Volume 17　あなたは有名になりたい？


Famous for Being Famous

Michael Rhys: Uh, right, hello. Yes, My name's Michael Rhys. 

Ann Slater: And I'm Ann Slater.

Michael: And, uh, it's actually really nice to be here today to do a live version of our Cultural Crossroads corner.

Ann: And especially for the 40th anniversary festival, we are very glad to be here. And we're really happy that all of you could come, and also that you enjoy listening to the show. That makes us feel really happy.
 The topic for today is celebrities and public figures. First of all, you know, one of the interesting things is what do we mean when we say "celebrity?" You know, what is a celebrity? Or what is the difference, for example, between a celebrity and a star, when we talk about those two different things?

Michael: Beats me. Ha-ha.

Ann: Ha-ha. Well I had to think about it a little myself and I thought, well, in the States when we talk about it, a star would be, for example, you have movie star, a TV star, rock star, soccer star, for example. They, it's somebody who has a talent or ability for something and they become well-known for that. Celebrity doesn't necessarily have to be someone with a talent, right?

Michael: Yes, it's a very much a 21st century phenomenon I think. I mean, at one time star/celebrity had, pretty much had the same meaning. They have developed a special skill; they are extremely good at what they do. Becoming famous, becoming a celebrity is, is almost like a byproduct of that. But things have changed. And now, as you say, celebrity can come about for almost any reason. The famous phrase "famous for being famous." You don't actually have to be skilled at anything to become a celebrity. Probably in, in the U.K. the classic example of this are shows like Big Brother. Do you have Big Brother in the States?

Ann: Uh, I don't think so. What kind of show is that?

Michael: OK, Big Brother is what they call a reality TV show.

Ann: Oh.

Michael: And these are shows, reality TV is where you, basically, you take a camera and you point it at people and record what they're doing in everyday life. There's no script, there's no pre-planning, it's just as life unfolds. And then they get a group of people, I forget how many, maybe eight, ten people, ordinary people. These are people off the street. 

Ann: And then do these people become celebrities?

Michael: Well, that's what happens.

Ann: Yeah.

Michael: They become famous. People become fascinated with these individuals.

Ann: Right. And so that's, it's interesting 'cause that's an example where you become famous for no special talent.

Michael: Right, and . . .

Ann: Except just being who you are, which is a talent, ha-ha, in a way, right.