Is it time to ban stars from PopWatch?

Allie Fri, Oct 13, 2006 at 01:04 PM EST

First: Britney Spears is white-trash. You can take the girl out of the honky-tonk but you can't take the honky-tonk out of the girl and that's fairly apparent ever since she was preggers with Baby #1. I don't have any idea what her career is like right now, but I have a feeling it does not mirror the volume of media attention she receives.

Second: I actually believe (after seeing him on the View yesterday) that Nick Lachey has less talent and deserves less attention than his ex.

In general, I think that Brad Pitt/Jennifer Aniston/Angelina Jolie and TomKat are far more interesting because there is a body of work from these couples that connect us to them (however unrealistic). I do not, on the other hand, understand the interest in the Paris Hiltons, Nicole Ritchies, or Lindsay Lohans. In my estimation, media attention should have some correlation to work product. Thus, no talent/no work product = no media attention.

Indianafan Wed, Oct 11, 2006 at 03:17 PM EST

I agree with many of the people here. However, I think we need to leave Nicole Richie alone. I think she needs to get healthy not only physically, but mentally. People with eating disorders need special attention.

As for Jessica Simpson and Britney Spears, I have seen them both in concert. Jessica has pipes on her, however I don't think she has found her music style yet. I feel that she could find better use of her talent if she would break away from her father, and find better management. She was great on the song "I wanna Love You Forever"

As for Britney Spears, the media is always picking on her, and I think that is why she does some crazy things. You have to admitt, the songs "Hit Me Baby", and "Oops I did it Again" were good songs. She doesn't sing anywhere near like Christina Aguilera, but she isn't horrible either.

hambone Wed, Oct 11, 2006 at 03:13 PM EST

I don't have a problem with these "stars" being in PopWatch if EW is reacting with jaw-dropped exasperation to how ridiculous they are. There's a difference between US weekly-style "OMIGOD!!! TOMKAT is in TROUBLE!!!" BS and EW style hilariously sarcastic comments (i.e. the previous item on the ridiculous/psychotic women of The Bachelor). Of course, if no one ever mentioned Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie or K-Fed to me again, I'd be the happiest girl in the world. (Being born rich is not a "talent").

aramis Wed, Oct 11, 2006 at 02:36 PM EST

Anyone whom the PW community has deemed to be melded to another person, if by namesake alone...

Namely the:

Bennifers
Brangelinas
Paricoles
TomKats
Jennivaughns
Jessinicks
Rellys
Beyon-Zs

And of course, the spawns that result in said pairings...

Liz Wed, Oct 11, 2006 at 02:35 PM EST

As long as Pop Watch doesn't equate itself with gossip/tabloid stories (i.e. crap about Hilton, Lohan, Simpson, Richie, etc.) it'll be fine!

dma69 Wed, Oct 11, 2006 at 02:15 PM EST

1) all heirs and heiresses (Paris, Brandon, etc.)

2) any dumb blonde (Britney, Jessica, etc.)

3) anyone with a crazy stage parent(s) (Jessica,Ashlee)

4) anyone whose only claim to fame is marrying a celebrity (i.e. K-Fed)

5) any and all reality stars

6) anyone past their expiration date (Madonna)

7) anyone that we forgot why they were famous in the first place (Anna Nicole, Pamela)

8) anyone shoving their religion down our throat (TC, Mel, Madonna) {I have nothing personal against religion; just practice in private please.}

9) anyone shoving their animal rights causes down our throats (anyone associated with PETA) {I have nothing personal against animals; I have cats myself and I don't wear fur. I just don't like people that preach animal rights and have a bug up their ass when I eat a cheeseburger.}

RBlues Wed, Oct 11, 2006 at 02:06 PM EST

I have personally set a ban on anything "Paris Hilton"--I refuse to waste the brain cells--with the exception of the Paris/Shanna dust-up (It's about time somebody called her out--I wish Shanna had kicked her ass)!

I'm also really tired of the Jennifer Aniston whining--move on with your life already.

mark in nyc Wed, Oct 11, 2006 at 12:43 PM EST

Three words: Paris Facking Hilton

Lorenzo Wed, Oct 11, 2006 at 12:35 PM EST

......and anything that's related to "Buffy"

Lorenzo Wed, Oct 11, 2006 at 12:28 PM EST

Things you should never ban:

America Ferrera
Kristen Bell
Rachel McAdams
"Heroes" (Needs A TV Watch)
Wentworth Miller
Hugh Laurie
"The Wire"
Mary Louise Parker
Steve Carell
"Dexter"
and that's it for right now!

daisyj Wed, Oct 11, 2006 at 12:15 PM EST

In order to keep everything fair and rational, I think there needs to be some kind of formula for determining who should and should not appear on the blog. I propose the Overexposure Index.
The formula:
(Artistic Value/Exposure Level) x Interest of item= value of story

So, for K-Fed he gets an Artistic Value of 2 (he did teach the kids that they speak Portugese in Brazil) and an Exposure Level of 79, giving him an Overexposure Index of .025. Which means that in order for you to run a story about him he would have to, at a minimum, announce that he is getting a sex-change operation so that he and his beloved Rosie O'Donnell can finally be together.

See? It's easy.

Cliff Wed, Oct 11, 2006 at 11:00 AM EST

Donald Trump for anything other than Apprentice recaps; Paris Hilton for anything; Posh & Katie Holmes together; any professional blogger; the Carters (but not Country music's The Carter family. Feel free to gossip about them all you like. That Mother Maybelle was a drama queen and a hottie.)

Rose Wed, Oct 11, 2006 at 10:50 AM EST

If you stopped mentioning that horrible Paris chick forever and ever, it would make me the happiest gal on earth!

Tas Wed, Oct 11, 2006 at 10:34 AM EST

Anna, I stand corrected. I have so much respect for Brad and Angelina and the charity work they do. What I was trying to say is that the media frenzy around some celebs (including Brad & Angie) is not created by they themselves, but people get so crazy over them and for them, they get overexposed. But from what I've been reading in these posts, the majority agrees it's celebs who are overexposed and UNDERTALENTED, who need to go!

K Wed, Oct 11, 2006 at 10:16 AM EST

If we could keep aris-Pay ilton-Hay out of the ogs-blay until she does something besides get a DUI or get into a fight, that be bloody brilliant.

lauren Wed, Oct 11, 2006 at 10:03 AM EST

Paris Hilton, Nicole Ritchie, Kevin Federline (other celebrities have married nonfamous people who remained nonfamous. How did *this* situation happen??).

Have coverage of Eva Longoria, Lindsey Lohan, Mischa Barton, and the Simpson sisters ONLY when it's directly related to work.
Example:
New movie coming out. Cover!
Dancing at a club all night. Don't cover!

Tyler D Wed, Oct 11, 2006 at 09:39 AM EST

I think it would be a great idea, but you would essentially have to throw out over a third of the current magazine and a great deal of the Popwatch blog (and Slezack might have to look for a new job). I'm just so happy that other EW readers understand that these types of celebrities are a gigantic waste of print and time. I really wish EW could be a lot less like US Weekly and People magazine, but somehow I doubt it's possible.

Tre Wed, Oct 11, 2006 at 09:28 AM EST

I agree in combination with the other posters. EW of late, has read like a fanzine devoted to Lost and Desp H'wives. While I know that these shows and their stars are hugely popular, try and be a little more inclusive about your "big item" stories. Same for Grey's Anatomy and all that "McDreamy" sh*t. Other than that:
No Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Eva Longoria, Simpson sisters. A great start.

Nose Wed, Oct 11, 2006 at 09:21 AM EST

1. Paris Hilton
2. Nicole Richie
3. Paris Hilton
4. Jessica and/or Ashlee Simpson
5. Paris Hilton
6. Any name combination, ie Brangelina, TomKat, etc.
7. Did I mention Paris Hilton?

marilinda Wed, Oct 11, 2006 at 08:04 AM EST

I could do with a decrease in LOST coverage. Don't get rid of it all together, but you guys really need to take a pill when it comes to the obsession.

Tommy G. Wed, Oct 11, 2006 at 07:49 AM EST

Ban 'em!

1. Federwang
2. Paris
3. Lindsey "Exhausted" Lohan
4. Misha Barton (just 'cause she bugs me)
5. Anna Nicole and her money-grubbing friends

You do that, and I'll be your friend for life!

Roxanne Wed, Oct 11, 2006 at 07:36 AM EST

I second Nan.

And the only Simpsons I want to heat anything about are named Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie.

Anna Wed, Oct 11, 2006 at 07:30 AM EST

"As for Brad and Angie and Tom Cruise, they are very talented people who have been in the public eye a little too much lately due to their personal antics."

Bodyguard issues aside, Brad and "Angie" have been in the news lately primarily because they've been heavily campaigning for their charities. That's not what I would call "antics".

Tom Cruise is another story.

Nan Wed, Oct 11, 2006 at 07:18 AM EST

I. Paris Hilton
2. Nicole Richie
#. Anna Nicole Smith
$. Kevin Federline
6. Pamela Anderson
&. Anyone ever on Surreal Life.
7. Anyone who has ever been on a reality TV show.
8. Anyone whose claim to fame is their family's money.
9. Anyone who you only see on the red carpet and no where else.
10. The children of any of the above unless they actually have a real profession.

Thank you, I've been needing to get that off my chest for a while now.

shelby Wed, Oct 11, 2006 at 05:58 AM EST

This could be a long list, but not to bore anyone, these "celebs" should be banned: Jessica Simpson, Aslee Simpson, Jennifer Lopez, Eva Longoria, Lindsey Lohan, Nicole Richie, Paris, Posh Spice, toKat, Jennifer Aniston, Kate Moss and any other junkie and no talent celeb. Thanks!

Tia Wed, Oct 11, 2006 at 12:37 AM EST

Just cut out the no talents- Paris, Jessica and Ashley, K-Fed, and Anna Nicole

Also cut the phrases "Dr. McDreamy" and anything "Desperate," housewives or otherwise. Enough is enough!

Tia Wed, Oct 11, 2006 at 12:36 AM EST

Just cut out the no talents- Paris, Jessica and Ashley, K-Fed, and Anna Nicole

Also cut the phrases "Dr. McDreamy" and anything "Desperate," housewives or otherwise. Enough is enough!

Jakeem Wed, Oct 11, 2006 at 12:25 AM EST

I'm not in favor of banning celebrity stories, but there are about a dozen people who seem to be written about in the media every other day. So let's just take a cue from Lloyd Grove and remove the boldface from their names:

1-2. Brangelina
3-4. Britney and K-Fed
5. Lindsay Lohan
6-7. Paris and Nicole
8-9. TomKat
10-11. Jessica and Ashlee
12. Anna Nicole

Tas Tue, Oct 10, 2006 at 11:50 PM EST

I am so sick of seing Jessica Simpson on every other magazine cover I could puke! The girl has no talent other than whoring herself for publicity. She and Paris definitly have to go. As for Brad and Angie and Tom Cruise, they are very talented people who have been in the public eye a little too much lately due to their personal antics. That is already starting to die down. I purpose a ban on buying magazines that have overexposed, undertalented people on the covers!

t3hdow Tue, Oct 10, 2006 at 11:11 PM EST

Wait freckles...since when did the Olson Twins get any stories? They'd stayed out of the media spotlight for over a year. Not that I want them back, but they've been so ignored, I wonder where you got that idea of their current popularity...

Hell, keep crazy Cruise/Holmes and the Simpsons sisters if it means Paris Hilton disappears forever.

V.M.L. Tue, Oct 10, 2006 at 10:23 PM EST

Two words: PARIS HILTON

freckles Tue, Oct 10, 2006 at 09:48 PM EST

I nominate Mary kate and Ashley Olsen to never be mentioned again in this or any blog. What have they done lately to merit any attention???
Also, I agree with deleting Paris HIlton for all the reasons already mentioned.

Josh Tue, Oct 10, 2006 at 09:15 PM EST

I don't think any one should be banned completely, but definitely there needs to be less pointless stuff. Thus, a Tom Cruise meltdown on Oprah's couch might be worth a blog, but then came so many other needless posts about Suri sightings, etc. Leave that for those other blogs, unless it's absolutely hilarious (a la the Paris-Shanna "exchange" that Sarah pointed out). I also agree with brandonk, Brad Pitt should never be in the same league as Paris. Brangelina, on the other hand...

california Tue, Oct 10, 2006 at 09:01 PM EST

I can't believe that one guy refused to talk about Brad Pitt. Has he seen any of his movies?! 13 Monkeys? Snatch? Fight Club? Brad knows how to act (certainly a lot better than Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie)! Brad should never be classified with Paris Hilton, that's just insulting!

brandonk Tue, Oct 10, 2006 at 08:05 PM EST

Definitely Paris Hilton and Kevin Federline, along with Mrs. Federline. Nick and Aaron Carter, too!

James Tue, Oct 10, 2006 at 07:37 PM EST

Whitney Houston, Jessica Simpson, and Ryan Seacrest. I'm tired of all three. Ban them ALL!! Sorry Slezack

Sarah Tue, Oct 10, 2006 at 07:29 PM EST

I don't want PopWatch to give up talking about anyone. When you guys write about Paris, Kevin Federline, Simpsons, etc. you're usually making fun of them. And I enjoy it. The "exchange" between Paris and Shanna Moakler was one of the funniest things I've ever read. I think that as long as you know and respect your audience, and know what we would enjoy reading about and not, then you shouldn't put down a blanket restriction.

Now, if you were a gossip site, like Perez or PTNB, I would be begging you to never ever mention Paris, K-Fed, Simpsons, Brad, Angelina, Tom, Katie, Linsday Lohan or Brandon Davis again.

gord Tue, Oct 10, 2006 at 07:07 PM EST

wow, is this a serious possibility? THIS is the only way to stop the madness, by having the media tempt fate (and readership) with experiments in 'chosen lack of coverage'...Imagine a world where people who deserved recognition for accomplishment were rewarded with airtime, screentime, whatevertime...

sigh

pfitz Tue, Oct 10, 2006 at 06:47 PM EST

PLEASE ban:
Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, Kevin Federine and Britney Spears (until she actually records a new album), Anna Nicole Smith, Star Jones---that's a great start...

snarky Tue, Oct 10, 2006 at 06:26 PM EST

Meg & Jamie "given up acting" = Hollywood isn't interested

Chuck Tue, Oct 10, 2006 at 06:06 PM EST

This is the website for ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY. Has Paris Hilton ever done anything entertaining (besides getting punched in the face, and I never got to see that)?

Danielle Tue, Oct 10, 2006 at 06:02 PM EST

Perhaps a policy of Equal And Opposite Coverage might serve here. For every article about someone on the overexposed list, a corresponding article about someone as underexposed. For instance, The Decemberists, whose major-label debut bowed last week?

mike Tue, Oct 10, 2006 at 05:54 PM EST

Finally. Basically, anybody whose celebrity far exceeds their talent needs to be banned. Paris Hilton having a hit record doesn't matter. Brad and Angelina will at some point make quality movies again. Although a partial embargo should be levied against them, Tom and Katie, and J. Lopez.

Kurt Tue, Oct 10, 2006 at 05:52 PM EST

I'd be all for a ban on Paris Hilton, Kevin Federline, and both Simpson sisters.

carbon Tue, Oct 10, 2006 at 05:51 PM EST

Don't ever mention Paris Hilton ever again, please! Just writing her name gives me the dry heaves. Also, no more Jessica Simpson please. She and her Daddy plant "news" stories so she'll remain in the spotlight. Please resist the urge to report anything about her. Unless she and Paris die in a fiery crash off the side of a cliff. Thank you.

Patricia Tue, Oct 10, 2006 at 05:30 PM EST

I was actually starting on a similar mission of never reading another article that included the following people: Paris Hilton, Jessica Simpson, and Eva Longoria. (I already pass over any mention of Britney and K-Fed, because they aren't even worth the energy of double-clicking.) So thank you, PopWatch, you would make my mission a lot easier by ceasing to mention these non-talents (although I know Eva Longoria can act, her desperate attempts to claw her way into the spotlight any chance she can annoys me).

mrcr Tue, Oct 10, 2006 at 05:22 PM EST

I'm all for never reading about Paris Hilton again.