The End of an Era

My husband told me something last night that I sincerely hope is true. He said the film industry will be slashing actor salaries. They appear to be losing too much money in these days and times. The days of $20 million for a film are over.

I certainly hope so.

This is how I feel about actors and actresses: they get paid a ridiculous amount of money to pretend to be other people. They are professional liars. Why the hell do they get paid so much money? They aren't curing cancer or replacing the hole in the ozone. Not only do they get paid waaaaay too much, people send them free stuff all the time and the rest of the world treats them like royalty.

WHY?

When the Titanic sank most of the actors were in third class. Why? Because being an actor in that day meant you were too lazy to get a real job. They were looked down upon, even viewed as disappointments to their families. Some were famous, I'm not saying they weren't, but most were viewed unfavorable. It wasn't until the 1920's when mobs took over and started hanging out with stars in Vegas that being an actor became something of a status symbol. Today star worshiping is so far over the top that it's hard to believe sometimes.

These days actors think that because they made a film about politics they are politicians. They actually think their opinions matter in all facets of the globe. I'm sorry, but lending your name to a cause is not helping that cause at all. Why can't more actors be like Bill Gates and donate a huge chunk of money to take care of those less fortunate then themselves? Why aren't these actors going back to their high schools or communities and helping them?

Here in St. Louis Nelly is a God. Not just because he is famous, but because he built community center after community center in his old hood. He's opened a restaurant here that spotlights local talent. He has given back to all the people that helped him get to the top. Why is that so rare?

Because, ladies and gentlemen, actors (and stars) are human, and being human they have turned selfish. They lavish themselves with cars, houses, jewelry, and people and act like they've worked so hard to deserve it.

And it's our fault, too. We took our entertainers and put them on this pedestal. We flock to see them and scream out their names. We act as if we've seen Jesus when we meet them in person. We try to imitate their styles, dress, and attitude. We buy up all the magazines and books that have anything to do with them. We pay outrageous prices to see them. We ignore the important issues in our lives because actors take those worries away.

It needs to stop.