Tuesday, August 4, 2009

On why I’m tired of hearing about Jon and Kate.

Someone please tell me why our local news is covering this years most popular halloween prop, the Kate Gosselin wig.

Could it be because halloween is just around the corner and they wanted to cover something fun and festive? No, it’s August, people. August.

I have a problem with America’s fascination with celebrity.

When someone steps out into the spotlight they need to expect the crowds to turn and watch. The problem is that the American public is obsessed with what happens to those people when the lights are turned off. What they do when the camera crew has the day off. And yes, celebrities need to expect this as well, but that does not mean that is the way it should be.

I suppose I’m bringing this up because I am surprised at how accepted it is to treat famous people like they were never kids who had to be potty trained as toddlers, or teenagers who popped zits in front of the mirror, or aren’t adults who get insecure at social functions and spill coffee on their shirts.

I think we are the ones that need to (and have the power) to change things.

Every time I watch the news when they are covering the divorce of two people I have never met and whose hearts I know nothing about, I am encouraging that news channel to keep broadcasting about that sort of thing.

Every time I buy a People Magazine I am supporting the paparazzi, who take any sense of normalcy away from celebrities. And don’t tell me Kate Gosselin had it coming when she signed her family up for her reality show, while that might have been a poor decision, she shouldn’t have to deal with seeing pictures of her ex-husband and his new girlfriend at the grocery store.

Other celebrites such as musicians and actors are just people who had a talent and an interest in the arts. Must privacy always be the price they pay? I guarantee we are missing out on some great talents because they avoid fame for this reason.

Do you really wonder why child stars rarely get to their 20’s without some sort of mental breakdown? Isn’t it obvious? We, the magazine readers, entertainment news watchers, gossip blog subscribers, are the ones who drive this industry to treat celebrities in a way that causes many of them to lose it a little. Life is hard enough without someone hiding behind the bushes to take a picture of you in your bathing suit.

So come on, join me in my protest! Dress up as Pippy Longstockings this year for Halloween! Buy some M&M’s at the checkout to distract you from the gossip magazines. In order to change things, we have to treat it as if it is none of our business, because it isn’t.

Sorry for the soapbox folks. One can only stay silent so long :)

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I totally agree with you - thanks for posting this. While I'll readily admit that I have watched every gossip show, purchased every gossip magazine, and subscribed to a gossip mag here and there, I'm sick of it. I'm sick of normal everyday people thinking that celebrities personal lives are ours to judge. It is not normal to laugh at other people's problems to make ourselves feel better about ourselves.

I'm making a stand, I'm not longer going to purchase those magazines, read the blogs, or take part in belittling discussion of any human being. I choose not to.

Unknown said...

I just have to give you an "Amen Sister!" give people some breathing space already!

Becky Bartlett said...

Totally agree, Alli. Great post. Thanks!!!

Anonymous said...

*sigh*
perfectly stated, al.
give 'em a rest already.