<p>The national news media obviously thinks that everyone in the U.S. cares deeply and completely about the whole Anna Nicole Smith saga. Of course, it is a tragic story on many different levels, but does the interest of most people in the U.S. really drive the news coverage? Or, is it a case that people talk about it, only because it’s been on TV so much for the past month? How many people really care to be blanketed with this bizarre news coverage? (Maybe it’s just me—I don’t “get” the point of most reality TV shows, either)…</p>
<p>stop watching</p>
<p>the fact that people tune in makes them want to show more - ratings = $</p>
<p>if you want real information log off of this site and go to a news website such as cnn, bbc, whatever twice a day or so</p>
<p>LOL— Yeah, I figured that one out a while back, thanks. That’s why my TV is usually on ESPN. I still see the picture on the screen at the Y while I’m on the treadmill, tho… apparently the news folks think the majority of Americans want to know all the details!</p>
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This has me baffled as well. Completely. 
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<p>It’s saved me some time this week – whenever I was tempted to turn on the news channels, I saw the coverage of Anna Nicole Smith and turned it off. My house is cleaner than usual.</p>
<p>Americans are fascinated by abductors and murderers, and their victims. It’s icing on the cake if one of those people happened to also be a celebrity (but the fascination exists…ie Lacy Peterson…regardless).</p>
<p>But this wasn’t an abduction or murder (I don’t think it was a murder?). It was someone who simply DIED. I never realized she was a celebrity. I had heard of her due to the lawsuit over her late elderly millionaire husband’s death and his fortune and that was it. I didn’t think she was THAT famous. She doesn’t have a lot of major accomplishments like some celebrities. I don’t get how her story has become so big. I didn’t think of her as a well known star of any sort. There wasn’t a murder or major crime. I don’t really get how her death became such a major news story. I do not know the cause of her death (apparently that is coming out soon) but let’s say it was death due to illness or even drugs. Why is that such a big to-do? She was not a major figure before this. I had hardly heard of her other than that lawsuit a while back over her late husband’s estate. It is not like she is a film star, etc. (I’m not saying that would make it more important but I could at least understand that it would be newsworthy or fascinating if she was a well known figure but she wasn’t…was she? Maybe I am out of the loop on celebrities.)</p>
<p>It’s the whole trainwreck aspect of the whole situation. This is the cloest thing to a real life L&O type case we have had in a while. It has everything, money, death, death resulting in deaths, multiple possible fathers, possible incest, mother against child, then mother against child again at the funeral, and everyone wanting custody of the infant soley for the possibilty of the money that is STILL up in the air. All this being said, I don’t care either.</p>
<p>I’m with you astromom. I don’t get get it and also am suspicious of whether it’s really the media driving it more than actual interest by their audience. OTOH there are people who actually watch Jerry Springer, Hollywood gossip shows, and read People magazine which is hard for me to fathom as well.</p>
<p>The so-called news programs, including CNN, are really about entertainment and attracting an audience so they’ve been no respite from this ridiculous Anna obsession.</p>
<p>I agree with Joev- we are fascinated by trainwrecks- we have mystery- sex- money- plus when I go to the gym the stations are all set on either CNN or VHI ( or ESPN) I don’t even know enough about what is on to ask them to change it
but its either ANS or the white rapper reality show ;)</p>
<p>News is melding with entertainment these days. Just look at how CNN has changed over the years. They broadcast what sells, not what’s important. Frontline has done a series on this topic over the last few weeks.
I like hard news - but I’m having a hard time finding it these days. I stick to my old fashioned newspapers (love NYTimes and WPost). I try TV sometimes- turn it on - see AN Smith or Paris Hilton and turn it right off. It’s a sad turn of events…</p>
<p>The whole Anna Nicole Smith is baffling. It is, however, a reflection on the collective interest of the TV audience. For months, the show ET has had “reporters” shadowing this pseudo-celebrity in the Bahamas and reporting her minute steps on a daily basis. Voyeurism at its best!</p>
<p>One has to assume that the brainiacs who run the networks broadcast the shows their audiences respond to. It seems that our nation is more interested in what the dogs of Spears and Hilton ate for dinner than in real issues. </p>
<p>No wonder Jay Leno does not have any problems exposing the sad state of our culture and … intelligence.</p>
<p>This woman is bigger in death than she was when she was alive. I hardly knew who she was before she died! She is more of a celebrity now than before, I think.</p>
<p>I actually find her story appealing (and so does my mom–traditional Asian woman who hasn’t watched TV in years!)…my mom said it’s because one feels sorry for Anna Nicole Smith. Everyone was after her money, and you naturally felt bad for her–she had that weight problem, etc.</p>
<p>I had to look her up when she died and I still didn’t recognize her. (Unlike Brittney Spears for example.) But then I don’t watch TV at all.</p>
<p>Just a slow national news period. She’ll disappear if (when?) we lob a few projectiles into Iranian airspace.</p>
<p>Oh, I think the focus on Anna Nicole keeps the attention OFF Iraq, Iran, North Korea…this is also quite deliberate (plus more Americans have the stomach for abductions or celebrity death than they do for war…which works well for the corporate sponsors…)</p>
<p>I never watched her reality show or cared two figs about her doings, but this whole thing now does have me interested, I’m ashamed to say. The train wreck aspect is part of it, but the legal doings actually interest me alot more. I can’t believe getting a DNA test is so complicated. Maury Povich does it every morning! ( of course, they’re willing participants)…I was disgusted to learn last night that Howard K. STern was paid 3MM for the video rights to her funeral. Talk about vultures!</p>
<p>It’s melodrama and true too. Here’s the summary of the plot line: semi-illiterate Playboy centerfold former stripper from impoverished Texas background marries very old, very sick, very rich guy who dies. Disowned heirs sue. Case ends up in Supreme Court. She’s still rich when her 20-year-old son commits suicide days after her baby girl (whose parentage raises interesting questions but who is definitely very rich baby) is born. Five months later she dies in mysterious circumstances. People fight over where to bury her and the case ends up in court.</p>
<p>I think it’s a fascinating and very American story. </p>
<p>Should the press be covering more important things? Maybe… but it’s not a big deal, no one is forcing you to watch.</p>
<p>People will eventually lose interest and the media circus will die down. I would like to know who the father is of the little girl. Poor thing.</p>