Watching the Mighty Fall

There seems to be compunction in humans to get some perverse pleasure in watching someone on who has reached success topple. People have made their careers (if you could call it that) by searching the lives of people who are the top of their game for signs of weakness, and then exposing these secrets for others to delight in.

I find it heartbreaking to watch the media frenzy surrounding the pictures, innuendos, speculations and outright lies that surround celebrities like Sandra Bullock and Jesse James; Tiger Woods; John Edwards and Jennifer Anniston. What gives the public the right to delve into the private lives of others just because they have money or fame?

Paparazzi stalk celebrities to take pictures of them at their most unflattering times. They hound them for answers to personal questions as if it’s any of their business. Just because they are good at their craft does not mean anything past their performance is the right of the public. Gossip is such a horrible thing, and so many people get hurt from it. We’ve all experienced the heartbreak caused by rumors, spread by people who have nothing else to do than delight in the hurt of others.

“Focusing on the failures of others allows us to hide from our own weaknesses,”(author unknown) is an excellent way to describe what is really going on. We look at the lives of celebrities as being perfect, and dream of a life for ourselves just like it. Those beautiful people could not possibly know what it’s like to walk in your shoes!

There is no such thing as a perfect life. Everyone has flaws, and everyone experiences heartbreak. Imagine what your life would be like if you were betrayed by your spouse and the local newspaper spread it on the front page, put it on the radio and television, and you were hit in the face by it wherever you went? It’s not bad enough you have to endure the pain, you have to do it in front of everyone. Not only that, your family and friends are made to suffer along with you – getting asked questions from perfect strangers about your life. There is no time to work it out alone and in private.

The questioner makes it appear that they are concerned, where in reality they are simply satisfying their need to rub it in and be superior to the one in pain.

I find Paparazzi and tabloid “journalism” disgusting. There is so much going on in the world, and in our lives, that we don’t have to take pleasure in the pain of others. These people are not journalists, and this is not news. If they really wanted to take their craft seriously, find the good things that are going on in the world and report about them. Every block of every town in the world has something wonderful going on at any given minute. There is no lack of material to cover. Hurting others in order to “earn your bones” seems like a seedy way to earn a living.

It is my belief that tabloid journalism has done a great deal to topple our society and drawn us away from the compassionate side of ourselves. We delight in the struggles of others, and don’t see anything wrong it that.

What does that say about us?

Hollywood Lists

I don't pay much attention to the Hollywood award ceremonies, or even listening to the gossip. I am not one like to listen to rude comments about people, even if they are true. That's why I often wonder who comes up with the list that ranks the talents, or fashions, of the "A" list in Hollywood.

I ADORE watching the red carpet shows before the events. I have always been a fan of designers, and fashion. I even thought about being a dress designer when I was young, and used up many sketch pads just drawing dresses I considered beautiful. It was my way of living a real fantasy, even though I never thought I was physically up to the part.

What qualifies Joan and Melissa Rivers as fashionistas? Having money certainly can afford you the luxury of designer clothes, but having those clothes does not make you an expert. Who gave George Blackwell the podium to make the top 10 "Best Dressed List?"

There a lot of people who are heralded as designers that I, personally, question their talent. What I think is a beautiful dress someone else may not, and what looks fabulous on one person looks dull on another.

As a matter of fact, fashion is now, and has always been, a matter of personal taste. I agree that not all clothing looks good on everyone - no matter how skinny they are. I also wonder why someone would spend thousands of dollars on one dress and not do their hair, but that is a personal observation. Fashion is art, and art is always subject to opinion.

A recent Hollywood list came out that noted certain Hollywood "stars" as being over or under-rated. I don't agree with all those on the list, and wonder where they got their qualifications to state whether an actors talent was over-rated, or had potential. This list is subjective - and when people put articles like this out they ought to put it in the editorial section, and put their name on it, since it is not an exact science and subjective.

Robin Williams was on the list of over-rated actors, yet I find him to have a wide range of talent. His behavior is bizarre, but he has held down serious roles as well as comedic.

There are a lot of actors on the list I have never heard of, and many who could be listed, in my opinion, on both sides - but if the public likes them and I don't that doesn't mean they are not talented.

It has been observed that many actors do not receive an award for the work that is up for an award, but much of the work they had done previously should have been taken into consideration, so they are given an award this time. Example: Paul Newman won his Oscar for "The Color of Money," yet it was not his best work. Taking into account all the work he had done, this was not on the top ten list even. I have to say, however his performances have always been top notch - but you can't beat his work in "Cool Hand Luke," or "A Long, Hot Summer."

Russell Crow won his Oscar for "Gladiator," and it was an excellent movie, and his acting was superb, but he also was excellent in "A Beautiful Mind," and several others that have gone unnoticed.

If Hollywood has a problem with an actor's behavior off the screen they will be snubbed for awards for their work. Example: Robert Downey Jr. in "Chaplin." So, the awards are not based on performance as much as on sentiment.

If the decision were mine, I would not give an award to ONE person in one category, but to all those who put forth an exceptional performance that year. I've never been a fan of singling ONE person out for recognition when so many have contributed to the efforts. Make the list the top 10, and honor them for their outstanding work.

But then again, the 11th person would be snubbed, so I guess there is always someone who is left out.

Just my random thoughts! My next ranting will be about "Reality Shows." lol