Saturday, February 2, 2008

of gods, goddesses and DUI

These days whenever I’m watching tv, especially entertainment programs, one face makes me grab my clicker and change channel as fast as I can - Britney!

I don’t know what’s gotten into the media world but I think they’ve just outdone themselves in redefining the word sensationalism. From tv programs to newspapers and even the internet, the face of this not-so-pretty yet ridiculously popular pop singer who’s on the verge of turning looney monopolizes every printed space, broadcast transmissions and web pages. Even my long-time respected BBC seems to be bitten by this brouhaha, flashing reports every now and then about this wayward singer on their regular news program. Mon Dieu!

I’m just about to puke from this entire Britney overdose. I’m already at the point where I don’t care anymore if she does crazy things to herself. Duh and duh if her hospital trips are as frequent as her courtroom appearances. And, what do I care if she’s gone suicidal! The heck! Honestly I wouldn't give a hoot coz that would mean thousands or millions of teenagers saved from one bad role model.

In fact, it’s not Britney alone. I’d say this to all celebrities who have long abandoned the concept of setting a good example to their fans. Celebrities who have no idea about their responsibility to the youth who idolizes them and mimics everything they do, good or bad. As the marines say, shape up or ship out!

Don’t blame it on bipolar disorder, manic depression and all those psychological blurb the western world has invented to sugarcoat something that is so plain and simple. Ego inflated to the brim by fame and fortune is simply called arrogance. Arrogance that makes you think you can do anything and everything, anytime, any place, anywhere. Arrogance that makes you think you own the world. And gives you the feeling that you are “more famous than Jesus”. And that all the other pitiful mortals should kneel before you and kiss your painted yet stinking feet.

Also, don’t blame it on the media who is only acting as their collective name dictates. They are mediums no different from space satellites that pick-up feeds from one part of the earth and beams it to the other. There may be hazy and distorted transmissions like the sensationalism they are doing now, but still they are just transmitting a signal that is there. No signal, no transmission.

Though I would put the blame partly on the fans. Because they are allowing themselves to be pelted by these craps from the celebrities. Coz if they just refuse to be given trash, then maybe these celebs would think twice before making one.

Fortunately, the Philippine entertainment scene is a lot more sane than Hollywood. Pinoy celebrities value their fans. Coz fans means cash. On the other hand, fans know exactly what they want. And they get it. That’s why celebrities in the mold of Britney, Paris, Lindsay and others should thank heavens they were born in Hollywood, not in the Philippine entertainment scene. Coz if they were, they would see how ruthless Filipino fans can be.

They do not tolerate idols who commit mortal sins. Because to them, idols are demi-gods who live a charmed, privileged and magical existence. They do not hold court to a courtroom judge. They do not get drunk and pee on their pants. They do not party with booze and meths and die of OD. They do not get arrested for DUI. They do not submit themselves to the humiliation of being strapped into a gurney while television crews and paparazzi have their feast.

In short, Filipino celebrities have to fit a certain profile dictated by the Filipino fans themselves. If they dont, then it’s time for them to lose their shine and fade quickly into oblivion. Back to being one of the mortals.

That is why Filipino celebs avoid committing mistakes that would damage their popularity. Even mistakes minor and trivial compared to the crazy things their Hollywood counterparts are doing. If they do, they keep it totally hush-hushed, deny everything and swear to their mothers’ graves if caught in public. The exact opposite of how Hollywood celebs glow with pride when caught doinig something stupid.

Just look at how Piolo Pascual is fighting for his image. And look at Angel Locsin, Dennis Trillo, Kris Aquino, Ethel Booba, Jennylyn Mercado and countless other names who committed crimes against their demi-god status. They are now on their way (if not yet there) to being stripped of their immortal privileges. Soon their flickering stars will lose its shine and will be hurled into the deep, unforgiving black hole otherwise known as ordinary existence.

And that, to me, should be the rule of the game. In this world of commercialism, the fans are the consumers and celebrities the products. Therefore, it is the consumers who dictate what kind of products they would patronize. And if the products do not meet their taste, then they don’t buy it.

Ergo, a celebrity who has no client is a dead inventory on the shelf. He/she will degenerate from a high priced commodity to a discounted price offering, then to a buy-one-take-one promo and finally taken out of the shelf to be thrown into the trash bins. That’s Pinoy consumers, er, fans are to you.

And Hollywood fans should learn from the Pinoys. Dictate what they want from their celebs. And get it. Not the other way around. Unless it’s crap you really want from your idols. Ah well!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

ah, the price of fame. some people just can't handle it right.

i like the way you write. you have a way of creating beautiful sentences. keep writing.

Dante said...

thanks rj... i sure will keep on writing. kina-karir ko na talaga kasi if i'm not the only one, siguro i belong to the very few who has new posting everyday on their blog! got nothing else to do.. hahahaha!!!!