Popularity and Celebrity

1. Popularity and Celebrity NEW271Y – 23 Mar. 2004 NEW271Y

2. Spring Term Test • Tuesday 6 April 2004 – 3:10-5:00 pm • In-Class, No Aids • Part 1: worth 20% - multiple choice, fill in the blanks, T/F • Part 2: worth 50% - make briefs notes on terms, concepts, topics, modes • Part 3: worth 30% - short essay NEW271Y

3. Definitions • popularity ad. L. popularitas fellow-citizenship, popular bearing, in late L. population • The fact or condition of being approved, beloved, or admired by the people, or by many people; favour or acceptance with the people. • Suggests achievements, qualities, skills NEW271Y

4. Definitions cont. • Celebrity - a famous person, "one who is celebrated." • celebrate, f. L. celebr-em renowned. • famous for being famous (regardless of what first brought them to fame). • Can become celebrity just from having been on TV – even if untoward circumstances NEW271Y

5. Celebrity • Jan 18, 2002 – Monica Lewinsky appeared at a news conference held in honor of her HBO documentary "Monica in Black and White." It largely consists of her answering questions from an audience of HBO staff and college students. • The former Whitehouse intern said she made the film partly because she was worried other TV movies being made about her case would perpetuate inaccuracies and misconceptions. • What is the biggest misconception people have about her? • “That I sought this celebrity by seducing the president and going to the White House with an agenda and turning on him so all of this could happen, so I could enjoy it and make millions of dollars and perpetuate my celebrity," she said. "And that I'm stupid," she added. NEW271Y

6. Monica Lewinsky NEW271Y

7. Celebrity Sister Associated Press Mar. 15, 2004 NEW YORK - MTV has tapped another Simpson for a new reality show.Ashlee Simpson, the 19-year-old sister of pop star Jessica Simpson, will be the focus of "Ashlee," which will track her attempt to become a recording star. The six-episode series will air this summer."Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica," starring Jessica Simpson and her husband, Nick Lachey, is now in its second season.The new show will follow Ashlee as she records her first album, on Geffen Records, auditions a band and breaks up with her boyfriend."My series will show people all the hard work it takes to cut an album, and I'm excited for everyone to see this and live it right along with me," she said. "I'm really proud of everything that I've accomplished and I can't wait for the MTV audience to see it for themselves!" NEW271Y

8. Ego ideal Role of images in production of ego ideal Star quality Celebrity production – transformation commodification December 29, 1999Slimmer Lewinsky will promote Jenny Craig diet Jan. 5, 2000 Jenny Craig franchises opt out of Lewinsky ads Celebrity & Commodification NEW271Y

9. Commodification • Celebrity as object for audience consumption • Attainable, consumable • Cf. Clueless – mobility of social status – central myth of US culture • Performability – can be learned, imitated NEW271Y

10. Celebrity Commodity • Today show • Updated: 6:49 a.m. ET March  12, 2004 • It’s time to burn those UGG boots! Spring is just around the corner and to help you get in the cheery mood, celebrity style expert and "Today" contributor Steven Cojocaru offers a look at some of the must-have items and wardrobe secrets of celebs like Jessica Simpson, Britney Spears and Madonna. NEW271Y

11. Penhaligon's Travel Slippers are the "It" travel accessoryPerfect for slipper-ing about the house or strolling along the beach — Jessica Simpson loves the new super-soft Penhaligon’s Travel Slippers and just snapped them up in every color! She is obsessed and said she will be wearing them on her show — because they are so comfy and she can’t bear to take them off! They are made of Buttersoft Lamb Nappa leather and are very springy.The brand new (just launched) spring colors are Peony (pastel pink) and Powder (light blue/gray).Penhaligon’s Travel Slippers, $100. Penhaligons.co.uk. NEW271Y

12. The Generra Jacket is the "It" jacketYou name the “it” girl — and she’s got this “it” jacket: Gwyneth Paltrow, Cameron Diaz, Halle Berry, Sarah Jessica Parker, Demi Moore and Madonna have all purchased the same light pink leather cropped zip-up jacket by the new hot line, Generra (also comes in a silvery gray). It's a great staple — and it’s machine washable.Generra Jacket, $498. Henri Bendel. 1-800-HBENDEL NEW271Y

13. Fairy Tale Myth • Recognition – innate qualities • Pretty Woman (1990) • Transformation • Failure of perception (true worth) indicates moral failure NEW271Y

14. Pop Princess • Britney Spears has become the youngest singer to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. • "This is something that I've dreamt about since I was a little girl. I can't believe I'm actually here with all of you amazing fans," she said. NEW271Y

15. So only ersatz ego ideal can be performed • Backlash – cf. Avril • Cultural currency loses value • Age as factor in loss of value for women NEW271Y

16. Consumption & Audiences • Pomo theories of ID • Consumption, conformism, simulacra, loss of referent, depthlessness • Traditional sources of ID (family, community, nation) in decline – globalization • Consumption as alternative • Paradox: identical to everyone else NEW271Y

17. Audience Studies • 2 traditions: ‘effects’ & ‘uses’ • Effects approach – hypodermic model • Power of media – domination & control • turn audiences into zombies • Mechanistic & deterministic • Audience as inert mass - Homogeneous, undifferentiated NEW271Y

18. Uses & gratifications approach • Examines audience engagement • Emphasize differences • ‘Subjects have histories’ • textual analysis also emphasizes ambiguities – open – negotiation • Plurality of contemporary cultural life NEW271Y

19. Intermission • HOLLYWOOD • March  22, 2004 • Jackson's First Accuser May Testify • Paris Hilton Thrown From Horse • Britney Spears Cancels Concert Due To Injury NEW271Y