What are your thoughts on Fame?

[Bobblehead]

No, not the Movie/TV show.

I'm talking the phnomenon that goes along success and stardom, like you see in TV, Movies and sports.

If you see a famous person on the street, how do you react? How about if you saw them in a restaurant?

Does the public 'have a right' to their lives?

Where does the famous person's responsibility to the public begin and end; or is there any responsibility?

On CP I've watched how people react to Roger's threads, or Ference's threads. I've seen people mention how they know where players live, but won't say in respect to the players. I've also seen how people respond in the Tom Cruise thread (myself included).

So what about 'fame'? Do you care? Just a bit curious? Celeb's **** you off?

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Does the public 'have a right' to their lives?

No. Doesn't matter what a person does, they should be entitled to their privacy.

To an extent they have a duty to meet their fans and sign autographs and have idle chit chat, but they should be entitled to go out in public with their family and be left alone.

My best friend lives in Atlanta and saw Ric Flair at a restaurant with his youngest son. He couldn't believe how many people kept going up to Flair and asking for an autograph or a picture with him. Let the guy have dinner with is son for goodness sakes.

Then there is the paparazzi. No need for that garbage. IMO they're in a gang IMO.

[habernac]

I feel sorry for most famous people (unless you're an idiot like Tom Cruise. LOL!). It would suck being bothered everywhere you went. Having ridiculous stories written about you, idiot photographers chasing you down. No thanks. I've run into tons of NHLers, and other than the functions I've been at where they're actually signing/taking pics, I won't bother them for autographs, etc. I'll say hello or whatever and move on.

[Robbob]

Me personally I respect their privacy. The only time I have ever asked for an autograph was at the Flames fan thing they had a few years back and even then I just got a handful of the little guys that didn't have line ups. I've seen many a player and such and I'll just walk by and if they see me and smile I'll just nod and smile back. My views on their privacy is that I think they are very well compensated finacially for the stuff that they have to put up with.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

No, not the Movie/TV show.

Too late. Now I have the fating song going through my head!

I want to live forever, I'm going to live 'til I die- FAME!

For me it depends on the person, and the context. Last year I ended up sitting beside Jordan Tootoo during a Moose game, but didn't want to say anything in case it wasn't him, plus I didn't want to emberass him. But he is famous just because we've taken notice of something he does. An actor is a little different; they take/decline jobs partly based on how much fame it's going to give them. At that point you are putting yourself into the limelight.

There's times I've ran into Stampeder players at the bar, and have even played pool with them. It isn't until I'm introducing them to a friend that I let on I know who they are; because I think they want to be recognized, but not overwhelmed.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

meh, famous people are just regular people that have a job or a reason that puts them in the spotlight. I've worked with Olympic Champions, talked with musicians, drank with NHLers, none of it fazes me really.

[Rory Tate]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Too late. Now I have the fating song going through my head!

I want to live forever, I'm going to live 'til I die- FAME!

Ha! Same thing happened to me, although I would recommend listening to the Adagio cover of the song. Being a fan of the band I was surprised when I listened through their most recent album, and then I was like...wait, I recognize this song...this is Fame! If you want to hear what this song sounds like done by a progressive power metal band, with a mix of clean/extreme vocals, it should at least put a smile on your face.

Staying on topic though, IMO, the worst thing about fame would be that everyone had an opinion about you. I know, I know...the only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about. However, people can misrepresent, misinterpret, or otherwise spin your actions/beliefs/whatever into anything they want, just to sell their own words. The helplessness felt at not being able to respond, or stand up for yourself, would be unbearable (at least from my perspective).

Still, as someone famous, I guess you might get used to it...especially when you can no longer recognize the Chimera that has been assembled by those stumbling along in your footsteps (again, from my own unrelated experiences).

I mean, how many people have met these stars in real life? Yet, still the public will either love them or hate them, and will (arguably) waste their time debating what was meant by their latest offering of words/art/whatever. Bah. The anonymity offered by the internet only feeds this demonization/angelification of individuals. The truth, however, is always somewhere in between. In real life, it's not a question as to the "degree of sainthood" you possess, luckily.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Does the public 'have a right' to their lives?

Where does the famous person's responsibility to the public begin and end; or is there any responsibility?

Seeing someone famous doesn't really phase me, but does the public have a right to their lives? YES. (I'm not talking about stalkers, but if someone asks you to sign an autograph, unless it is a really bad time, you should probably do it.) So in the Flair instance, the reason why people shouldn't be asking for an autograph is out of respect to the Children, not Flair himself.

They chose the profession knowing full well the fame it entails, people stopping them on the street, the perks, the money, and everything else that goes with it.

The only people I actually feel bad for are the child stars or the children of stars, the ones that did not have the choice of were their lives where going.

[Calgary Flames]

It only matters if you see someone famous on the street if they have the same name as you.

Any day now Micheal Jordan, any day.....

[habernac]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

Seeing someone famous doesn't really phase me, but does the public have a right to their lives? YES. (I'm not talking about stalkers, but if someone asks you to sign an autograph, unless it is a really bad time, you should probably do it.) So in the Flair instance, the reason why people shouldn't be asking for an autograph is out of respect to the Children, not Flair himself.

They chose the profession knowing full well the fame it entails, people stopping them on the street, the perks, the money, and everything else that goes with it.

The only people I actually feel bad for are the child stars or the children of stars, the ones that did not have the choice of were their lives where going.

I call BS on that. No one has the right to bother someone in the middle of a meal for an autograph or a picture. Anyone who does do that is an *******.

[White Doors]

agreed. Some people turn freaky around famous people.
i'd be the most hated famous person of all time, were I to be famous. I value my privacy.

[Fuzzy McGillicuddy]

I've never understood people's fascination with celebrity. Especially the media that seems to think a celebrity's opinion on any given matter outweighs anyone elses. Celebrity opposition to Canada's seal hunt is a good example. Why would I think Paul McCartney, Bridget Bardot or Pamela Anderson are some shining intellectual beacon? Sadly the media and the masses get caught up in this and ignore whatever science exists to support or condemn the practice.

If I'm in a restaurant or a casino and I see someone who is recognizable, I'd just acknowledge the moment for what it is. Maybe I'll tell someone, 'hey, I saw Janet Gretzky losing her shorts at the craps table.' If I had the opportunity to share a line at the salad bar, that might be the extent of the interaction. I think people who force themselves upon someone for an autograph, picture or to chat are pushy, rude and inconsiderate.

Maybe I'm secure enough with who I am that I don't have to live vicariously through some chance meeting with celebrity. That doesn't make my life any more complete.

[octothorp]

If I see someone famous, I'll likely say 'hey, isn't that ...', but I'd never bother to approach them, unless I felt I had really good reason to. That said, I think celebrities need to understand that they're going to be homing-beacons for selfish jerks who don't value anyone else's time. I feel bad for these celebrities, but the best thing for them to do in most cases is be gracious and put up with these people.

The only celebrities I've seen in unexpected spots are Frohike (of X-files), who was buying milk at the Kensington Safeway, and Jamie Oliver (of Naked Chef) who was having dinner at Charlie Chan's, also in Kensington.

[Hack&Lube]

As long as you don't become a scientologist then it's fine.