72 Point Blog National News, PR and Market Research Specialists…

10th   Jun

When Will I Be Famous?

Big Brother is back, which means we have to endure another 13 weeks of “I’m bonkers, me” type-folk invading our TV screens in their frantic pursuit of “celebrity status”.

Those of us who work in PR will not be able to escape BB. Even if we choose not to watch the programme, we still need to read papers and go online. Is anyone else already tired of the #BB hash tag?

Why anyone finds the idea of shacking up with a bunch of irritating strangers under the glaring eye of the nation beats me.

But astonishingly, “10,000 people auditioned in London, Manchester, Cardiff, Glasgow and Dublin throughout January and February.”

We live in a world obsessed with fame. Although this obsession has evolved massively with new media platforms, primarily the internet and reality television - it certainly isn’t a new phenomenon. Some trace “celebrity” back to the ancient Greek Gods who were esteemed and idolised because of their extraordinary powers.

In the early 1900s, “movie stars began to be the true A-list celebrities” - and Hollywood actors are still revered because they have talent – an art - they can act – they dazzle us with their performances.

But many of today’s breed of aspiring celebrities seek fame for fame’s sake. And the prospect of achieving “celebrity status” is a considerable enough incentive for these people to endure a host of degrading ordeals.

But why? With what end-goal?

Perhaps celeb status is seen by some as an easy route to wealth? Or maybe the prospect of press exposure is alluring to those with an extrovert streak.

Or just possibly, if one has no other goal, aspiration or life-plan – appearing on Big Brother – or sleeping with a footballer and selling your story – or singing badly on a talent show - is a desperate and last-ditched attempt to feel a sense of self-worth and achievement.

It saddens me that there are people out there who de-value themselves to that extent – it saddens me that Ch4 would churn out this vacuous bilge - and in doing so - take advantage of people who should realise they could achieve a hell of a lot more than becoming the girl who showed the nation her boobs in the Big Brother house.

Written by Harriet