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Celebrities - you can love them or hate them, but you sure can't ignore them! But as for why, well I believe that differs from generation to generation-X. I'm what ya might call old-school and my main reason for following a particular celeb largely has to do with whether I like/admire them or if I find them attractive (being a guy, that means those lovely sirens of the silver screen ;?D). So I am a big fan of guys like Redford, Newman and Bono as well as gals like Julia, Angelina and Oprah, not only because they're extremely talented, but also because they're great examples of the best in us and the kind of person I would most like to be like.

But the younger generation these days seem to have a different set of guidelines for what makes a celebrity as well as a much greater desire to watch and emulate them. While this is a generalization, and not true for everyone, it often seems that celebrity status itself is what is being worshiped , often more so then the actual person anointed by it, Paris Hilton being the quintessential example here. Riches and fame seem to be the highest goal which is why "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" and "Pimp My Ride" are such popular shows. Reality shows abound because everyone hopes to share in that fame and adoration, if only for a moment and even if it was only because one ate worms on national TV.

And as for celebrity gossip, well in this fast-paced urban culture we live in, I think it takes the place of the local small-town rumor-mill. It gives us our delicious daily tidbits to share over coffee or around the watering hole. And when the mighty fall it gives us an opportunity to feel superior not to mention a little better about ourselves, and so too when they go to rehab we can follow the human drama as it unfolds and find some hope in redemption.

And mixed in with all this is the undeniable shadow that celebrities cast across the landscape of our culture. Sometimes they lead and point the way, and at other times they are merely a mirror in which we can see ourselves reflected, and for a brief moment imagine that we are just like them, bigger than life.

Learn more about this author, Russell Popham.
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