tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15023065.post7440756563906660062..comments2024-03-27T08:23:33.621-04:00Comments on Go Retro!: Whatever Happened to Not Focusing on Fame?Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18122952408610512684noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15023065.post-74005691126966258282017-02-26T23:09:10.262-05:002017-02-26T23:09:10.262-05:00I know that I'm a bit late (by five years) in ... I know that I'm a bit late (by five years) in commenting on this post. I actually once saw a bumper sticker on a car that said "My child was student of the WEEK at -- --<br />school." What a laugh, even though this was a serious bumper sticker. As a culture of celeb worshipers we believe that ANYONE can be famous, if only they get discovered on YOUTUBE or some other social media site. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15023065.post-11583236314843275612012-05-29T19:28:29.559-04:002012-05-29T19:28:29.559-04:00Regularjoe - I saw "Confessions of a Dangerou...Regularjoe - I saw "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind." I enjoyed the movie; not so sure I believe Barris' claim to be a spy, but who knows. Kevin Spacey tried to get on the show as a stand-up comic. <br /><br />Doug - Thank you, and you raise a good point about how many American Idol winners are still in the regular spotlight today. I know Katherine McPhee is on "Smash" (because I love that show) but folks like Clay Aiken have become a joke. And sadly, that's true about kids having this convoluted thinking that they're entitled to fame. Hopefully your niece will find something else that she realizes she's naturally talented at. <br /><br />Ruth - the shows I mentioned were listed because the post is about children wanting fame, but the adult reality shows like the ones you mentioned are no better. <br /><br />JZ - Great point about these types of shows being cost effective to make. Why spend millions of dollars on a well made drama, when a network can have five reality shows on for the same cost? Re: Lindsay Lohan, she actually used to be a child actress and had some talent and potential at one point, but addictions got in the way. Now she's more famous for her downward spiral. Paris Hilton is another person whose fame really gets my goat--she isn't famous for anything.Pamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18122952408610512684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15023065.post-86052474538236883282012-05-29T06:25:24.718-04:002012-05-29T06:25:24.718-04:00Pam mentioned Lindsay Lohan; she seems to be one o...Pam mentioned Lindsay Lohan; she seems to be one of these people who is famous for no reason. What does she actually do? She made a couple of movies--not very good ones-- awhile back and the press treats her like a star. She is all over Entertainment Tonight and Access Hollywood. <br /><br />The reality and talent shows are on for one reason; they are cheap to produce. A bit like game shows in the 1960's and 70's, but at least those were fun to watch.JZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04830586696690222760noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15023065.post-33232424823828303282012-05-29T01:44:01.977-04:002012-05-29T01:44:01.977-04:00If these shows were the worst than we would be in ...If these shows were the worst than we would be in good shape. What about shows like big brother or beauty and the geek?<br />I can understand that a person want to live their passion or their art, but how is it that the main passion today is fame?<br />Its not that kids want to be singers - they want to be famous....Its all part of the fast, throw-a-way culture we live in.Ruthhttp://www.artifactcollectors.com/ruth/blog/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15023065.post-3663825949402241272012-05-28T21:30:12.579-04:002012-05-28T21:30:12.579-04:00Excellent piece, Pam--I've been thinking the s...Excellent piece, Pam--I've been thinking the same thing more and more, but maybe the trend is dying down. I just read that American Idol's season finale was their lowest rated one ever, and that show makes a good example. For all the great talent that appeared on that show in the last decade, how many achieved real, lasting fame? <br /><br />But it does seem like a lot of kids today not only want fame but actually feel they're ENTITLED to it. My 7 year old niece rehearses Taylor Swift songs in her room, not for fun but in preparation for her "big break". I love that little girl like none other, but I think the kid is tone-deaf!ApacheDughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05520433539816634566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15023065.post-40878303599916560192012-05-28T19:35:34.295-04:002012-05-28T19:35:34.295-04:00I miss the Gong Show, too. Just an incredibly mes...I miss the Gong Show, too. Just an incredibly messed up assault on the game show genre. Paul Reubens and Steve Martin both were contestants (although Mr. Martin was already well on his way to success). chuck Barris' "autobiography" 'Confessions of a Dangerous Minds' contends that he was a government spy/hit man while running the Gong Show, true or not the book is a hoot to read.Regularjoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00437548724169421965noreply@blogger.com