Journal Article Analysis

Jon and Kate: I Hate

What is a celebrity? In the editorial Jon and Kate: I Hate, Gary Hoppenstand shares his personal dislike for the decline with the media industry standards of what a celebrity is today, in particular Reality TV celebrities'. His emphasis is on Jon and Kate and their lack of talent. He describes the decline in industry standards from the 19th century, Historical figures; 20th Century, Actors; 21st Century celebrity; and today the no talent Reality TV celebs. The editorials aim is intended for the general public or anyone who watches Reality TV,--according to Hoppenstand, "This is a noxious form of television program, and the actors have no special talent" (Hoppenstand, 2010). It is also important to mention, Hoppenstand's observation of the media industries target audience and the idea that the entertainment industry was established for the working/middle class. Today, the audience has evolved to include a wider segment of the popular culture such as youth, minorities, and women. In my observation of the article, it is quite clear Hoppenstand would like to have most of these shows off the air, and especially Jon and Kate: Plus eight.

First of all, the lack of talent--this is why he states we shouldn't watch this type of TV. He points out that when the term celebrity was established back in the Industrial Revolution the person called celebrity had some Historical significance. He names a few such celebrities of that time such as Buffalo Bill, Daniel Boone, Jesse James, etc... I don't think you could compare the celebrity of today and the celebrity of the 19th Century because the process of change in the cultural values, ideas, traditions, and beliefs. The industry has also transformed quite dramatically since the 19th century definition of celebrity. There is a significantly different approach to entertaining, and Reality TV is in popular demand. The Reality TV celebs become stars overnight. Reality TV interest a vast majority of people I'm not sure why, but it has taken over prime time TV.

Personally having viewed Jon and Kate on several occasions, I liked the show until the series was cancelled due to Jon's infidelity. Although they have no specific talent except for having the sextuplets, I find it entertaining to see the family work out everyday life situations with that many kids. That is why I find this particular show interesting and entertaining. I guess we watch Reality TV because it is real people dealing with real issues, and I guess I would be considered a Reality TV junkie. There are literally hundreds of Reality TV series on the air, and the media industry continues to overflow us with a new Reality TV series almost weekly. We can't get enough of this type of celeb.

It seems Reality TV is here to stay. And our society's fascination with Reality TV and other people's lives will continue whether it is mindless entertainment or not. Overall, the article is organized quite well. Hoppendstand gives a brief explanation and general ideas about the decline of industry standards and the definition of celebrity from the introduction of the term. This article is clearly one man's opinion on the subject, and although he made a valid point about this genre of television, I think far too much emphasis is put into the literal definition of the term celebrity. You really don't have to watch it. It seems there will always be someone who has a negative opinion about something popular in our culture so just keep in mind--it is just their opinion.