OF
BIG BROTHER 8
By Ginger Coyote
I was recently
shopping at Ralph's Grocery Store when I spotted a nice looking
guy whom I thought worked at T-Mobile.. I went up to say hello and
soon realized that it was not Scott from T-Mobile....... But
realized after a second look it was MIKE DUTZ from BIG BROTHER
8. Being an avid fan of the show I was a bit star struck ...
But - I had a million questions.. I am so happy that he agreed to
do the following interview... I hope you enjoy.....
Punk Globe: Thanks so much
for doing the interview with me Mike. Funny- how mistaking you
for a T- Mobile Representative transformed in an interview for
Punk Globe. Can you give us a bit of background on yourself ? You
were born in Wisconsin right? Tell us about growing up in the
Midwest.. Going to the Wisconsin Dells.. I am from Iowa so I know
about the Wisconsin Dells and the summer fair on the lake in
Milwaukee .
-Yes, I was born and raised
in WI. My hometown of nearly 18 years is Three Lakes. Its quite
a small town, a place where everybody knows everybody. Population
of around 1000. As a family we typically would travel to
Wisconsin Dells (about 4 hours away) one weekend over the summer.
The Dells is a huge playland of waterparks, extreme rides, and
attractions. We also would travel to Wausau (about 1 1/2 hours
away) to attend the state fair. WI is mostly comprised of small
towns speckled throughout with only having a few major cities. As
a family we used to travel 2 1/2 hours just to go to the nearest
Sam's Club until they built one a bit closer only being 1 1/2
hours away. Nothing is really extremely convenient when I look
back upon things...nothing like living in a major city where you
have everything outside of your doorstep. Life in WI is pretty
simple and laid back. The people are pretty genuine and down to
earth. This type of lifestyle certainly provides the foundation
to develop strong family ties. I think that's why generally
Midwesterners are viewed as family oriented, and good whole
hearted people.
Punk Globe: You are a Leo
right? .. Do you know much about astrology
-I am indeed a Leo....just
made the cutoff (Aug 20). I don't know a ton about astrology, but
it is something I find interesting and do intend on picking up a
few books in the future and studying it.
Punk Globe: How did you
come about being on Big Brother 8? Had you been a fan of the show
prior to being on it?
-I had watched BB in the
past...season 6 was my first introduction to the show. I caught a
few episodes of All-Stars. I wouldn't necessarily call myself a
"fan" but I did enjoy watching what I did see. I got on the show
by simply applying to an add on a modeling website I visit
frequently. The ad read "casting for reality show on major
network send a picture"...so I thought why not find out what its
all about. Next thing I know I'm on the show.
Punk Globe: Can you explain
the process of being on the show? Was there a lot of auditions and
call backs not to mention background checks?
-I would like to explain
the process but unfortunately that's one of those things we are
unable to discuss due to contract terms.
Punk Globe: I remember
hearing different House Mates talking about how both Kail and Dick
had both auditioned for previous Big Brother's.
-Yes, I do remember talk
about that. And it was also talked about by past house-guests
once I was off the show. Past house guests had remembered seeing
them during the audition processes in the years past.
Punk Globe: Is it true that
when you were picked to be on Big Brother 8- That you had already
been living in Orange County, California and that the show asked
to you to act as if you were still living in Wisconsin?
-I was living in Orange
County for nearly 3 years prior to being on the show. BB did want
to say I was from WI, since that's where I'm originally from, to
diversify the cast on the show. But they never said I had to play
along as if I was currently living there. On the live feeds, a
person could have easily picked up on that I was no longer in WI,
but in fact living in CA. On the CBS broadcast, most were under
the impression I was still in WI.
Punk Globe: At that time
were you primarily working as a Contract Painter or had you
already begun a career as an Model?
-I began modeling in
2001...so needless to say had been at it for sometime prior to
the show. I also hold a painting contractors license and was
running a small business in addition to modeling.
Punk Globe: Early on you
proved to be very good in the competitions. Do you feel that put a
target on your back for eviction.. It seemed like some players
like Nick never really showed what they were made of. Zach had a
good game plan - He sailed by to the end before showing his
strengths..
-Yeah, I'm sure it was
noticed that I was a threat in that manner. So I know it put a
target on my back. That's why when the opportunity presented
itself for the house to boot me out, they did.
Punk Globe: Do you have
regrets forming the alliance with Kail , Zach and Nick so early in
the game?
-Had my sole intention been
to win or stay in the game as long as possible, then yes I would
have regret it. But, I was there to have fun and live-up the
unique experience. My feelings were, when I go, then I go.
Punk Globe: I realize that
Big Brother after 8 seasons had to think of something to win the
viewers.. Were you surprised to find out that Eric was the Mole or
"America's Player" and had any of the house mates suspected that
Dick, Dustin and Jessica would be joining the household.
-Nobody had suspected there
to be 3 more house guests waiting up in a room. I know there was
mention that it was peculiar when we entered the house, it was
with an odd number of people. So there was suspicion, but to
pinpoint 3 for sure, no. As far as "Americas Player", I was
surprised to find out the concept the night I was kicked off. I
was shocked by it though. Things added up once I found out as to
how Eric was acting so peculiar in the house...it made sense to me
then.
Punk Globe: I had
heard that Dick had previously auditioned for the show and had
been trying to include either his son Vincent and Danielle.. Which
may lead one to wonder if the "issues" of them being estranged
from one another for years was exaggerated for ratings...
-Right, I'm not really sure
what the whole story is there....but I have also heard from
outside sources (who claim to be friends of theirs) that the
estranged relationship on the show was played up to be way more
than what it really was.
Punk Globe: I have already
told you my favorite moment on the show.. Your "date" with
Amber! Amber was talking non stop about her general bad luck,
accidents, family, her job at the casino, addictions to drugs and
drinking - All while drinking glass after glass of wine.. Empty
Wine bottles were sprawled out all over ... You then look at her-
after what seemed like an eternity of her blithering- asking her
if she felt she was really "cured. " That was priceless! Just the
look on your face.. while she was rambling on and on was
priceless. It was so brilliant! A pure John Waters moment... I
wish I could find that on U-Tube.
-Haha thanks...yeah I felt
it was such an appropriate thing to say at the time and figured it
was going to fly over her head. So I know if you caught what I
was driving at, many others did as well.
Punk Globe: In
the beginning I really liked Amber. She was always in the mix
telling jokes, cussing, drinking having a good ole time.. Then she
did an about face and became a Bible Beater with Jameeka.
-Yeah she really showed a
contradiction of characters. Bi-polar almost. I couldn't figure
out where she was coming from or where she wanted to go. Purely a
mess.
Punk Globe: I know as a
viewer... I got irritated with some of the house mates? Jameeka
and Amber praying, Amber crying non-stop and Jessica's voice...
Did it drive you crazy being around the same people 24/7 ?
- Oh of course! Its like
eating the same thing everyday, or working on an assembly line and
doing the same actions over and over....you get tired of it, bored
with it, and just plain sick of dealing with it...same holds true
with being cooped up in a confined area with the same people with
nowhere to escape from them. Believe me, getting kicked off early
on was a blessing.
Punk Globe: Did it surprise
you to find out what a fierce competitor that Danielle was? When I
first saw her I thought she looked like an anorexic version of the
late Anna Nicole Smith or Natalie Maines from the Dixie Chicks. I
did not think she was long for the house.
-Yeah, she did turn out to
be a player like Janelle. Seemed to always pull through when she
needed to. It was surprising at times.
Punk Globe: Do you think
the Producers urged people like Dick and Jen to be "characters"
that you either loved or hated? Both of them were over the top.
Jen sometimes reminded me of Janice Dickinson.. At times you
would hear Dick in a conversation that made him very likable and
Jen also showed endearing qualities but then they both would go
back into "character".. I enjoyed Jen's tales about Vanna White.
-I'm sure they were
certainly egged on to be "characters" on the show. You're right,
they were times when good things would come out of both of their
mouths, but most of the time horrible things coming out of Dicks
mouth, and bizarre (scratching your head) moments with Jens
actions.
Punk Globe: Do you watch
other Reality Show? I know watching TV blows now with the Writers
Strike but what TV shows do you enjoy besides Reality Shows?
-I used to watch Amazing
Race, Survivor, American Idol, and Real World. I do'nt really
catch much TV now. If I do, its typically watching a movie. But
if I had to name a show a really like it would have to be Two and
a Half Men.
Punk Globe: On the Big
Brother message boards many of viewers seem to think the Producers
knew exactly who they wanted at the end and who goes.... just for
ratings. Do you care to add your thoughts?
-Well I think there is a
general idea of who they want pushed to the end which would play
along with ratings...after all, if you don't have ratings, you
don't sell commercial spots, and you no longer have a show. But,
I swore they were going to compromise the show with trying to get
their ratings this past season. I heard they took some flack and
that some advertisers didn't want to be affiliated with the show
and pulled their commercial spots.
Punk Globe: I know there is
a new Big Brother 9 airing soon. Do you have any special plans for
that?
-Well, I was invited to
attend the launch party for BB9 at Kail's place in OR. There are
a bunch of past house-guests going there for a few days along with
fans for a meet and greet, a day of skiing and hot springs, and
then the viewing of the bb9 premiere. So I may attend that
depending on my schedule.
Punk Globe: Because of the
Writers Strike there will also be a Summer Big Brother. Maybe it
will be an All Star Big Brother as BB7 was so popular... Would
you join in if you were asked?
-I would entertain the
idea, but couldn't give a solid yes or no at this time.
Punk Globe: After leaving
the show did you watch it 2 - 3 times weekly as well as the Show
Time "Big Brother After Dark" episodes? I watched After
Dark often and saw some really funny moments and also saw a lot
of dead air.. Do you know if Show Time airings did well in
the ratings and if they plan on doing it again for BB9?
-After I was off the show,
I caught about 6 episodes before the finale. My schedule was very
hectic, and it didn't allow much TV time, nor does it usually. I'm
not sure how the Show Time ratings were. I did catch some of
those airings too, and found there was a lot of dead air as well.
Punk Globe: Had you been a
judge who would you have voted for to win Big Brother 8? Dick or
Danielle? I was kind of shocked to see how few voted for Danielle.
I liked her.
-I think I would have voted
for Danielle. I was surprised as well more didn't vote for her.
I thought for sure she was going to win.
Punk Globe: I think that
Big Brother 8 definitely got some new viewers with the Rock n'
Roll people.. They were watching because of Dick's ties to the
Tatoo Parlors, Rock n' Roll ,The Cat Club and The Rainbow. It
was funny seeing Dilana from "Rock Star Super Nova" another CBS
Reality Show praising Dick.
-Yeah I didn't catch her
praising Dick, but I'm sure it did get new viewers because they
never had a rocker character on the show.
Punk Globe: You seemed a
bit surprised when I mentioned that I had read and heard people
like Rosie O' Donnell, Ellen, The Women on "The View" and Kathy
Griffin talking about Big Brother?
-Yeah, I guess I just don't
think about all the people who did watch it. So when I hear about
another TV personality talking about the show, it just weirds me
out a bit knowing I've seen them on TV and have commented about
them or their shows and now they are doing the same with BB and
me.
Punk Globe: Do you get
recognized much from being on Big Brother.. Oddly enough- at that
same Ralph's I met Lynn from "The Amazing Race".. Do you go to
alot of Reality Show events? Have you ever met Sharla the small
person who was on "The Amazing Race " or Buck Wild from 'Flavor
of Love?"
-Yes, I get recognized a
lot. I really didn't know what to expect after coming off the
show. But I've been recognized all over the country at just about
every random place I can think of. I don't go to many reality
show events. I was at a couple since the end of BB. The Really
Awards was one event. I've never me Sharla or Buck Wild but may
have seen them at the Really Awards.
Punk Globe: Tell us about
what you are doing now? I know you were in an Automobile
Commercial and have done lots of print work. Tell us what we
should look for.
-Well I just recently
posted some new print work on my myspace page for product
packaging on ipod. But new things come up all the time and I keep
present projects posted on my page. That's a good source to check
if you want to stay updated with where I'm at. But aside from the
modeling/acting, I'm also expanding my painting business this year
along with implementing a couple new business ideas and getting
those underway.
Punk Globe: How is your
acting Career going? I know that you were in a Music Video. tell
us about that?
-Well, I never really was
on the acting side of things...mostly modeling. Ive done a few
music videos and commercials/infomercials. I've been approached
by producers who want to use me for some roles in movies. Its a
matter of time before that transpires. But, I want to make sure
I'm brushed up on my acting skills before jumping into roles and
bombing opportunities. I think a lot of people who are on TV
think they can act just because they were on TV but its highly
misconcepted. So I'm being presented with things, I just want to
be able to nail them on the head so more opportunities follow.
Punk Globe: Speaking of
Music are you a Musician? Have you ever been in a band? What
bands do you enjoy?
-I'm not a musician. I
would, however, like to learn the piano, drums, and guitar
someday. I like all sorts of bands including The Killers, The
All-American Rejects, The Used, My Chemical Romance, Matchbox 20,
Bad Religion, and Fall Out Boy to name a few.
Punk Globe: How about
favorite Actors and Actresses? What are some of your favorite
Movies
-Well I really like Ben
Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Will Ferrell and Owen Wilson which
parallels with the movies I like...Wedding Crashers, Meet the
Parents, and Anchor Man.
Punk Globe: Do you enjoy
living in Hollywood better than the O.C.?
Hmm, pros and cons to
both. The O.C. is much cleaner and spacious. But
Hollywood is where all my work is at and I do enjoy the nightlife
entertainment there better than O.C.
Punk Globe: Is there any
last words that you would like to share with the readers?
-Thank you for your
vested interest in me and reading this interview. To keep up with
me and my current projects locate my page on
www.myspace.com/mikedutz
and add me as a friend and feel free to write me. I personally
reply to everyone.
Punk Globe: One last
question Mike. A very serious question- I might add ... Do you
like regular Coca Cola Zero or the new Cherry Flavored Coca Cola
Zero better?
-Haha, I think regular.
Good luck with your career
and thanks so much for the fun interview Mike.. You Rawk!
