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Off-the-wall
Jackson trial hardly a scream
Our
view
Some
all-too-big news came in recently this
week: the Michael Jackson trial has ended.
Now the media can stop devoting considerable
reporting efforts to the washed-up singer.
It’s regrettable that his tormented
upbringing doused in fame ultimately
overrode his talent and caused him to
sink into a reputably bizarre and risque
lifestyle.
But what now? Are children less safe now that Michael is free? The truth is
by and large everything is the same — the fans are happy he is innocent
and everyone else is disgusted. But life goes on despite such glee and contempt.
What does this case really mean, that celebrities will never see the dark side
of justice? Or maybe as the saying goes, power tends to corrupt and absolute
power corrupts absolutely?
All that is debatable, but one thing is considerably less so: America loves
a celebrity. America’s interest peaks with so-called news of our icons’ private
lives behind the camera, or better yet, under the covers.
The media gives the people what they want, and it’s clear they want the
latest celebrity news over the important economic issues, foreign affairs,
or even what Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said in his latest public announcement.
These other things get put in the flame of the printed or televised backburner,
or worse, disintegrate from memory.
Considerable amounts of significant events happened during the Jackson trial
that never quite made the public information cut. But it’s not difficult
to see why. Problems of distant lands or billion-dollar economics can be much
too complicated and dreadfully boring.
Jackson is not. He is a fallen pop king in idyllic Santa Barbara. He has more
money than most of us will ever see in our lifetimes. The elements of Jackson’s
story make for great elements of drama that all of us can understand.
He went from the very top to the very bottom.
He’s not normal. All that’s simple enough. The verdict will either
be guilty or innocent. That’s simple too. Jackson’s news is easy
to comprehend for tired bodies plopping down in front of CNN after a full day’s
work and battling Los Angeles traffic.
Our inherent partiality to simpler news is not necessarily a bad thing. It
just is. Not everyone is destined to understand the complexities of the world
economy or the difficulties of foreign relations. We’re more concerned
about the safety of our communities and why gas is so darn expensive.
But in the meantime America won’t stop until it gets enough of its smooth
criminals of the celebrity type, like what many perceive Jackson to be. Luckily
many celebrities will do things that merit our attention, so that kind of news
is never dry. Russell Crowe threw a telephone in frustration at a hotel worker
last week. It promises to be a thriller indeed. |
