Burt (Fishtank Season 3)

Burt Simons, a contestant on the third season of the experimental reality show Fishtank, emerged as one of the most talked-about and controversial figures of the season. His time in the house was marked by erratic behavior, susceptibility to manipulation by production and online trolls, and a central role in some of the season’s most significant and bizarre events.

Time in the Fishtank

From the outset, Burt proved to be a unique and often polarizing personality. He was frequently the target of “gaslighting” by the show’s production team and the online audience, who used the show’s text-to-speech and other interactive features to influence his perceptions and actions. This manipulation led to several notable “arcs” throughout the season.

One of the most prominent of these was the “Dark Burt arc,” where online trolls convinced him that a fellow contestant, Mizzy, was secretly a racist who was plotting against him. This culminated in a dramatic confrontation where a distressed Burt, fueled by the false information, verbally attacked a confused and tearful Mizzy.

Burt’s gullibility and emotional volatility made him a focal point for the show’s chaotic and often cruel humor. He was known for his distinct habit of “burting off,” a term coined by viewers to describe his moments of intense, often nonsensical, rambling and gesticulating. These “freak-outs” became a signature element of his presence on the show.

His interactions with other contestants were equally memorable. He had a notable and often antagonistic relationship with fellow houseguest Luke, and was frequently wound up by the provocations of comedian and contestant Alex Stein.

The “Fake-Out” Ending

Burt was at the center of the season’s controversial and ultimately fabricated ending. In the final days of the show, production orchestrated a scenario to convince Burt that all the other remaining contestants were actors and that he was the sole subject of a Truman Show-like experiment. This elaborate prank involved planted evidence and carefully constructed narratives fed to him by the production team.

The “fake-out” ending was a testament to the extent to which Burt had become the season’s primary source of content, with his reactions and mental state being the central focus of the show’s manipulative gameplay.

Legacy

Burt’s time on Fishtank has been widely debated by fans of the show. While some viewers found his exploitation to be a source of dark humor and a compelling narrative, others expressed concern over the ethical implications of the psychological manipulation he endured. Regardless of the perspective, it is undeniable that Burt Simons was a key figure in shaping the chaotic and unpredictable nature of Fishtank Season 3, leaving a lasting and controversial legacy on the cult-favorite reality show.

Season: 3

Age on Show: 34

Nickname(s): Daddy Burt, Gold Burt, Dark Burt, Black Urban Ripped Trainer

Notable Quote: Am I the only real person here?

Social Media: @burtbronx