Dr. Bob's question at the end of class today regarding the public fascination with celebrities got me thinking. Is our fascination with celebrity distracting us from our roles as citizens within the media, national, and global communities?
Media blogs such as Perez Hilton, PopEater, and Just Jared, and entertainment shows such as E! News, Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, and TMZ follow the lives of celebrities, giving daily reports on their latest projects, appearances, and activities. Yet, more often than not, the presentation of celebrity stories focuses on outlandish incidents, or a certain celebrity's latest blunder, rather than their most recent accomplishment. Most people are fascinated with the ridiculous actions of celebrities and closely monitor the presentation of their narratives, eagerly awaiting news on their next outburst.
Recently, public opinion has been increasingly focused on Charlie Sheen and Lindsay Lohan, two stars who have been characterized by their detachment from reality. Some may argue that the public continues to focus on these two celebrities because we are simply waiting for their next mistake. Instead of focusing on issues important in our society or in our own lives, we are more invested in the issues celebrities are facing. I, however, wonder if our fascination is not a representation of a deeper, responsible citizenship.
Perhaps we watch celebrities, contribute to gossip blogs, and read celebrity magazines and stories, not because we wish to be preoccupied with their stories, but rather to provide a social criticism of their actions. We criticize Charlie Sheen not just because we can, but because his behaviors do not fit into the traditional narrative role of a responsible citizen. Following this understanding, the fascination with celebrity is not a distraction from our role as citizens, but a way to express our duties to create a rational, well-informed society in which people follow traditional, established, and accepted roles.
Hilary, your post definitely got me thinking! Having never realized it before, I do agree with your argument that our fascinations with the celebrity is NOT a distraction from our role as citizens, BUT a way to express our duties as a responsible citizen. You brought up the publics recent obsession with celebrities such as Charlie Sheen and Lindsey Lohan, and I think this is a perfect example. Rather than focusing our attention on individuals practicing "responsible" citizenship, such as Oprah, we follow those who we can expect another outlandish incident from.
ReplyDeleteDo you think this goes against our discussions of celebrity culture - as a distraction from underlying issues, events, etc - though? Or are they parallel? Perhaps, each underlying issue pertains to our responsibility as citizens?
Hilary,
ReplyDeleteI think that a large majority of today's population stays up to date on celebrity news because we can't avoid it. Like I said at the end of class today, the news follows us wherever we are, whether we are in the country or not.
Also, another reason I think people keep up with celeb news is so that they can partake in conversations. Since celebrity news is always being broadcasted, it remains a central topic of conversation. It sucks when your friends or classmates are having a discussion that you can't be a part of because you don't know what they're talking about. And since celebs are a common discussion point, we are pressured to stay up to date with celeb news. I don't think this distracts us from being a responsible citizen. It's just a routine of life that we do to be able to socially engage with others.
Here we are just barely able to move out of the recession. 16 million or more Americans are unemployed. the middle East is exploding with revolution and we want to discuss--Charlie Sheen? I admit it's easier to do. Remember in class that when I asked questions about the media coverage of the Middle East turmoil there was little response but, oh boy, when we looked at Charlie Sheen the class came to life. Everybody had an opinion and we had a great discussion. So I guess the question is not so much "can we have a lively discussion and come to some reasonable conclusions about celebrity" but I still hold that when we do so we are in consumer mode not citizen mode. Also I wonder if what Hilary really means when she talks about looking at Charlie Sheen as a way of clarifying the norms of conduct in our society, she is really talking about something similar to Dr. Lule's idea, that mythic stories are ways that society talks to itself about what is appropriate and what is inappropriate behavior. I certainly agree that's one part of what it means to be a citizen but only part of it.
ReplyDeleteIn response to the comments posted over the past few days, I feel as though it would be beneficial to clarify the meaning of my original post. When I discussed our response to troubled celebrities as an expression of our citizenship roles, I was implying a role similar to D. Lule's idea of social myth. I believe that our observation, and subsequent commentary on celebrity, is a way for society members to propose their opinions of what is inappropriate or appropriate behavior, and a way for us to normalize our own behavior by comparing it to the seemingly outlandish actions of celebrities.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it is not the majority of our role as citizens, I believe part of our response to celebrities is driven by the "policing" role that citizens must play toward behavior. We comment on shocking celebrity narratives because we feel that these actions are not appropriate or beneficial to society, and we want to communicate the idea that such actions are not tolerable in the narratives of everyday life.