Karen Ejected From `Big Brother'

NEW YORK (AP) â€” She wanted it. She begged for it. She got it. <br><br>Karen, the often-emotional mother of four, was plucked from the ``Big Brother'' house on Wednesday's live broadcast of

Thursday, August 17th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) â€” She wanted it. She begged for it. She got it.

Karen, the often-emotional mother of four, was plucked from the ``Big Brother'' house on Wednesday's live broadcast of the CBS reality series, which airs the residents' behavior six nights a week.

Laughing and crying on hearing the news, she hugged her housemates and wished them well, then made her exit.

``It's what she wanted,'' college student Eddie told the others who were left behind.

The object of ``Big Brother'' is to stay in the house, not leave. But on a past episode, Karen had pleaded with viewers to spring her with their phoned-in votes, so she could rejoin her children back home in Columbus, Ind.

She got her wish.

``I'm ecstatic,'' said Karen, weeping as she joined host Julie Chen in the Los Angeles studio beside the house. ``I get to see my kids. That's all I wanted to do.

``I wanted the experience (in the house), and I got it, and now I just want to be a mom.''

Not only was Karen reunited with her kids after 43 days' absence, she was also confronted during the show by Tom, her husband of 22 years, about whom she had spoken harshly to her housemates (and millions of viewers). They hugged and kissed.

Seven houseguests remain in the camera- and microphone-bugged house now that Karen has met the same fate as former stripper Jordan two weeks ago, and youth counselor William, who was kicked out July 19.

The last remaining houseguest when the series concludes in September will win a half-million dollars.

Last Wednesday, Karen and her housemates each nominated two members to be expelled. In a tie vote, Karen was one of three marked for banishment.

After that, viewers got in the act. In a phone poll, 76 percent of callers chose Karen to be ousted. Cassandra, a United Nations communication officer, was picked by 15 percent. Civil engineering student Josh got 9 percent. CBS does not divulge how many people phoned in.

``Big Brother,'' which premiered on July 5, airs every night but Sunday. But unlike Wednesday's live, hour-long broadcast, the other installments feature half-hour, taped highlights.

CBS also maintains a ``Big Brother'' Web site, where the houseguests can be viewed in real time in streaming video.

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On the Net:

Big Brother: http://webcenter.bigbrother2000.aol.com

Salon.com Arts & Entertainment: http://www.salon.com/ent/tv/feature/2000/07/19/bbâ€”episodes