As a Mario fan myself, I absolutely loathed Ben bitching endlessly about Mario. It became unbearable watching him, especially knowing how supportive Mario had been to him. It got to the point that I couldn't stand him and wanted him as far away from Mario as possible.

To quote you: 'Ben doesn't seem to be feeling any bitterness or holding on to any resentments... It would be so much better for the others if they could adopt the same attitudes... but their characters are SO different... And Ben has humour, wit and intelligence which hold in good stead... This does not always apply to other people... sadly... and they will not develop at this late stage in life... by thirtyish a character is pretty much set... especially if someone has been spoilt earlier on... the damage is done... and then it becomes much harder to hold on to friends... Almost comes across as a good advertisement for boarding school? Not too much spoiling and a bit of resilience engineered... when it works it works... Either way... I know that I really admire Ben's fortitude and forgiveness and grace and resilience... and heaven knows there was plenty to forgive for him in that house from day one...'

See, I have a problem with this. Your admiration of Ben (above) is clearly to the exclusion of ALL others, which happens to include Mario. Therefore it is impossible for me to see how you regard yourself as a Mario supporter. Your enthusiastic agreement with Pices-55 who states clearly that he/she makes no secret that he/she dislikes Mario and goes on to absolutely slate him tells me all I need to know,

I spoke on the website about Ben and I think because they are not talking it is allowing all of this stuff to happen. I do not like what Ben did to Mario and he used him to keep himself in the limelight.

BB really focused on that and then Mario got less attention etc when Ben left. then they focused on it when Ben came back in the house.

Ben did look uncomfortable and really he should apologise to Mario for the things he said. It certainly got him the attention Ben wanted.

Mario is best not to get dragged into all this.

xxxxxxxx

For those without twitter - Mario has certainly had a long session today. Don't think you will understand all that much - unfortunately it's mostly conversations with other people - so this won't show you the other side of the convo. ATers will have to help fill you in

But I don't dislike Mario at all ... not at all ...

What I do dislike is the way the situation was set up by the production ..... if Ben had not been set up from the get go (even the orchestrated booing) he would not have been in that situation where the one person who was willing to 'come out' as 'his friend' was in effect in a position of power over him ... power always poisons relationships ... and that wretched situation was not in the gift of either Ben or Mario to alter ...

I truly think that the manipulation of so many situations by the production team creates a lot of bad feeling (sometimes verging on a sort of 'evil')

Mario might find that upsetting ... as he worships the show so much ... sorry but I stand by it ... he might even see a bit of truth in it by now ...

And I have had senior members of the production team as personal friends (they have now decided to move on to other shows ... that in itself is another story ... though they still take the Endemol shilling)

I am ultimately sad that Ben was forced to feel so alone when in the real world this is not how it is ... ever ... he has a lot of people who find his presence in their lives a joy ... the light goes out when he is not around ...

It was all 'engineered' ... and I think that if things had been otherwise they might well have been destined to have a real friendship outside the house ... that is rather sad ...

Sorry ... but that is how it seems to me ... the truth as I perceive it ...

It is absolutely possible to like one of them without slagging off the other

I see great good (and charisma) in both of them ... and I think that was subverted ... it was nasty and not necessary ... I rest my case ...

But then I think that seeing people getting on well with each other and laughing and being amusing and entertaining is more to my televisual taste than falsely created animosity

All my best male friends either are gay or seem gay ... I really don't like it when people are in effect 'punished' for having any of these attributes

The duller straighter housemates had a blimming easy ride ... no IEDs thrown onto their paths ... pretty much ... ain't that the truth?

Woa, that tweet is way too abusive.
I know it is part of being famous to have some nasty things said to you by total strangers for no fair reason, but I am really sorry that Mario has to have it on Twitter because he started Twitter responding to the requests from his fans and friends. He is strong and confident so I am sure he can cope with it well, but it may sometimes be really upsetting.
I guess we have to make sure we keep this mole hole extra warm with love at such times.

And Malza, I agree with you that it is amazing how calm Mario is whenever he receives abuse. It is so classy of him and I have so much respect for him for it.

We should probably just forget the dreaded B-word now.
I can understand if Mario is upset or hurt because if I found out a friend had talked about me like that then they'd be getting the cold shoulder too. You just don't tear your friends to shreds behind their backs no matter what they do.
You can bitch and moan at them, and even BRIEFLY complain about them to another trusted friend, but you don't insult and criticize everything they are and value as a person. Problem is, word gets around, and Chinese whispers do alot of damage. And not being upfront about things only leads to everyone else knowing the ins-and-outs of what's happened between the two, leaving the actual person it involves in the dark. Which doesn't solve anything.
And if that IS what is considered as normal, then that's not a healthy relationship. If that's how you really feel about them, then why the p*ssing hell are you friends in the first place?

That's why I like honest people, not mean, but honest.
My motto is (well, one of my motto's is) - say what you mean and mean what you say, but don't say it mean.

woah. i was going to post on here, as i've been rewatching episodes of bb11, to say how much i really did like mario. but as a ben fan, i don't know if i'm allowed

Thank you very much celia, that is really informative. How on earth has Mario managed to press on with his collection - especially the dress of 1000 pieces. And with Annie laying all over his laptop... awwwwwwww It is so very good of you to do this, much appreciated. This is my only way of keeping in touch with what the lovely Mario is up to. So sad to hear that he didn't get to take Davina McCaw home with him. But at least she inspired him in his collection.

Course you're allowed.
It's just something happens and then we start having these debates again lol. But we should leave it for Mario and Ben to sort out, or not sort out, depending what they want to do.

Anyone who appreciates Mario is welcome here, no matter who else you like.

Hiya sophie welcome to the molehole, I dont get involved in these Mario vs the other housemates chats lol, I just wait for the convo to change

Thought Mario might find this fun and inspiring:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHdKEhFM7mY

I haven't fully adjusted to BB finishing just yet.

Since it finished, a few times I have looked for the WHATM thread, and wondered why BBLB wasn't on at 6pm.

Hey welcome

Agree with Garry .........we are fans but that does not give us the right to advise .

We are just here to support

oh phew! i thought i'd be told to go away!

well i've always liked mario, but don't think i posted in here for some reason... but after rewatching some bb11 episodes, i realise how much he was my 3rd fave after Sam Pepper & Ben.

It's good in here and Mario has made a few posts himself which makes it pretty unique

So wise. And I'm going to take a leaf out of your book and not get involved...biting my tongue as I type.

Changing the subject I just caught up in twitter. I am so jealous! God you had him chatting to you all for ages. I need a job where I can get paid for staying home. I want to play tweeting with the mole.

Seriously though he is so sweet...and he handled the comments from the moron so well. His replies actually made me smile.

I don't think he was lying either then, or now. He's a person, so his feelings and opinions can change. Also, I don't know about Mario, but I'm perfectly capable of holding half a dozen totally contradictory views at the same time.

I think, when he nominated Ben, he was upset with him as Rachel had been telling him some of the things Ben had been saying. Also, Ben had been a bit mean about the music video, parrotting Dave's poison about Mario being attention seeking just because he loved doing it. I don't think he expected Ban to go, and was genuinely upset when he did, and missed him a lot. He was clearly over the moon to see Ben again when he cam eback for the task, and it gave them the chance to make up.

Remember, even in the exit intervies, he was saying that Ben was one of the people he wanted to keep in touch with. But that was before he was shown all the things that Ben actually said about him. There's a huge difference in being told that someone is bitching about you, and to seeing it for yourself. I think that that is the point where Mario just felt, enough. He has a lot going on in his life, and made many genuine friendships with people who genuinely want to spend time with him. Why bother with someone who doesn't seem to even like you at times, and who rates you so low that they will happily rant about you for hours without provocation.

Sorry for the essay, the post rather got away from me.

Evening all!

So very cool (and I am SO very jealous!) that you all got to chat with Mario on Twitter for so long! It's so lovely of him to do that, especially when he's so busy with his designs; I'm a bit gutted I missed it, especially as I was miserable at work!

Loving his replies to the nasty people on Twitter, too.

Evening. I'm so a member of your 'gutted I was at work' club.

If you find one, let me know too. And yes, he's very sweet.

Hmm, we could always go and work for Mario as his personal Twitter assistants; we'd never miss a thing!

Mario, if you read this - my CV is in the post.

Hiya hun, sorry you had a bad dady *huggles*
I sent you a message on FB btw xx

No worries, I always have a crap day at work. Time I started looking for a new job, to be honest, but that's easier said than done at the moment.

Saw your message; have just replied xx

Edit to add - where are my manners! A very warm welcome to Sophie! Make yourself at home, and enjoy the thread!

I'm gobsmacked at that Twitter list! Oh I'd feel so guilty taking up his time like that. The poor boy needs to get on with his work. Us creatives are very easily distracted and the magic doesn't happen on its own, you know.


Aww, that's one of my BIG guilty pleasures! Then that made me want to search for this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sn1UqbbbqQ

You may like one of the characters in particular...

That's pretty smart. I'd like to be a twitter assistant too. I also could read him his favourite Fantasy books when he's stressed and mop his brow whilst he's working.

Oh and I'd prefer a personal interview, totally professional of course.

And, Garry if you are reading, I'd so take you with us because you said I could come with you when you get your party invite!