Fame

All right, I'm back. Though that hardly seems a justified way to begin, I never really went anywhere. Despite my doubts, I've decided I will carry on this blog for the time being. It may be hard, but I do have fun and have a small sense of real satisfaction when I've finished one. This blog will be simplistic, and also, the title was dead easy (A David Bowie song, if you're curious.) You know how I end every blog with now go away? If you hadn't guessed what today's topic is..just go away right now...you're clearly a moron. Yes, that's right those still with us, fame. As some bloke (or some chick, for the politically correct ones out there) once said "fame is a fickle friend." That is completely true. I think it's fair to say that fame is something many dream of. The attention, the money it brings, the love and admiration for you as a person, it's undoubtedly positive for your own confidence...all those thousands of people who want to know you, scream your name and will pay lots just to see you for fifteen minutes. It sounds grand doesn't it? Well, I can assure you...it's really not at all.


What do you know? I hear you demand. Of course I'm not famous...if it weren't for this blog, nobody would have any idea who I am ;) However, I have seen the negative effects of fame and thought I'd share my insight. This is probably a topic, like all of mine, that doesn't really interest but if that's the case...why the hell are you still reading? ;) I'm going to cover the main problems of fame and why you really don't want to become famous. 


Pressure


You think you know pressure? Sure, there's the A-Levels and a job and perhaps a relationship...but damn, you have no clue how much pressure celebrities have. Firstly, you've always got to do what you do 'best', i.e. you're a comedian? Be funny! DO IT, DO IT! This kind of pressure comes from all sides, the media, interviews, television appearances. No wonder Britney Spears likes shave their head and go off the rails...


Attention 


Everyone loves attention, of course you do. In our own way we're all attention-seekers. If we're not getting attention, it means people don't love us right? So we want to be noticed, to keep our mental state in check that people give a damn about us. Well, try being famous for a day. God, you're noticed everywhere you go. Chances are someone will badger you for an autograph. Eminem is one particular celebrity who really rants about this...almost half of his songs about leaving him the fuck alone. To be honest, I'm not entirely sympathetic of celebrities for this one, you choose to go down the path you did...you will get the attention that comes with it.


However, one kind of attention that is not good at all is obviously the weird kind. You want to be famous? Just go talk to John Cusack, or John Lennon or any other person who's been stalked. Have fun when they follow you home, or prank call you, or kidnap your child to make a quick buck...


Ego


Charlie Brooker (yes, I am quoting him YET again) makes an excellent point. The amount of time you hear about celebrities making absurd demands, and you think "You really are a bastard." Also, celebrities act like they own the place, a nod towards the infamous Bale rant on the set of Terminator:Salvation. Stop for a moment. Do you even know what the circumstances were? He was in the middle of a scene, and it had been the THIRD time the guy had got in his way...and distracted him. Now, I'm not condoning the way Bale acted (no pun intended), it was no doubt over the top, but that doesn't mean you can just hang him out to dry. 


In certain situations, celebrities will act like complete berks...but for a justified reason. As Brooker states in one episode of his show (unfortunately I cannot find the clip), you start out as a modest person. You'll be amazed that someone will happily bring you a coffee. Then you get used to the people waiting on you. You are somehow surprised when they don't remember your lunch...and before you know it, you've slipped down the slope of arrogance and superiority. You'll rip the shit out of some poor intern because they got your order wrong. Once again, I'm not saying this is right, but don't be so quick to judge. As some other bloke said (or chick, but let's  face it...probably was a bloke) "familiarity breeds contempt." You have to understand the psychological effect it has on anyone having everything before them, after a while, they'll expect it. You will, I will...don't deny it. You do it now, though on a smaller scale. Your parents cook you dinner I assume? You expect them to feed you. I presume they sometimes lend you money if your short? You expect it. No doubt they drive you around if you need a lift...once again, you expect it. And nobody would think badly of you for doing so, they are your parents. Just understand it's incredibly easy to become a dick when you've got everyone kissing your ass like your God. This leads nicely to the next problem...


Depression


It's brilliant being a celebrity when people love you...but you're watched constantly. Put a foot wrong, no matter how minor, the media will shred you up, eat you and spit you out...and for extra measure step all over that thing you called dignity. The constant attention on celebrities (even the crap ones) is absurd! All the photos, all the articles and headlines. You'd be surprised how easily one bad headline can turn the entire country against you. O, you'll still get attention, just you definitely won't like it AT all. 


Lack of Freedom


I think it's also fair to say people think famous people have an easy ride. To some extent, of course they do, hotels, free food, trips around the country, paid to simply appear. However, there is a real restriction on certain freedoms. I'm mainly referring to band members and authors here. If your constantly on tour and at signings or in an interview, how on earth are you meant to do anything you really want? Kate Nash herself took a break from the music industry because she was tired of playing the same old song. People criticise musicians for taking so long to crank out an album. Firstly, shut up, try composing one song. Then try doing at least nine more of those...and having the studio like it. Say, for arguments sake, you manage this. You then go on tour with that album...for at least a year. Playing the same ten songs to lots of different people. O sure the money's good, but don't you want to just sit down and write more? I mean, be honest, that's why you got into the business. Not to sign some fan girl's tit, you just want to make music.


It's a constant battle for musicians. I'll use another of my idol's as an example. Damon Albarn of Blur, and currently Gorillaz. He quit Blur to get away from the fame. He formed Gorillaz as a joke, to be able to do his own music project without getting too famous. Unfortunately, being a musical genius, Gorillaz gained wide success and everyone wanted to know who was behind it all...and BAM, Albarn was back in the loop. Another problem that I mentioned was about him wanting to do his own music.  You can't do both. If you do your own thing, it might not be what the studio want, and your out of a job. Understand? You're always under some element of control...


I think I'm done with all the problems celebrities face. I'm not that concerned for them, after all, they are celebrities...to some extent they're completely overwhelmed with success, money and the 'high-life.' But I just wanted to write about something that is not commonly dealt with. It should hopefully make you think next time before you choose to criticise a celebrity or when you dream of being famous. A lot of people have suffered from fame, one way or another. I have already mentioned one main drawback, the negative attention either stalkers or the media. I'll say one big name, Kurt Cobain. You really want to be famous still, after all I've said? Well, good luck....I'll keep this shotgun handy for when it gets too much.
Now go away.