Letterman's Pain is Our Gain

October 08, 2009

What is it with this planet? Why is it so important for us to feed off celebrities? I get it. I really do understand that famous people are not like the rest of us. They make millions of dollars, they have people to cook for them, shop for them, solve their problems for them so that they can go through life trouble free and do what they do best....be a celebrity. They can beat up their girlfriends and not go to jail. They can kill someone while drunk and never see a day behind bars. They can act like total whack jobs and we still fork out our money to make them richer. These people are totally out to lunch. So totally coddled and protected they have very little idea of what the real world is all about ...this is an article from the Wall Street Journal...written back when Brittney, Nicole and Paris were on the loose. You remember that summer from hell......
Newsworthy or not? One only has to scan the magazine racks or turn on an "entertainment magazine" type program to get the low down on the most recent and most shameful celebrity misbehavior. Even mainstream news has taken to covering this topic. One wonders if some, if not most, of this behavior is by design: a planned, protracted, sure-fire bid for publicity. Or is it just another by-product of young people who have too much money, power, and time on their hands, yet lack the maturity and social judgment necessary to manage the trappings of their success?
Glamorization of excessive behavior. The hyping of a hard- partying lifestyle normalizes excessive alcohol and drug use, and implies that a trip to rehab is a normal part of life's routine, like getting one's hair or nails done. Violent and outrageous behavior is celebrated, verbal aggression towards photographers and other assorted lackeys is commonplace. Screaming and cursing is often the preferred way to show ones anger or displeasure.
What's the problem? Our girls are watching. And they are likely picking up on the social cues that tell them that outrageous behavior is a quick and easy way to get attention, to be seen as cool or exciting. The fact that these flagrant displays of misconduct are so frequently and prominently displayed adds to the glamour factor.
Role models. In addition, the depiction of the "diva" girl, whose interests are mainly shopping, partying, and snobbery, promote values and attitudes that conflict with what we are trying to teach our girls. Likewise, their shallow portrayal of "girlness" only serves to reinforce stereotypes that real girls battle every day. These celebrities, and the personae they symbolize, are powerful role models. They just aren't the kind we want for our girls.
So, back to Letterman. He confesses and makes light of the fact that he messed around on his wife....as far as I'm concerned the extortion is the smallest part of this equation. Think about it this way...if the person had not threatened blackmail, Letterman would not be confessing his infidelity...he would have gone through the rest of his life lying to his wife every time he looked at her. Then he turned the whole thing into a joke. And still...we tune in to see the damage. Letterman's highest ratings. Ever. We just rewarded an adulterer.