24 hours. Within one short day, the news of an “unresponsive, white female” found in room 607 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood. Florida, was made public. That “unresponsive, white female” was Anna Nicole Smith. The news was blasted across the country via newspapers, radio stations and television broadcasts that the former model, actress, spokesperson and sex kitten was pronounced dead. 

At just 39 years old, Smith had died of an accidental drug overdose but still had many years to live. She left behind a life steeped in mystery and controversy … the death of her 20-year-old son, her marriage to oil billionaire, J. Howard Marshall (then 89 and 63 years her senior), her ensuing court battles over Marshall’s estate and the paternity of her daughter.

But at the very same time of Smith’s death, roadside bombs continue to kill soldiers, valiantly fighting a continual war against terrorism. Our very world’s existence is threatened by global warming. When our attention should be directed towards far more serious matters, when a celebrity even much as blinks, we seem to change course. Why?

There could be several reasons. Perhaps the public is so inundated with media coverage of “bad news” (eg: terrorism and global warming), they instantly jump on anything different. I admit it. When reporting of the Persian Gulf War was on practically every television channel, I purposefully went searching for an episode of “Frasier”, “Wheel of Fortune” or even a rerun of “The Brady Bunch”. It really didn’t matter what the show was actually; all I wanted was a lighthearted distraction from all the painful death and destruction. Shallow on my part? Perhaps. Personal preservation? More likely.

Much of the public aspires to be rich and famous like Hollywood celebrities. We can be rightfully envious of the mansions, the six-car garages and the bright lights associated with this lifestyle. Just look at the popularity of numerous entertainment shows and gossip magazines to prove this. Therefore, when celebrity news at any level becomes public, it instantly becomes the topic of chit-chat around the office water cooler. 

But when the death of a blonde bombshell takes precedence over the deaths of many more soldiers from roadside bombs, one really has to stop and wonder. If we simply need an honest distraction, I can accept this. If, however, we just don’t seemingly care about other serious worldly events, exactly what does this say about our society?

 

 

article by Rick Lauber is a published freelance writer whose work has been featured in numerous newspapers and magazines. When not writing, Rick enjoys visiting his favourite second-hand CD stores, taking long walks and playing pool. rlauber@canada.com.