Why are reality show stars celebrities?

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 10:41am

Thoughts?

[iHeartMyGeek]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 10:42am

Well, the definition of celebrity is that someone is well-known, and reality TV stars are well-known. It really depends on how the deal with things after the reality show ends, I think.

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 10:43am

Maybe I should say, "Why are reality show stars considered viable celebrities?"

[iHeartMyGeek]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 10:45am

oh, God only knows. They dont' really ddeserve it.

[ashley0139]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 10:57am

I've always wondered that. Then again, I've always wondered why people are so fascinated with celebrities. They are just people who happen to have a job that is in the public eye.

[jasonf]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 11:03am

How many reality stars, other than American Idol contestants, are ACTUALLY celebrities in the sense that the average American would recognize them?

From the point of view of recognizability, yeah, they're on TV so people will know who they are.

I don't think very many (if any) other than the Idols have real careers outside of their show that advances their celebrity...

What I hate is that people like Anna Nicole and Flavor Flav, who have no talent at all, can extend their 15 minutes ad infinitum by acting like a moron on tv.

[Calvin]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 11:07am

Very few, actually.

Once, one of the Survivor contestants who was from Houston was in one of the gay coffee shops to sign copies of his new beefcake calendar. He was sitting at a table with one of the other contestants from his season, and not one person in the place was paying any attention to him. I felt bad for him and wanted to go say hello, but my date wouldn't let me.

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 11:09am

That's really, really sad, Calvin.

[Calvin]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 11:11am

It was this guy. Pretty cute, actually. But I'd bet even Survivor fans would have a tough time coming up with his name.

[jasonf]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 11:14am

I love Survivor....I've seen every episode of every season (I think). I have NO idea who that is.

[Calvin]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 11:19am

Daniel Lue, from the Amazon season. I don't think he lasted very long.

eta: I think his biggest claim to fame was that he couldn't walk across a balance beam. Updated On: 8/24/06 at 11:19 AM

[FranklinShepard-Inc.]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 11:21am

They are celebs because people consider them to be really similar to oneself, ordinary and anything but special. And it seems to show the dream, that anyone could become famous, could come true. Ah well...

[StageManager2]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 11:22am

My guess was going to be that guy who was kicked off because he'd been hiding beef jerkey or something. (Australian Outback season.)

[Calvin]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 11:30am

I think also that those who go on the shows in hopes of becoming a big star are in for a nasty shock.

I heard that aspiring actors from at least one of the shows -- Big Brother, I think -- now will do anything to keep that show OFF their resume, because it's a sure way to get their headshot tossed in the garbage in Hollywood.

[Calvin]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 11:30am

Damn. Updated On: 8/24/06 at 11:30 AM

[iHeartMyGeek]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 11:30am

SM2, that was Keith. He looked nothing like that.

[Calvin]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 11:32am

No, Geek, that was Kel. He looked like this. And I can't believe you're making me admit that I know this.

[jasonf]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 11:32am

No, beef jerky guy's name was Kel. Keith was the chef who almost made it to the end (told you I watched the show way too much!).

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 11:34am

FranklinShephard-- I definitely understand your point. But while I do long to be "known," I'd much rather be it for something useful like writing an excellent novel than for being some random guy eating bugs on TV.

[iHeartMyGeek]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 11:37am

That's right, Keith is the one who screwed up the rice. he's the one who won the AIM chat with his girlfriend. they claled each other "Peas and Carrots"

[jasonf]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 11:38am

We all have WAYYYYY too much time on our hands.

[FranklinShepard-Inc.]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 11:39am

*lol* SorryGrateful, I did not expect anything else. And be assured, neither would I long to be a reality show star. When one day I be remembered (by whoever) it should not be for a moment of desperate embarrassment. I hope you didn't read my comment any different than this

[StageManager2]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 11:40am

You remember all that? *stares at Geek incredulously*

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 11:41am

Oh, that's what I figured. But I had to address my comment to someone, you know?

[iHeartMyGeek]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 11:43am

Back in the day I used to be obsessed with Survivor. My whole family was. On the finale of the first season my whole familly, including great-aunts and second-cousins, gathered for a party. We had tiki torches and rice and oysters and kibabs, and we all dressed in island attire. My mother even made a little Jell-O "ocean", with blue Jell-O, little pineapple fish, and an old Barbie plastic island of mine. It was really fun!