Comments on: History is rarely the whole story

By: TCM’s Classic Movie Blog

TCM’s Classic Movie Blog — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 02:43:46 +0000

[...] events and fear of what your eyes might see. As my fellow Morlock RHSmith eloquently outlined here a few weeks ago in his blog on Hollywood’s scandals and audience fixation on them, I would [...]

By: Beth

Beth — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 06:05:42 +0000

Excellent post on the scandalous and, as outcome would usually have it, tragic behavior that marred our stars..however,lest it be forgotten, they too were only human. They may have been idolized, but nonetheless, very much like most of us in their insecurities and weaknessess. What is so very, very sad is that so many people seem to derive great pleasure in ranting and raving on whatever “dirt” they can expose toward the character of a fallen star. This is especially true of the deceased, especially if they were handed the misfortune of tragic or sudden, unexpected death. If they are plagued with accusations of unlawful or perversed behavior, we lap it up and lick our lips out loud! If their behavior is considered outlandish, we swallow it whole and beg for more. When will we ever learn to truly appreciate the many marvelous gifts our stars have given us without benefit of maligning their character when they’re gone? How much raw talent does it take to be a mega-star, to live your life without solitude from the masses, to be labeled odd, excessive, or worse yet, accused of murder or indecent or immoral behavior? Personally, I couldn’t handle it…I wonder how many us average Joe’s and Josephine’s could.
Let our celebrated stars and their contribution of talent or genius be remembered for just that – their memorable talent, the gift they gave to the world. To be put on display with a God given talent is a tough order to fill when it encompasses your entire quality of life. To have no real freedom, to be a constant target for rumor and gossip, to live your entire life in a “fish bowl” – has got to be tough! Would you ever really be able to trust anyone?
Let the dead rest in peace and let us remember their gifts and not their mistakes and shortcomings. The higher you soar, the further you can fall…bless those extremely talented individuals, living or dead, that had the enourmous amount of courage it took to fly so very, very high!

By: Al Lowe

Al Lowe — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:44:51 +0000

Here are a few thoughts on the subject from someone with a degree in journalism who has earned money as a newspaper reporter.

Blame it all on our Founding Fathers. They allowed us freedom of the press. I am sure that the political leaders of this country immediately regretted granting us that freedom.
But…and you are going to have to trust me on this, the alternative, control of the media, is much, much worse.

Am I sorry for a politician or movie world celebrity whose name is dragged through the mud?
Not much.
Remember, they knew what they were getting into when they got into the game.
If you get into the game, you have to pay the price.

What I do resent is a knee jerk dislike of the media that many folks have. Most reporters I know are hard working, all too human people who try their darndest to do a good job. The people who badmouth the media wouldn’t do much better if they had to earn their livings as reporters.

A well-known actress made a movie in my town, Pittsburgh, recently, and was quoted in Rolling Stone with a terrible insult about Pittsburgh. She said later it was taken out of context. Out of context? Ridiculous. How can a horrible insult, meant in no other way than as a horrible insult, be out of context?

The media makes people responsible for their actions. If you are a politician and promote family values you shouldn’t fool around with other women. Likewise, if you are a movie or TV star couple promoting yourselves as the ideal marriage, you again shouldn’t pursue other people.

Should we know the uglier facts about celebrated people in the entertainment world? Well, generally the ugly facts are true. If you don’t want anyone to know about it, you never should have done it. You’re not John Doe any more. You’re a star. There are many, many perks to stardom. But, of course, there is this down side.

Michael Jackson did some bizarre things. Fatty Arbuckle did throw a wild party. At best, Robert Blake had a pathetic relationship with that woman. I could go on.

Maybe someone will disagree with this. If so, they have freedom of speech and press. They can tell me so, if they want.

By: libradoll

libradoll — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:59:10 +0000

Kudos on a brilliantly written piece of movie lore. Even as far back as the days of Fatty Arbuckle the public seemed to be only too eager to eat up all the worst scandal about celebrities. Were we not so eager scandal sheets would not be in business today. A far cry from my old Photoplay magazines with pretty pictures of pretty people! My question is : WHY?
Jealousy perhaps? Or maybe us ‘regular’ folks just like to think that even celebrities are flawed & it makes us feel better about ourselves? That’s a pretty sad state of affairs.
I was never a Jackson fan but no one can deny the enormous contribution he made to the music industry.
I also had absolutely no interest in hearing about David Carradine’s sexuality form an ex-wife not even 24 hours after he had died. Shame on her!
That’s my rant for the day. Thanks again for that wonderful piece.

By: Helen

Helen — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 13:31:21 +0000

I have to concur with Suzidoll–great post. While I enjoy gossip too, I’m always conflicted about what I should know and what I shouldn’t know. I’ve read well written biographies of some stars, but mostly what I’ve read is an exercise in tearing them down. But I find I’m more disappointed in the writer than the celebrity when gossip, that is in no way verifiable, is repeated. And I thoroughly disgusted by the tabloids I see every time I check out at the grocery/drug store. It’s no surprise that Jon & Kate Gosselin are divorcing. I don’t know what they expected from featuring their family on a TV show, but it seems like no good comes from it. I’m not saying that they are important in the grand scheme of things, but did they deserve to have every move they make splashed all over the tabs? I don’t know. Some folks think they do, some don’t. I think the less we know about anyone in the public eye, the better off we’d be. Unless their behavior is antithetical to the messages they espouse, like in the recent adultry case involving the governor of South Carolina. I can’t stand hypocracy and it deserves to be exposed. See–I’m conflicted.

By: suzidoll

suzidoll — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 01:50:01 +0000

This was a beautifully written post on issues of scandal and celebrity. In writing biographies of actors and entertainers, I have researched many a tragic life and it sucked something out of me to be treading in someone’s private business, even if I didn’t repeat it. “Fans” who fall for the media’s line that we have the “right to know,” and seek out scandal in a star’s personal life rather than appreciation for their work, lose a bit of their humanity and compassion for every juicy detail and tidbit of gossip they revel in.