Why are people fascinated by celebreties?

[Phoenix84]

I've wondered this for a while.  Why are so many people fascinated by celebrities?

I'm talking about this so called "news," like so and so is having a baby, getting married, has drug problems ect.  Sometimes it can be even more ridiculous, such as two celebrities caught in the same dress (ZOMG!)  Or perhaps it could be "the best and worst dressed at the Grammies."

Why do people give a flying crap what these people do?  I don't know them, why should I care more about them than anyone else I've never met?  I bet I wouldn't recognize the vast majority of them if we met on the street.

[Peace Of Mind]

I do not know.  I don't get it either.  Especially the fainting, screaming, stalking, tattooing of their image, etc. 

[Phoenix84]

As I said, I have been thinking about this for a while.  But lately it's been pretty bad with the so called "royal baby."  I don't care what the British royal family does.  As I understand it, they're just figureheads, why should Americans care what they do?

[Shooby]

I just find it fun. Kind of like reading a trashy novel or some other useless entertainment.

[souldoubt]

The royal baby I can at least understand a bit more.  It's a huge deal in the UK and while he's born into it and more or less a figurehead he's still the future head of the monarchy.

Celebrities on the other hand I really don't get.  I think the infatuation with them is quite honestly stupid but to each their own.  I do get a kick out of people saying "why won't ___ go away" while they read those garbage magazines, watch talk shows and so on.  They don't "go away" because you're still paying attention to them.  I think America's fascination with famous people, some of who are just famous for being famous is quite sad. 

[Peace Of Mind]

I'm happy for them and don't have a problem that it makes the news because they are royalty and all.  But the day in day out about it or hanging out at their castle - or wherever they are - makes no sense to me.  I don't care that others are interested in it but I'm just not.  

I love rock and roll music.  Especially when the awesome singer or guitar player is very hot.  Sure I'd liked to have met them  but not enough to hang out where I think they are or follow them or whatever groupies do.  My SIL was/is like that.  She has met some amazing people and many that I liked but I wouldn't go with her.  She somehow figured out how to find them and it never even occurred to me to do something like that.  

[giramomma]

Jul 24, 2013 13:15:17 GMT -5 Phoenix84 said:

As I said, I have been thinking about this for a while.  But lately it's been pretty bad with the so called "royal baby."  I don't care what the British royal family does.  As I understand it, they're just figureheads, why should Americans care what they do?

I remember watching Diana get married on TV. I was a little girl, and it was the closest I got to the whole princess thing. Her untimely death also for some reason hit me. I can't imagine living her life. For all of the pomp, it couldn't have been easy.

And, while Diana was just a figurehead, she was also dealing with a likely unfaithful husband, trying to do good in this world, and raising successful kids. I think these sorts of issues resonate with more than just the British Monarchy.

That said, I missed most of the celebrity thing with others. I could care less about who is sleeping with whom, who is in the hospital, etc. But, I think the difference is that with MOST celebrities, I don't see them as giving a crap about anyone other then themselves.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Or perhaps it could be "the best and worst dressed at the Grammies."

I find those fun.  There can be some real doozies in the "worst" category.  I don't care so much who is wearing it.  I just like to see what weird ass thing some fashion designer talked a star into wearing.

My favorite is still Bjork's Swan dress.

[swamp]

Jul 24, 2013 13:23:05 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Or perhaps it could be "the best and worst dressed at the Grammies."

I find those fun.  There can be some real doozies in the "worst" category.  I don't care so much who is wearing it.  I just like to see what weird ass thing some fashion designer talked a star into wearing.

[Phoenix84]

Yeah, I can see the heir to the british throne being born as news.  But I've seen articles about what he supposedly likes and dislikes based on a brief public appearance.  The reporting on the event has been more in the vein of celebrity reporting than news.

[Tiny]

They are a distraction from the lives of quiet desperation that most people lead.

If we didn't have 'celebrities' or stupid TV shows we'd probably have to talk about things that upset other people (religion/politics/morality) when we're at parties or informal gatherings.

Celebrities/pop culture instantly gives people something in common that's 'safe to discuss/talk about'.

Pop culture is the glue that brings modern people together.

[Chocolate Lover]

Jul 24, 2013 13:23:05 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Or perhaps it could be "the best and worst dressed at the Grammies."

I find those fun.  There can be some real doozies in the "worst" category.  I don't care so much who is wearing it.  I just like to see what weird ass thing some fashion designer talked a star into wearing.

My favorite is still Bjork's Swan dress.

Was that the paper one, or is the paper one an entirely separate dress? And why do I remember either detail

<<wanders off in search of a life>>

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Separate one I think.

Lady Gaga's meat dress was pretty gag worthy too. 

Then there was another celeb who wore a dress made entirely of gold Amex cards.  That could not have been comfortable.

[Chocolate Lover]

I just want some of the drugs the designers are taking......  

[Shooby]

I take it all in the spirit of fun and just makes for some fun chitchat around the water cooler.

[steph08]

I read celebrity gossip for mindless entertainment. If I don't read it, my life won't end. For the most part, I could care less. I do like to read about the royal baby. I also love Giuliana and Bill. I will admit to paying the $5 extra for the higher cable package so I can watch their show on the Style Network.

[thyme4change]

Jul 24, 2013 13:26:23 GMT -5 Tiny said:

They are a distraction from the lives of quiet desperation that most people lead.

If we didn't have 'celebrities' or stupid TV shows we'd probably have to talk about things that upset other people (religion/politics/morality) when we're at parties or informal gatherings.

Celebrities/pop culture instantly gives people something in common that's 'safe to discuss/talk about'.

Pop culture is the glue that brings modern people together.

When people are normal, it is fairly harmless.  

I think before there was so much access to public figures and their dirty secrets, women just sat around and talked about each other.  Remember the song from "The Music Man."  (And yes, I did just use a musical as a historical reference about what life was like before I was born.  My sources are airtight!)

[Phoenix84]

I guess since we're on the topic, why do famous actors make so much money?  I realize acting is a profession, and it takes skill, but are actors really worth millions and millions of dollars?  I guess the same could be said for sports stars, but I think one could make the argument any professional sports player is at the top of their game.  On the other hand, so are many olympians, and very few of them make anywhere close to what a NFL player makes.

[Regis]

Jul 24, 2013 13:42:41 GMT -5 Phoenix84 said:

I guess since we're on the topic, why do famous actors make so much money?  I realize acting is a profession, and it takes skill, but are actors really worth millions and millions of dollars?  I guess the same could be said for sports stars, but I think one could make the argument any professional sports player is at the top of their game.  On the other hand, so are many olympians, and very few of them make anywhere close to what a NFL player makes.

Because they make other people even more money!

[Deleted]

Jul 24, 2013 13:23:05 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Or perhaps it could be "the best and worst dressed at the Grammies."

I find those fun.  There can be some real doozies in the "worst" category.  I don't care so much who is wearing it.  I just like to see what weird ass thing some fashion designer talked a star into wearing.

My favorite is still Bjork's Swan dress.

I'm just sick of hearing this question:

Who are you wearing?

For once I would love to see a "celebrity" answer with: "My neighbor two doors down....I killed them a month ago and have been sewing this outfit ever since!".

[swamp]

 I get a perverse pleasure knowing their lives are as trainwrecky as the average Joe. 

[thyme4change]

Jul 24, 2013 13:53:49 GMT -5 swamp said:

 I get a perverse pleasure knowing their lives are as trainwrecky as the average Joe. 

Definitely when their lives go wrong, a lot of people love that news and crave it.  They want to see that they are better than someone who is very beautiful/talented/rich/connected, whatever.  It makes us feel better that we aren't any of those things, but I am able to keep my life together better than them - neener, neener.

[Phoenix84]

One also has to wonder what it is about the lifestyle that causes so many celebrities to crash and burn.  One would think life would be easy street once you got to that point.  However, you don't have to go far to find famous people who have destroyed their lives with drugs or other things.  There must be some type of psychological cause to it.

[thyme4change]

First off, having a LOT of money at a young age (and so many celebrities "hit" before they are mid-20's) give you freedoms that normal 22 year olds may not have.  I couldn't jet around the world snorting cocaine, and even the thought of getting a DUI and having to spend $5000 or more to get out of it was devastating.  I simply didn't have the resources to be that big of an idiot.

Second, people fawning over you.  I suspect most celebrities have the ability to surround themselves with people who will never say "no" and never disagree with them.  You don't like what your manager is telling you - fire them and get another.  Your financial adviser is telling you to spend a little less - gone!  Friends that are trying to be honest with you and rope you in, you can be done with them, there are millions of people who want to hang out with you.

[Phoenix84]

Jul 24, 2013 13:26:23 GMT -5 Tiny said:

They are a distraction from the lives of quiet desperation that most people lead.

If we didn't have 'celebrities' or stupid TV shows we'd probably have to talk about things that upset other people (religion/politics/morality) when we're at parties or informal gatherings.

Celebrities/pop culture instantly gives people something in common that's 'safe to discuss/talk about'.

Pop culture is the glue that brings modern people together.

What about you?  Do you lead a life of quiet desperation?

[movingforward]

Celebrities/pop culture instantly gives people something in common that's 'safe to discuss/talk about'.

Pop culture is the glue that brings modern people together.

True.  How many times have we discussed television on this site.  Quite a few probably.  I could care less about the personal life of celebrities and I do NOT enjoy reality TV but there are certain shows I always seem to be talking about with people at work and gatherings (e.g. Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead, The Killing, etc.).  Right now I am watching Prison Break on Netflix.  I think I have fallen in love (eh, I mean lust) with Wentworth Miller

[Peace Of Mind]

Jul 24, 2013 16:39:21 GMT -5 movingforward said:

Celebrities/pop culture instantly gives people something in common that's 'safe to discuss/talk about'.

Pop culture is the glue that brings modern people together.

True.  How many times have we discussed television on this site.  Quite a few probably.  I could care less about the personal life of celebrities and I do NOT enjoy reality TV but there are certain shows I am always seem to be talking about with people at work and gathering (e.g. Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead, The Killing, etc.).  Right now I am watching Prison Break on Netflix.  I think I have fallen in love (eh, I mean lust) with Wentworth Miller

We just finished the first season of Orange is the new Black - or something like that.  I have the DTs now for the 2nd season.   DH wanted to watch Hemlock Grove and we watched the first episode last night.  What say you?

[thyme4change]

We just finished the first season of Orange is the new Black

What is that like?  I've seen all the advertising for it, and I'm trying to decide if we are up to it.  

[Peace Of Mind]

Jul 24, 2013 16:43:01 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

We just finished the first season of Orange is the new Black

What is that like?  I've seen all the advertising for it, and I'm trying to decide if we are up to it.  

It's funny, interesting, and some people on the show will make you stabby.  There is some nudity and lesbian activity but not pornographic IMO and only a little bit of it.  We think there are some good story lines explaining why some of the women are in jail along with various relationship interactions that made us really like the characters. 

[thyme4change]

You sound a little lukewarm on it.  So, not a 5-star thumbs up?