America hooked on celebrities, book says
Published 9:00 pm Saturday, February 17, 2007
Question. Which would you rather see on TV: President Bush giving a speech or Paris Hilton getting arrested for drunken driving?
According to a new book, more people watch the ultimate competition for celebrity – especially with the popularity of reality shows – than tune in to the nightly news on the three major networks combined. (Sorry, Paris, that’s not hot.)
Author Jake Halpern explores the nation’s obsession with celebrity in his new book, “Fame Junkies: The Truth Behind America’s Addiction” (Houghton Mifflin, $23).
He says there are three specific subcultures affected by the obsession:
Aspiring stars: Halpern moves into a gated community inhabited almost entirely by aspiring child actors. He interviews dozens of kids who seem to think that fame is a cure-all for life’s problems.
Personal assistants and entourage insiders: He becomes an honorary member of the Association for Celebrity Personal Assistants and spends time with Annie Brentwell, who has devoted her personal and professional life to celebs such as Sharon Stone.
Die-hard fans: The author travels to Pittsburgh, where he meets the biggest Rod Stewart fan of all time – Marcy Braunstein – who has a giant shrine or “Rod Room” in her house.
Halpern says psychology, technology, evolution and profit conspire to make the world of red carpets so enthralling. So don’t feel bad. It’s not entirely your fault if you can’t get enough of Hilton’s escapades.
