the female breakdown

Academics are studying three of the most written about public figures of our age:Britney Spears, Lindsey Lohan and Amy Winehouse. These academics are looking for reasons why media swarm around them in their moments of trauma...unlike the way the media reacts to their male counterparts.

One suggestion is that every story about these women is a "cautionary tale". It tells women they can not have a family and a profession.

Another theory is that readers like to see celebrities who "have it all" loose it a bit because it helps them feel better about themselves.

Personally i like the theory that these are cautionary tales. While i can see many male celebrities have similar break downs, i don't see the media fuss over them like they have these women. Women are expected to be able to "hold it together"and when they can't, it only goes to "prove" that women can not lead a "man's life". (there were too may "" in that sentence. forgive me) This in turns put women back into the role of passive observers and obedient buyers.

"Britney's having trouble with the courts again. She can't take care of herself. I can though, and i'll prove it by buying face cream. See i'm caring about how i look. If i were her, i'd never go out looking like that"

We might not go through that exact thought process, but the result is meant to be similar. Tabloids are not about selling stories, but selling advertisements. The stories are there to help guide readers to the products.

But what is your theory? Do you think these are cautionary tales? or are they simply a random coincidence of women's meltdown?

Celebrity confusion

I must admit to be a little shocked over how much attention some celebrities get. Anna Nicole Smith never made a blockbuster movie or sold a million CDs yet, even before her death the press enjoyed chasing her down the road. (probably to watch her chest bounce) Now that she has passed away, the press still won't leave her alone! While she was alive the girl was defined by her body, now that she is dead, it's her body that still won't stay out of the news! (i think the media need to get some therapy!)

Britney Spears who hasn't released an album in quite some time is on the news every night. Her strange antics seems to be screaming for press coverage all the while she's telling people "DON'T TOUCH ME!".

Finally we have Paris Hilton who...I'm not actually sure why she became famous...maybe daddy tipped off the press that his baby girl wanted to become internationally stalked. Anyway...so we've got princess Paris who, despite her seemingly stupid nature, is a business shark.

So these people who do nothing except flaunt their bodies (in Anna's case it was only while living) can get constant press coverage while celebrities who are actually making movies and television seem to be left alone...i really hope this is a reflection on the media and not our culture.