Falcon84 From United States, joined Sep 2004, 14915 posts, RR: 81 Posted (1 year 4 months 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 748 times:
I just don't understand the fascination and, in some cases, the obsession, some people have with Hollywood celebrities. Brangelia is the best example. Brittany Spears; Jen Anniston; anyone that is high-profile.
Why the obsession by some people? Maybe I'm outta touch, but I just don't get it.
Sv7887 From United States, joined May 2008, 947 posts, RR: 2 Reply 1, posted (1 year 4 months 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 744 times:
Falcon,
It's probably because the rags to richest story, plus the distraction from our own problems. It's easier to laugh at these people than it is to face our own problems...
However, I do think alot of us secretly fantasize about the rich and the famous lifestyle, hence the popularity of American Idol and others.
I agree with you: These guys are pure products of the marketing spin machine. Most of them, say Lindsay Lohan have no talent, but give them some makeup artists, a few Disney movies, and cut a record, clothing line, and voila, you're latest celebrity sensation.
When I see people like Paris Hilton calling herself a "business woman" I want to vomit.
Falcon84 From United States, joined Sep 2004, 14915 posts, RR: 81 Reply 3, posted (1 year 4 months 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 731 times:
Quoting EMBQA (Reply 2): I think a lot of it is just the media TELLING us we care.....
They don't make us by the tabloids and magazines, however. People do that all on their own.
Sv7887, I know what you mean about the "lifestyle of the rich and famous", but when I think of winning the Lottery, I don't thnk of Hollywood to be honest. I'd take a Jen Anniston or Sandra Bullock mind you, but it's not something I think about all that often when daydreaming about finding the big $$$.
Luv2fly From United States, joined May 2003, 11216 posts, RR: 56 Reply 4, posted (1 year 4 months 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 725 times:
I have to agree with the fascination certain people receive? Though I guess some people must care or the magazines like people and such would no longer be in business.
N1120A From United States, joined Dec 2003, 23486 posts, RR: 88 Reply 5, posted (1 year 4 months 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 722 times:
Here is another question? Why the obsession with sports figures. People like Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Jeremy Shockey, Wayne Gretzky, etc.? It is because all of these people are in the consciousness of the public as a whole because of the universal appeal and media coverage of their profession.
Actually, it goes even deeper. Why do people gossip about others? Because people have a fundamental need to understand, and perhaps even control each other, which is why those that they see on a constant basis they become obsessed with.
Mangeons les French fries, mais surtout pratiquons avec fierte le French kiss
PSA53 From United States, joined Aug 2003, 2321 posts, RR: 6 Reply 6, posted (1 year 4 months 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 699 times:
Quoting N1120A (Reply 5):
Here is another question? Why the obsession with sports figures. People like Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Jeremy Shockey, Wayne Gretzky, etc.? It is because all of these people are in the consciousness of the public as a whole because of the universal appeal and media coverage of their profession.
Well,when I was a kid,Mays,Koufax,Drysdale(53) and the fearsome foursome were my hero's.I guess it carries over to adults of current contemporaries.
I never been a stargazer on celebrities.It just amazing to me of all the tabloids and magazines about celebrities that have you ask the question.Is it a mental breakaway to relieve stress or are people that lonely?
And also look at the European paparazzi.Those folks are crazy.But there's big bucks to be had.
Oly720man From United Kingdom, joined May 2004, 4756 posts, RR: 12 Reply 7, posted (1 year 4 months 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 684 times:
People get obsessed with the nobodies on the likes of Big Brother and the mundane gossip about them fills magazines and "news"papers. Because it's on tv it somehow makes it more important than a bunch of anonymous idiots doing the same in a local bar.
People shout at and even attack actors and actresses when they're off duty from making soaps because they don't like "them" and what "they're" doing..... and can't distinguish between reality and the cocoon generated by the one eyed monster in the corner of the room.
It's the easy imagery of thinking you're sharing someone's life and the fantasies of what they get up to, but without the 2 way emotional and physical connection.
Man City p3 w3 d0 l0 f4 a0 P9 - hey it may never happen again!
ScarletHarlot From Canada, joined Jul 2003, 4240 posts, RR: 67 Reply 8, posted (1 year 4 months 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 674 times:
I LOVE trashy gossip magazines and websites.
I started loving them after 9/11. The news was so awful around that time that I no longer wanted to read much serious stuff. Gossip was shallow and fun - it was mind candy. It was like sitting down and eating bonbons. I still love the mindlessness of trashy gossip. It's fun to see what the "celebs" are wearing and doing. You get interested in them as people, too. I have a subscription to British Hello! and even though most of the people in there have very little relevance in the States I am always interested in reading what's going on with them.
It's mindless. It's relaxing. It's pointless. And it's so much fun.
StarAC17 From Canada, joined Aug 2003, 1593 posts, RR: 4 Reply 9, posted (1 year 4 months 3 days 1 hour ago) and read 651 times:
Quoting Falcon84 (Reply 3): Quoting EMBQA (Reply 2):
I think a lot of it is just the media TELLING us we care.....
They don't make us by the tabloids and magazines, however. People do that all on their own.
When CNN claims that this celebrity's stupid actions (such as a DUI when you have enough money to be driven and not drive ever) warrant breaking news over the death of a soldier or child they are prepurating the problem that we have to be fascinated by them.
Quoting N1120A (Reply 5): Here is another question? Why the obsession with sports figures. People like Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Jeremy Shockey, Wayne Gretzky, etc.? It is because all of these people are in the consciousness of the public as a whole because of the universal appeal and media coverage of their profession.
They are celebrities too but the only difference is they play sports and the others look good errr sing or act (Falcon I believe you listen to Jim Rome so you should get the joke).
Blackbird From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 10, posted (1 year 4 months 3 days 1 hour ago) and read 641 times:
I don't care about celebrities much at all. I think the media simply focuses on them because it helps create a good diversion from what's really going on in the world.
If I recall correctly, in 1984, there was a term called Prolefeed, which essentially was news to feed to the public to distract them from what the government's doing, usually about salacious sex-scandals, and stuff of the like.
Essentially our modern news has transformed into a real-life equivalent of Prolefeed.
Falcon84 From United States, joined Sep 2004, 14915 posts, RR: 81 Reply 11, posted (1 year 4 months 3 days 1 hour ago) and read 638 times:
Quoting StarAC17 (Reply 9): When CNN claims that this celebrity's stupid actions (such as a DUI when you have enough money to be driven and not drive ever) warrant breaking news over the death of a soldier or child they are prepurating the problem that we have to be fascinated by them.
Exactly. Hell, local news can spend as much time talking about celebrity gossip than they do on a big local story. The local news has turned into a segment of "Entertainment Tonight".
STLGph From United States, joined Oct 2004, 8042 posts, RR: 32 Reply 12, posted (1 year 4 months 3 days 1 hour ago) and read 635 times:
Quoting StarAC17 (Reply 9): When CNN claims that this celebrity's stupid actions (such as a DUI when you have enough money to be driven and not drive ever) warrant breaking news over the death of a soldier or child they are prepurating the problem that we have to be fascinated by them.
CNN is just giving their people what they want.
sorry.
Eternal darkness we all should dread. It's hard to party when you're dead.
KiwiinOz From New Zealand, joined Oct 2005, 1474 posts, RR: 6 Reply 13, posted (1 year 4 months 3 days ago) and read 618 times:
The rampant celebrity obsession, particularly in the US is a sad, harmful thing, and is quite a degenerative condition as far as society is concerned.
And the reason it becomes such a virus is that the media eventually convinces the, (less intelligent) public that the lifestyle of certain celebrities is something to idolise and be jealous of, and in many cases, obsess over.
The unfortunate thing is that in many cases, the people most susceptable to this phenomenon are the people most liable to be harmed by it, (ie with low self esteem, etc). Look at the values the press focus on in the celebrity culture.
This is an industry that sexualised a teenager, gave them no coaching or support in dealing with the problem, took their share of the money and then left them to deal with their issues, casually blaming their, "trailer park" upbringing as they rush to dissassociate themselves from the train wreck. And now society gets even hungrier and more disgusting, secretly hoping for the sensational tragedy when Britney finally knocks herself off. And when that happens, there will no doubt be people shake their head and blame her for having all the money in the world and she wasn't able to sort her head out.....talk about trivialising this problem.
I hope there is a shift in society that takes us in another direction, as the potential impact is huge. I feel quite certain that most 14 year olds will be more likely to have seen the Paris Hilton sex tape than to have read a piece of classic literature, or have an understanding of ow they can help the children in East Africa
Sad. Very sad.
"I don't know how to put this but I'm kind of a big deal. "
STLGph From United States, joined Oct 2004, 8042 posts, RR: 32 Reply 14, posted (1 year 4 months 3 days ago) and read 618 times:
Quoting KiwiinOz (Reply 13): The rampant celebrity obsession, particularly in the US is a sad, harmful thing, and is quite a degenerative condition as far as society is concerned.
it's quite often worse overseas than it is in the U.S.
Eternal darkness we all should dread. It's hard to party when you're dead.
AA61Hvy From United States, joined Nov 1999, 13211 posts, RR: 68 Reply 15, posted (1 year 4 months 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 615 times:
Quoting Falcon84 (Thread starter): I just don't understand the fascination and, in some cases, the obsession, some people have with Hollywood celebrities. Brangelia is the best example. Brittany Spears; Jen Anniston; anyone that is high-profile.
Why the obsession by some people? Maybe I'm outta touch, but I just don't get it.
Preaching to the choir. My girlfriend and sister love this shit. I cannot stand it. I've met celebs and it's cool to be like yeah I've met them and have a story but beyond that is lame. I hate how ESPN talks about A-Rod's divorce and Madonna and shit or Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson. I DON'T CARE ABOUT THEM. I care about the athletes and how the perform on the field.
KiwiinOz From New Zealand, joined Oct 2005, 1474 posts, RR: 6 Reply 16, posted (1 year 4 months 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 611 times:
Quoting STLGph (Reply 14): it's quite often worse overseas than it is in the U.S.
I don't think so. The intensity of obsession is sometimes matched in other places, but only in the US, (as far as I have seen), does it become do pervasive that it drowns out everything else. Celebrity culture becomes so dominant that real events get so little consideration, and in some cases none at all. Some other celebrity obsessed places, (France, UK, Spain, Hong Kong, Australia), still have a bit of balance.
"I don't know how to put this but I'm kind of a big deal. "
Quoting STLGph (Reply 12): CNN is just giving their people what they want.
Or telling you what they think you should know.
If news agencies like CNN didn't report it, they wouldn't have much to report (that and celebrities would have to do something else to preoccupy themselves). It is all filler. Personally, I don't read the tabloid rags (that and I don't know who half of the people are anyway ) or watch the tabloid trash on the tube.
JCS17 From United States, joined Jun 2001, 7580 posts, RR: 52 Reply 18, posted (1 year 4 months 2 days 22 hours ago) and read 588 times:
Beats the shit out of me. Its for fat female office workers and housewives who have time to devote to that crap.
Truthfully, I give TMZ a look if I'm bored. Not because I give a crap what the worthless messes in Hollywood are actually doing, I just enjoy watching them mess up their lives. Drug addiction! Quack religions! Booze! False superiority! All of it entertaining and I wouldn't care if any of them died tomorrow.
57AZ From United States, joined Nov 2004, 2491 posts, RR: 3 Reply 20, posted (1 year 4 months 2 days 21 hours ago) and read 568 times:
Quoting Falcon84 (Thread starter): Why the obsession by some people? Maybe I'm outta touch, but I just don't get it.
You're not the only one. I don't get it (and frankly I don't care to, either). I'd wager that the idiot box (aka TV) is highly responsible for the promotion of "stars". I'm too busy having a real life.
"When a man runs on railroads over half of his lifetime he is fit for nothing else-and at times he don't know that."
HAWK21M From India, joined Jan 2001, 27761 posts, RR: 61 Reply 21, posted (1 year 4 months 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 544 times:
Its not only hollywood celebrities but in fact any celebrity from the Film Industry anywhere in the world that known.
Guess people get attracted by their screen image & looks.
I always wondered why too because back in their home they are just ordinary people.
Stlgph From United States, joined Oct 2004, 8042 posts, RR: 32 Reply 23, posted (1 year 4 months 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 502 times:
Quoting EWRCabincrew (Reply 17): Or telling you what they think you should know.
If news agencies like CNN didn't report it, they wouldn't have much to report (that and celebrities would have to do something else to preoccupy themselves). It is all filler. Personally, I don't read the tabloid rags (that and I don't know who half of the people are anyway ) or watch the tabloid trash on the tube.
too bad that's not the case.
as i said earlier, CNN, along with everyone else, is just giving their people what they want.
Quoting KiwiinOz (Reply 16): I don't think so. The intensity of obsession is sometimes matched in other places, but only in the US, (as far as I have seen), does it become do pervasive that it drowns out everything else.
you think that.
but ... Australia's love for Kylie Minogue. Germany's love for David Hasselhoff. etc. etc.
Eternal darkness we all should dread. It's hard to party when you're dead.
PlaneWasted From Sweden, joined Jan 2008, 324 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (1 year 4 months 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 502 times:
I just don't understand the fascination and, in some cases, the obsession, some people have with civilian airplanes. A380 is the best example. People even fight about how it looks! Come on! It's just a thing used to get from A to B. B747-8; 787; any model that is fairly common is discussed endlessly.
Why the obsession by some people? Maybe I'm outta touch, but I just don't get it.
Molykote From United States, joined Aug 2005, 1136 posts, RR: 16 Reply 25, posted (1 year 4 months 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 493 times:
I don't care at all about the celebrity hype myself.
Having said that, if someone enjoys reading the trash sheets, more power too them (so long as it's not personally destructive).
I don't become disheartened until I run into the type that knows every hand bag that Madonna owns but can't point out half the countries in Europe when given a blank map.
Speedtape - The asprin of aviation!
26 David L: Then why are those sections of the media that shove all this celebrity stuff in our faces often the very same sections of the media that enjoy sensat
27 PanAm330: I think these sh*t storms about "celebrities" has only gotten worse in recent years, most notably during the Anna Nicole Smith death. It was on every
28 PSA53: This is a little off thread,but worthy to note of possibility of misrepresentation.... The main concern I have, is with shows like Comedy Centrals,"T
29 David L: OK... but I'm not sure what that has to do with what I said. I see no evidence at all that a section of the media is able to hide "what's really goin
30 PSA53: - Agree. But what is concerning is when politicians,in a election year,appear on these tabloid shows and makes the shows look creditable or the "last
31 GDB: Count me as one who does not get it too. I do understand that it is not so new, people obsessed over the great films stars of old, but note 'great'. N
32 Seb146: Here is my theory: It is easier and cheaper for the major media to have reporters in Los Angeles and New York rather than shipping reporters, crews a
33 StarAC17: The Daily Show mocks the obvious stupidity of how the big three US news networks report their news and some of the outrageous nonsense these personal
34 Seb146: Actually, I have seen more hard news on those two shows than I have on any other network. The fact that those in the political arena are more at ease
35 StarAC17: There is so much validity to that statement that is saddening, in that comedy central is able to on some occasions give more actual news than three 2
36 KLASM83: I believe its schadenfreude, which is . People seem enjoy seeing the downfall of others who have been put on a pedestal, then be knocked off of it by
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From United States, joined Sep 2004, 14915 posts, 
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or the media telling us we should care. My thing is when celebrities start caring about me and my life, I'll return the favor. 
) or watch the tabloid trash on the tube.
From India, joined Jan 2001, 27761 posts, 
because back in their home they are just ordinary people.
From Sweden, joined Jan 2008, 324 posts, 
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