Poll: Celebrity Deaths...who really cares?

[ace_of_something]

Realistically do you think anyone is going to go on TV and say "I don't care" that's like holding a press conferance to say "I have nothing to say" and than walking off.

 

[Phantomess]

I was genuinely sad over the death of Michael Jackson, mainly because I think he had so much more to give musically and that his three kids really needed him. No-one wants to lose their father that young... or at all. I also really enjoyed his music. So yes, I was sad when he died. I don't think that makes me any less of a person because I thought that.

Gary Coleman, on the other hand, I don't feel much about. It's sad that he's dead, yeah... but I was never much into Different Strokes (though I think his parody in Avenue Q was hilarious).

I'm well aware that there are millions of people suffering in the world at the moment, but that's not going to stop me feeling compassion for the family of someone who has died, whether they were in the public eye or not.

 

[Hiroshi Mishima]

If Leonard Cohen or Terry Pratchett die however, prepare yourselves for a rising of sea levels due to my tear ducts. Since I've actually seen them in person (in Pratchett's case at a book talk - in Cohen's case, a concert where he played the song which the name of I yelled out) - I care more.

Oh man, when a friend told me that Pratchett had lost his ability to write and has to use a voice recognition program due to Alzheimer's, I was already starting to feel badly. When he really does go it'll feel like the passing of a great and wonderful man (which he was) because his books helped me to no end when I was growing up. And what I do know of him (I'd love to have met him) lead me to believe that he really is a sweet old guy.

 

[slowpoke999]

Brings a new meaning to the show Different Strokes

 

[Count Igor]

Depends which celebrities.

Michael Jackson.
Yay! Here comes the avalanche of jokes! (I like jokes)

Heath Ledger
Damn. That is all.

 

[Brad Shepard]

The only Celebrity i cared about that died was Billy Mayes.

 

[major28]

Celebrities are no better than an average person, and it angers me that people weep for them just because they're rich.

Most of the time celebrities only contribute shitty songs or movies, and there are people doing more important things than that who go ungrieved.

i just wanted to say i have a pin of your avatar

 

[Naheal]

I was sad when George Carlin died, but he was awesome.

 

[NewGeekPhilosopher]

If Leonard Cohen or Terry Pratchett die however, prepare yourselves for a rising of sea levels due to my tear ducts. Since I've actually seen them in person (in Pratchett's case at a book talk - in Cohen's case, a concert where he played the song which the name of I yelled out) - I care more.

Oh man, when a friend told me that Pratchett had lost his ability to write and has to use a voice recognition program due to Alzheimer's, I was already starting to feel badly. When he really does go it'll feel like the passing of a great and wonderful man (which he was) because his books helped me to no end when I was growing up. And what I do know of him (I'd love to have met him) lead me to believe that he really is a sweet old guy.

Oh you'll start to bawl your eyes out when I tell you he is, without a doubt - one of the only celebrities of his age group who has managed to live a long, successful life without being disgraced by scandals of any kind. Meeting Pratchett was a revelation is what a celebrity is supposed to be - somebody who contributes something of worth to humanity without being a horrible person because fame has gotten to their heads.

Terry Pratchett is grateful for every fan he gets - because it makes him happy to see lots of people cheering him on in his life's battles. Believe me, after hearing this from me, your tear ducts are gonna be a whole lot wetter when Death pays him a visit and takes him to visit Mort's house.

 

[Doc Funky]

I see these types of threads a lot, and they're always brought up when a ridiculous celebrity (Murphy, Coleman, Anna Nicole Smith) dies...but never, ever, when a widely-respected celebrity dies. Gee, I wonder why.

To stay on-topic, two recent celebrity deaths have made me genuinely sad:
Billy Mays
Gene Barry

Harrison Ford is one that will ruin my entire week when it finally happens.

 

[Tharwen]

It's hard, since I think we actually know far less about celebrities and how they really are than the people we have met and spoken with, even if we claim to be a fan, follow all the news, and go to all the concerts or whatever.

 

[Valkyrie101]

Only if it's a celebrity I care about (e.g. Dio). If I haven't heard of them, or I don't like/have no interest in them (Michael Jackson), then no.

 

[pigmypython]

What I find weird is that everybody is so willing to ignore the fact that MJ is a pedophile that even in death they feel compelled to praise him. Was he a good singer? Yes. Was he a good dancer? Also check. Was he ALSO A fucking child molester?!?! Am I the only one that finds this fact a tad more important????

 

[Fortunefaded]

I haven't been sad at anything or any person dying unless I have a connection to them. My girlfriend's great grandmother died and although my girlfriend was upset by this, I wasn't even phased as I never met her. I was supportive tho

It is the same for celebrities, I can't think of a single celebrity that has died that has made me feel sad etc. However, it can be interesting. Dio died not long ago and until then I had only heard of dio from a tenacious D film. From hearing the news I researched his music and found out that he was the singer in black sabbath and since then I've found a new band I really like

If one of the band players of the Red hot chilli peppers dies, I think I would be quite sad. rhcp music has meant alot to me over the years of me been a fan. I'm heavily invested emotionally with the music so knowing that a band member died could potentially destroy the good times associated with the music. I.e the band breaking up, I'd never get to hear any new music or see live shows!

Man, I'm on a ramble today!

 

[Ickorus]

Anyone dying is cause to be sad, i won't be more sad because it's a celebrity though.

And sometimes i'll be less sad depending on the celebrity.

 

[Dexiro]

Why do people care when any celebrities do anything ever?

If they're entertaining or just plain awesome, like Ozzy Osbourne or somethin, then sure tell me what awesomeness they've been up to.

Do i want to hear anything about Peter Andre though? No he's a smug prick, i don't even know what he's done to be famous. Same could be said for most famous people.

 

[foodmaniac]

I don't give a crap about celebrities dying. Really, I don't. It's literally no different to a random junkie on the street dying - I didn't know them, and they didn't know me. There is no relationship between me and any celebrities that would make me sad. On the other hand, if I had met the celebrity in person, gotten to know them and became friends with them, it would be a completely different story.

 

[SextusMaximus]

They're not sad so much for everyone, but whatever they did in their line of work, there will be a void. If they did good work, then it's fair enough that everybody wants to commemorate them. For people whose line of work I don't care about, I don't care about their death. Sorry if that makes me a bad person...

 

[Alex The Rat]

It depends on who the celebrity is. I had not the slightest pang of sadness when Anna Nicole Smith finally went the way of her pride and her career. However, when a talented entertainer like Heath Ledger dies, especially fairly early in his career, it does give me pause while I ponder what could and should have been.

EDIT: I voted that I was a sheep just to help you feel justified in your views towards humanity.