Looking back over the past years of my life – I never thought the friends I have now would be the friends I have now. I think that is a good thing, it has made my life unpredictable and has kept me on my feet so far! If you know me well you will know the banter that has occurred between two groups at Desborough. Both going on holiday to Greek Islands Kos and Zante. Kos being the best of course!!! Now what has bought me on to this topic is that I went on holiday with 13 other boys, and it was fucking awesome. I cannot actually see how that holiday could have been made any better. And you realise when you are on holiday with people sooo close for a week how much they mean to you and it bought us all far closer! It was a perfect start to the summer and I know it will continue in that fashion for the rest of the summer! There are going to be so many little inside jokes within our 14 strong group and it cracks me up. But what intrigues me is will many of us still be friends in 1, 5, 10, 25 years time? I hope so cause if not I will hunt each one of those boys down.
Usually you know what you're getting when it comes to shoplifters. Today, however, was slightly different.
I got the call over the radio that a shoplifter was being detained by security at a store on the other side of town, no rush then, off we go. Upon arrival I'm met by a kind member of staff who escorts me to the security office where I come face to face with the indisputable suspect - he was caught red handed.
Wow, he's 84 years old! I couldn't believe it, not that I showed my surprise. This guy had trouble standing as I entered the room, forget running, definitely not a flight risk. I couldn't arrest him, and I'm glad because I didn't want to, the guy was a legend.
He had never broken the law in his life, that we know of, and one day he just decides he's gonna spice things up and start a life in crime. A real life 84 year old Thomas Crown.
The best bit of all was the old timer, who was perfectly sane, was more worried over what his wife was going to say than what we were going to do. His wife must have been a scary old bird cause he was bricking it. We didn't tell his wife. So I gave him a fine and we were all on our way.
I don't condone theft on any level but you have to admire the guy's initiative and balls in making something out of his otherwise monotonous day. It just goes to show it's never too late to start a new hobby or do something you've always wanted to do, but never quite got round to it. Though I'm sure most would agree stealing art would be far more exciting than a box of strawberries.
Very exciting times are happening within this blog, and I am looking forward to what is soon to happen with it. A new author on the blog - which will add an element to the blog not seen before. It is real life stories! All I can say right now is just keep your eyes and ears pealed because you really are going to be hooked on reading this new authors posts to this blog!
Wimbledon has started (I dunno if I have spelt it wrong) ho hum, and they always say that Wimbledon is the start of summer. Was watching it today and Im no tennis player but I do really enjoy it. Last years Mens Final Federer and Nadal was awesome!!! But Wimbledon always means rain hence them building the roof over centre court. Does not make sense though Wimbledon symbolises summer but always means rain. We are yet to have it this week. BUT I bet we will get it soon, and it will probably happen just when everyone gets the BBQ's out for the weekend. I am really loving summer right now cannot wait for Kos. but between then and now there is soo much. Pay to the day, Sam's 18th, Jonnys BBQ, Prom, Callums 18th theeeen KOS it is soo close. Ah well for all those left at school - SHHHAAAME aha! :)
Money Money Money, every month I get paid, every month I spend it all. I should learn to budget. Owh I guess I am just following what the government do! aha
Why does everyone feel the days to abbreviate everything these days? Or substitute conversation with an abbreviation. It really winds me up! We have the internet which is fast enough, and then people find that it is not quick enough that they must speed up conversation. I for one when talking to someone like to have a proper conversation and become fully engulfed in the conversation. I don't feel the need or want to use LOL -yet I still use it? Is it a trend? Is it now Habbit? Is it even now a word? rant over.
I haven't said hello to you in a while mr blog. No doubt you are keeping well. It is really wierd the feeling of never having school again. From always having a bit of coursework lingering around or exams in the head to having nothing to have to do is a really wierd feeling. Nonetheless a good feeling! I want the weather to be better today though! its summer after all! cheer up mr sun :) That is all for now I will have a big long proper blog soonish. Perhaps tonight. Perhaps
Very nice and relaxed in the hot tub most of the day! Looking forward to many more days of this! Kos is soo very close now. Time to organise prom shindigs! John B. . . shall be a good day for sure.
Today I woke up at 12ish roughly - and woke to Moto GP in TV, and I have never watched it before but got really sucked into it! It was really good, very tense! May definetly have to watch it more often!
Gay bar! Very interesting people, normally in a club you get real hype and anger and agro. But in Gay bars it seemed all very friendly.
TOO friendly. What a good laugh though. I highly recomend. We went to Escape in Soho, yeah happy 19th Liam. Journey up to London after work was eventful and the journey back = even better. We met a nice londoner 23 years old man with very little hair. He was chatting up these old women of easily 60, and asking them about orgys. Brrrrilliant. On the way home we met Germans on the bus back to Piccadilly took them to Burger King and taught them what CLUNGE was. Oh and this homage to the inbetweeners is not over just yet! Grab more burger king inside the train station.
"can you say desbraaah" lol yeah turns out they can! - Burger King employees. When on the train we choose the only seats located in an area blatently swamped in a liquid of im not sure what. Piss I gueesss. The clever cunts from first great western decide to lock ALL the toilets on the train and at the station, hence the piss on the train floor. I'm guessing.
Its not over yet. We meet a brilliant guy and "miss" who defo added to the good night. Both randomly teachers.... And the teachers swapped numbers lol. Its odd, after finishing skl we are enlightened huh! Ho hum, well Miss Eaves yeah u heard me Miss Eaves is coming to Smokies on Wednesday, Liams Buffday and so is Mr Sansonee. Ayyyymen! If your reading this Miss Eaves, excellent gun and use of material from a teenagers show the inbetweeners. I would say however use your own material next time perhaps, oh well - drink is deserved on your behalf.
Lesson from tonight which we should have learnt by now, Liam is never NEVER on time.
In the famous words of Alice Cooper "Schools out for summer . . . Schools out forever" and it really really is! I have a huge list and bunch of things I wana do this holiday time. I shant keep mentioning it though. This week has really gone so fast! The 13 years of schooling culminated this week in exams. Everyone loves the weekend, but this is all immaterial now as its the holidays! I am like a toddler who has been released of the reigns! Tonight is London night, for Mr Liam Britnell's 19th. "I had a dream" last night and I probably dream most nights however I remembered this one. How very strange. Ive uncovered a few little gems of websites recently. Some I've known for a while and some of recent. All will be revealed with them to very soon!
Anyways I have work soon, but let me leave you with this BRILLIANT website! It is the only website you need if you wish to keep up with Politics! http://isgordonbrownstillprimeminister.com/
Today I had a business exam which was 1hr and a half. And then an English Synpotic Paper which was three hours long... The english exam was a right head fuck. I mean I feel I did well in it and answered all the points I cam up with, but the time literally just flew by for me. But it certainly was not fun. I mean I enjoyed the experience in being able to be calm and reflect on all the stuff we learnt etc. . . and draw upon past books and plays we had studied but it was'nt fun. Ho hum... Media tommorow afternnon but I am literally brain dead after the 4and a half hour en-slaught of exams today. GEE Whiz soo im guna relax this evening maybe do some internet research into media later.
LOL the ASA wrote back to me. They took my complaint very seriously and said that if I can build a bigger case they will withdraw the advert immediatly! It is really surprising to see how seriously the ASA takes things. They remind me of monkeys knit picking!
I am also very angry with my car right now. Those who have had the experience to ride the tractaaaaaa understand it is a bitch to drive. It is really hard to put into gear right now it particularly hates gears R, 1 and 2. Ho hum garage soon? maybe.
Friday = end of exams end of school and beginning of such a cracking summer. Seriously soo much to look forward to. I would say highlights = Jonzo's BBQ, Prom, Callums 18th, Kos!!!
The latest instalment in the Walkers Crisps advert has now arrived. To see the video and a bit more info about the advert it is HERE After the massive complaints about the Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross incident concerning a prank call. (if you are a secluse like Emily Dickinson and do not know what I am going on about its HERE) After all the complaints about that prank call Jonathan Ross got suspended by the BBC.
I thought if I made a complaint about something petty like the incident noted above, maybe I could get the Walkers advert withdrawn. Why would I want to do that? Well in the walkers advert neither Gary Lineker or Cat Deeley are wearing helmets whilst riding bicycles. Now this is not illegal but I think it is irresponsible.
Now if you know me, you know I am very rarely serious. And this is the same - I am not being serious, but I would like to see how far I can make this petty complaint of the two celebrities not wearing helmets whilst cycling go.
I mean I could write in to newspapers etc. . . I have nothing against Walkers or the celebs as it were. I just want to see how far the petty complaint can go. I complained in great detail to the ASA Click here to visit about it. Saying that it was irresponsible as the celebs are very influential especially whilst many children ride bikes. Also the government is trying to get more people to cycle. And Health and Safety regulations etc. . .
Well we shall see how far it goes. But I guess rather like the whole Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand prank, my complaint is all just a prank.
Man exams started today. My revision for exams have been about 3 to 4 hours a day - and I have took the ethos of being relaxed and in fact to enjoy the exams! Why? Because life is short and sweet and I want to enjoy it so thats why. No exams tommorow (tuesday) and then wednesday is guna be a hard one. But I am all over on Friday. I doo love my life.
On another note. I am soo excited about SUMMER!!! It is going to be a real mad one! We have the PROM, the summertime rally, and KOS, Callums 18th. Mayne I am soo excited and it all kicks off this friday with Liams Birthday!
Oh mate.
Traditional Ed Morgan (current affairs) style blog later!
I started posting blogs about my day and just mind and head things etc on another site called Tumblr. The link for it is on the right hand side of this page as always! But here is the link for your convenience. Click Here
The past few weeks have been brilliant news. Lots of stuff has been going on this week especially with politics. And one thing that always is bound to make me laugh are the cartoons that the newspapers do! Here are a few from the past few weeks that have been particularly brilliant!
Every time I see a programme on it or an advert or anything I really do not buy into the idea of hypnotism, this could be down to scepticism in me but they all seem so scripted. I have always believe that if something is too good to be true then it most probably is. Darren Brown is a man who has bought the idea of hypnotism to the main stream and really sold it as an entertainment in modern day life. He seems to be a mind reader among other things. I just do not think it works. Maybe if I saw it in real life etc. . . I may not be so sceptical about it. I am just not convinced at all. Another man who does this is Marshall Sylver look him up on YouTube he is a real sell out who just does it to make money and sells a dream. Like ALL Americans, now I am not saying there is anything wrong with hypnosis or the people who do it or believe in it. BUT I just think it is all fake like magic. An entertainment thing.
HO HUM moving on I have far more interesting aspects and topics to talk about.
Just quickly for those looking for info On the Rally it is on the Facebook Group just search " UK SUMMERTIME RALLY" there is also some information on this blog (if you click the articles to the right hand side of the page... >>>>>>>>>
Recently I came across a brilliant website that analyses TV Adverts and chooses bad ones. It is a good laugh, Check it out. http://tvs-worst-adverts.co.uk/
Oh and speaking of bad adverts the new waitrose advert is terrible. Look out for it!
BIG BROTHER starts up again tonight, I know I have already spoken about this, I think I may actually watch it, or try to follow it. I'm not entirely sure yet. We shall see tonight.
I really should be revising slightly more than I am hey ho.
General Elections today those who can vote and have not yet voted MUST it is a right and we are very lucky to have this right to be able to vote. Vote for anyone but Labour, UKIP and BNP. I say vote for Lib Dems or Green!!!
My next blog coming up will be on Desborough Good times etc...
'THE UK SUMMERTIME RALLY' is the name for the rally being organised. This rally will take place in the first week of August – Starting on Monday to Thursday this is the 3rd till the 6th. The rally will start in Maidenhead, Berks on the Braywick Rd (A308) @ the Rugby/Golf Club first car park at 9am.
'THE UK SUMMERTIME RALLY' is a road rally which was inspired by the GUMBALL 3000 rally. For those who do not know or understand the concept of this here is a link which contains plenty more information, on what and how the rally will shape. http://www.gumball3000.com/
THE UK SUMMERTIME RALLY will run a checkpoint system, there will be one checkpoint for each day all in all there will be four checkpoints. The winner of the rally will be the one with the most points. Points will be awarded for the position a team comes in the rally. Teams consist of one vehicle, and there needs to be no less than two team mates to a team. Typically in these events teams of two or three work best.
The rally will run each day and will party at the checkpoints each night. You will not get the next checkpoint destination until you reach the first destination.
Currently there are spaces for 15 teams to race, and there has been a lot of interest into the concept of the rally!
If you are going to be on the road, can you cycle properly, and keep well to the left, NOT in the middle of the road. Also going through red lights is actually illegal for cyclists too! I think cyclists should have number plates and must wear helmets and must pay road tax!
For a sector of the workforce that contributes so much to the Zeitgeist, footballers have never been particularly sharp judges of the public mood. Take the Chelsea players who, for example, allegedly saw fit to party in public the evening of 9/11 while the rest of the West was in a state of shock. Or earlier this year, while banned for their part in a drinking session after a three-nil defeat to Holland, Scotland's Barry Ferguson and Alan McGregor made schoolboy V signs at the press while they sat watching the following national team play from the stands, forgetting that they were, by proxy, swearing at the entire nation. Cue much-deserved outrage and a lifetime ban from the national side for both players.
So now, just when the public mood is still simmering over tax-evading, home-flipping MPs, Premier League footballers are considering ways of avoiding the new 50 per cent tax rate introduced in the last budget.
Apparently Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool are seeking to use a loophole that would allow them to pay salaries as "interest-free loans", which in some cases attract a mere 2.5 per cent tax. As far as ill-judged tactics go, this is up there with Fergie's playing Ryan Giggs in the midfield hole against Barcelona last week.
Arsenal's Andrey Arshavin is reported to have said he received an "unpleasant surprise" when he saw the amount of tax he was paying on his £80,000-a-week salary, and is also believed to be seeking a higher deal to compensate for this fact. That'll be the same sort of "unpleasant surprise" that arises when purchasing a "cheap" season ticket at Arsenal's Emirates stadium for a whopping £925. As for the Premier League itself, they'll likely positively encourage this tax dodging or wage hiking to keep hold of the best players in the world, citing their fear of an exodus of talent.
There is a very strong argument that the influx of foreign players on the English league has had a detrimental effect on home-grown British players and as a result has weakened England's national team (who, let's not forget, failed to qualify for the last major tournament). So many foreign stars play in the Premier League that it's not unheard of for a Premier League side to field an all-foreign starting XI. However, whenever the idea of a cap on foreign players is mooted, the idea is dismissed by clubs and the authorities as being unworkable due to European employment law. Isn't it funny how the Premier League and the clubs' lawyers haven't been quite so quick to find a loophole here?
The GQ Blog is really good definitely worth bookmarking gents! Link for the blog on the right hand side.
What is the best way to tell someone you're not interested without being harsh?
Owh joy. To be fair you really should not have let it get that far, but you'll find the answer I'm no Agony Aunt.
Seriously – when the sun shines everyone is so much happier. All is good, everyone forgets the fact that the MP's are claiming
Lots on expenses and the like. Is this all over the world or just in the UK. Us Britons do love talking about the weather and all seriousness
We do get excellent weather for the latitude we are on. If you consider other countries at the same latitude as us, Russia etc etc . . .
We have exceptionally good weather, but we all live for these sweltering hot days.
Hoorah to global warming I say. Bust open a bottle of PIMM's and kick back.
Weekend has been good very minimal revision but today (Sunday) has been quite revision orientated whilst drinking a glass of PIMM's or two
A really good song is a cover by Pendulum of Violet Hill by Coldplay check it out. It is awesome.
Exams are not long away, then we have a fabulous summer on ice.
Was flicking through the papers today and they are all still banging on about the MP's expenses scandal, maybe come up with another story we are ALL bored of it
Now. Remember European Elections are coming up, please do not vote UKIP or BNP. Lib Dems will do guys! Hoorah to Vince Cable.
My mum is constantly on my back about revising for the end of year exams we have coming up very soon,
Now I am not saying this is a bad thing, I like her motivation and the fact that she wants me to do well.
However I really am not sure whether she understands that every so often I need to loosen up and just take a time out
To enjoy myself with my friends etc. . .
Regardless of what she thinks, I WILL go out – she can only really advise me now, and I think that it is starting to click.
And what I learnt from this, and an incident at school which we shall call the clippers, is essential to life is understanding
How to read people and understand their habits and what bugs them and what gets them motivated.
Friday night then, went out to spoons for a while, was disappointed with the amount of people out, however those out were corkers.
Real keepers a good laugh. So a bunch of us allowed going to Phatz (which is the shitty local nightclub for those who have the pleasure of not knowing Maidenhead)
We went back to Britnells for a chill in the summer house. Proper relaxed. Cushti... Big up for that! Much appreciated ROOMIE (inside joke)
More and more people are on this idea for a Gumballish rally in the UK, I think I am going to go ahead and start planning it.
Provisionally the beginning of August, for those who are interested in participating.
On another note, European Elections are coming up on Thursday June the 4th, these bigot twats such as BNP and UKIP are really rallying for votes and for heaven sakes please
DO NOT vote for them. Or Labour, I think they will see that the general public will be voting for other parties anyone but Labour. Hopefully parliament will see how badly Labour are
Doing a vote of no confidence can be put forwards and then we can get a general election.
ONE last thing, Old school garage is my vibe right now. Perfect
The whole notion of my hypotheses is centred on the ideology, representation and perceptions of celebrities. Who, what and why, they are celebrities and, why they are still reported in the media, despite negative public opinion. The advent of new technologies allow for the public to gain closer access to celebrities. However, real celebrities (those who are famous due to talent) are out of reach of the public, holding this mysterious aura keeps the public interest whether liked or disliked. Due to the new reality television culture we now have two types of celebrity: new celebrities, those from reality television and old celebrities those with real talent. Deciding what it is Paul Burrell possesses and what type of celebrity he is will help to decide why the media continues to report on celebrities such as Paul Burrell!
Hypotheses:
I believe that the reason the media still reports on celebrities such as Paul Burrell is because there is a continued interest from the public.
The public interest stems from an air of mystery about him, surrounding the inquest into Princess Diana's death.
Research Method:
In order to achieve a full and detailed analysis of my hypotheses and attain a thorough answer to either prove or disprove my hypothesis, I used a variety of sources from both primary and secondary research:- books, the internet, magazines, newspapers, trade press and Mintel reports forming the secondary research.-; questionnaires, surveys, interviews, focus groups and observations all create the primary research. I tried to use as many of these as possible to gain a better insight in to my topic. However some methods listed above are not entirely relevant to my topic. The materials I referred to the most were: books, the internet, magazines and newspapers (Secondary). questionnaires (Primary). The collection of Qualitative data was quite hard to put statistical data but was a vital tool and source in backing up claims that I made. Quantitative date was easier to collate and make use of but unless qualified with a statement was completely useless. Using a variation of both I feel made my research both valid and thorough.
I will generally refer to 'the audience' as 'the public' or 'the general public'. The reason being as the main modes of media I am covering appeal to the mass audience.
No.
Question.
How?
1.
What are celebrities?
A Survey/ Internet and Books
2.
Is Paul Burrell a celebrity?
A survey
3.
What is your opinion of Paul Burrell?
A survey
4.
Are reality TV stars portrayed positively or negatively in general in the media?
Observations of Media
Theory Books
5.
What interests the Public in "celebrities" such as Paul Burrell?
Focus Group, Survey and Internet research
Research Collected
To start this research task I decided that I needed to understand what celebrities are. The Oxford English Dictionary simply states: 1. a well known person 2. Fame. The history of being famous, some say started with the pharaohs of Egypt, put their names in the ancient scrolls, to ensure that they would guarantee that they would remain famous for centuries. This spurs the task on further. After all my desk research into discovering what a celebrity was I found a complicated formula that Forbes use to rank their list of 100 top celebrities. The formula takes into consideration the following: estimation of celebrity earnings, media metrics such as how many hits on Google, appearances or articles in the press, TV and Radio cites and the amount of times the celebrity has appeared on the front cover of over 50 chosen consumer magazines. After taking notes on the list that Forbes had compiled, I begun to notice what exactly a celebrity was. To a lesser or greater extent a well known person, the whole idea and notions of who celebrities are and how people are made celebrities is the factor that is changing over time.
If we look back in time, we see that celebrities were exclusively those with talent. Take the 50's and 60's as an example we see that celebrities were those who were untouchables. Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Muhammad Ali, Woody Allen, Michael Caine and Frankie Valli are just a few of the celebrities from this era. Each celebrity held this status due to a raw talent. Elvis Presley a singer, musician and actor was dubbed the 'King of Rock 'n' Roll.' Muhammad Ali, the three time world heavyweight champion, and was dubbed as the "Sports Personality of the Century" by the BBC. Michael Caine an actor of high magnitude esteemed with various awards such as two Oscars a BAFTA among other awards and nominations in total a much respected 28 wins and 37 nominations. Contrast the above celebrities with today's modern celebrity. The public now look up to celebrities such as Paul Burrell, Jade Goody, and Jordan aka Katie Price, Sharon Osbourne and Peaches Geldof. In my opinion the 'celebrities' of today have nothing on the real celebrities of the past. Paul Burrell a butler, Jade Goody appeared on a TV show and was accused of being racist to another contestant, Jordan is well known due to her silicone breast implants, Sharon Osbourne married to a rock 'n' roll legend, Peaches Geldof, the daughter of Bob Geldof, on her own website it claims that she is famous for being a socialite. Between the contrasts of these celebrities, there is a reason for why this shift in what the public en-mass view as celebrities has changed dramatically. This is the answer I feel to my overall question on why the media continue to report on celebrities such as Paul Burrell. This interest is rooted in the power and status that the celebrity title holds.
In western society we have a system of status and placement. Our whole culture is based on this system. This dates back to the time of Kings and Queens, put simply these days we have Upper Class, Middle Class and Lower Class. And as much as these barriers are trying to be broken down, it is ever more prevalent. Businesses determine this simply with their marketing; a main way businesses divide up their markets is through 'socio-economic status'. Upper Class, Upper Middle Class, Middle Class, Lower Middle Class, Working class and Lower Class. Sometimes put as A, B, C1, C2, C3 and D. Another example of placement is exercised in the bubble of Hollywood. The idea of the A to C lists, and climbing up the celebrity ladder to become an A-lister, is one in which encircles socialites and those who follow the celebrity culture. The former editor of women's magazine Cosmopolitan, Marcelle D'Argy Smith put my point very well in an article she did for the BBC, "It seems that anyone can hit the headlines. Talent and achievement are definitely not requirements for celebrity status – heavens no – look at Jade or Jordan. But due to the increasing number of talent-free, ego maniacs making the news it has deemed necessary . . . to classify celebrities."
I think that this occurrence of the public being able to become celebrities has been propelled forwards via the medium of reality TV and magazines. The shows that have been extremely influential catalysts have no doubt been 'Big Brother' and the 'X factor' (amongst other talent contests such as 'Pop Idol' and 'Britain's Got Talent!') A brief search on Google confirms this notion. I typed into the search engine "Reality TV Shows" and after clicking on the first five links displayed on the page Channel 4's and Endemol's "Big Brother and "Celebrity Big Brother" are noted on all links.
I took a similar approach with the celebrity gossip magazines, and discovered that there were copious magazines offering similar stories and styles of celebrity gossip. Most notably in England are, 'OK' magazine, 'Hello' magazine and 'Look' magazine. In three online articles on this issue the main note of interest was that these celebrity magazine weekly's are having falling numbers in circulation, despite the public still thriving for their updates on the celebrities, the reason being is due to the speed and ease of access to getting the information and gossip online. The shows and magazines allow 'us' as the public to become a celebrity far easier through infamy. Earlier in this research task I stated that it is the contrast between the past and present celebrities, which is a key factor in why the media continue to report on celebrities on Paul Burrell. However, the issue of infamy is also of great prevalence within this issue.
To look at the issue of Paul Burrell as a case study more closely I decided to view him, like many other celebrities, as part of an industry. Industries exist in the western society, on the whole to make money. During 2001 and 2002 Paul Burrell received a lot of bad press (aka infamy), due to an enquiry involving items belonging to Princess Diana and the Royal Family being stolen. In order to continue making money in 'the industry', Paul Burrell had to use this media spotlight, and take what he could from it. Obviously, he wrote two books, 'The Way We Were' and 'A Royal Duty'. He also appeared on ITV's ' I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here...Now'. Using mediums such as these, Paul Burrell was able to start making money again, as a business.
The general public of the UK, have recently become completely involved with the concept of reality TV shows. As mentioned earlier, the reasons for this is that it brings (either themselves closer to celebrities or closer to becoming an awkward celebrity.) Most commonly seen in 'Big Brother' and 'I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here...Now'. The viewing figure for the final of this series was over 11 million viewers. This platform is one in which dwindling celebrities, which can only fall due to the class system we have in place in the western culture, can restore their careers. Tessa Jowell MP argued a similar point in an interview with the Financial Times. She said that it was just a show in which celebrities' could revive their careers. With shows that bring you closer to becoming a celebrity, even just for a moment, such as Big Brother, it is not about raw talent any more it is more about being. Being yourself. Bob Greene of the Jewish Review wrote an extensive article on how ideas and notions have changed and evolved over time into what and why we love reality TV. Bob Greene suggests that it has evolved due to both the producers and the audience. "The creators would create and the audiences would receive." The producers, part of the industry, who need to make money, can make more money by reducing costs. Instead of paying for celebrities to appear on programmes such as 'Big Brother', the programme creates celebrities through them public being themselves on the show. "Now, though, this has begun to change. The audiences--at least representative members of the audiences--have been turned into the creators, or at least into the products of the creative process." Due to the class system which is ever dominant within our western society, the public strive to become celebrities, even if it is just temporarily. However some become an enduring stain in the stars. "Public people were once defined as such based upon the fact that their remarkable skills had brought them to the attention of the public. Now, though, we appear to be entering an era in which the skills are unnecessary. One can become a public person just by being a person, in public." Bob Greene does not seem troubled, with the change in what the public/audience are demanding, as Tessa Jowell MP is. He simply views it as a linear change over the course of time, and that it will continue to evolve. "Soon enough, the audience will be escorted off the stage and back into the audience."
The public can only know what they are told, through the media. This is known as the mediation process. Dr John Gardner put this process into a picture which explains the theory.
If we put the case of Paul Burrell through the mediation process, we can begin to understand, a few of the reasons he is being reported in the media. The producers of newspapers and news broadcasts have to decide whether reporting about Paul Burrell will make the business any profit. This is often well represented through the 'news values' devised by Galtung and Ruge. The idea was that the more values a story had, the closer it will be to making the headline. In brief, good headlines will sell more papers, and obviously this means more profit. The news values that Galtung and Ruge devised were: Frequency, Negativity, Unexpectedness, Ambiguity, Meaningfulness, Reference to Elite Groups, Consonance, Continuity, Predictability and Threshold.
If we put these values into the case study of Paul Burrell's we can truly see that the producers of the news would obviously report the stories involving Paul Burrell. The stories of course are negative towards him. It is totally out of character for a close friend and butler to supposedly steal items of the Princess, therefore the story is unexpected. It has meaningfulness towards the UK as the Royal Family is part of the Democracy and mould that is the UK. It is of course a reference to an Elite group of people, the Royal Family. Due to these factors we can see that it was of course a massive headline, and the news producers and editors will have definitely put it as the main headline for some time.
A question that I continuously considered was, "Is Paul Burrell actually a celebrity?" And again reached the definition of what a celebrity is (see endnote 2), and I felt in that sense that he was. He is a well known person. But I felt that this was not enough; I wanted to put the theory into practise, so I carried out a survey – entitled "Is Paul Burrell a Celebrity?" I handed out the survey to 27 people, of different ages and genders. And from this primary research I carried out I extracted the following statistical data. 24 people had heard of him, 8 of those questioned followed the series "I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here...Now" featuring Paul Burrell. 22 questioned felt that he was a celebrity. For further details into the results and findings from the questionnaire see the appendices.
What truly astonishes me is the enormous amounts of press coverage that somebody can receive in the 21st century. Take for example Jade Goody, who's career stemmed from Big Brother, she has received massive amounts of airtime through being infamous. The whole of Britain knows her name. However I am pretty sure that not everyone knows who Neil Armstrong is! Young children, for example year 7 pupils, not every one of them would know who Neil Armstrong is. To back this theory up I asked a small group of pupils in the 6th form in a casual environment if they knew who Jade Goody was, all said yes. I questioned the same question, this time concerning Neil Armstrong, three did not know who he was.
Conclusion:
The media is a two way dialogue. Take, if you will, a see-saw, it tilts two ways – this effect is duly noted in the media with the emphasis on audience. With what they want and what the industry wants. The emphasis can and will tilt either way. The industry wants to make as much profit as possible; why? Due to the mercantile and capitalistic culture, existing within western society that is ever prevalent in our country. The Backbone of this is the societal ranking and placing order too. Paul Burrell whether we like it or not, is famous, he makes the news, why? Because the news companies make money out of him, this is seen in Galtung and Ruge's news values. Public opinion has turned against him, yes – this if often, a favourable outcome for the media industry. As negativity a key news value noted by Galtung and Ruge sells papers and makes headlines.
I have disproved Hypotheses A – the reason he is still reported in the news, is not due to a public interest in him, but the surrounding features of him being a celebrity through infamy. Shows such as "I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here Now", put him on air as he was still in the aftermath of the trial surrounding Princess Diana's missing items
, he was also a relatively new 'celebrity' at this point. For ITV he was surely to be a cash cow, he was cheap to hire on to the show, and he would bring in viewing figures. I have in consequence proved Hypotheses B – In general the interest, comes from not the celebrity but the aura and mystery surrounding them and the celebrity system.
Unfortunately, the barriers to becoming a celebrity are being broken down, making it easier for the audience to become the celebrity (even if just temporarily.) This is what has changed to the detriment and made the representation of celebrities to appear even more so vain – this is noted with magazines such as GQ (Gentleman's Quarterly), with the 'best dressed list.' This again links into the ever moving change along the linear route of the fall of celebrity, where the talentless are becoming the select few to be celebrities. Will this fall of talent continue to spiral down due to reality TV? No, but It will most definitely continue to evolve and change.
What we do know for sure, is that the public, desire the celebrity lifestyle and will continue to do so, they will continue to want to know about celebrities! Regardless of whether or not public opinion on celebrities changes negatively, they will still be reported in the media.
We all long for things, it is the hedonistic liefestyle (witnessed in The Great Gatsby) that we all enjoy. For example the good majority of my pay check goes on going out drinking buying clothes etc. . . very little goes on the more mondane things such as books etc. . . If you are reading this, it is more than likely that you are in the top 2% of the worlds population in terms of capital wealth. Yet we are always wanting more. And to be honest we will get what we want. Not that this is bad of course, it is what we know. In Africa, living like they live is what they know. Just like speaking a language. It would feel wierd for us to go live in a mud hut and eat just rice and water all the time, and vice versa for an African to come live in our society.
I do not feel bad for the way we live in society yet we get these activists going mental at us for have two tv's in our houses. . . What is wrong with this? I want more tv's I actually want more stuff... I am content with my belongings but heck I would like more...
I have nothing wrong with activists . . . but I despise the fact that they condone me for wanting more. My family have always donated money to charities it just really grinds my nipples seriously. Back to business though it is because of the capitalistic and hierarchical society we live in that this is the way things our, always wanting more - to climb the ladder of society the programmes we see on TV mtv cribs for example all fabulous houses. . . And I do not condemn this in fact this is what I want to climb I want to climb this pyramid that we live in and BE at the top, a fat cat in society and live the high life I want this I want that. . . But one things for sure we will always be wanting more, and yes wherever we are on this ladder I believe money should be donated to charaties and that to whatever an individual feels appropriate but I do not want to be condemned for climbing the hypothetical ladder and enjoying my hedonistic lifestyle.
I love going abroad. I really do. Places I have proper loved and inspired me mainly have been USA (New York, LA, San Francisco, and The Grand Canyon) On seeing these places, they are all so huge. I mean it is brilliant. Such a vibe and I would love to live out in NY it is soo busy all the time. I reckon even when your 50 you would still feel young! But its this great thing about America on the whole that is just soo magnificant!
And you know what it is. The whole notion surrounding the America Dream. My God its spectacular. But when you take apart what the American Dream is, you realise its now built on nothing - this is why it is all so spectacular to why and how these cities such as NYC exist. And why people continue to want to live their!
Don't get me wrong I'd love to live there! But i'd rather live in Greece. Thanks
Is starting again pretty soon, To watch or not to watch?
What can this year have that is so special. I mean I always end up watching it - but I dunno its not great, the idea of watching people in a house. If I want to do that I could play the SIMS aha. How many series are they guna drag it out for. pft. ho hum. http://www.channel4.com/bb_holding/index.jsp
So we all know about these cheeky MP's claiming for things, we've had them claim for cleaning a moat, to buy a floating birds house. So they are totally paid for by the tax payer. Now I do not have a problem with MP's claiming for expenses for things they need: but do you know what really grinds me is this second home allowence? Why don't we renovate a big lot of land into a communal living for the MP's opposite the Houses of Parliament. We could make it all green and efficient. It would cut down on all this stuff, and it would all be fair? Its what they do in USA and Australia.
Also what i really despise is the fact that we have people who obviously are not experts in what they are minister for. WHY do we not have doctors as the health Ministers and let them or a council of the doctors come up with what we need, and proper businessmen doing the commerce side of things. If something were to happen it would have to happen now, whilst the expenses are being tidied up why do we not sort out the whole of the Houses of Commons.
Also get Gordon Brown OUT nowish please, Vince Cable (LibDems) is the MAN to sort it all out. http://www.libdems.org.uk/ And please why why why do people vote for UKIP they are just muppets, who are too scared to be BNP but are thinking the same. DICKS
On another random strand I am rather excited about seeing John B live very soon. www.myspace.com/johnbbeta
. . . I find myself doing stuff like creating a blog. I've recently signed up to Twitter http://twitter.com/edwardmorgan and have found some of the information on there pretty interesing. One link I found quite funny off of twitter was http://www.awkwardfamilyphotos.com Oh boy that website has had me in stitches for a day or so.
I watched Gumball 3000 http://www.gumball3000.com/ with the Jackass team last night for the first time in a while and it got me inspired, to do one here in the UK with a heap of mates. If anyone fancy's wing me msg on facebook or something. . . It would be cool to do a race around the UK with checkpoints. Laughs. Shits and giggles of course.
So School is pretty much finished now: just exams which I should be revising for right now but ya know I need a break etc. . .
Exams though man are long. How about the teachers just grade us at the end of each term, and if we dont pass we go down a year? thats what they do in the US. One last thing if you haven't heard of the Cassette boys do go look on their youtube! http://www.youtube.com/user/cassetteboy they have just done a video on Alan Sugar and another good one is Gordon Brown they are clips of videos to make them look stupid. Definately worth a visit!
