Can Anyone Restrain Themselves?

It's been oodles of time since I posted, and I don't really have much to say today. I'm saddened by the passing of Farrah Fawcett, as no one should have to suffer such medical indignities - at any age, much less prior to 60 years old, as Ms. Fawcett was when she was first diagnosed. And, of course, the death of Michael Jackson is a tragic loss of enormous talent - talent that had been on display far too rarely in recent years.

But, beyond that, is there really much more to say? Perhaps. Perhaps cultural examinations are in order, by those qualified to make them. But, certainly, there are those who are saying far too much. Earlier today, The New York Times quoted Celine Dion as saying to CNN's Larry King, "It feels like when Kennedy died, when Elvis Presley died."

Putting aside comparisons of natural, accidental, or self-influenced deaths of pop stars to assassinations of political leaders (because that's not the primary point I'm interested in making today), Ms. Dion was born in 1968 -- five years after the murder of John Kennedy. If she was referring to Robert, she would have been all of two months old. How could this feel to her like something she never experienced? Really, couldn't those who've got nothing intelligent to say keep their mouths shut?

I'm going to close mine now.

EvanHandler.com
Twitter: EvanHandler

Comments

[canfemlib]

Oh, come on. Someone stands in front of you with a microphone, asks you how you feel about someone else in your industry, what are you going to say in order to not offend either your or their fan base? I don't know MJ and don't give a crap about his messed up life? I don't think so. You're obligated to come up with something, because if you don't, some headline will read that Ms Dion Despised MJ!!

[kmilford]

Celine Dion was, is and continues to be an embarrassment to most Canadians. Please Celine, shut-up or change your citizenshi­p....pleas­e.....merc­i.

[CyndiC]

Evan thank you for summing it up. It's just mind boggling - the posing of MJ's Dad and his inappropriate comments along side Al Sharpton. Like Liza Minnelli said after the autopsy all hell is going to break loose. I wish his Dad would remain quiet in a dignified way.

[oneklj4u]

Mr. Handler-I wish you would write more posts as they are always well written and enjoyable. In regards to your question, "couldn't those who've got nothing intelligent to say keep their mouths shut?" the answer is that I don't think there would be more than a handful of people left to comment on current events if that criteria was used. I heard a disc jockey on the radio the other day say that she felt "an emptiness in her soul" since Michael Jackson died and I almost drove off the road. I would bet that this girl (and you could tell by her voice that she was young) never gave Michael Jackson a thought until he died and now her soul feels empty. Pathetic!

[Goliadkin]

Great post! This proves once and for all that it's all a big act for Celine Dion. She's incapable of any sincere emotion. Just posing.

[DoctorGee]

Just another example of the media "vulture culture" looking to fill some air time with empty words versus actual substance.
I saw a short portion of one of Larry King's recent Jackson-related shows where he was interviewing singer Aaron Neville. The dialog here is paraphrased, but very close to what actually aired:

King: Did you ever work with Michael?
Neville: No, I never did.
King: Would you have liked to work with him?

Just the sound of several lips flapping. Want to read a great book about how the media is completely screwed up by the 24-hour news cycle? Check out "No Time To Think"!

[Glitterstim]

In my experience, those who say the stupidest things tend to be those incapable of understanding why it was stupid in the first place.....

[Glitterstim]

In my limited experience, those who say the stupidest things are completely clueless as to having said anything stupid....

[auramac]

She comes out for everyone's funeral, with tears in her eyes. She makes me sick. This article hit it on the head- loved the way it closed.

As I will, too...

[Marcin Bielecki]

Well said!
...and
It's really nice to see your fresh post there...

[AceInTheHole]

As an aside , I think it is very unhealthy and counter intuitive to human nature, to repress one's grief .for whatever reason. And I think that it borders on being odiously bazaar and very presumptuous, for one human being to try and dictate to another human being ; who, when, and how long to grieve, for someone or some thing.

[ramblin jack]

pop pysch is what you are spouting give it a rest grief can and should be held in check at moments

[martina1965]

Thank you, AceInTheHole! I totally agree!

[lupinella]

well said.

[AceInTheHole]

WOW! WHERE DID ALL OF THESE EMOTIONAL COPS COME FROM?

NOW THEY WANT TO MONITOR OUR GRIEF AND TELL US WHO IS WORTHY TO BE GRIEVED FOR.

I THINK THESE EMOTIONAL COPS NEED TO MIND THEIR OWN DAMN BUSINESS AND LET THE PEOPLE GRIEVED WHOEVER THE HECK THEY CHOOSE TO GRIEVE.

[Tristan9]

thanks Evan, I concur. How ridiculous this all is, as if celebrities are never meant to die. Just people living vicariously thru imaginary icons. Our culture in a nutshell. Virtual reality. Not reality at all.

Lots of money will be made on the funeral and lots of handwringing exposure for has been celebrities in front of a sea of cameras and lights. Great ratings too.

Your squirt scene in 'Californication' was more entertaining and prescient than 20 of these funerals. I used to be an actor, that was great material if I say so myself, thanks for that friend.

[raprap373]

Mr. Handler, It is refreshing to read true feelings on any subject,

and you hit straight up.

I do hope you post more of your thoughts.