Another Reality TV reinvention has occurred and what a transformation of image....from a notoriously racist, sexist and vitriolic old school comic whose most famous trick was to do comedy caricatures mimicking and mocking West Indian people, via some seemingly seedy projects and then some seedier allegations, to elder statesman, father figure and all round good egg.
Jim in the days of 'Chalkie White', his famous
ill-advised West Indian comedy character
Jim conquering Big Brother
Winning doesn't necessarily mean that you are liked, but it does seem that Jim has managed to become popular and liked by the viewing public. He has impressed with his sincerity, whether faked or not, and viewers have seen and admired in him honesty, vulnerability and care for his fellow housemates. The arguments, grumpiness, bitterness and moroseness appear to have been forgiven as cute foibles.
Most of those voting won't remember Jim from the first time around, unless some kind of fan base has been mobilising. Some young folk have taken to him. They've been on social media singing his praises and even defending his disturbing and tasteless comments, like the aside to Casey: "If you were my daughter I would still bath you". One defense of this put forward was that it was a joke and an old joke at that. So is Chalkie White and Jim at least had the sense not to resurrect him. Blatant sexism and casual reference to paedophilia and incest being fun for comic effect are apparently less taboo even today.
I am not sure what to make of it all. He did make himself quite likeable towards the end, particularly when they were on the home stretch, cheered up and stopped arguing. I can see that it meant a lot to him, which is one thing we want in a winner. I can't entirely begrudge him his win, despite his questionable political views, sense of humour, morals, behaviour and past. Part of me does think good luck to him and well done him as an individual, and he probably has mellowed a bit and moved with the times a bit despite clear signs that any such changes have been limited in scope.
I'm not sure what it says about the climate in which we live though that Jim Davidson has won a popularity contest, and I'm not sure what it says is good. Those who protest that the domineering, sexist and generally right wing attitude is harmless and funny may not have lived through times when these attitudes pervaded and subjugated and suffocated generations of people. I have, so excuse me if I don't laugh along. It is also pretty apparent that many a 'truth ' is spoken in jest and that Jim, like many others, uses the medium of comedy to get certain serious messages, real opinions and heart felt views of his across. Humour can also be used to brow-beat and to bully.
Having said that when Jim isn't doing any of that he is a funny bloke and I get why people would like him and would have like watching him. I have enjoyed watching him and the whole series has been really intriguing and entertaining, so despite the fact that my favourite, Ollie, only came third, well done Celebrity big brother 2014. Great series.
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