‘Big Brother’ welcomes contestant who wrote inflammatory comments

“Big Brother,” CBS’ reality show that isolates 16 contestants in a house for an entire summer, promised viewers that this season would be “the most twisted ever.”

In the second night of the show’s two-night premiere, “Big Brother” introduced perhaps the biggest “twist” of the season: After expressing anger and regret last season when two of the participants made racist and homophobic comments to other houseguests, the show welcomed a new contestant who has posted anti-gay and inflammatory comments on social media.

Caleb Reynolds, an “adventure hunting guide” from Hopkinsville, Ky., was among the second group of eight houseguests who were allowed to go into the house to begin their summer stay. Reynolds is now in position to potentially score the grand prize of $500,000, which goes to the houseguest who can survive the longest in the house without being evicted.

In commentary on his Instagram account, Reynolds referred to President Obama as a “Muslim monkey” and used an anti-gay slur. CBS had declined to comment on Reynolds or if network officials knew about the post.

During the episode, Reynolds, a military veteran, described himself as a “metrosexual country boy.” He seemed pleased with being among “hotties in the house.”

Later in the competition, Reynolds was crowned as a “head of household” following a competition, making him temporarily safe from eviction. He said he was determined to come out on top: “I don’t care if I have a target on my back. I’m in it to win it.”

“Big Brother” host Julie Chen and her husband, CBS Corp. Chief Executive Leslie Moonves, expressed outrage last season when one white contestant, Aaryn Gries, made offensive comments about African Americans, Asian Americans and gay members of the house. GinaMarie Zimmerman, another white contestant, also made racist comments.

Producers have since distanced themselves from the controversy, saying they did not want “those kinds of headlines.”

Twitter: @GeBraxton