Wednesday 11 March 2009

Things What Are Rubbish #1 - Famous For Being Famous

I'm normally fairly chipper on this here word-based-with-occasional-pictures-and-videos blog-style thing. You usually get plenty of "Here's some stuff I like, check this out, it's great", you know, all those kinds of shenanigans. Just doing my little bit to make the internets a more cheerful place. But then I thought, "Hang on, everyone else is usually banging on about stuff that they hate. Why shouldn't I?" And you know what? I didn't have a good answer to that. So here, for this week only*, is the evil flipside to my usual series. Ladies and gentlemen, Things What Are Rubbish...

In a nutshell:- People who are famous for no other reason than the fact that they are famous.

The Basics:- We've all seen it. People who are famous simply because they're in some way connected with another famous person (in all likelihood someone who is only tangentially famous themselves in the first place). People who are famous because they've been on a TV programme that invites them to be famous. Most of all, though, people who are famous because their daddy owns a hotel chain and they once basically appeared as an unpaid porn star.**

Why's It So Rubbish Then?:- Because it's a symptom of a deeper problem in today's society. Not just the celebration of mediocrity over talent (although it is definitely this as well) but the overwhelming idea that you don't just have the ability to become famous for no real effort, you also somehow deserve it. And that, quite frankly, makes my blood boil. There are plenty of talented and intelligent people out there (and many on this here site) who are infinitely more deserving of fame and adulation for what they can do, be it acting, writing, singing, composing or any other skill or talent they might possess.

Surely Some Of It Must Be Good:- Nope. There is nothing to be commended about the promotion of mediocrity and, in some cases, idiocy (possibly congenital) over true ability, particularly when that ability is combined with a work ethic and dedication that goes unrewarded. There are talented people out there going unrecognised while we have to put up with some gobshite who lets themselves be filmed being mouthy and scratching their arse for 38 weeks getting plastered over every available media outlet.

So We Should Avoid This Thing Of Which You Speak At All Costs?:- You can do the only thing available to you that will change this state of affairs:- go and give your attention to someone deserving instead. And then, if you enjoyed that person, spread the word to other people you think will enjoy it. Even better, go out and do something creative yourself. Write, paint, draw, sing, compose, sculpt, create. Baby steps, baby steps.


* Unless I decide that the Dark Side really is more fun and embrace the way of the misanthropic curmudgeon on a regular basis

** Too subtle?

8 comments:

Anna Russell said...

Hear hear! It's one of my pet hates too. I cannot stand Paris Hilton or anything her and her ilk represent. It makes me sick.
And I hate Jade Goody. There. I said it.

That Baldy Fella said...

Oh, I'm glad someone has. She was famous for being alive and now for dying. Oh, well done. How utterly remarkable of her.

Star Kicker said...

Hear hear! Couldn't have said it better AND you offer the beginnings of a 12-step program.

The Star will soon be coming by to knock you off.

Jessi said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jessi said...

Okay, let me try that again (consuming a delish, rum-filled mojito is messing with this lightweight's spelling/typing abilities...)

Finally, someone with some sense!! I've always complained about the ridiculousness of Paris H's fame - it is NOT deserved. She bugs the s*** ou7t of me...

oh god, there I go again... no more mojitos for me...

That Baldy Fella said...

Star Kicker - Well, always try and offer a bit of constructive sriticism in your rants, I say...

J-Diggety - Drinking + commenting = ranty fun. Go for it, I say!

Jesus Quintana said...

Can you just start a list of talentless famous people who shouldn't be famous just because of their relatives' accomplishments?

I nominate Hulk Hogan's kids, Drew Barrymore, Kate Hudson, Prince Harry, Nicolas Cage, Angelina Jolie, Michelle Obama, Kelly Osborne, Nicole Ritchie, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Tori Spelling for starters.

That Baldy Fella said...

Good choices, sir, but sadly I'm going to have let Angelina off because I want to do rude things at her (I know, but I am weak)