Shakopee Valley News - Rough weekend for celebrities - Comments

I'm going to blame some of

Kristin Holtz — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:05:45 -0500

I'm going to blame some of this on reality TV. Reality TV has made it possible for us, regular people to aspire to stardom. Fifteen minutes of fame has become more like weeks on the tabloid covers -- think the reality stars in "The Hills" or "Jon and Kate Plus Eight." We're giving attention to people who really aren't famous. They're pseudo-famous.

Plus, it bothers me about how many kids aspire to be actors, singers and musicians. It seems these celebrities have become role models for our kids, repeating this idea that fame is the only thing worth achieving. There's nothing wrong with a kid aspiring to be something and working hard to achieve a goal, but at some point, we need to teach our kids that in reality it's not going to happen for everyone. We need to teach them that being on TV is not the only way to gain respect and that society isn't all about "me."

But maybe these values aren't part of our lives anymore?

I think it's an indicator of

Katrina Styx — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:50:30 -0500

I think it's an indicator of what Americans feel is important. I've heard more people talk about Michael Jackon's death than virtually any other recent news item. Perhaps people tend to look more at celebrities as the defining characteristic of our time than political events?

Rough weekend for celebrities

Kristin Holtz — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:07:44 -0500

Last weekend proved to be a tough one for celebrities with three notable deaths in a four-day span.

The death of Michael Jackson June 25 is the most notable. The "King of Pop" was an icon in the music industry in the 1980s and his eccentricities have kept him in the public spotlight ever since.

Farrah Fawcett also died June 25 from cancer. Fawcett was one of the original "Charlie's Angels."