"Tape Oprah @ 4!" This was the text on a note I left for myself last week. I never ever thought I would have left myself a note imploring myself (or anyone else for that matter) to tape Oprah. Regardless, last week was the replay of the now legendary interview of Tom Cruise on Oprah's show. The very same episode has been reviewed and parodied endlessly and it has become the spark that lit the fuse on all recent the media dissection of Tom Cruise. So I watched the entire piece and my only comment to my brother after the show was, "He seems like an alright guy."
Does this mean that Oprah appearance was a case of 'much ado about nothing?' Well, not quite. I have to agree that he did seem a little overexcited whenever the topic of his girlfriend, Katie Holmes came up. To Oprah's credit, she ensured the subject was brought up often and then sat back and watched his borderline manic responses. But I've seen guys act oddly and say things that are out of character when they're in love. Sure, I haven't seen this since high school, but I have seen it.
As I mentioned before, that Oprah appearance touched off seemingly endless analysis and debate on Tom Cruise. It took an event as big as the "Live 8" concerts for the world to stop talking about Tom, Scientology, his publicist and Katie Holmes.
Has it gotten this bad? Apparently. Why do we care enough to speculate whether Tom and Katie are really in love or if this is an elaborate publicity stunt to cover up Cruise's homosexuality while simultaneously promoting "War of the Worlds" and "Batman Begins." Read that back and think about how ridiculous the second part sounds, yet I've heard it being repeated repeatedly in the media.
But what about the age difference, isn't that creepy? No, not really. It's actually quite common but for some reason now the world seems to care. The relationship angles are truly out of control. I actually found myself hearkening back to the days when Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez were dating. They seemed underexposed by comparison.
I've also learned much more about Scientology than I ever wanted to know. I even briefly considered buying a book on the subject when I remembered that I'm far too cheap to do such a thing. The media reports were particularly comprehensive, so I feel I have a basic understanding their general philosophy. Still, I question my motive. Did I read all that stuff because I want to learn about Scientology or is it just so I can be more interesting at parties whenever the topic of Tom Cruise pops up? Perhaps it's a combination of both.
Article comments
1 - dietdoc
Hardy,
Yeah, and I just chose to read it! I have dibs on the "too much time on my hands" wagon.
Celebrity - as a broad general term which encompasses the public's interest in these artificial properties - is as fascinating a subject as you could ever explore. Why people would go to such lengths to try and "know" everything they can about someone - who, if truth were known, quite probably is a complete dolt and would bore you to tears - will remain a mystery forever. It can be explained and rationalized but, unless you have that "bug," I don't think it can be understood by those like most others who (I assume) could care less.
It just fascinates me, no end. After seeing a show called "I Want A Famous Face" I knew we, as a culture, have lost significant contact with reality. And I am not at all sure we can get it back.
Cheers, an pass me the People magazine,
Ron