Fifteen Minutes of Fame

[August1991]

Michael Chong:

"I believe in this great country of ours, and I believe in one nation undivided, called Canada," said Chong in a press conference hours before the vote.

"This is a fundamental principle for me, and not something I can, or will, compromise -- not now, not ever. While I'm loyal to my party and to my leader, my first loyalty is to my country."

CTV

[kimmy]

Michael Chong:

"I believe in this great country of ours, and I believe in one nation undivided, called Canada," said Chong in a press conference hours before the vote.

"This is a fundamental principle for me, and not something I can, or will, compromise -- not now, not ever. While I'm loyal to my party and to my leader, my first loyalty is to my country."

CTV

I'm sure that I'm not the only one whose first reaction to this news event was "Who resigned from what, again?"

-k

[August1991]

For what it is worth, Peter Boyle probably got more than his Fifteen Minutes of Fame but I think the minutes in Slither were the best.

His minutes in The Candidate are worth mention:

Marvin Lucas (Peter Boyle), a cynical and shrewd professional campaign manager, has discovered a potential golden boy -- the son of a former California governor who is now a legal-aid lawyer and left-liberal gadfly. Lucas went to Stanford with young Bill McKay (Robert Redford) and figures that he'll parlay that former friendship into a major campaign job. He meets McKay in his office; McKay is shrewd and suspicious, but Lucas persuades him that the incumbent Republican, the smooth and folksy Crocker Jarmon (Don Porter), deserves to be challenged even though he may well have a lock on his bid for a fourth term in the Senate. McKay is still suspicious, but Lucas agrees to let him say what he wants and go where he wants and have final say on every campaign decision -- the guarantee being "You lose."

Weird Link

In The Candidate, when he looks across the table at Redford, then scrawls in the match box and flips it to show "You Lose", Boyle exposes the whole plot line of Redford's "Quiz Show". Not a bad fifteen minutes.

[DarkAngel_]

Natascha Kampusch:

She did not answer all the questions, let alone dispel all the mysteries. But Natascha Kampusch, the Austrian schoolgirl held captive in a windowless cellar for eight years before she escaped two weeks ago, went public with a revealing, often harrowing account of her ordeal.

IHT

was this sexual crime? i don't think i'm following... Help?

[DarkAngel_]

I actually agree with you.

The worst, though, is voyeuristic entertainment that exploits the worst human curiousity. It's up to each individual to try to curtail the demand...

I'm making an attempt!

August is right by making this connection though. It's our (well not mine, but society's) interest in watching others suffer and die that motivates these types of killers and attention seekers. If people were disinterested in watching others in terror or suffer immensly, it's unlikely that people like Mr. Gill would have attempted such an act out of wanting like he said, to make a notorious name for himself. If people didn't enjoy or demand to read about the suffering of Domi's kids, the divorce wouldn't be first page news.

It's about making people feel superior because they don't have the same problems, I'd generalise it as we have a society with members very insecure of themselves, and they need to see others suffer. It's like the big crowd that watches the media bully beat up the already suffering and disadvantaged.

What happened to the Amish may have still happened, it didn't seem like this guy was an attention seeker, but at least the community would be left to grieve in peace without a 40 foot TV crane zooming in on the dead during the funereals.

I have less respect for journalists than any other profession.

don't think me cruel... but some suffering is injoyable, as a kid for instance, torchering a cat.

i also see in a sense of awe, some kind of suffering the villan feels, maybe an envy of what could have been, or a lack of empathy, or worse, a todal sense of moral apathy and isolation from the crowd.

[August1991]

Case Babe on Deal or No Deal

Seldom have so many hoped so hard for something so unlikely — the definition of the modern longing to be famous on TV. Today is the last day of the five-city Deal or No Deal Model Search. One woman will be selected for a handful of episodes to be broadcast exclusively in Canada next month.

The girls are auditioning to be “case babes.” They have to be “physically able to walk up and down stairs in time to music and carry a briefcase.” Beyond that, “hopefuls planning to audition should possess a winning combination of natural charisma, wit, warmth and enthusiasm” — what John Brunton, the executive producer of Insight Production, the company that's putting the Canadian Deal or No Deal shows together for Global Television, calls “sparkle.”

....

In the course of nearly 50 auditions, precisely three women have what Mr. Brunton is looking for. You can see the quality the moment Alice Panikian appears — six feet tall in her bare feet, magnetic beauty, a huge head on a body that could cause global warming all on its own.

And who is Alice? She was Canada's entry in last year's Miss Universe pageant. She is not a conversationalist. If you ask her why she's here, she says, “I really don't know anything. They just told me to come see the casting director.”

But when the camera clicks on, Alice pops. She displays the mysterious thing — the injustice of the physical, the unfairness that keeps us in thrall.

[Live From China]

I found this Globe and Mail article extremely interesting. The attached letters are even moreso.

What I am finding truly amazing is that so many young women are hoping to "become famous" for doing something so utterly brainless. There seems to be a huge number of these types of shows on TV. What happened to the concept of a challenge? Or an education? I think of all of the women of "my generation" who labored so hard to be recognized for their education, skills and abilities.

What amazes me are the contestants who know that they will be rejected in the first 10 minutes because they are too short (I mean, way too short) or too old. And they trot out the ridiculous little bon mots: "Well, you just never know!" Of course you know! The results are largely predetermined. Why not put the time that you spent driving all night into getting an education?

I have also talked to young people who seem utterly enthralled by this type of programming. I mean the results were probably decided within the first hour. Anything else is just an elaborate scam.

[August1991]

Lindsay Lohan, 20 years old, rehab

"I have made a proactive decision to take care of my personal health. I appreciate your well wishes and ask that you please respect my privacy at this time," said the 20-year-old actress in a statement issued Wednesday through her publicist, Leslie Sloane Zelnick. Us Weekly reports that Lohan entered the posh Wonderland Center in Los Angeles at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, arriving in a sports utility vehicle and clutching a Jamba Juice.

Zelnick confirmed to The Associated Press in December that Lohan was attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

Lohan told People magazine then that she had been going to the meetings for a year.

"I haven't had a drink in seven days. Or anything," she said to People. "I'm not even legal to, so why would I? I don't drink when I go to clubs. I drink with my friends at home, but there's no need to. I feel better not drinking. It's more fun. I have Red Bull."

What is Jamba Juice?

[Live From China]

What is Jamba Juice?

Probably some sort of health drink or fruit drink. Of course, it is clearly mentioned in the article so that Lohan is painted in as positive a light as possible.

What I really notice is that celebrities are the most avid publicity hogs when they are painted in a glowing light, but when the darker side of their existence is exposed they vilify the press. And, of course, when they are portrayed as the most important person in existence, they make sure everything is carefully crafted and staged. They never like being seen as they really are.

[geoffrey]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamba_Juice

Seems like it's an American "Booster Juice."

[Riverwind]

"I haven't had a drink in seven days. Or anything," she said to People. "I'm not even legal to, so why would I? I don't drink when I go to clubs. I drink with my friends at home, but there's no need to. I feel better not drinking. It's more fun. I have Red Bull.

Sounds like she is just substituting one buzz for another...

[Live From China]

Every time someone like Lohan has one of these pre-staged, pre-scripted sessions for some publication like People magazine, it just sounds so insincere, shallow and phony. Really, another addicted celebrity just isn't news.

I think a fate worse than death for these publicity hogs would be receiving no press at all. Just imagine the only information you get is the latest movie they're in and that's it (And I know there some celebrities who shun the press and lead peaceful lives). Ah, I dare to dream

[August1991]

Navy Capt Lisa Nowak, 43, Discovery space shuttle astronaut:

According to her written police statement, Capt Nowak described her attachment to Cmdr Oefelein as "more than a working relationship but less than a romantic relationship".

Capt Nowak is understood to have thought that Ms Shipman was romantically involved with Cmdr Oefelein.

So, when she heard that her rival was due to fly from Texas to Florida, she decided to drive the 1,000 miles (1,600km) from her home in Houston to Orlando International Airport to intercept and confront her.

...

To avoid toilet breaks during the long drive to Orlando, Capt Nowak is alleged to have worn an adult nappy - such as astronauts wear during shuttle launches and landings - and she disguised herself with a wig, dark glasses and a trench coat.

Once at the airport she is alleged to have waited for Ms Shipman to arrive and then followed her onto an airport shuttle bus which dropped Ms Shipman at her car.

According to a police affidavit, Ms Shipman says she became aware that someone was following her and so hurried into the vehicle and locked the doors.

Capt Nowak reportedly banged on the car window and asked for a lift, and then to use Ms Shipman's mobile phone.

Ms Shipman refused, but rolled down the window when Capt Nowak began to cry.

Ms Shipman was then attacked with pepper spray, the statement says. She managed to drive to a car park booth and police were called.

An officer followed Capt Nowak and she was stopped allegedly carrying the wig, an air rifle, a steel mallet, rubber tubing, dustbin bags, black gloves and a knife.

BBC

[August1991]

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, Florida:

Buddy Morton, owner of Passion, a nightclub at the Hard Rock, recalls when Smith visited in August 2005. ``She was an amazing lady -- a lot of fun. She stayed late at the club ... and was drinking and having a blast. She was laughing, flashing [her breasts at] people. She was very cordial and very beautiful. She really made our club that night.''

Smith's death marked the second at the Hard Rock this year and the third since the hotel and casino opened in 2004. Brian Osorio, 23, bled to death Jan. 14, 2007 after falling down and cutting his arm near the casino; another man was killed in 2005 after he fell into traffic during a fist fight outside the hotel.

Miami Herald

[jdobbin]

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, Florida:

Buddy Morton, owner of Passion, a nightclub at the Hard Rock, recalls when Smith visited in August 2005. ``She was an amazing lady -- a lot of fun. She stayed late at the club ... and was drinking and having a blast. She was laughing, flashing [her breasts at] people. She was very cordial and very beautiful. She really made our club that night.''

Smith's death marked the second at the Hard Rock this year and the third since the hotel and casino opened in 2004. Brian Osorio, 23, bled to death Jan. 14, 2007 after falling down and cutting his arm near the casino; another man was killed in 2005 after he fell into traffic during a fist fight outside the hotel.

Miami Herald

Even ABC says she managed to extend her 15 minutes of fame beyond what would be expected.

[Charles Anthony]

extracted from

Earnst Zundel -- 14 counts of incitement for Holocaust denial

Zundel is a hero, whether he is right or wrong he stood by his beliefs and went to jail for the sake of his beliefs, need for the truth and sense of community. Many of the leaders in power today do not share these qualities and are often backstabbers, liars and war criminals.

Ernst Zundel is not a hero. His mission in life is demeaning and has nothing to do with promoting freedom of speech nor to promote freedom.

From the very beginning of his shenanigans to now, my sense is that he wants notoriety. The inordinate amount of effort and the most predictable outcome of his efforts leads me to the following supposition: he either has a severe mental problem or he is possessed by an evil spirit.

CAVEAT:

1) the preceding is just my cheap opinion, I have no interest in researching anything to support it

2) this does not truly fit "The Fickle Finger of Fate" because I believe this man deliberately chooses his fate

[August1991]

Lisa Robertson, Qantas Flight Attendant

The Australian stewardess has told friends she recognised Fiennes, 44, as he soon as he settled into his business class seat, 2K, for the nine-hour flight from Darwin.

"I've always fancied him and to see him on my flight was a real thrill," she told them.

...

"I just stood up, reached down for his hand and told him to follow me," she told friends.

"We went into the toilet and locked the door and off came much of our clothes."

She said they then had passionate and apparently unprotected sex.

Other crew members, more than a little suspicious, waited outside the door and later reported her to airline bosses.

Miss Robertson, 38, told friends she was so overwhelmed with the moment that she did not care who was listening, what they saw or what they assumed had been going on.

...

She has told friends that not long after arriving in Mumbai her mobile phone rang.

It was Fiennes. He wanted to see her again.

They met at a hotel and spent a passionate night together, this time practising safe sex.

"Lisa was completely smitten by him," said a friend. "She just hoped that the relationship could continue on from there but perhaps she was hoping for too much."

It is understood she has not heard from Fiennes since their encounter.

According to the actor's schedule, he had to set off the next morning for engagements in Indian villages, which included 'preaching' about the dangers of Aids and the need to engage in safe sex.

[geoffrey]

Now that is funnnnnyyyy.

[Live From China]

I've got an idea!

Instead of these so-called reality shows such as America's next top whatever, or giving so much press to Anna what's her face, how about this: they have a program where people really have to prove that they are intelligent, that they are actually prepared to work toward a successful career and then they win a university scholarship.

Like this will ever really happen!!!!

[geoffrey]

Instead of these so-called reality shows such as America's next top whatever, or giving so much press to Anna what's her face, how about this: they have a program where people really have to prove that they are intelligent, that they are actually prepared to work toward a successful career and then they win a university scholarship.

Actually, I could see that working. There has been a few successful thinking shows in the past... Who Wants to be a Millionaire (though not that intellectual) and what about the always great Jeopardy?

Donald Trump's The Apprentice does require these business people to form teams and complete various projects, which I'd argue is actually fairly reflective on some aspects of the real world... and the winners definitely have reflected real world competencies.

[August1991]

Liviu Librescu 76, Professor of Applied Mechanics at Virginia Technical University

"Apparently he did something really good for many people and I'm proud of what he did," Joe Librescu told CBC News.

"He was a hero for me for what he has done throughout his life."

Librescu, who grew up in Romania, was only a boy when his native country joined forces with Nazi Germany in the Second World War. His family said Librescu was interned at a labour camp and then sent to a ghetto with his family and thousands of other Jews.

Librescu survived the war and found work at a government aerospace company. His family said his career was stonewalled when he refused to pledge allegiance to Romania's Communist regime in the 1970s.

He was then fired because he requested permission to move to Israel, his family recalled.

He and his family made the move to Israel in 1978, and remained in the country until Librescu was asked in 1985 to teach at Virginia Tech, formally known as Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Librescu, who specialized in composite structures and aeroelasticity, published many research papers and books, and received numerous awards for his work.

His wife, speaking to reporters Wednesday, said her husband always thought of others before he thought of himself. This was most evident on the day he died, she said.

"He was fighting for everyone," Marlena Librescu said. "He was always helping how he could, but he was not able to help himself."

[jbg]

August 1991, unbeatable "15 minutes" post. May people remember that forever.

[August1991]

Taylor Hasselhoff, 16, Las Vegas:

It is 16-year-old Taylor Ann Hasselhoff who can be heard on camera begging her father, who's shirtless and sitting on the floor in his Las Vegas residence, to quit boozing.

"Dad, look what this is doing to you," the teenager says. "You have to stop drinking alcohol, promise me you won't drink anymore."

"The doctor is coming over here in the morning to check your alcohol level. If you have any alcohol in your system, you are going to be fired from the show." Hasselhoff has been starring as flamboyant director Roger De Bris in the Vegas version of The Producers.

You can see the video here (if you're one of the few who hasn't already).

[August1991]

Another one from Las Vega, the city of short but intense celebrity.

Bruce Fromong, memorabilia dealer and alleged victim of alleged gun-toting thief O.J. Simpson, makes media plans to become famous:

An hour after O.J. and crew raided a Vegas hotel room, the alleged victims were planning their media moves.

...

TMZ has obtained an audiotape recorded about an hour after Simpson left. Bruce Fromong, one of the alleged victims, is heard saying, "I've already called the press." Fromong continues, "I've already called "Inside Edition." I'm trying to get Lydia's number, but it was in my f*****g phone that he stole."

Fromong rants at Alfred Beardsley, the other alleged victim, saying, "I told you we shouldn't have brought this s**t in. I told you." Beardsley replies, "Bruce, Bruce, Bruce, do you know how much money you're gonna make off this?" Fromong responds, "I don't give a s**t."

Then Fromong complains about O. J. Simpson, the alleged thief:

An hour after the incident, Bruce Fromong, a sports memorabilia dealer and an alleged victim, can be heard ranting, "Nobody puts a gun in my f****n' face. I stood up for that motherf***er in -- in while he was in jail. I stood up for him in the press. I stood up for him on the, on the stand. I helped him set up his f***in' offshore accounts. Don't f**k with me."

Edited September 19, 2007 by August1991

[guyser]

OJ is one huge train wreck. Entrapment (I doubt it), setup, who cares, let the trial happen and see what comes.

What should be fun is that the IRS has to now be aware of his income producing shows, and since he must turn over all earned money and isnt paying income tax on this income (it is all cash), they will and can nail his arse and throw him in prison.