Sunday, September 4, 2011

Less, Please ... More, Please ...

This is my favourite time of year, and I have been away from my computer, enjoying our gorgeous end-of-summer weather. Yesterday as I was sitting in my hairdresser's waiting room, I picked up a People magazine, and saw that Jennifer Aniston is in love. Wait...! Again? I had to check the date on the issue.  How many times is this for poor Miss Aniston, since she was so unceremoniously dumped by Brad Pitt?  Six?  Seven?  Nine?  I couldn't help feeling sorry for her.  Can you imagine how humiliating it must be to have your love live ~~ or lack thereof ~~ played out on the front page of every celebrity magazine and website?  Everyone at some point has gone through a failed romance, and the effects on one's psyche are devastating.  We keep a brave face and soldier on, but that would be almost impossible when the whole world knows one is a loser unlucky in love.  I'm not a huge fan of Jennifer Aniston's movies.  She was sort of cute in "Friends" but that show launched almost 20 years ago, and ended almost a decade ago.  Perhaps Jennifer is past her "best by" date, and should keep a low profile for a while.  Is anyone else getting tired of reading about her?  I was thinking about that yesterday, and I have compiled my top-ten list of people I can do without forever for a while.  They're everywhere, and I don't understand why.

1.  Any of the Kardashians.  Who are they?  Who cares?
2.  All of the Housewives of Beverly Hills, New York, New Jersey, Orange County, and anywhere else these phony, plasticized women live.  Go away ... please.
3.  George Clooney.  Oh, I know, I know, you all love George Clooney, but isn't there something about him that is just slightly irritating?  Come on, admit it.
4.  Michele Bachmann.  Enough said.
5.  Gordon Ramsay.  If he would actually do some cooking, it would be great, but he spends his time swearing at people and insulting other folks who do cook.  Just shut the **** up already.
6.  Justin Bieber.  I am still convinced he is really a girl.  And I do apologize for the fact that he is Canadian.  The good news is, his "cuteness" has a very short shelf-life.
7.  Lindsay Lohan.  Enough said.
8.  Bethenny Frankel.  What can one say about this ghastly woman?  She's everywhere, with a voice that could strip varnish.  Do people actually watch her television show and admit it?  How did she happen?
9.  Celine Dion.  Again, she is Canadian, and again, my apologies.
10.  Hoarders.  Get help.  You're very sick.

Here is my list of people I would like to see more.  More please:

1.  Greg Kinnear.  He is one of the most talented, most under-rated actors in Hollywood.  He stole the movie "The Matador" from Pierce Brosnan.  Let's see more of Greg Kinnear, please.  He's rather easy on the eyes, too.  Move over, George Clooney.
2.  Lupe Ontiveros.  Who ... you ask?  Google her, go ahead, I'll wait.  Oh, yes ... you see, you don't recognize her name, but you recognize her face.  She steals every scene, in every movie she's in.
3. Zooey Deschanel. I think I have ice in my refrigerator freezer that is older than Zooey Deschanel, but she's sweet, funny and very, very talented.
4. Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Who knew the kid from "Third Rock from the Sun" would grow up to be such quirky, edgy talented actor?
5. Mia Wasikowska. Go ahead, Google her; I'll wait. Recognize her now? She's one of the most talented people around.
6. Hilary Farr and David Visentin. They're Canadian. You won't know them. I love them.
7. Russell Peters. He makes me laugh like no one else can make me laugh. He's completely politically incorrect and irreverent ~~ and a breath of fresh air. He recently had a small role in "The Source Code". More please.
8. Johnny Depp.  All Johnny Depp, all the time, is fine with me.  Has anyone seen "Rango"?  Oh my goodness, I swear he was slightly inebriated all through the whole movie, but wonderful.
9. Viola Davis.  Has there ever been a better actress?  Ever?  She plays rather plain, down-trodden women in such movies as "Doubt" and "The Help" and in real life she is absolutely gorgeous.  How does she transform herself?  Talent.
10. Bruce McGill.  Okay ... go ahead ... I'll wait while you Google him.  Again, you recognize the face, but not the name.  We need to see more of the amazing Bruce McGill.

I could list a lot more folks, both on the first list and the second, but perhaps I will leave that up to you.  If you had a list of folks that we could do without, who would be on it?  Conversely, who would be on your "more please" list?

18 comments:

DJan said...

More than HALF of both lists I don't recognize, Jo. But I do agree with you about Greg Kinnear. He's incredibly talented and I'ved loved him ever since "As Good As It Gets." I have to admit I also love George Clooney, but not as much as Greg. I agree with all your duds that I recognize. I could do with a whole lot less Cheney, too. Good lists!! Now I'll go google those people I don't recognize. Blogger is acting funny lately, so I'll stay away from it for a bit.

Charles Gramlich said...

I certainly don't want to know more about the folks on your first list. I only recognize two names off your other list, Kinnear and Depp.

Meryl Baer said...

You have to add to your top ten never-hear-from-again list the crew from the Jersey Shore.

Shaista said...

Oh I don't think your lists are at all controversial Jo - I agree with everything, except for the folks I haven't heard of.. well, hadn't heard of - under instructions, am now googling for enlightenment...
Greg Kinnear, lovely lovely Greg :)

Shaista said...

Oh, and I absolutely love Russell Peters - one of the best Indians to come out of Canada :) ('Somebody's gonna get a hurt real bad... I'm not saying who... but Somebody!!)

Katy said...

I love both lists. I really do feel for everyone in the public eye. Their whole lives used for people's entertainment. Not cool.

But doesn't it seem odd that those who we admire for their work are not the ones we get to see that often? It seems backwards doesn't it.

Paula said...

Great post. I especially agree about being sick of hearing about the Kardashians (even though I'm not sure who they are)and Michelle Bachmann (whose identity I unfortunately completely understand).

heartinsanfrancisco said...

Jo, I totally love this post, and agree with all your choices and comments.

MerCyn, I think we can lump Jersey Shore with all the Housewives shows, none of which I have ever seen, however.

Anonymous said...

Agree with your first list and don't know half the people on your second list so they definitely could do with more air time. One exception though, Justin Bieber. Granted he has been over-exposed but compared to the others (Kardashians, housewives..etc) he actually has a talent worth talking about and he is not aggressively self promoting. I think his is a story (single mom) worth telling.

Anonymous said...

Poor Jennifer A. Her main-claim-to-fame is getting to be... Being Unlucky In Love. -sad-

Yeah, Joey is a cutie-pie! Have liked her much, since some film, where she was trying *to kill a mockingbird.* (If you like her, you know the film. -grin-)

Oh yeah, GEORGE CLOONEY! Go-retire-somewhere-and-keep-hooking-up-with-young-beautiful-women, where we don't have to hear about you.

Ohhhhhhh... That won't work, would it? The whole point of to keep-hooking-up-with-young-beautiful-women,, is for people to be JEALOUS of you! And you have to be in-the-news, for that! Hehhhh... Silly me for that suggestion. >,-)

Plus, the brain-he-uses-for-political-thinking, is fried beyond repair. >,-)

So I'm just kind of sick of *Gorgeous George* by now.

Kathy's Klothesline said...

Fortunately (or maybe, unfortunately) I have no life outside the campground. I DVR all the TV shows I might want to watch and in doing so, avoiding commercials. I usually fall asleep about 10 minutes into what ever I am watching and wake later to turn it off. I live in a void!!!
I do get to hear all the political views of those passing through and those that keep their campers here. The only news I really pay close attention to is weather ....... to see whether or not I will have swimmers in the pool. Yep, I live in a void.

Pondside said...

The first list was full of those names in the news that are all new to me. The second list - much better.I sometimes worry that I've put myself into a cultural backwater until I read something such as your post and remember that 'out there' is the cultural backwater. :)

Jo said...

Jo, you had me at "Greg Kinnear." I just introduced my daughter to the joys of G.K.'s movies, and she is now a fan as well. Understated, intelligent, funny, and DANG good looking!

Love both your lists...thanks for the many chuckles and a couple of belly laughs!

Pomona said...

I haven't heard of lots of them - but I would love more about nineteenth century artists and novelists!! They led fascinating lives, and I think the pictures would be more interesting!

Pomona x

Paula Slade said...

Great post Jo! I'd like to add Sarah Palin to the "do without" list.

Unknown said...

Lol, couldn't agree with you more! The term 'reality tv star' should be burned. They are not stars!

Love your list.

lovelyprism said...

This post made me laugh so loud my kid wanted to know what I was reading and I had to read it to him. Great job! I don't agree with you on all of it but it still made me laugh. I love that about you and your writing.

Sally said...

I agree with you on the first list, but the 2nd I'm not familiar with. However, I have to say that most of those so-called stars asked for all the publicity when they began their careers. I haven't ever watched many 'reality' shows because none of them seem "real". LOL