[The_Hitman]

Not exactly.

I get the point that its trying to make, but the the string puppet thing is not quite accurate. (Though as close an analogy as you may get.)

Once the contestants were put in the house, they were responsible for their own actions, the role that the producers played was more one of intense and meticulous preparation. i.e.

* Using a beautiful, elegant, successfully famous, female, Indian from a 'middle class' up-bringing. (Shilpa)

* Using an arrogant bully with pretentious misconceptions about what it is to be 'working class'. (Jade)

* Making sure no-one with a strong character was put in to 'defend' the victim. (*very important*) (Or at very least, antagonise them into leaving via the use of subtle persuasion in the diary room. (Donny, Ken and Leo))

* Having two suitable female accomplices who would conform to 'the bully's' cynical nature. (Jo and Danielle)

* Have a supporting cast of people who avoid confrontation so that no arguments are diffused.

* Put 'the bully' in later than everyone else to avoid the initial group bonding. Also, announce that she is 'in charge' of the house. (in what was pathetically dubbed 'a task')

This entire series was a planned operation that even a bunch a A-level psychology students could have come up with. People's behaviour is easy to predict once you have studied their personality with a few simple tests. The strings in the cartoon doesnt truly represent the manipulation displayed by the programme makers, though manipulation via the diary room will obviously have been used.