Amen and Goodnight

You know, the passing of Heath Ledger and the ensuing media madness --- Oh look! There's his grieving ex-girlfriend just off a 12-hour flight from Sweden! I know: let's ambush her and their two-year-old daughter at her home in Brooklyn upon their return to New York!! --- has made me rethink my participation in all this crap (and thankfully, I am not the only one doing so). Yes, I click on the links that pay the bills for these vultures who have no regard for human suffering and human decency, so I am not entirely innocent in all this obsession with celebrity. And, don't get me wrong, I like a good dress disaster as much as the next person, but somehow when the stars are out shilling their products at an event or award show, that feels like fair game. This does not.

This week, the way Heath Ledger's family and friends were absolutely hounded like wild animals on their streets, outside their homes... well, let's just say it really crossed a line and I do not want to be a part of this. I don't want to be one of those website hits that translate into cash money for people whose sole purpose and existence is based upon the misfortune and folly of others, that just doesn't feel right. So, starting this week, I am not going to be looking at t m z (no website or google hits here my friend) or that awful plagiarizing, woman hating piece of shit known as p e r e z. He's gotten better at hiding the fact that he steals absolutely all of his material, but he is still one of the lowest of the lows. Going after children and criticizing them for their appearance is just beyond the pale and that's just one of his specialities. I hope his influence on the media is going to wane, but then I am still waiting to stop seeing his namesake, Paris, drop off the radar and that hasn't happened yet. (sigh)

Anyway, I don't have anything to add to all the noise and craziness surrounding Heath Ledger's death, and I am not about to speculate on what may have caused it although I do have personal experience with insomnia and am quite sympathetic on that front. Mainly, I just want to say that I am sad I will not get to see him develop as an actor because I thought he was very good, unbelievably talented in fact. Recently, I saw a clip from the upcoming Batman movie and his portrayal of the Joker scared the bejesus out of me.... whoa, that is some darkness he tapped into for that role, no wonder he was having trouble sleeping. Selfishly, I am sorry for all the many movie roles that we'll never get to see him in, his career was just beginning. But, of course, the biggest tragedy is for his lovely little daughter that will never know her daddy. That breaks my heart.

I only hope that his family and close friends can find someplace private to come together celebrate all that he did achieve in such a short time, and that the rest of us, myself included, can get over our sick fascination with the cult of celebrity and move on to something else. Isn't it time for Britney to have another bipolar meltdown or something? At least in her case, she appears to relish the spotlight and court the photogs that track her every move. Here kitty, kitty!

Rest in peace, dear, sweet Heath. You will be missed by those you loved and that loved you and those of us who only admired your gifts and talents from afar.

Heath Ledger & Matilda