"The British media's fickle attitude toward celebrities reflects the self-doubt of a country looking for sometone to blame for its loss of greatness"
The article went on to use our relationship with our soccer stars as an example of our fickleness toward our national heroes. Written below is how I respond to the opinion piece in the Chicago Tribune and what I think of British celebrity.
Our media does turn on celebrities really quickly though, the football example is a bad one because our relationship with sporting stars isn't easily likened with our relationship with celebrities because of our passion for football and the national/local pride that comes with supporting a team.
But my friend emailed me the other day and complained about yet another "100 Most Annoying People of The Year" show, and Russel Brand coming in the top 10. Russels success is ubiquitous, and tabloids hate that, so they and trash TV will attack him. Most people see it for what it is and ignore it, it's just a way to sell tomorrows fish & chip wrappers. British people appreciate hard work, dedication and success, they especially appreciate being entertained, evidenced by the fact that Britain has produced and then championed some of the greatest musicians, authors, film makers and actors of the 20th century.
As for not knowing who to blame for our loss of 'greatness', my generation and the generations that are most relevant these days weren't born into the Empire, they were born after most of the colonial countries had declared independance and the UK was once again a small fish in a large pond (still managing to hold its own).
One way to judge success, and this holds true with countries as it does with celebrities, is to look at who is aiming childish vitriol at you and barely masking their envy whilst doing so. When an American can talk about the loss of the UK's power and have it not come across at all ironic is when the UK really has a loss to lament.
But my friend emailed me the other day and complained about yet another "100 Most Annoying People of The Year" show, and Russel Brand coming in the top 10. Russels success is ubiquitous, and tabloids hate that, so they and trash TV will attack him. Most people see it for what it is and ignore it, it's just a way to sell tomorrows fish & chip wrappers. British people appreciate hard work, dedication and success, they especially appreciate being entertained, evidenced by the fact that Britain has produced and then championed some of the greatest musicians, authors, film makers and actors of the 20th century.
As for not knowing who to blame for our loss of 'greatness', my generation and the generations that are most relevant these days weren't born into the Empire, they were born after most of the colonial countries had declared independance and the UK was once again a small fish in a large pond (still managing to hold its own).
One way to judge success, and this holds true with countries as it does with celebrities, is to look at who is aiming childish vitriol at you and barely masking their envy whilst doing so. When an American can talk about the loss of the UK's power and have it not come across at all ironic is when the UK really has a loss to lament.
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