What is the media's obsession with "star-lets"? Actually, it's the public's obsession with them that drives the media coverage. Arguably the most popular figure in pop culture drama is Lindsay Lohan. Long gone are the days of "The Parent Trap" and the cute little actress comparable to Dakota Fanning. Now we are bombarded with news of her court cases, drunken exposures, and other shenanigans. Recently I read on the huffingtonpost.com about her tantrum at a Black and White ball hosted by V Magazine. She threw a glass at a photographer, (which reminds me of the "Straight Talk Feeling Richer" commercials http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoIIQzZyEss) and sucker punched another guest. So what is it about her drama story that America can't get enough? Usually drug addict biographies are sob stories, or horror stories, but when Lindsay does it its entertainment!
This leads one to question society. What kind of community or country values the drunken raves of a 25 year old?
Socialization is one function of the media, it teaches us how to act and interact with others in society. Lindsay Lohan and all the positive reinforcement she receives due to her antics shows us that behaving badly is not only good but can make you famous. Shows like basketball wives and the bad girls club reinforces this new trend of bad behavior as a positive attributes. The media socializes little girls to believe if they can yell, fight, or curse they can be popular and praised.
Unfortunately American society and the media have a positive feedback loop, so we can't just say it's the media's fault because the media only shows us what we want to see. So everyone who clicks on a "Lindsay Lohan drunk" link (like I did) feeds into this new societal norm. But to fit into society is to like these stories feed into them and want more. Bad Girls Club is interesting! So remember to play well with your friends, socialize and punch people in the face, soon this will be the American Way. You might even get a TV show.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/16/lindsay-lohan-throws-a-glass-at-photographer-hits-cocktail-waitress-instead-at-fashion-week-party_n_966010.html
