Jon and Kate.
Tom and Katie.
Paris and Britney.
Brad and Angelina.
Tiger and, well, the list goes and on and on and…
Why are we hooked on the latest celeb news?
A. Because their lives are more glamorous and interesting than our own
B. Because their fissures, explosions, and faults make us feel better about ourselves
C. Because their lives are more entertaining than what’s on television
My hunch: All of the above. Modern celebs parallel ancient royalty without as much political power (though this is shifting as demonstrated by Bono and others). Modern celebs issue decrees about what products to buy and fashion to wear and who to vote for, too. Remember when Mary Kate & Ashley made the homeless-look popular? Or Oprah backing Obama early in his presidential campaign?
Modern celebs grant us permission for our own unbecoming behavior. What’s a little speeding ticket when a big-name star is handed his third DUI? What’s a verbal confrontation when Kanye West comes unhinged on stage?
The stories of most celebs are filled with loss, pain, abuse, addiction, and all forms of self-destructive behavior. Like a train wreck, it’s hard to turn away. Even celeb-news has become standard fare on CNN Headline News. Is a star’s boyfriend breakup really as newsworthy as our troop’s progress in Iraq? Really?
What do we do in response? Because this isn’t going away.
*Photo courtesy of here
Me, I just ignore those trashy magazines/websites/TV shows, and live my life according to the Word the best I can.
-Travis
travismamone.blogspot.com
Jon & Kate live (lived?) about 30 minutes from my home. Some of our friends attended church with them and knew them personally. I wish I could say I paid attention to their drama solely because I wanted to know how to pray for them, but in reality, I watched out of disgust. Two public Christians willing to throw it all away for money and fame. I can honestly say that was the first time I ever REALLY followed a celebrity crisis.
They need our prayers just like any other person, family member, friend that is a runaway train. We are just as weak as they are, our only saving Grace, is Jesus Christ. Most of them don’t know anything about Christ because we don’t show Him to them. I once got “offended” by something Bill Maher said as i flipped through the channels, landing on HBO with Real Time on, I was so angry at His blasphemy and then as clear as day I heard in my Spirit, “Do you think I need you to defend me?” I immediately shrunk & said No LORD I don’t, then He impressed upon me to pray for him, that Bill becoming a Christian and Jesus’ disciple would glorify Him more than me being offended. Just Sayin’.