theexorcist
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,506 
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Post by theexorcist on Jan 23, 2008 9:32:45 GMT -5
You'll probably want to skip this. I just want to complain.
The account of his death - a relatively long one - was on ABC World News. Right after the announcement that Fred Thompson has dropped out. Before a commercial break that presages some comments that cough medicine may not work and a puff piece on a reaction to something on North Dakota.
I don't get it. He's not that famous. Never won an Oscar. Did one movie that entered the public consciousness and had a new movie - a probably blockbuster - coming out.
Yet the Washington Post has an appreciation. It's the lead story on CNN's web site.
It's not that I feel sorry for his death, it's just that it seems to be getting all this hype and it seems like there might be one or two more important stories to investigate and report on.
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DrumsGoBang
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
DrumsGoBang - Bang Bang
Posts: 910
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Post by DrumsGoBang on Jan 23, 2008 10:38:06 GMT -5
You mean you were not a fan of 10 thing I hate about you?
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Post by williambraskyiii on Jan 23, 2008 10:53:42 GMT -5
to be fair, 10 Things I Hate About You was an extremely entertaining movie.
its funny, i was just waiting for exorcist to make a post that we shouldn't mourn him any more than we'd mourn any other urban casualty. If exorcist had stayed quiet much longer, I was going to announce that Heath Ledger was a HERO.
I agree that there are far more important stories to report on (i.e., how my 401k is losing value quicker than Britney Spears), but for better or worse, the death of a talented actor is newsworthy and warrants front page attention based on the average American attention span.
The seemingly tragic and mysterious circumstances surrounding his death only amplify the public's interest. As someone who contributed significantly to contemporary American culture, I think his passing warrants the attention.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2008 11:01:22 GMT -5
His death is about as "significant" to contemporary American culture as Barbaro's was. I feel awful for his family and young daughter.
But that's about it.
We're now going to be deluged with images and stories from fans and teenage girls about how he touched their lives, how he was an inspiration to us all, how he's now free to act in the great flick in the sky, blah, blah, blah. Just another should-be-done-in-a-day story once respectable news outlets are going to overhype and pump down our throats to sell time to advertisers...
EDIT: As with Barbaro, my complaint isn't with the initial coverage of his death, its the tidal wave of crap that is bound to follow.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2008 11:12:22 GMT -5
It's an US Weekly world, and we're just livin' in it.
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Post by williambraskyiii on Jan 23, 2008 11:13:37 GMT -5
well for one, barbaro is a fuggin horse.
i also agree that the secondary reporting is completely overdone. my only point is the news of his death warrants attention.
as for his contribution, i use significant as opposed to insignificant. I am not saying he was the guy who invented the Slinky or something...i didnt even see Brokeback Mtn, but i assume it was responsible for more social commentary than say, Dude, Where's My Car?
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theexorcist
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,506
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Post by theexorcist on Jan 23, 2008 11:15:25 GMT -5
to be fair, 10 Things I Hate About You was an extremely entertaining movie. its funny, i was just waiting for exorcist to make a post that we shouldn't mourn him any more than we'd mourn any other urban casualty. If exorcist had stayed quiet much longer, I was going to announce that Heath Ledger was a HERO. I agree that there are far more important stories to report on (i.e., how my 401k is losing value quicker than Britney Spears), but for better or worse, the death of a talented actor is newsworthy and warrants front page attention based on the average American attention span. The seemingly tragic and mysterious circumstances surrounding his death only amplify the public's interest. As someone who contributed significantly to contemporary American culture, I think his passing warrants the attention. He did one well-received movie. That's plumbing for "cultural significance". NBC had a mention on him near the end of their newscast - every news site has info on him. I'm OK with that. It's just that making him a major story seems absurd. There was no indication of foul play - pretty much the entire story is that he died. Maybe it's just been a slow news week. |
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Boz
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
123 Fireballs!
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Post by Boz on Jan 23, 2008 11:39:50 GMT -5
I don't know. I thought he was pretty good in The Patriot. But I might just like that movie because Joely Richardson's in it, who knows?
(and yes, sad as it is to admit, 10 Things was, in fact, a pretty entertaining teen flick)
You're all kidding yourselves. Any young celebrity dies and it is going to dominate news. As Cam points out, it's the world we live in, for better or for worse. Hell, Anna Nicole Smith is STILL in the news and she's been whoring herself out in the afterlife for what, like almost a year now? (OK, so she wasn't that young, nor that talented).
Even though the cause of death is not the same, this is along the lines of of a River Phoenix story, i.e. promising young talent wasted, etc., etc., etc. Expect to hear about it for weeks to come.
I will say, even though I think Batman is gay (figuratively, not literally), I have heard nothing but excellent things about this new movie and his performance as Joker. Looking forward to that, and sorry that Mr. Ledger will not be around to enjoy his success in that film.
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