Why do so many of us look up to celebrities as if they are superior human beings and above average people like us? Just because they are rich, famous, and glamorous does not mean reporters should snoop for every minuscule thing they do like where they go, who they are with, and what they do. Today, there was a news about an alleged "racist and sexist rant" by Mel Gibson that has been recorded on tape. His recorded rant has leaked all over the internet, and so many people have been outraged by his horrible act of verbal abuse - especially coming from a famous and successful actor. I was amazed at how much people were very much intrigued by this pointless and superficial news. So what? Celebrities are nothing but human beings like us; however, today’s media have imprinted in our minds that celebrities are not like us; that they are special, and, therefore, every transgression they commit is unacceptable, they must always be followed by paparazzi, and given almost no privacy.
The widespread availability of entertainment magazines and talk shows, such as People and Entertainment Tonight, has made public discourse about celebrities the norm. Most of these discussions are often nothing but superficial events and materialistic aspects of life. Still, we find these things entertaining. As a result, our interest in the lives of people we only know of through the television serves as one of the reasons why entertainment magazines, celebrity gossips, and a plethora of celebrity photographs exist. So, I guess, we are partly to blame for the ascension of this kind of media culture…for showing more interest in the lives of other people rather than of important events happening in our society.
According to Postman in Chapter 7 of Amusing Ourselves to Death, “News is nothing but entertainment…Nothing but entertainment is news”, and I could not agree more. Most news today has, in fact, focused more on entertaining people than promoting analytical public discourse of real problems our society is facing. As our society continues to choose the path towards entertainment and amusement over critical analyses and facts, I ask, how are we to gain knowledge in this culture where pointless information and random opinions prevail?
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I agree with you, Louise. Just because they are celebrities doesn't mean they aren't normal people, too. It wouldn't be on the news if some random man did the same thing as Mel Gibson. But, we were the ones that made them the celebrities who they are today. We were the ones that gave them attention and went all gaga for them. We buy shirts with celebrities faces on them and band names on them, just because we like them. But at the same time, think about the people around us; we have good looking people around us, as well as musically talented and good with acting. But that doesn't make us want to take pictures of them and follow them around. Just because they make money for what they do doesn't make a difference.
ReplyDeleteAnd as for your question, I have no answer except for us to watch what we listen to on the news and just look out for only the important stuff. But, it's kind of hard when they consider some celebrity things "breaking news."
"Just because they are rich, famous, and glamorous does not mean reporters should snoop for every minuscule thing they do like where they go, who they are with, and what they do."
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly why they do it. And I don't think we are partly to blame, we are fully to blame. We are the consumers of this information. Without us it would not exist. I think this goes way back to when John F. Kennedy was president. The handsome JFK and his beautiful were admired by Americans everywhere as a perfect couple.
The couple became an embodiement of American values: The president a strong, important man dedicated to his job, and his wife a perfect housewife entertaining guests and supporting his husband. They became interested in what this "perfect couple" did on a daily basis.
Sadly, Louise, today's world is obsessed with superficiality. If we are to change, I think we should change our perspective on what a celebrity should be.
ReplyDeleteYou are also right, Brittany. The news can not possibly publish the O.J. Simpson trial or the Lindsay Lohan trial as breaking news. There really is more interesting information.
To answer your last question, Louise, the front page of a newspaper like the L.A. Times provides good, relevant information. I find that I leave with a better taste in my mouth with an informational and eye-opening article than a celebrity's mistakes in a tabloid.
For example: an impoverished kid living in a bad neighborhood who became valedictorian and is going into an Ivy League college is more informational and inspirational than a celebrity the same age getting caught in an underage DUI with drug possession.
You are also right, Kevin, but do you see that not as many people read the paper as much as people watch T.V. for the news. Watching the news on the television is way more easier than going out and buying a newspaper. That information is was more important and better to hear than the gossip about who's going to jail and who is getting married. We do it to ourselves; we listen to gossip not knowing what else is out there.
ReplyDeleteWell with the economy now, they do anything for such ludicrous news like Mel Gibson's case. I recently saw news on Mel Gibson on Entertainment Tonight and there was a poll question that asked "Would you still watch Mel Gibson movies with his recent comment?" and honestly, that made no sense to me.
ReplyDeleteBringing up irrelevant subjects into his career shouldn't affect his audience but apparently, a lot of people are way too influenced by such thing.