Does the Media Fuel Our Celebrity Obsession?

As I was scrolling through my on-screen guide to decide what to watch after the evening news, I saw no less than half a dozen shows dedicated to the spread of "news" and gossip about celebrities. They spend half an hour telling us everything from where and with whom a celebrity had dinner last night to the most salacious and scandalous things celebrities have done. As a general rule, they are filled with half-truths and video footage of a couple of dozen papparazzi (stalkerazzi) photographers/videographers chasing those celebrities to their cars and into buildings. Unfortunately, they aren't the worst offenders. The worst offenders are the tabloid "news" magazines that line the racks at the grocery store check out counter. They almost never have the true story, just some person we've never heard of's spin on a picture they have bought. And most of these shows and publications have websites with even more "information" on them.

The sad, and scary truth is that many people believe everything they see and hear from theses shows and magazines. There are people that comb these shows, publications, and websites for any tidbit they can find about whatever celebrities they can. My question is, do those shows and publications fuel our celebrity obsession or does our obsession cause these shows and publications to continue to spread their gossip and "news"?

Now, I understand the desire to know more about the people our favorite actors, actresses, musicians, and sports figures are when they aren't on our TV screens, on a stage, or on a playing field. But when does our interest become an obsession and do we really need all these shows, magazines, and websites to tell us their spin on what they think is going on in those people's lives?

Personally, I have a "less is more" philosophy when it comes to knowing what is going on in the lives of celebrities. I believe they are entitled to just as much privacy as the rest of us have. If they want to share the details of their personal lives with us through personal websites, fan clubs, newsletters, or even press conferences then that's their choice, but for there to be so many shows and publications dedicated solely to the spread of "news" about them to me is unhealthy and potentially dangerous.

I have talked before about celebrity stalkers, specifically the highly disturbed woman who has for the last few years has been obsessively stalking actor David Caruso and sending death threats to him and his family. Unfortunately, this isn't the only case in recent history of celebrity stalkers. Jennifer Garner has had to take legal action to protect herself from a stalker and Paula Abdul recently had an obsessed stalker commit suicide outside her Los Angeles home. I can't help but wonder if the media isn't atleast partially to blame for this type of behavior or if people like this are the reason the tabloid media stays in business. I'd love to hear your take on this.

URGENT REMINDER: Below is a copy of the actual death threat that was sent to David Caruso by HeidiMarie Shnitzer as well as a photograph of her. She a fugitive from justice with an International Arrest Warrant on her head. She is considered incredibly dangerous. If you come across her, contact the police immediately. Do not approach her for your own safety.

Celebrity Stalkers vs True Fans

To start out, here's the definition of a stalker: Someone who follows or observes (a person) persistently, especially out of obsession or derangement.

We're all fans of various TV shows, and the actors and actresses on them. Many of us, myself included, have sent fan letters to some of those actors and actresses. That doesn't make us stalkers. We don't persistently hound them or pursue them, whether for autographs or personal time and attention. Most of us know the basic etiquette for being a good fan don't approach them while they are eating, don't bother them if they are with their family, and always be respectful, after all, they are human beings just like the rest of us. They aren't the character they play on TV.

However, there are some out there who go from being a fan to being a stalker. They become obsessed with the actor or actress they are a fan of and when they don't get the attention they want from that actor or actress, sometimes, bad things can happen. Take for example, Heidimarie Schnitzer (pictured to the left), an Austrian native who, for more than three years has been stalking David Caruso, the star of CSI: Miami. This woman has sent him death threats against him and his family, has fled Austria not once, but twice after being arrested for stalking him and being diagnosed with severe personality disorder and was labeled as dangerous by a court appointed psychiatrist in Austria. She is currently hiding out in the Baja region of Mexico with an international arrest warrant hanging over her head. She abandoned her child in Austria, all to pursue what has become a campaign of hate against David Caruso and his family and loved ones because she didn't get the attention she wanted from him. She spends nearly 15 hours a day some days online spewing whatever garbage she can think up about him, whether it be about his personal life or his professional career. She has numerous blogs of her own that are filled with rants that oftentimes are nearly impossible to understand, but have one clear message, this woman wants harm to come to David and his family.

How did this all start, you might ask? She didn't get an autograph when she wanted one. Now, clearly, the majority of fans aren't going to be like her. We may send fan letters to our favorite actors or actresses asking for autographs, but if we don't get it, we don't threaten their lives or the lives of their children. We simply move on with our lives.

So, my message today is this, be fans of your favorite actors, actresses, musicans, etc, but remember, they are people, just like us. They have spouses or significant others, children, parents, and siblings, just like you. Send them letters telling them how much you love their work, and even tell them politely what you don't like about their character on their show or the storylines. If you want an autograph, ask nicely and send a self adressed, stamped envelope large enough to hold an 8x10 inch picture, since many send out copies of head shots they have had done. If you see them in public, size up the situation, are they acting like they don't want to be noticed? Are they with their family? Are you in a crowded place? Are they eating? If the answers to any of these questions is yes, leave them alone. If you do approach them, be polite, don't start screaming or freaking out. Simply introduce yourself, say you appreciate their work, and ask for an autograph or for them to pose for a pic with your camera phone. Then, leave them alone to live their lives while you do the same. That's what a true fan does.

Below is a copy of the actual death threat that was sent to David Caruso by HeidiMarie Shnitzer. She a fugitive from justice is considered incredibly dangerous. If you come across her, contact the police immediately. Do not approach her for your own safety.

Welcome!

Welcome and thank you all for stopping by. If you are here, you're either lost or are interested in what I have to say. In this blog, I will share my personal insights and opinions on the world of television, both on the shows I watch and the dedicated people that make them possible. While I know that not everyone will agree with some of the things I say, I welcome your opinions and insights as well, just remember to keep it clean. I'll do my best not to use profanity and I'm simply asking you all to do the same!

Stay tuned for my next blog: Celebrity Stalkers vs True Fans