By Judy Lin
Associated Press Writer
Friday, Sept. 29, 2000; 11:23 p.m. EDT

LOS ANGELES –– The 88-day endurance test is over. Eddie McGee, the blunt New Yorker who lost his left leg to cancer, won a half million dollars as the survivor on the CBS reality show, "Big Brother."

Fans of the show overwhelmingly chose the University of Texas-Arlington student over the other two remaining contestants, New York lawyer Curtis Kin and Californian Josh Souza, in a live telecast on Friday.

"It's wild," he said after learning he won. "My heart is pumping so hard. I have to remind myself to breathe."

He outlasted nine other contestants who entered the specially built house July 5 on a California soundstage. Their every move was followed by cameras and microphones, with the frequently dull results airing as much as six nights a week on CBS.

Souza, who gave McGee a warm hug, won $100,000 as the second-place finisher. Kin won $50,000.

The brash McGee, a wheelchair basketball star, alienated some of his fellow contestants with his blunt talk and determination. He said Friday, though, that he never expected to win.

McGee said he hoped to pay off some debts and help his brother with his college education.

"I'm going to look forward to having a real great holiday season," he said.

All 10 contestants attended a raucous post-show celebration. Some of the housemates said they were happy Eddie won – even if they weren't pulling for him.

"I couldn't have asked for anything better for anyone else. He has a disability but he doesn't look at it that way. I admire that. He doesn't let anyone get him down," said George, the show's "Chicken Man."

George, who like the other also-rans, would not give out his last name Friday, came to the post-show party dressed as a chicken, his hair dyed orange. He said he's looking for a job.

As the contestants shed tears and shared hugs, the first person voted out said he, too, was glad to be back.

The argumentative William Collins, 28, had set the tone early as the house's angry young man before he was bounced.

"This is the last hurrah and for everyone to say goodbye to each other," he said. "This is my chance to show that I wasn't the mad, angry, bad guy."

It brings to an end a series that never proved as successful in the United States as it did in other countries, largely because American viewers never warmed to the cast members and were bored with their daily lives.

While a critical bust, "Big Brother" was a modest financial success for CBS. Over its run, the show's average of 9.1 million viewers was 9 percent higher than summer reruns fared in the same time slots a year ago. But it did much better among young viewers that advertisers love and CBS often can't attract.

The more interesting contestants were voted out quickly. First to go was Collins, who engaged the gang in provocative racial discussions and was later found to be a member of the New Black Panther Party for Self-Defense.

Hoping for romance and conflict, producers found little of either. The only kiss shared by McGee in a highlight reel shown Friday was with a dog.

Earlier this month, producers tried to entice someone to leave the house with an offer of $50,000. They hoped to replace a less exciting contestant with an attractive and combative young blonde woman, but none of the occupants took the bait.

At one point, six remaining houseguests talked about walking out en masse. That idea fizzled, too.

When the final female contestant, former Seattle beauty contest winner Jamie, was voted out on Wednesday, viewers were left to choose by telephone vote among the three men.

Still, CBS and the show's producers were reportedly discussing a second "Big Brother" run for sometime next year. Networks are trying to stockpile reality shows in anticipation of a potential actors strike next year.

"We're pleased with the ratings the show has delivered and we do see tremendous potential in the concept," CBS spokesman Chris Ender said. "But there's no official word regarding another edition."