Entertainers and the Rich!

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This post could get me into a lot of trouble!  (And I'll be  dreading the flood of hate mail!) 

But here goes.

In a recent post entitled "How Do You Greet Guests", I received an "Anonymous" comment that said:  "I've noticed you slightly bash Hollywood types.  Are they second class citizens or looked down upon in Richistan?"

This question gave me pause.  And I had to do some soul searching and serious research to come up with any kind of half-way intelligent answer.

But I'm going to say yes -- there seems to be a lingering prejudice among some circles in high society against "show people".  Singers, actors, and dancers.


In modern times (as you very well know), entertainers are at the very pinnacle of our culture!  We worship them as gods and follow their every move in tv news, magazines and tabloids.  We even change our looks, hair styles and fashions to be like them. 

All said and done, we adore our favorite stars!  And the Academy Awards each year attracts millions of viewers, all over the world!

Even Regina herself, Queen Elizabeth, jumps in on this -- knighting successful entertainers and recognizing their achievements:

Our beloved Sir Paul McCartney, Dame Edit Evans, Sir John Gielgud,    Dame Margaret Rutherford!  Not forgetting Dame Elizabeth Taylor.

But not so long ago in Regina's own country, actors were looked upon with scorn and mistrust!  In fact, women were forbidden to go on the stage, and men and boys had to play their roles.  The same for the Romans and ancient Greek tragedies.  No women on stage. 

In medieval times, traveling shows and show people were blamed for The Plague that killed half of Europe's population, for crimes (especially theft) and for promiscuity of every nature. 

And the Vatican was more than mildly alarmed by their presence and growing popularity!

As for entertainers being attracted to the rich, and vice versa?  Well, of course!  We have examples of this all the time.  (Marilyn Monroe and Howard Hughes?  What was that all about?)


But to get to the bottom of all this, the deep basic prejudice seems to be something like this: "They're not doctors or philosophers, or research scientists -- they're not great builders or inventors -- they're just show people." 

No doubt there's some jealousy involved in this kind of thinking, that entertainers get all the attention, and applause.  (Completely overlooking the talent that brought about their fame.)

But that's what I'm dealing with around here.  The old rich looking askew at show people, and the modern stars of today.


Before you go tonight, here's a link to Cher's "Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves".  

Her lyrics deal with this very topic in a frank and bold way -- "I was born in the wagon of a travellin' show, my mama used to dance for the money they'd throw....." 

Thanks for reading tonight.  And apologies all 'round if I've been offensive! 

But things are as they are.

I myself would probably have a slow coronary if Pitt and Jolie showed up at this house for cocktails!  Ha! 


Thanks for stopping by tonight,

Andrew