I just don't understand what makes a celebrity death so much more important than a regular person's death.

Yes, Michael Jackson was a great entertainer, but why should his life mean more to me, an average person, than mine would mean to him?

Does a celebrity morn the death of a fan, the one who made them the celebrity they are? What about the great teachers, doctors, religious inspirations, and just the everyday person who gives more of themselves than they take?

I'm sorry Michael Jackson died. I'm more sorry for the children losing their parent. But I don't see the reason behind the major coverage and "hoopla" being given. What poor timing for Farrah Fawcett and Ed McMahon in their deaths. Did not their fans love them as much as the Jackson fans loved Michael?

I'm not demeaning or making light of his death. It is sad when anyone dies. But I can't see how people are crying so much, being so upset and even depressed by it. Save those emotions and feelings for someone real in your life; someone who actually cared about you even if just in brief passing.

I'm sorry, I just can't see getting so upset over the death of a celebrity. I save those kind of feelings for someone who would be as upset about something happening to me as I would be if something happened to them. Someone who has given real influence in my life other than just entertaining me.

Sorry if you don't agree, just my rambling feelings. Be sorry for his death, remember the fun he gave, but save the real heartfelt emotions for those that you love, that love you and that matter in your life.

Very good post David, and I agree 100%...couldn't have said it any better myself. Thanks for the topic.

Some people put celebrities up on a pedestal and worship them. When Carlin died, I mourned his passing for a couple days, because he inspired me to be the sorta comedian I am, but he barely got news time. But Jackson dies, and its a trip down memory lane for most news agencies. I just don't see rehashing everything someone has done in the news, specially a pedophile, but hey, what do I know right?

Yes, they do. Here's just one example:

A 14-year-old girl named Bernadette Whelan died of heart faiure on May 30, 1974, four days after collapsing at a concert held by David Cassidy at London's White City Stadium. Six hundred and fifty were injured, and 30 taken to the hospital. The shaken Cassidy brought Whelan a bouquet of flowers as she lie unconscious in the hospital, and sent her parents a letter of regret. When she died, he was so rattled, he quit both touring and The Partridge Family, and took a 3-year sabbatical. Whelan's death was a turning point in his career, and he's never forgotten her.

So yes, it does happen.

This will be going on now...for a damn week...like nothing else in the world is happening. Hey...tell it once, and get on with life.

I mean...how many times telling you that "he died" does someone need to hear?

I'm with you one hundred percent, David. I don't know what's worse: The media making such a HUGE deal over it, or the fact that the first thing anyone says when they talk to me is, "Hey, did you know Michael Jackson died?" Uh, yeah... who doesn't by this point? lol

I fully agree, But it's like when Elvis dies. It's someone who was such an inspiration on not only a fan base, but a generation. Not that a doctor or a teacher or anyone else isnt as important, or an inspiration themselves, they just hadnt reach quite as many people. Given the ability to though like michael had, wouldnt we all?

So much so that he is now doing a major gig in Vegas....

celebrities have a way of coming into some people lives, in big and small ways. for MJ, given the billions of fans he had, there's going to be huge mourning for him. who are we to say how much an impact a celebrity had on someone's life, even though it was not personally reciprocated, or was it? in the case of music, many artists have gotten me through bad times. i say react in your own way, it's what makes us who we are as individuals.

stevie ray vaughn ~ October 3, 1954 – August 27, 1990

So is Celine Dion and many others, but I fail to see what this has to do with anything.

Ok I agree for the most part, however there are a few things I think we're missing here. As a nation of consumers, which is what we've become, some of the products we buy, become the heroes we aspire to be. Like Gumbyvs said George Carlin inspired him to be the kind of comedian he is. That kind of influence, that inspiration, is truly special. Granted Jackson, Carlin, Ed, and Fawcett are just people, but due to media and technology they were able to reach SO many people. A teacher, a doctor, or a fire fighter are great heroes to have as well but most people won't look at them in that light unless they've been truly inspired by one. I haven't been in a fire or ever had my life saved, and sorry to say most of my teachers were far less then inspiring so I too look up to famous musicians and comedians for inspiration and creativity. When George Carlin died I left work early and took a day off. That may sound silly to some but I grew up with him in some respect. I followed his addictions, saw him grow as a comedian and philosopher, and in some strange way it was almost like he was that distant uncle. That's the power of influence and a truly gifted entertainer, the ability to relate and persuade. With ALL that being said, I was in no way entertained by Jackson and I think any grown man that sleeps with young children and claims it's innocent and makes a habit of reconstructing his face is far from inspirational and I skipped right past the head lines silently thinking to myself "woopty-doo" That's my 2 cents on it. :D

"save the real heartfelt emotions for those that you love,"





I think people loved him.

Well, I looked up to Carlin also. Hell, I even got in trouble in school doing some his routines during speech and debate. I also looked up to John Wayne, George C. Scott, Henry Fonda and many other great actors. They were my inspirations to get into community theater, performing on stage, commercials, and even a small bit part in a released to CD movie.

As much as I admired these people and were inspired by them to act and even now beginning to write, I can't see losing any sleep over their deaths.

Yes, it saddened me some because they passed away. It's only natural when someone you felt was a "part" of your life has gone. But I am not about to put my life on hold, cry all day, or want someone to "hold me" because a celebrity icon has died.

I'm sorry... even as much as a celebrity has influenced me to pursue what little acting or comedy stand-up I have done, I just can't see being so saddened and depressed by their death.

Think of the time and money being wasted on telling us over and over again that a "cultural icon" has died, what he did, what he gave, blah blah blah. A real fan of his doesn't have to me reminded by the news media. They will remember and feel it within themselves.

I never disliked MJ, even with all the problems he created for himself or was accused of. I just get bothered by the way the media tells us a celebrity death is so much more important than our death would be.

They entertained us, big deal. I take it for the entertainment value, enjoy it, and move on to everyday real life after the fun. They inspired us, yes. But I don't keep falling back on them or giving them credit for what I have accomplished trying their craft. It was me and my effort that made it what it was.

Reflect, enjoy, remember.... but put the real emotions towards the people who are there everyday in your life. They are the ones who should sadden us when they pass. They are the ones I would take a day off from work or sit and cry about. Family, friends, even some good acquaintances.... they are within reach everyday. They care whether we succeed or fail. THEY matter.....

Well each person will value life differently. Equally each person will choose what is worthy of mourning. I completely respect and value your outlook on this topic. However I have to disagree with your last statement. They MATTER... I agree family does matter, but just because you didn't feel their death was a tragedy, some people do. To say what matters or not is bordering on saying what is truth and what is opinion. And if you become an entertainer or a professional musician then it has in fact become real life to you. It is after all a profession. Another thing is obituaries are posted in the paper, people that were truly influencial on communities may even get a headline or a story based on them. I don't ever remember any headlines about MJ or any other celebrity for that matter saying "This person died and it means more then if YOU died!" They are simply honoring the memory of someone who dedicated their life to their art and the public. Many people use entertainment or music to help them get through difficult times. Listen to that certain song when you're sad. The song "Lean On Me" was played at my brothers funeral and will always have a deep signifigance to me. Many people look to these forms of media to help them feel more adjusted or normal in their feelings. So while I understand how you feel, there will be others that will take it more to heart and who are we to say their feelings are invalid?

perhaps you simply lack empathy...

some "celebrities" affect me more than others... Tim Russert - yeah I did not know him, but I grew up with his political analysis - and I was saddened when he died. JFK Jr., no I did not know him - but I was saddened when he died... not to say as much as when my Father passed away, but feelings none the less...

your comments are interesting, but different people feel differently about things... I enjoy being a "feeling" person - your comments make me feel sorry for you that you cannot feel empathy for others...

some people in this world have abilities that we "normal" folks can only dream and aspire too... when they die, it is a sad thing... that their abilities will no longer be seen/heard/experienced again...

depressed by their death? no - that's a little on the "unhealthy" side...

I think part of it is that when we reminisce about a singer when they are gone, we are remembering some of our history too.

We remember different parts of our life when we hear different songs. What you were doing around that time....who we were hanging out with or dating then...

I've known Michael Jackson's music since the Jackson 5 started. His music brings back decades of memories of my life.

I hope I explained that in an understandable way.

Don't feel sorry for me. You don't know me for that. I do have empathy. You don't know me personally and only assumed I was apathetic instead of empathetic. I even said a little prayer in my heart for the celebrities who died, all 3 this week. But my day goes on. No need to reflect all day and have my life stop for someone I don't know.

I never said I was not sorry that a celebrity died. I just said they are not anyone I know personally and can't feel saddened by their death.

You have your feelings, good for you. But you missed my point all together.

Yes, and I agree with your observations. I understand that there are fans who just fall wholeheartedly into the lives of those they adore... if that makes them happy, so be it. My "gripe", I guess it can now be called, is that celebrities are always made much bigger than any person should be. I am sure their deaths mean something more to their hardcore fans. I don't wish to invalidate their feelings. Just saying it should be taken more in perspective. We watch their movies, we listen to their music and yes it makes us feel good for a moment. But having someone there who will let you cry on their shoulder and comfort you other than listening to a song means so much more to me.

I think you contradict yourself. You state that you just went on with your day rather than reflecting on what happened. But you made a big thread about it, so you really didn't just go on with your day.

Yes, you did. And I respect your thoughts and feelings. But this post is not just about Michael Jackson... it is about how a celebrity (and not just music or actors) death gets more warrant than anyone else.