The Rat's family/friends gather this past Sunday for a taped segment for Thursdays show

Friends, family rally for local TV contestant


Michelle Talbott, wife of CBS's 'Big Brother' contestant and Belpre resident Ronnie Talbott, hangs a sign Sunday night at J.P. Henry's showing support for her husband as television crews interviewed her husband's friends and family.

PARKERSBURG - Ronnie Talbott's family and friends gathered at a nightclub Sunday night to watch him on CBS' "Big Brother" and to tape interviews for an upcoming episode highlighting Talbott.

A television crew taped the interviews at J.P. Henry's that are expected to run during Thursday night's broadcast of the popular show. Talbott won "head of the household" last Thursday.

''It has been amazing to see my husband on TV," said Talbott's wife, Michelle. "I can get on the internet and watch him sleep if I really wanted to. It is absolutely insane.''

The show centers on a group from diverse backgrounds who live together in a house, cut off from the outside world, where they are constantly filmed and regularly meet challenges for money and prizes. The cameras catch their interactions including how they conspire to eliminate contestants.

Talbott won a challenge to become head of the household. He gets to spend some time in a better bedroom away from the others and nominates two other contestants who will be considered for eviction.

''It is a pretty big role in the Big Brother game,'' Michelle Talbott said.

Talbott, who has had no contact with friends or family, was able to receive a letter from his wife when he became the head of household.

''He almost cried,'' his wife said. ''It was beautiful.''

Talbott auditioned for the show three times before selected this season.

He liked the show and is interested how everyone related to each other, Michelle Talbott said.

''He was really interested in why people react the way they do,'' she said.

Talbott could be away while the show runs its course, possibly into September, Michelle Talbott said.

''This is what he always wanted to do. We are right there behind him," she said. "I miss him terribly, but I am very happy he got to accomplish his goal.''

Talbott's parents, Ronald and Charlene, met with a producer and were interviewed for four hours on Sunday.

''They were here all afternoon,'' Ronald Talbott said.

Other family members were glad to see Talbott achieve a goal.

''This has been a dream of his,'' said Norma Lontz, his aunt. ''He has watched 'Big Brother' since the beginning. He is living a dream.''

Talbott's uncle, Ed Talbott, said his nephew has always made people laugh.

''I think he is going to do well,'' he said.

Melody Delong, a second cousin, said she was glad Talbott was finally able to be on the show.

''I hope he gets through it and makes everyone proud,'' she said.

Talbott, involved with the Parkersburg Actors Guild, is a student at Ohio University working on a degree in education. He was a substitute teacher at Parkersburg South and directed its production of "Footloose" this past spring.

The family was contacted about the interviews a day or so ago and family had been calling and e-mailing each other to get a good crowd at J.P. Henry's Sunday.

''CBS called the family and asked if they could come into town and interview them and get information on the area and to have a 'Big Brother' party here that they will film,'' Lontz said.

I hate to tell that ugly bitch, but her husband likes men..unfortunately.

I was surprised they picked J.P.'s...I would have picked the Blennerhassett or someplace with some class. Hopefully CBS makes it look good, but I don't want that bar to be the only impression the nation has of my town.

richardsscottj wrote:

I was surprised they picked J.P.'s...I would have picked the Blennerhassett or someplace with some class. Hopefully CBS makes it look good, but I don't want that bar to be the only impression the nation has of my town.

You should have went! You and his wife could have talked about Ronnie's good ol' gay days

I am surprised that there wasn't a drive by shooting...yet!!!!!!

Am I wrong,....did they even show his family??? They must've come across as complete idiots.

tj2377 wrote:

Am I wrong,....did they even show his family??? They must've come across as complete idiots.

LOL @ them coming across as complete idiots!

This was suppose to have happened a couple of weeks ago but they never showed it. They're probably as pathetic as the rat and once BB reviewed the footage they thought fuck that!