Let a nice guy win for once! - An interview with Bunky
Let a nice guy win for once! Meet the new Bunky. He's really the same loveable, sensitive Bunky that we all knew back in CBS Big Brother Season 2. But then again, there's more to Bunky than meets the eye. Join me as I talk with Bunky about his return to Big Brother and why he wants to do it all again.
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First off, I got the go ahead to call Bunky, he said call anytime! So, I did! Only to find him at work. Uh oh, not a good time to do an interview, especially since his boss isn't being very cooperative about all this Big Brother news. Bunky is a technical writer, now I didn't go into all the details of what a technical writer is, but what I do know that he's been a technical writer for quite some time, so he must be good at it. However, Bunky started this particular new job six months ago. When he was contacted by CBS asking if he would consider doing All Stars and was named one of the top 20 candidates, while the news was exciting for Bunky, his boss told him - "if you are not back in one month, then you don't have a job to return to." Harsh! C'mon, it's Bunky, it's Big Brother All Stars. I take it his boss isn't a Big Brother fan!
So, what's new with Bunky? He's out in sunny California and he's doing stand-up comedy! Now, I remember plenty of good times with Bunky in the Big Brother 2 house - but a stand up comic - who knew? I know what you're thinking, he's famous for his crying. Well that might be, but he's also a hit when it comes to comedy! He actually moved out to California to study comedy and improve. His goal, is to get on MadTV and eventually have his own sitcom! Don't believe me? On Wednesday night, he'll be at " The Comedy Store" on Sunset Blvd. If you are nearby, stop in and check him out!
I asked him if we would be seeing a whole new side of him in the All Stars house? He said that it's funny, because last time ( BB2 ) he told his fellow houseguests, "I'm sorry, I'm usually the life of the party, but this is the most stressful situation and I can't feel funny in this Big Brother house." He goes on to say that when he got out of the house, people would tell him that they enjoyed him on the show and that he was indeed a funny guy, but he just never felt it inside the (BB2) house. We talked about how this time around, it might be different for him. He might be able to let loose a bit, not worry so much what others thought about him, he spent a great deal of time agonizing over that in Season 2. He feels confident that now that those worries about "letting America get to know him" are over, and now that they know who Bunky is, that "he'll be more comfortable playing a harder, more cutthroat game ".
So, what did he think when he found out he was one of the top 20 candidates? He answered that he was "pleasantly surprised" and considered it to be "quite a compliment." I went on to ask if him if there was any hesitation on his part when he was asked to do All Stars? He said "no, he thinks because it has been 5 years, if they had asked him 2 years later, he would have really had to seriously consider it." He also said, "at one point he was asked if they did a reunion show would he do it?" and his response was "oh hell no, that mental anguish again, are you crazy"? He goes onto say that time "makes you forget how painful it is and that his life has changed". He definitely wants the chance to play the game again!
We talked about the circumstances that led him to audition for the show the first time around. He reminded me that it was his then husband Greg who kept insisting that he audition for the show. He finally did it in his words to "simply shut him up." He laughs saying "there was no way that Hollywood producers would pick someone like him to be on TV." He filled out an application, Greg helped him with an audition tape, they mailed it with Bunky saying " there that was a waste of time, I hope you are happy." Then, there he was on Big Brother 2.
We talked about why he wanted to do it all again. He was very candid and said that he wanted to win the $500,000 and that he hoped that he can be more himself this time around, "appear funnier than before" and that would lead him to "getting noticed, get a casting director interested" and hopefully advance his career.
Earlier in the day, I had spoken with Erika and she had said the one thing that she dreaded the most about returning to the Big Brother house was the downtime, the boredom that sets in each day. I half expected Bunky to say something along the same lines, but was surprised and found his answer quite funny, under the circumstances. Bunky says the one that he dreads the most is that he "doesn't like being around disrespectful, arrogant people." He continued saying " he really despises arrogant people that think they are better than other people, especially if you can't get away from them". I had to really laugh right out loud at that point! Pssttt...Bunky ... it's All Stars, there's a reason behind that name. We had a good laugh as I told him that he might have his hands full with this cast. Not that I'm saying that it's filled with arrogant, disrespectful people, quite the opposite but of all season's this one is certainly at a higher standard of star-ability.than ever before. Again, we found ourselves laughing and thinking ahead to what crazy days are ahead for these All Stars. Bunky says that "he's thinking if he can't cry this time around, he's thinking that Bunky is going to explode a couple of times and just get crazy, because there's got to be an outlet of some sort." Now that would be good TV! You know we always love a good fight or someone losing their mind.
We talked a little bit more about his Season 2 crying and how he's going to try not to cry this time around. He admits that even he was surprised how much he cried and how much CBS focused on it. He adds there were other houseguests in that season that cried too, but CBS seemed to show every one of his moments. For the record, he wants us to know that he is "not ashamed of being sensitive, not ashamed of being honest with his emotions."
Now onto my favorite subject, the live feeds. I asked if he was aware of the live feeds in Season 2? He said he was, but not that familiar with what it was all about." He goes onto say "if you are doing it, actually living there, the houseguests would find themselves saying, "you know what this doesn't even actually feel like a TV show." "If you are so cut off from reality, from the world, you begin to wonder "is anyone even watching this show" - "they could have cancelled it and not told us". He says that he thinks near the end he took more notice of the cameras in the back yard, he didn't know which camera was an internet camera, but he would start talking to one, because he needed someone to talk to." He explained, however, that at the time, it was somewhat like trying to talk to a UFO or another planet, wondering if someone is up there in the universe is really there, really listening, he says "that is exactly how it felt."
I assured him that this time he would know we were out there, he would know we are all watching, waiting and supporting him. He agreed saying, "exactly, this time he would not feel so all alone." He continued saying that "he tried to play by the rules. He remembers reading that they were to never cover up a camera and that they were not suppose to talk to/or play to the cameras. But, he "remembers thinking, people on his show ( BB2 ) did that all the time, so he'll be talking to the cameras this time." Yeah Bunky!
If you remember Season 2, then you remember all the banners that flew over the house. If you don't, then just know that they almost caused Nicole to have a nervous breakdown.That part wasn't a pleasure to watch but aside from that the banners were a hoot! We talked about the banners or lack there of in recent seasons. But, how the houseguests lived for them in Season 2 for their communication to the outside world. Ahh..those were the days!
I asked Bunky if there was anything else he wanted you guys to know about him, what else he'd been up to. He said that he sings with GMCLA which stands for Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles. It's an audition chorus, 200 strong, he added it's an honor to sing with them. In September, they are going on tour in South America, singing in 4 different cities, helping/donating money to local charities there. You can check it out at GMCLA.org He's also doing volunteer work for The Trevor Project; it's the only national gay and lesbian teenage suicide prevention Help Line You can check The Trevor Project at thetrevorproject.org
So, there you have it a new and improved Bunky for the new All Stars season! He's funny, he's confident, and he's ready to play a harder game, more cutthroat game Big Brother game! Give him the chance - Vote Bunky at CBS.com - remember the polls close Wednesday, July 28th at midnight.
Bunky was kind enough to stop by our forums and give us a shout. Show him your support! Stop by and say Hello to Bunky - then go cast a Bunky vote!
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