Overzealous media in death of stars

In spite of the fact that most of us will never meet the stars who fill our television and cinematic screens, we often feel we "know them." And so when someone dies, as Heath Ledger did today, there is a mourning that occurs. It's confusing, I think, but sadness is sadness and when I heard about it, of course I was shocked. And saddened. I never knew this man and yet something felt severely wrong the moment I heard of his passing.

It's sadder, still, the way these people are covered in the media. I understand that with fame comes a certain level of scrutiny. We've come to expect it and it's the other side of the coin that keeps them, perhaps, in the limelight. I certainly watched a bit of the coverage, myself, curious to know what had happened...why such a young, successful person was no longer among the living. But as I sat here working on my computer with the television playing in the background, I heard a woman asking a doctor to tell her, "Do you think it was suicide...?" (with this certain tone in her voice - you know the tone I mean,) then follow that up with some alternative suggestions. According to what she'd just said, this doctor was merely a doctor...not one who knew Ledger at all. Then my sadness for the loss of this talent, and the father, son, brother, lover and friend he was to people who are genuinely mourning right now...the loss of someone they do know and love, was laced with something else. With something icky that led to my turning off the set entirely.

When is it just too much? These days it seems usually it's too much.

Comments

[Leslie]

Thought of you and Other Brown-Haired Girl when I first heard the sad news.

So grateful that you introduced me to "A Knight's Tale."

[Dad]

There is something very sad when someone as young as he dies. We expect everyone to live at least the "threescore and ten." That alone is enough to cause sadness. You and I know what it is for someone closer to us to face death.

We wonder why we grieve when someone we never met or knew dies. Grief is associated with our emotional attachment. When books began to come out about five missionaries who died in South America in the 1950's were written, I was especially attached to the character of Nate Saint, the pilot for the group. When I finished reading "Jungle Pilot," the story of his life and death, I was doubly grieved, first that he was dead, and secondly, as a result of his death, I would not be able to meet him, except in heaven. Yet, his death, and the death of the group of five, has inspired generations of young people.

It is important that all who are affected ask, "what can I learn from this person, from his early death?"

I agree that much of the coverage of the lives and deaths of famous people is insensitive. Perhaps those who are so insensitive should reflect on their own response if it were someone close to them who suffered the tragedy.

Love,

Dad

[Melody]

Dad, as always your note sounded just like you - balanced...insightful. Thanks for contributing.

Leslie, it's still one of my favorite movies. Complete entertainment. It'll be hard to watch now, though.