Reality TV stars??

I was flipping through the channels today & came across a report about a British reality tv star named Jade Goody who is documenting her death from cancer on tv.  (All proceeds are going to her two children so they will be supported after her death).  My first thought--was "oh, how morbid" and then "who in the heck is Jade Goody?"  Apparently, she was on the show Big Brother back in 2002, kicked off after some controversy, and for some reason, has been in the newspapers ever since. 

That got me to thinking--I can't think of a single reality tv star here in the U.S. that we would care about enough if they were to do something similar.  First of all, can anyone actually remember any names of the reality tv stars after their show has come & gone?  I certainly can't!  (Except for maybe the extremely annoying New York & that is just because she is so ridiculous & obnoxious).  Also, I can't imagine the American public supporting a show that is a documentary of a reality tv show stars own death from cancer.  What do you all think?  Do we care about any of them that much?

Actually, I think that Americans definitely care a lot about reality TV stars. What about the MTV crowd with Lauren Conrad, Heidi Montag, Spencer Pratt, etcetera? Tabloids still follow them. There's also all a bunch of US reality TV shows that stem from one person on another reality TV show, like "I Love New York" stemming from that other VH1 show.

A show documenting someone's death from cancer though? That's a bit much.

I'm a brit and know a little about her.  It's all big news over here at the min.  She's done what many people have wanted to do and since appearing on Big Brother she's made her million and more.  I'm not really entirely sure why she wants to do this so publically.  She's been in the public eye since she was about 18 and I guess it's just normal for her now.  Lots of people when they get cancer want to continue life normally as if nothing has happened.  Guess there's not point just given in without liveing a bit more first.

She got married yesterday too.  I really hope she pulls through and lives longer than they are giving her.  It's not looking too good for her though.  My thoughts are with her...

This reminds me of that Heather tramp who has made an entire career of being a slut on Rock of Love

The reason Jade is documenting this publically is to try and earn money to keep her children financially stable after she has passed away.

After the whole race row with shipla she became near to bust and this is a way to look after her kids in years to come.

Shes not the nicest of people but I still feel for her and her family.

I do think this story is actually really sad.

The interesting slant to it is all the abuse she got from various media outlets over the years about her weight, appearance, intelligence, etc etc being completely taken back and all these newspapers/tv shows wanting to write stories about her and generally feeling guilty. Which no doubt they should.

Yet at the same time, this womans having an extremely public DEATH and Im finding it all a bit disturbing. 

Does it matter that it's a reality TV star rather than any other kind of TV star?  Jade Goody is one of those rare people that managed to spin more than a 1 year flash-in-the pan career out of their appearance on a show... there have been hundreds of other constestants on Big Brother and similar but they've all faded into obscurity.  

America has plenty of talentless people in the public eye that are only famous for being famous.... Paris Hilton springs to mind.   If she were in a similar position, appearing in public with a bald head and inviting the cameras into her home to witness her terminal decline the networks would be tripping over themselves to cover it. 

It's sad for her family but to be quite honest I'm finding the Goody coverage incredibly mawkish and in poor taste.  If there's any kind of Diana-esque 'outpouring of grief' rubbish when she finally goes it'll be hideous.

This story is unfortunate, but things like this happen everyday, everywhere...

I cringe at the annoying celebs who have become popular and famous for nothing...

Paris overcooked chicken Hilton, Plastic Heidiand Audrina from the hills, I don't love New York, or how about Coral from the Real World who has nothing better to do than return season after season on those dumb challenge shows on MTV!?

I just hate what they stand for.  They're teaching girls that they can be fake, talentless, annoying, and unskilled and somehow still be successful and liked...

Original Post by gadzooks:

Actually, I think that Americans definitely care a lot about reality TV stars. What about the MTV crowd with Lauren Conrad, Heidi Montag, Spencer Pratt, etcetera?

Until this very moment I have never heard of these creatures. There is way too much on my plate I enjoy occupying my mind to give any notice to reality hacks.

i used to be way into reality tv and all that stuff so i'd probably remember quite a few people if something like that happend.  i dont watch the hills, but i do like survivor and the amazing race.

off topic:  did anyone else notice that mike (the blonde guy with his dad), is mr. schneebly from school of rock?  

well, in all honesty, I LOVE reality tv shows--especially the ones featured on VH1.  My personal favorites have been Flava of Love, Rock of Love, and I Love Money and I probably would have branched out to different channels, but I only get basic cable.  I would be shocked if any of them actually had a documentary featuring their own death from cancer though! 

However, I say more power to Jade Goody for sucking every last dollar that she possibly can from the paparazzi who once despised her. 

Original Post by jessicasbc:

 

off topic:  did anyone else notice that mike (the blonde guy with his dad), is mr. schneebly from school of rock?  

Mike White?  Don't tell me he is doing reality shows.

Ugh, yeah.  That's him on Amazing Race.  Sigh.  GET BACK TO WORKING ON WHAT YOU DO BEST MR. WHITE!  Leave the reality shows for hacks looking for their 15 minutes.

Original Post by spirochete:

This reminds me of that Heather tramp who has made an entire career of being a slut on Rock of Love

 Brett Michaels is actually the TRUE slut. But they are all making money by acting like sluts...so I guess more power to them. He is on his third season...gee...I wonder if he will find his TRUE love ! Poor lonely Brett....

oh, but how can you NOT love Brett Michaels?  I spent the entire first season wondering if he was balding underneath the bandanna he always wore on his head.  Hilariously enough, he actually took it off a couple times during the second season & I think it was to prove that he had a full head of hair.  Then, during the third season it's discovered that he actually has hair extensions--the very best that money can buy according to Brett.  (Yes, he actually said that during one of the eliminations ceremonies).  I always wondered how he managed to have a flowing mane or maybe I'm just addicted to that show.  And no, somehow I doubt he will ever manage to find love on a reality show--especially with the trailer-trash featured in this season.