Fame Junkies: The Hidden Truths Behind America's Favorite Addiction
by Jake Halpern
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 50)
Read in August, 2007
I picked up this book because I have several star struck nieces who like to keep tabs on stars with ET, and other such shows. There was some intesting info in it. And I didn't disagree with most of the conclusions, but...
I find it a bit hard to bite that what holds true for 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th graders pertains to adults. The polling of those kids takes place at a time when most of us had more time on our hands than we ever would again, no life experience, and relatively few commitments ...more
I find it a bit hard to bite that what holds true for 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th graders pertains to adults. The polling of those kids takes place at a time when most of us had more time on our hands than we ever would again, no life experience, and relatively few commitments ...more
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This book is ok. If you read media criticism or social commentary stuff there is probably nothing in it you haven't heard before [we are fed and consume the necessity of becoming famous; kids are more narcissistic these days; we're bowling alone and fantasizing about becoming stars to make up for lack of connections in real world; the Today show had more on Martha Stewart going to jail than on Darfur..............:].
Aside from the familiar big picture, some of the vignettes were interestng ...more
Aside from the familiar big picture, some of the vignettes were interestng ...more
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Read in June, 2007
has America gone crazy with celebrity worship? Halpern's book is based on an empirical study he did (though sample size was fairly small) of young people and how their view of celebrities has affected their views of themselves and of their futures. The most disconcerting part (so sad but you can't help but keep reading) is the last part about the woman who loves loves loves Rod Stewart. Even if you can't relate completely, this book gives you reasons to think twice about "going with the ...more
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Read in May, 2008
This book is quite good -- one of the best on TV/pop culture I've read. The author provides plenty of personal anecdotes without going down the faux self-deprecating paths of hipsters like Chuck Klosterman; this guy's from Buffalo, he's got moxie and humility and skills. The chapter on the Rod Stewart fan is my favorite, but that just might be because she's from Pittsburgh.
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Read in April, 2008
Very well-researched and interesting. Also very disturbing in some ways, although not disturbing enough to make me cancel my subscription to People magazine.
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Read in May, 2007
recommends it for:
Everyone, Heidi
Super interesting book about America's culture of obsession with celebrity. A good chunk of it focuses on the idea of parents wanting their kids and/or their kids wanting to become "stars" in some sense of the word.
I really enjoyed this
I really enjoyed this
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Interesting. Explains a lot of things you probably already thought about America, but gives stories and statistics to confirm and scare the reality into you. Stop watching tv.
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Read in May, 2007
Fascinating look into why people are so obsessed with celebrity and fame. Appropriate for these times, don't you think?
I reviewed this book for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
I reviewed this book for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
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Read in August, 2007
recommends it for:
people who are interested in the actual life of fame
that it's not so easy to get a modeling job, and that a lot of kids who want to model, and who want fame are given lots of false hope by the agents, and the get ripped off.
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Read in May, 2007
Meh, I was expecting more. Too many studies about self-esteem, body image, etc. The narrative parts were the best.
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Read in May, 2007
Doesn't really offer any answers, but the exploration of the subject is entertaining and insightful.
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Read in September, 2007
recommends it for:
all
I'm convinced I'm a victim of the personal fable. damn the self-esteem education of the eighties.
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Read in May, 2008
I wanted to like it more... but it just didn't get up & move somewhere interesting.
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Read in June, 2007
a good read for anyone living in l.a. or working with "the industry"
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Read in January, 2007
recommends it for:
anybody who reads US weekly... or makes fun of anyone who reads it.
revealing of our human- and American-human-nature...
so far so good
so far so good
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