Expository Essay: Fame Junkies and Our Addiction to Fame

In his introduction to Fame Junkies, Jake Halpern writes:

Anyone who has ever been in the limelight, even for participating in a high school musical or telling a good story at a cocktail party, can attest to the fact that there is a rush that comes with commanding everyone’s attention. Isn’t it possible that this feeling is, in fact, addictive? Isn’t it possible that many behaviors related to fame—including becoming famous, being near the famous, and even reading about the famous—trigger a rush, a high, or even a numbing effect that is potentially addictive?

In a concise essay, illustrate some of the obsessive lengths the famous (and not-so-famous) go to to feed this addiction to celebrity. What drives them to so fervently pursue fame? How does their desire to simply be famous differ from a desire to be recognized for their talents or accomplishments? Finally, can their pursuit of fame really be likened to an addiction? Cite specific evidence from Fame Junkies to support your thesis.

Requirements:

• MLA Style, including parenthetical citation
• 3-page minimum
• Include a works cited page

The best papers will:

• Stay within the parameters of the prompt
• Have a concise thesis that both specifically addresses the subject matter and contains a viable argument
• Clearly support their thesis utilizing solid evidence presented in a logical structure
• Properly cite evidence from Fame Junkies using MLA's parenthetical citation method
• Conclude with a summation of the main points
• Be formatted according to MLA Style 

Due: Wednesday, Feb. 20th

Celebrity News 02.12.13

• Chris Brown as ungracious as ever at the Grammys (Hollywood Reporter)
• New York Fashion Week and the coveted front row seat (New York Times)
• Italian tabloid poised to publish photos of pregnant Kate Middleton in a bikini (Huntington Post)
• Four-year-old Vivienne Jolie-Pitt's first acting gig paying $3,000/week (TMZ)
• All the rage suddenly: Celebrity brand ambassadors (Business Insider)
• The politics of the Oscar's "In Memoriam" montage (Yahoo! News)

Week 04

WEEK 04
Read: FAME—“6. When Reflected Glory Isn't Enough: Confessions of an Upwardly Mobile Celebrity ‘Slave’” – “8. Conclusion: Some Reflections from Hollywood's Premier Retirement Home”

Mo 02.11
Reading discussion; Presentations, Lecture—“Citing Sources in MLA: The Basics”

We 02.13
Reading discussion; Presentations, Lecture—“MLA Style 101”
Due: REFLECTION 03 

Upcoming:

WEEK 05
Read: eR—“Creative nonfiction: Where Journalism and Storytelling Meet” (The Writer),“’In Cold Blood’, Half a Century On” (Guardian), “’In Cold Blood’: A Legacy, in Photos” (Lawrence-Journal-World), “’In Cold Blood’ a Cold Case Police Decide is Worth Digging Up” (Los Angeles Times),"One Night on a Kansas Farm" (New York Times); COLD—p. 1-100

Mo 02.18
Reading discussion; Presentations; Lecture—“How to do a Close Reading”

We 02.20
Reading discussion; Lecture—“How to do a Close Reading”
Due: (ANNOTATED) EXPOSITORY ESSAY—INSTRUCTIONS TO BE GIVEN IN CLASS PRIOR TO DUE DATE 

Celebrity News 02.07.13

• Just weeks after pledging to help stop gun violence, Kim Kardashian posts photo of her jewel-encrusted gun (The Sun)
• Chris Brown: "I honestly think I deserve respect" (Spin)
• Beyoncé's publicist asks for unflattering photos to be pulled (Slate)
• Too soon?: Filmmaker seeks funding for Sandy Hook film, angering Newton community (Salon)
• Out figure skater Johnny Weir's advice to other gay Olympians: "Don't wear a big rainbow flag fur coat. If you don't call attention to yourself, attention won't come to you." (USA Today)
• Adidas "brand ambassador" Selena Gomez ambushed by anti-sweatshop activist during New York Fashion Week (US Weekly) 

Reflection 03: Somebody Think of the Children—Celebrity Kids and the Paparazzi

It's generally understood that when it comes to modern-day fame, the paparazzi are part of the package. Yet, today's celebrities are only marginally protected against these intrusive and aggressive photographers (whose actions are largely constitutionally protected). So bad is it that now even the children of celebrities must also routinely endure throngs of overly zealous photographers. In fact, competition for photos of celebrity kids is so fierce that it has become a burgeoning industry unto itself. Meanwhile, many of the kids themselves, including Suri Cruise and Violet Affleck, seem increasingly stressed, even exasperated, with the situation. What do you believe is the long term effect of all this attention on the kids? As famous offspring, should they be fair game? Do celebrity kids have a right to a day at the park or to go out for ice cream like any other kid? And what should be the role of the law? Finally, if you were a celebrity, what would you do to protect your children from intrusive photographers?

Include at least three of the following in your discussion:

• "Leave Sage and Suri Alone" (Salon)
• "Paparazzi Turn Lenses on Stars' Kids: Fair Game or Cheap Shot?" (ABC News)
• "Are Celebs' Kids Fair Game for Paparazzi?" (USA Today)
• "Christina Applegate Slams Paparazzi: 'Taking Pics of Kids is Sick!'"(Huffington Post)
• "Angelina Jolie’s Children Paparazzi Law: An Idea Worth Celeb Lobbying" (The Wrap)
• "Halle Berry Talks Paparazzi: 'Our Children Should Be Off Limits'" (Access Hollywood)

Requirements:

• MLA Style
• Two full pages in length
• Works cited page

Find a sample reflection HERE.

Due: We 02.13

Week 03

WEEK 03
Read: FAME—“3. A Home for the Famous and Almost Famous” – “5. The Desire to Belong: Why Everyone Wants to Have Dinner with Paris Hilton and 50 Cent”

Mo 02.04
Reading discussion; Lecture—“Writing as a Process, Pt. 2”

We 02.06
DIAGNOSTIC ESSAY

UPCOMING:

WEEK 04
Read: FAME—“6. When Reflected Glory Isn't Enough: Confessions of an Upwardly Mobile Celebrity ‘Slave’” – “8. Conclusion: Some Reflections from Hollywood's Premier Retirement Home”

Mo 02.11
Reading discussion; Presentations, Lecture—“Citing Sources in MLA: The Basics”

We 02.13
Reading discussion; Presentations, Lecture—“MLA Style 101”
Due: REFLECTION 03

Celebrity News 02.02.13

• Anne Hathaway spoof to Academy voters: "I played a prostitute who died." (Daily Beast)
• 49ers cornerback Chris Culliver: "No, we don't got no gay people on the team, they gotta get up out of here if they do." (Yahoo! Sports)
• Frank Ocean won't press charges on Chris Brown (Huffington Post)
• Unearthed: Previously unseen photos of Nicholas Cage as Tim Burton's Superman (Pink is the New Blog)
• Lady Gaga vs former personal assistant (New York Post)
• David Beckham to play for Paris Saint Germain, donates salary to children's charity (Forbes)