All week I have ben watching the Anna Nicole CRAZINESS. It struck me to write about it when I went home for lunch last week and coverage was all over every channel. I found it surprising for a few reasons. For starters, it wasn’t even an hour since she had died! I couldn’t believe how fast it got out, and couldn’t help but wonder if some of her family and friends were finding out through the sensationalized TV coverage along with the rest of the country. Second, I couldn’t believe how many channels were putting off commercials and doing full time coverage of the press conferences. How much was there really to say? I mean, CNN for God’s sake was giving 100% air time to this woman, who lets be honest, is known for being a stripping gold-digger. I also found it interesting because Anna Nicole is a perfect example of someone who was made famous by the media. For the life of me, I can’t think of any talent she is famous for, other than acting in absurd ways at public events and marrying a very old man. Believe me, I am not knocking Anna Nicole, I just think her life and death are an interesting commentary on the media. She was made famous by her ability to draw media attention and her death reveals the depth of our obsession with celebrity culture and scandal, so much so that it overrides any “real” news in the world. I think the entire thing is incredibly sad, and am somewhat horrified at the invasion of the media into the personal lives and pain of her family and friends, although they seem to invite cameras in??? So who is really to blame for this absurdity? Is it really the media’s fault for focusing so heavily on events such as these, or is it people like Anna Nicole who constantly invite the media into their lives to personally capitalize, or is it people like me who watch the coverage that are creating the problem? I’m guessing it is a vicious cycle, with each element feeding the other, resulting in a somewhat ridiculous scenario.
Rachyj said,
February 28, 2007 at 3:49 am
It’s weird how you kinda find out how “famous” people are by the way that they are covered when they die. For instance, I never knew anything about Anna Nicole really until her son Daniel died. I felt really bad for her after that because no parent should out live their child. After Anna Nicole died and it was broadcasted everywhere, I couldn’t help but wonder about the poor little baby girl! People are fighting for her, but I can’t help but wonder if they are actaully fighting for her, or the millions of dollars that come along with the baby.
On a different note, it is crazy how the media can really make or break a “famous” person. Actors and Actresses tend to get depressed when they are not being talked about because indirectly it may mean that they are losing their status! Any thoughts?
Chella said,
February 28, 2007 at 10:40 pm
The buzz surrounding Anna Nicole is completely bizzare. I couldn’t believe that CNN (a news program) would dedicate so much air time to her death while there is a war going on in Iraq. I guess CNN’s democratic affiliation would explain that. Regardless, her death and the entire ordeal has become media’s focus for the last two weeks. In addition it has taken over the converstations we have with others. I remember the shock of her death and then talking about it with everyone at work.