steve.clarke.weblog

This insane fixation with fame puzzles me.

It seems like the highest pinnacle of life for the majority of the planet (at least in our western world) is to be famous - no matter what the cost.

Do people want fame just for the recognition? Is it just an issue with wanting to be noticed?

Do they want fame hoping to get the money that usually accompanies it? If it's just the money, there are lots of ways to get money without all the negatives of fame. I'd rather be rich and completely anonymous - at least i'd be able to actually enjoy the money and have a life that was my own.

Case in point: have you seen the contract that the American Idol contestants signed in the hope to be famous? They signed their lives away to be on that show; and the worst off is the winner.

I really pity Reuben more than I congratulate him.

I read this article after Kelly Clarkson won the first American Idol show and re-read it today. It describes the details of the contract that she, and now presumably Reuben, signed. Here's an excerpt from the article:

According to the version of the contract one entertainment lawyer posted to the Internet, Fuller and his company own the names, likenesses, voices and personal histories of the "Idol" finalists, "in or in connection with" the show, forever. 19 Group can use that material however it wants, even if it's false, embarrassing or damaging.

And here are a couple of actual excerpts from the contract:

"... I hereby grant to Producer the unconditional right throughout the universe in perpetuity to use, simulate or portray (and to authorize others to do so) or to refrain from using, simulating or portraying, my name, likeness (whether photographic or otherwise), voice, singing voice, personality, personal identification or personal experiences, my life story, biographical data, incidents, situations and events which heretofore occurred or hereafter occur, including without limitation the right to use, or to authorize others to use any of the foregoing in or in connection with the Series ...

... I understand that, in and in connection with the Series, I may reveal and/or relate, and other parties ... may reveal and/or relate information about me of a personal, private, intimate, surprising, defamatory, disparaging, embarrassing or unfavorable nature, that may be factual and/or fictional."

Wow.

If someone put that contract in front of me, I'd tell them to take their fame and shove it.