Among the celebrities on display in a recent issue of one of many trash rags available (Us Weekly, OK! Magazine, Star) was U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama. A photograph of her from a soiree overseas was paired with a photo of a similarly dressed celebrity (movie star) with a rating of "Who Wore It Best." When did a U.S. president's wife share the stage with movie and television stars? While it's nice to have a Jackie O-dressed First Lady again, I wondered if I missed something.
Any person can be a celebrity these days -- and the focal point of public scrutiny as well as living among the rich and famous. From Kim Kardashian's sex tape with RJ developing into reality TV shows, workout DVDs and non-stop attention to Harrison Ford's successful movie career to Madonna's iconic success as a performer and singer ... there are all kinds of celebrity. The term celebrity is flooded and polluted with people like Kardashian and others ... Snooki and the Situation, Kate Gosselin, Kathy Griffin, Kendra, K-Fed, Tori Spelling, Camille Grammer, Paris Hilton ... I'm not talking about 15-minutes of fame (i.e. Balloon Boy's parents) but fame whores who, when subjected to scrutiny, have no once valued celebrity-worthy talent (acting or singing ability) but are harassed by paparazzi and followed by the creeping public eye whether they are buying herpes creme at Walgreens or walking the red carpet at some event.
To give these D-listers an easier way to fame, reality shows are exploding across the airwaves and we (Americans) can't get enough. Take The Jersey Shore for example ... the show follows a group of youngish men and women of questionable Italian/Jersey descent as they share a house on the Shore for a few months. They party, get in fights, drink heavily and behave badly, acting like the idiots they are -- all to the viewers amusement. It's like college but no class or homework and these folks aren't college-age ... so it is tinged with a pathetic quality. The show's successful ratings set records on its network at MTV.
I TiVO this show. As I watch Sammi Sweetheart bitch and moan to her off-and-on-boyfriend Ronnie about the other girls in the house, and Snooki get into a drunk-induced stupor each night at "the club," I feel better about my life and my character. As Paulie D spikes his hair to magnificently stiff levels for another night out on the town and J-Wow leaves the house each evening to prowl around Jersey in what looks like ripped leotards, I forget about my day. It's like a car crash. Common sense says watching this show gives it good ratings, making these creatures famous. They have money to buy a tanning bed or millions of morning-after pills. BUT I can't look away, I am drawn to the chaos and fights.
Do I like these people? No.
Do I support them any other way than watching the TV show? No.
They are known for being disgusting and of questionable character -- that's why they got the job. No intelligent adult will ever take them seriously. I envy their stupidity and narrow-minded ways. Instead of worrying about making others happy, doing a good job at work or reaching goals, they are obsessed with partying and material possessions. How simple life can be! I would say they are so obsessed with reaching any celebrity-status that they are willing to be ridiculous and embarrassing on national TV, but they don't think what they're doing is wrong or questionable. They know they are fabulous, which makes it more hilarious.
This television show as well as others are created to suspend belief. The TV execs didn't want normal, everyday hardworking people who are respectful and trustworthy. Snooze alert! They hunted down the train wrecks, the people most likely to start a fight or create animosity (which isn't hard when living in a house with so many people). They found people who are self-obsessed and one-track minded. This makes for better television (which is driven by ratings). You don't have to think when you watch The Jersey Shore or ponder life's big questions. Sit back, relax and unwind by watching the chaos unfold before your very eyes!
Most people find fault with much of what is on TV -- rotting the minds of impressionable youth and giving them lowbrow mentors, but it's not going to get better. Parents should be involved in their children's lives and make sure they aren't watching filth because it's not going to go away. It's going to get worse and more accessible with the advancement of technology. TV and movies are created with the largest audience in mind. They want to attract your attention, get you interested and sink you in with flashy plots and outrageous characters.
What's better than car crash type characters? Are these modern day celebrities? Sort of. We still have our talented celebrities who are known for award-winning movies or albums and deserve the attention, but this development of D-listers is growing. Hopefully everyone can view them as ridiculous and enjoy the spectacle.
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