate his character to his friends and he was livid. So rather than bang pots in their face or dump tea on them; or scream obscenities through closed doors; Eric makes up very over the top insulting comments which he intends to be so out there that while they convey his emotions, no one could possibly take seriously. (Clearly, he didn't want Jen - someone he was close with at times this summer - to actually be eaten by sharks.)

Of course, I can see why people would think it was inappropriate. But those of us who have known Eric most of his life hear so many ridiculous insults when he's angry that none of us take it remotely seriously and we know he doesn't mean it in a serious way either. I was honestly surprised that there was such a strong reaction to it - especially in light of some of the other comments and remarks that other HGs made that to me were much more personal or shocking.

Of course, it's hard to separate those who were legitimately concerned versus those who were just haters or D&D fans who were pissed because Eric and the others were attacking their favorites. Honestly, I don't think Dick's really going to care once he sees the tape. I mean look at Dick's performance on the carrot the other night towards Zach - it was the same if not much worse. Almost everyone on the season has said some nasty and mean-spirited things about other HGs and they're all going to have to write it off to being part of the emotions of the game or none of them will ever speak again. I think they'll all get past it.
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bb8dish Carolyn: Thoughts on final 3?
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Eric's Brother Josh: They all deserve to be there. Dani for being a challenge monster, having successfully used Nick and her dad as shields, and making the decision to oust Eric/Jess. Dick belongs in the F3 because for the very reason that he's still there. He was almost instantly identified as a loose cannon (albeit a savvy one) with aggressive tactics and a family member to rely on which made him a massive threat from day one - but he managed to survive. And Zach - well it seems he really was throwing everything at the beginning - if he beats Dick in the final round of the F3 HOH, that means he'll have won F6 HOH, F5 POV, F4 HOH, and F3 HOH which is insane - plus he'll have survived the break up of the MRA (the others left in weeks 3-5), and made it to the end with no close friends - very impressive.

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Carolyn: How Eric would vote in the finale (if he controlled his own)?
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Josh: If Eric had his own vote, I do believe he'd reward the best player. I think in his mind that would be Dick. However, a lot may depend on what the DVDs shown to the jury contain - if Zach is shown as being THAT good in challenges and he can argue at Q&A that he had a hand in breaking up Eric and Jess and Dick and Dani - he just might make a compelling case to win. It might just be closer than most people think.

What will amERICa do? I imagine if Dick's in the F2, he'll have the AP vote, and I think that makes sense.

Carolyn: Josh. Thank you so much for being so giving with your time... You give great interview!
Josh: Wow, seems I can ramble as much as my little brother. ;O) Thanks for having me. I should note some big fans of Eric's have established a new site for him that should be up and running now: http://ericbb8.phpbb3now.com/ - check it out if you're an Eric supporter. Now let's just all sit back and see how this season ends - should be exciting!