3.2 million people tuned in to watch Larry King interview Paris Hilton last week. Three times his usual audience.
One thing that I'm sick of hearing from everyone over the age of 30 is: "I can't understand why Paris Hilton is even famous!" Don't search too hard folks, don't over analyze and don't position her as the downfall of morals in America. There's nothing going on here that we haven't seen before.
First of all, let's ground ourselves a bit. Pretty much anyone over the age of 25 looks to celebrities for their contributions to society. Those contributions are delivered through verbal or written means, backed by opinions or an educated point-of-view. Additionally, such societal contributions can come from business success or political achievement: think Oprah, Clooney, Steve Jobs. The fact is, once we reach a certain age, we're primarily looking to develop our brain, not our outward sense of style. Our sense of style was established long ago and we only build upon it, or slightly adjust it, as years go by.
A younger audience (those under 25) are different. They're still looking to define their own style and, for women, Paris stands for "fabulousness with a degree of danger." Now, before you laugh at that, please remember, each generation has had these people; Betty Page, Al Capone, James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Faye Dunaway, Jack Nicholson. Added on top of that, these people have MEDIA PRESENCE. This cannot be manufactured--certain people capture our attention while others don't.
Presence is a funny thing. When someone walks into a room, they either have presence, or they don't. And, as near as I can tell, there are no clear physical attributes for presence. It probably helps to be tall, or maybe blonde, but anyone who's been in the same room with Kevin Spacey knows that he carries presence--and he's neither. Furthermore, anyone who's seen "All About Eve" can confirm that when Marilyn enters frame for the first time, Betty Davis becomes the background. Paris has presence. Nicole Richie doesn't.
Presence combined by "fabulousness with a degree of danger" is why the youth like Paris Hilton. We've seen this before and someone else will facscinate us like Paris has in another ten years or so. Just think what the media will be like then?!
As for the ratings? I ask this: before Larry King, had you ever really heard Paris SPEAK before? I hadn't. What would she say? What was her voice like? Would she laugh? Would she be mean? Personally, I was kinda curious. No need to over-analyze.
3.2 million viewers was more than both political debates this year. What does this say about our country? It doesn't speak to our morals. I think our politicians need a little more glamour, a little more of a unique opinion, and a little more edge. Maybe then America would pay more attention.
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