Open Forum Friday: Do People Overreact to Celebrity Deaths?
With yesterday’s passing of director John Hughes, we’ve seen another outpouring of emotion across the web from fans of his films who feel that they’ve lost someone close to them. It seems like there have been a lot of celebrity deaths in 2009, and although I’m not sure that the number is any higher than previous years, gossip websites and blogs are certainly drawing a lot more attention to them. The thing is, people seem to be genuinely moved by a lot of these deaths, even if they never followed the person’s work previously. Is this understandable, or is it weird to mourn the loss of someone you didn’t know personally?
Sometimes it’s hard not to roll your eyes when people gush over a celebrity who has recently passed away, especially when it’s someone who hasn’t been in the spotlight for many years, or a celebrity with a questionable past. On the other hand, I do think we have a certain connection to public figures, particularly actors and musicians, to the point where we think that we know them personally. When someone passes away, it’s sad to think that they will not be able to contribute anything more creatively. Fortunately, their work will always be there as a reminder of who they were and what they did accomplish. What do you think? Do celebrity deaths get blown out of proportion, or is the media frenzy over someone like Michael Jackson justified? Have certain deaths hit you harder than others? Are we all just really morbid? Give us your thoughts here on this Open Forum Friday.
Comments (12)
seriously.
when michael jackson died, all these people that used to talk smack back when he was on trial for touching kids are all goin “ohhhh michael jackson, such an icon! so sad…” Get over it.
Is it sad? Really? Do I find myself emotionally distraught? Celebrities are just people, like previously stated. I didn’t know michael jackson. He wouldn’t care if I died.
Posted by mark on August 7th, 2009I think 80s nostalgia had a lot to do with the outpouring over Michael Jackson and John Hughes.
I personally think its stupid, people significantly more talented and interesting than these jokers, I didn’t hear much about any of them.
Posted by MJS on August 7th, 2009Yes. People overreact.
Posted by Captain N on August 8th, 2009I think it’s like with kids, when you take a toy of theirs that they weren’t even playing with at the time, they get upset and all of a sudden want to play with that toy again. Same thing with celebrity deaths. It’s a knee jerk reaction.
Although, I will say I was quite saddened when former member of Wilco Jay Bennett died earlier this year. But, he helped craft a lot of music that means a lot to me.
Also, I might have tears the day Clint Eastwood dies. My biggest man crush.
Posted by Nate on August 8th, 2009Whenever a pop culture icon like MJ or John Hughes dies, people are going to react with various levels of grief. When MJ died I was sad, but not upset, only because I thought he was on the comback trail and it would be good to see him one last time. Heath Ledgers death I thought ‘what a waste!’ as I admired the films he was in. Again with John Hughes, the news of his passing is sad once again. His body of work from the 80’s is superb. Don’t you forget about me? To all three people we wont..we wont.
Posted by Craig Huntley on August 8th, 2009i don’t buy the whole “i didn’t know him/her so why should i care” bullshit. over the years of watching an entertainer a bond is created and that, imo, is a good enough reason to mourn when that entertainer passes away.
however, there are people who take it too far. i’ve even heard cases of people committing suicide upon hearing the death of *insertscelebrityname*. that’s just foolish and outrageous!
Posted by modesilver on August 8th, 2009The excessive media coverage some celebrity deaths get, specifically MJ and the whole “was it murder?” angle right now, is a bit much.
But I do get attached to certain artists, and their passing makes me stop and think for a moment, and not necessarily mourn the person, but definitely the loss of any future creative endeavors.
The saddest ones of course are the unexpected, pre-mature ones. I was on vacation in New Zealand when I heard about Heath Ledger dying, and I had just been in his hometown of Perth and seen his star on the local celebrities walk of fame a week earlier. He was just coming into his own as a performer, and he had a young daughter, so of course that was sad.
Natasha Richardson as well, because it was so sudden and very likely could have been prevented. Even though I wasn’t familiar with a lot of her work, I was fond of The Parent Trap remake as a kid, and she had a loving family.
Michael Jackson, John Hughes, Farrah Fawcett, all the rest, of course I take a moment to reflect on their body of work by playing one of their movies or albums. I don’t think that’s overreacting at all.
Posted by Ashley on August 8th, 2009The fact that you are asking this question indicates that they do.
Posted by Maopheus on August 8th, 2009I do feel its ok to feel sad that a celeb has just past away its got nothing to do with “AHHH THEY WOULD NOT GIVE A SHIT YOU DIED” im sure if they knew you they would.
The fact is some of the people that have past may of played i big part in your life even if they dont know they have.
I never knew my Gran but was still upset when i was told she past away.. yes some people go WAY OVER THE TOP but hay not everyone is the same
Some people cry reading Books/watching Movies & playing Music,, your going to be sad if the person who made the thing that touch you so much then passes away…
Posted by jay on August 8th, 2009I think if you’re a fan its understandable that you feel sad if someone you have admired or followed dies. I think media coverage of celebrity deaths are pretty distasteful over all. Its like they turn someones death into 24 hour entertainment and I think thats wrong.
Posted by Niklas on August 8th, 2009I think if you look at it individually and as a sociological issue it is understandable.
I’ve mourned only one celebrity and went to a public wake – Walter Payton. He was my childhood sports hero and died to young from a disease. It felt good to join others at Soldier Field to show my respect.
A lot of the mourners you see on TV are dealing with their personal hero, or someone that has probably touched them when they were in need. I don’t think you see a lot of “causal” mourners in those shots.
This has gone on forever and I think we as humans seek out ways to connect with others. Have you seen the photos, and read about, all the people that lined up to see dead gunslingers and singers on ice from the 1900s.
Posted by rus in chicago on August 9th, 2009yes definitely people over react to celeb deaths. for me when a celeb, that i feel close to, as in that i grew up watching or idolizing, yeah i will feel abit sad, but its not like i hang out with these people. when i heard that john hughes died, i did go, man, a great director that made a hell of alot of great flicks in the 80s that i grew up watching, especially Planes Trains which i still rank as my number one comedy of all time.
Posted by Chopper on August 9th, 2009Leave a Reply