RHYS BOWEN: It's Sunday and I'm in contemplative mood, wondering about FAME. What a strange thing fame is, isn't it? The way we humans idolize another human simply because THEY ARE FAMOUS.
Look at the Kardashians. They have no achievements, they have not painted the Mona Lisa, or written Great Expectations or won the world figure skating championship and yet they have a TV show that has been running for years and people watch it BECAUSE THEY ARE FAMOUS. If they wear certain clothes people rush out to copy. Why, for goodness sake?
When did the cult of fame begin? Certainly before Roman times. Gladiators were idolized by women, but at least it was for their skills as much as their beauty. I suppose fame started when a warrior protected the tribe from invaders and he was big and strong and handsome too. Look at Saul in the Bible. He had that kind of fame. But God chose David, the opposite, young, frail, a nobody.
Fame today is incomprehensible to me. Donald Trump was elected simply because he was a reality TV tar. He was famous.
And yet the concept of idolizing the famous must be somewhere in our psyche. When I was in my early teens we heard that Joan Crawford was coming to London for a film festival. Joan Crawford! A real movie star! My best friend and I took the train up to London and lined up for hours on the sidewalk, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. She arrived, got out of her limo. She was this old woman with so much orange makeup she looked like a pumpkin. A bright shiny orange face. Bright orange unnaturally colored hair and eyelashes a mile long. Hideous, absolutely hideous. And yet our hearts beat faster. We pushed forward and got her autograph. Joan Crawford's autograph. We were in heaven. Why? Because she was famous.
\As writers we have our own small share of fame. I remember one convention when a woman was brought to meet me. Her companion said the woman was too shy to approach me alone. I turned, smiled and said hello and the woman burst into tears with emotion. It was horribly embarrassing for me and also mind blowing that anyone should be so overawed by me!
My most famous writer friends are all so incredibly friendly, the opposite of stuck-up and some are quite shy. This fame thing is hard to take for them. At least we writers are not recognizable outside our little sphere. I love going to conventions and meeting fans but it can be overwhelming. I remember standing in the line in the women's bathroom, waiting, rather desperately, to pee. And a voice down the line said, "Oh, is that Rhys Bowen?" And the whole line peered at me, trying not to dance up and down!
At another convention I was trying to have a meal with my good friend Louise Penny. We were stopped at every bite by someone wanting to take a selfie with us. I would hate to be Tom Hanks or another really recognizable star. Imagine every time you sat down in a restaurant to enjoy a meal there would be whispers and stares from all over the restaurant.
I have had enough reality checks to keep me humble. Recently a woman stopped me and said, excitedly, " I think I might know you." This has happened before, so I smiled, and said "Oh yes? Do you read mystery novels?" She looked confused and said, "No, weren't you working at the hairdresser when I lived over in Scottsdale?"
I remain humble and loveable,
Rhys
It would seem to me that recognition of true achievement should be the reason for fame . . . .
ReplyDeleteI have never, ever watched The Kardashians. Or, for that matter, The Apprentice. I don't get the fame thing either - meaning fame for just being out there and famous. I get fame for actors, artists, musicians, authors, dancers, who have actually accomplished something. But fame for either dressing expensively, having a gimmick or being someone's partner or spouse? Nope. A big deal for me was a few years in Sacramento when I was able to hear a panel by Rhys Bowen, Terry Shames, Catriona McPherson, and Cara Black - now, those autographs (autographed books) meant something!
ReplyDeleteThat was a few years ago. (Elizabeth)
ReplyDelete"No, weren't you working at the hairdresser when I lived over in Scottsdale?" This made me laugh out loud. Thank you, Rhys!
ReplyDeleteIn my younger days I worked for some time on research for a biography of an early Hollywood star. As I read diaries and letters and interviewed aged FP (Famous People), FFP (Formerly Famous People), and FAP (Famous-Adjacent People) I came to the unoriginal conclusion that fame is a corrosive force that damages every life it touches. Or perhaps I should say: with the potential to damage. Like fentanyl. (Selden)
I am following up on Selden's comment. It's Sunday so here is the Zen thoughts on fame:
ReplyDeleteFrom a Zen perspective, fame is generally viewed as an illusion and attachment to it is considered harmful, as it is seen as an empty pursuit that can lead to ego inflation and suffering; the focus is instead on cultivating inner peace and wisdom, not external recognition or status, meaning one should not actively seek fame and should not let it define their self-worth if it comes their way. (Not my words, my pal the AI bot said it better). But.. for me, when I was much younger I wanted a. to live forever b. to be the best c. to be 'famous'. Of course, this didn't happen. Like Rhys said, later I came to see fame as transitory, or worse how about being famous for something you regret? Like Monica Lewinsky? At the tender age of 79, I am very glad that I can pee in private. Thanks Rhys for sharing Sunday musings.
I'm sure you would be a stellar hairdresser, Rhys! I agree, all the famous authors I have met are unfailingly gracious and genuine, all the Reds included.
ReplyDeleteLike Elizabeth, I have never watched the Kardashians or the Apprentice. That kind of fame seems stupid and wasteful.
Friday I was half an hour away checking in for an MRI. I gave the woman my name and she said, "Are you the author?" I said yes, surprised, but then she said she lives in Amesbury. We had a nice chat and I gave her a bookmark. It's fun to have a very modest fame locally.
Also, speaking of Louise, I was so pleased to see her withdraw from her upcoming Kennedy Center appearance and her clear statement of why. She said it was going to be the pinnacle of her career but canceling was more important. Good for her.
DeleteMay I ask
DeleteEdith, who withdrew from the Kennedy center? And I hope your MRI goes well. Hope everything is okay.
DeleteLouise Penny did. Thanks. The MRI was of my foot - awaiting the report.
DeleteI was so proud of her for vocalling saying why. Although I hope many more will voice their opinions, I doubt that it will make a difference to those in power. It is a start.
DeleteIt didn’t surprise me of Louise, she has such beautiful values.
DeleteI’ve never watched the Kardashians and don’t know or care what they wear on their plastic botoxed bodies.
ReplyDeleteI just started going to author events in the past few years and I am tongue-tied every time. They have always been very gracious.
Rhys, who are the Karshdashians ? I remember a story about a young child asking one of the Karshdashians “why are you famous”? And the young Karshdashian said she did not know why. The only reality tv show I would watch is the great british bake off.,
ReplyDeleteThere was an interview with Anthony Andrews, an actor from Danger UXB and Birdeshead Revisited. He was surprised when he was living in Los Angeles because fans would approach him. He said that in England, people did not approach him asking for autographs. I wonder if “fame” is different in England ?
Another non-fame person here and been this way a long time. Could never figure out why so many of the girls in 5th grade swooned over Elvis (Elvis who? I actually asked out loud) and The Beatles who? why? Also asked out loud. And so on and so on. Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteDiana, I think it is. If you search for an American actor you can find all sorts of information about them, a lot of it intrusive. But it's different for the British actors. They get to maintain more of their privacy, it seems. Maybe because the UK is a fraction of the size of the US, and the much smaller pool of acting professionals means they work a lot? I've wondered about that.
ReplyDeleteRhys, I was always stunned when someone asked me to autograph one of my books. Moi? I met the recently deceased singer Jack Jones when I was a teenager. A friend found out he was staying at our hotel, and she tracked him down (future stalker skills!), and dragged me along with her. I'd never heard of him, so after he gave her his autograph he asked me, and I said no, thank you. He scrawled one on a torn envelope and thrust it at me anyway. I still feel bad about it, from every angle.
As for fame, it is interesting to observe how different people react to it, in public. Trying desperately NOT to end up orange and scary like Joan Crawford, and then ending up scary in a different way altogether. For example, Mickey O'Rourke's downward spiral with facial surgery, or when America's ingenue, Meg Ryan, had seriously disfiguring work done to correct lines around her mouth that instead of making her look like she was staying young, pretty much ended her career for a long time. Versus Judi Dench and Helen Mirren, both aging gracefully in full view, with nonstop careers.
I remember as a kid, several of my sister’s friends would go home after school and drool, and semi-faint over pictures of people in fan magazines. I never got it – just weird and a waste of time. Times have not changed and even though a lot of people in my family are driveling simpering idiots when someone important comes by – still don’t get it. You remember my story of Beryl Markham, story that is told over and over, and over – don’t get it.
ReplyDeleteMy idea of meeting someone famous (even youse-guys) would be to invite you to dinner. There was a CBC morning host named Peter Gzoski, who I respected so much for his ease behind the mike and his ability to make small talk. I would wonder what it would be like to have a dinner with him, and many others – what a conversation that would be! Similarly, to go some Sunday morning to the Bistro in Three Pines, and peruse last week’s travel articles, and be with the interactions amongst the characters – and Rosie.
All I can say, is that rich and famous or not, my way to meet you would be over a meal - whether it is hot dogs or roast beef. Come and set a spell, you don’t need a date. Invitation is always open. Dress optional.
Oh, and here is a story on fame. We lived just down the road from Bill & Bruce. Jack was rebuilding their old school into a B&B. We often dropped in for a beer, and chit chat, compared and shared gardens, and even stayed there several times – we needed a bed and at that time we had sold/given them a lot of our furniture so we didn’t have to move it. Both were famous for their pipe organ recitals. Bruce played for the Queen Mother for a season. Another neighbour gushed when she found out we were good friends – after all they were famous. To us they were friends. No gushing required.
I did not know that Louise Penny had done that so I had to research it. Happy to hear that she is not the only person to pull out from appearing there. I keep expecting that the Center will be renamed and then that will be the end of it. So unfortunate for all of us.
ReplyDeleteStay humble and loveable, Rhys! Fame Kardashian-style repulses me. Just like being famous because you have lots and lots of money--no names! The only time I was over-awed by a person's fame was when I had a chance to meet the poet William Stafford and tell him how much I loved his work. Another very humble, good person.
ReplyDeleteA long story apropos to hockey, fame, and the game on Friday.
ReplyDeleteIn the middle ‘60’s, when we only had one tv channel – the CBC, Friday night was hockey Night in Canada. For some reason the games were usually broadcast from the Montreal feed rather than the Toronto feed, so Montreal was the team that we got to watch. For that reason, we knew the names of a lot of the Montreal players even though we may not have liked them. Henri Richard (spit), Jacques Plante (spit), Guy Lafleur (spit) and Jean Beliveau (spit) were all household names. They would occasionally play against as much as any team our beloved Toronto Maple Leafs. Davey Keon, Tim Horton, Frank Mahovlich (a favourite) and the best of all – Johnny Bower! In our household there was no goalie like Johnny Bower. Even Jacques Plante with his new face masks could not excel Bower. There were other players who generated respect or disgust. Stan Mikita was a favourite as was Gordie Howe even if he played on the wrong team. Bobbie Hull was liked and feared – he could manipulate that puck. Ken Dryden was a favourite goalie, probably because as well as being an excellent player, he had all his teeth!
Over these years until 1967, Montreal won most of the Stanley Cups. Then in 1967 in a double overtime game Toronto won. The house (the next morning) went wild. Johnny Bower was a hero! The dreaded Canadiens were defeated. I went off to university and hockey as little of it as I watched was finished.
I was not much of an athlete, but in my first year at King’s I joined the field hockey team. I loved the running, the stick handling – field hockey uses a short stick called a club and you are only allowed to use one side of it – the rules, and the unfortunate fact that we never won a game in three years. I did score one goal on a soggy field in the pouring rain in one game, but on examination by the ref, someone from our team was offside, so our goal of the season (and three years) did not count.
Long story – part 2
ReplyDeleteIn 1968, I spent most of the summer in Halifax taking an extra Physics class. It meant that I was there when Halifax hosted the first Canada Games. It was a beautiful summer, lovely and sunny and hot. The city was filled with people watching the various events. I enjoyed the opening show (price $1.50) and on another day decided to take in one of the field hockey games which cost $1 for all day. Nobody was really interested in them so the crowd was not huge. I had a seat on the near top of one of the bleachers to a) get a better view of the field, and more importantly b) get a better tan. The game was quite boring, but the tan was going well.
A well-dressed man sat down beside me – empty bleachers from here until forever and he sits beside me. He started up a mundane conversation – hello, how are you, nice day – that kind of thing. I replied in kind. He asked did I like field hockey and I replied that I did, and that I played it in university. He said he knew a bit about hockey and asked if I could explain a bit about the intricacies of the game underway to him, which I did. We enjoyed the afternoon, we enjoyed the sun, we enjoyed the game.
He said he needed to go, and thank you for the information and the conversation. He asked if I knew who he was. Nope, not a clue, so I said no. He said he was Jean Beliveau (most famous player on the Montreal team) and did I want him to sign something. Spit, spit, spit – a Canadien! So, I said I would love him too, but of course I had no paper, pencil, anything, so he signed the ticket stub. Being polite, I said thank you and wished him a good day.
In hindsight, he was the most charming and polite and lovely person you would ever want to meet. I have held him in high revere ever since.
A few years ago, in cleaning out a trunk, I found a scrapbook of my years at university. It included the memorabilia from my day at the Canada Games. It included the ticket stub with the neat and polished name of a neat and polished man.
I still don’t care who wins at hockey.
Great story Margo!
DeleteMargo, I am familiar with some of the players you have mentioned. I love your story about a down-to-earth conversation with the famous goalie and am so glad you accepted his signature once you knew he was a dreaded Montreal Canadian. We still mourn the loss of our beloved NHL team to a city that never gets cold enough for ice.
DeleteI had heard about the Kardashians but it’s the first time I see a picture of them. It doesn’t impress me. What unnatural postures and fake bodies.
ReplyDeleteAs a passionate reader, I’m a fan of many authors but what they write and what they are as humans is more important to me than to know if they are famous.
When my daughter was a toddler, I used to go to a wonderful little children's shop in La Jolla, CA called Shannon & Company. I later learned that her husband's last name was Kardashian. Yes, she is the mother of the Kardashian clan! Or actually I think grandmother. Ms. Shannon was very sweet and a joy to chat with during the times I shopped in her store.
ReplyDeleteI have mixed feelings about performers cancelling at the Kennedy Center. It is what Trump wants - which is no group or people who oppose his beliefs so if people who are scheduled who have voices we need to hear they are now silenced.
As an ordinary person and a fan of many extraordinary people, I feel that I have a responsibility to be careful and polite when approaching the famous. In my voluntary jobs, I have had the pleasure of meeting many political office holders, both past and present, from Connecticut and nationally. Most of the time, the encounters were arranged and they knew exactly who would be in the meeting. But occasionally, I would encounter one in the wild (the gym, the grocery store, the state capitol, a non political event), and being recognized by them would be incredible for my self esteem.
ReplyDeleteWhen I attended Crime Bake, I knew I would be meeting many of my favorite authors in person. I do have a tendency to gush, I also have a tendency to become too familiar too fast. I had to remind myself that they came, not only to meet fans, but to reconnect with other authors and long-time friends. Once again, I have to thank Edith (whose books I read and love) for making me feel like an old friend and including me at every table for every meal. I am not shy, but her friendship that weekend was above and beyond, especially since Karen, who was going to help me through, got the flu and spent much time in her room. Every author was genuinely happy to meet fans and to make new ones. Bonus, I did get to meet my favorites and pal around with them, too. I confess, Rhys, that if we met in person, I would be a little starstruck like I have been meeting Lucy, Hank, Debs and Jenn.
I think the fame that the Kardashians have made for themselves comes from a kind of genius and fortunate timing. It's anything but "unearned."
ReplyDeleteLook them up and their TV show, "Keeping Up With..." them is credited as the first "reality tv."
But they weren't first. Remember the Loud family? Of course you don't remember them. They were the subject of what's credited as the first "reality tv show". They were all too "average" and all too real. The Karadashians have created a very different aura about themselves (disclaimer: I've never watched even one episode of "Keeping up with...") And when I read about them I hear that song from Cabaret, "Money money money money...." That and a genius for marketing and publicity. It's talent, not lack of it.