They Get What!? For Free!?-Why Do We Idolize Them?!

[treybom]

Well recently, probably due to the Academy awards this past weekend my eyes have really been open to some possibly ethical/moral problems in Hollywood and throughout our country. The average price of a gift bag for the Academy awards is...$100,000! Yes 100grand! The guests of the Oscars get these lavish gift bags for free! so 100,000 times all of the gift bag recipients... im not gonna do the math, but that adds up to ALOT of $$$. The question i have is... why do these celebrities get treated like royalty and get whatever they want for free! Why do we idolize them? If anyone has ever seen some episodes of VH1's Fabolous Life you know what i am talking about. All of the money spent on these free gifts could/should be used in a better more productive way. just to name a few.. HUrricane relief, other disaster relief, charities, less fortunate people, people who live in poverty. The average american household income in 2004 was $44,389... and these "celebs" are getting gift bags worth 100,00$!!! i just don't get it , it makes me so upset.. and i hope im not the only person on these boards that feels this way.
just venting here and opening this up into a discussion... so post away with your views
-trey

 

[beth]

WE pay them by going to the movies and paying the big bucks to see them.
They, in turn, get very rich and popular.
Advertiser seek them out, willing to bestow on them lavish "gifts" just so that they will use their product [ie: promote their product].

 

[ruaround]

product promotion... if your favorite celeb used a product and you purchased it then the company profits... silly I agree, but that is marketing...

 

[lovethesea]

Uncle Sam sent them all letters saying they would be taxed on it all.

I don't think I would want to be forced into paying tax on half of the garbage in there.

 

[appaloosa1]

I hate people who do nothing but talk about celebrities. I can't put a name with a picture of a celeb for the life of me. The only movie that can keep me awake is Nemo.

 

[dr. evil]

the thing that gets me is they recieve all these lavish gifts and thier bloated income and then get on tv and

[hr]
at me because i dont give enough to the poor.

 

[lovethesea]

Originally Posted by Appaloosa1
I hate people who do nothing but talk about celebrities. I can't put a name with a picture of a celeb for the life of me. The only movie that can keep me awake is Nemo.

Well......now.....there is George that could keep me awake..... :joy:

 

[treybom]

who voted "yes!!!!" please explain your reasoning!

 

[happyvac]

Dude, as Beth said, its all about product placement.
What better way to advertise your product than have a celebrity use it for practically free?
Sure, I wish it were a different way. But it does work in advertising.

 

[treybom]

Originally Posted by HappyVac
Dude, as Beth said, its all about product placement.
What better way to advertise your product than have a celebrity use it for practically free?
Sure, I wish it were a different way. But it does work in advertising.
i know its advertisiing but they could be spending that money helping people and brag about helping people... getting their name out that way... although probably not as successful

 

[happyvac]

Originally Posted by treybom
i know its advertisiing but they could be spending that money helping people and brag about helping people... getting their name out that way... although probably not as successful

Exactly.

 

[travis89]

I think that they are WAY over payed. I also think that since they have millions in the bank all the time that they should hand some over to me I could use more corals and some nice 500 gal tanks

:joy:

:

 

[kiriapollo]

They are just ordinary people, like us, that have a specific skill, like us, so why do they get preferrential treatment, not us. Where's my gift bag??? I once worked at Chi Chi's and "The Bev" came in. Her was in my town for a play promotion. All he wanted to do was eat. He was flocked by people left and right. Even my Co-workers. That's ridiculous. They are only people. I would see it as an honor to meet them. It would be like meeting the President. But, it's not that great. Advertising gets a free ride with them, whether they endorse the product or not. It was in the celebs hand. That's all that's needed.

 

[cowfishrule]

you guys just dont get it.
the reason that they offer these goody bags at the awards shows is to attract as many celebrities as possible. could you imagine what press the oscars would receive if jolie, pitt, and anniston were in the same room at the same time?
if i had a product that i wanted to sell, such as a suit, you bet your butt im going to pay or offer it to george clooney or brad pitt to wear.
if you were to make a commercial, are you going to pay to have it aired during an episode of "american idol", or a re-run of "cheers"

 

[coachklm]

it's economy people......market system.

got to keep celebs happy so they work so people spend money to watch them.. it's not about goody bags its about the small popcorn you bought and soda while watching finding nemo after paying $7.00+ just to get in the door. multiply that by 6 million and your goody bags are worthless.
and that was just in the theatre what about the millions that waited for i to be rented BAAM theres another % profit then they loved the rental went out and bought the movie BAAAM there it is again supporting the economy that is focused on entertainment.

 

[phixer]

my heart goes out to them

life has to be terrible for them

all that money

and the decisions...

which island should I buy next

 

[beth]

They are highly sought after, not like us. LOL The celebs are basically the royal of the USA, though I don't agree with that, that is how it has turned out.
I don't really give a hoot about them. And their opinions about this country endears them even less to me. They are only actors/performers. If they put on a good show, then cool, but that is a far as it goes for me.

 

[tatoush]

Anybody have any idea what was inside the goody bags.....flawless diamonds?? mach 3 razors??? 10pounds of live rock??? :hilarious :hilarious

Lev

 

[jdragunas]

oh don't even get me started on this... you have stupid actors and baseball players complaining because they only make $30million a year, and you have firemen and policemen who risk their lives every day and make squat!!! Oh, if i were a celebrity, i would live in my same house, pay off my debts, take enough to make a decent living and give the rest away to poor people! Who friggin needs a mirror encrusted with diamonds, or a jacket that costs $500,000??? AHHHHH this is why earth is going straight to hell....

 

[coachklm]

i agree but if the profits didnt go back to the actor they would go where??? thats all there complaining about is the % of profit they recieve from sales.... so some really fat lazy bum sitting behing a desk eating a doughnut kissing butt doesnt become a millionaire for ---well--nothing.
yes it's a missappropriated funds issue it always is but the public buys the services/goods so...it's americas fualt not the actors. that is what strikes/banns are for essentially to tell the actor you wont make any money if it wasnt for the people so stop complaining
they do .do alot of complaining though huh