21 Comments
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Fay Reid's avatar

Interesting, Tom, but, I'm not into celebrities, great actors, comedians, or singers, yes. The pushing of news about "celebrities" is just another con.

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TCinLA's avatar

Of course it is.

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Fay Reid's avatar

Thank you, Tom I can usually count on you to make me laugh, and with quips like this, you certainly do.

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samani's avatar

Yes, Fay and trivial. But the history of tabloids…and as a born in Manhattanite…& I can attest to those dailies on newsstands and next to checkouts in grocery stores, is fascinating. Thank you Tom for this info. It is part of why far far too many people would rather vote for an insane criminal ‘celebrity’ who lies cheats and continues to fabulate.

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Gloria Horton-Young's avatar

One of the most interesting, educational article I’ve read in years! Thank you!

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Susan Troy's avatar

Celebrities: People famous for being famous.” Still, with that said, the first thing I see descending the stairs to my basement studio is a beautiful picture of Cary Grant. Don’t underestimate the power of illusion. That illusion of suave masculinity with a sense of humor cheers me every day. A reporter sent a telegram to Cary Grant when he turned 60. “How old Cary Grant?” CG “Old Cary Grant fine. How you?” Donald. Go eat a raspberry and leave us in peace. You’re incapable of doing that, but hope springs eternal.

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Ellen's avatar

Very interesting! In another decade, the NYT may become a sequel to this history. Or perhaps sooner.

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samani's avatar

Ha! I’m laughing Ellen. There but for the grace etc goes the once great paper.

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Victoria Brown's avatar

Evolution of tabloid news.

Thank you Tom. Very

interesting and

as Gloria points out,

educational article.

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Yehawes (VA)'s avatar

How deeply bizarre. It's a reminder that our times do not have a monopoly on mass human weirdness.

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Judith Swink (CA)'s avatar

What on earth is a "full-length headshot"?

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TCinLA's avatar

They probably meant "full frame" as the term is nowadays.

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Judith Swink (CA)'s avatar

Thank you. I'd never have guessed. At least "full frame" is reasonably self explanatory.

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Kent Anderson's avatar

Winchell, what a phony.

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Judith Matlock's avatar

Not surprised about the indifference of the folks in Rudy's West Coast milieu because they were in on the con. On the other hand, the fans always imbue celebrities with their own fantasies, which explains the swooning and rapacious appetites for reports on every eye flutter, moan, and sigh right up to the death rattle. It made the fans feel they were a direct part of his life, which oddly enough they were.

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TCinLA's avatar

I remember when I interviewed Arnold Schwarzenegger, during the making of the first "Terminator." They were filming the scene where the second Sarah Conner gets killed, in a North Hollywood neighborhood. Every kid knew he was there. When he wasn't shooting,he was sitting in a chair letting kids sit on his lap while moms took pictures, having a good time with all of them. When it was time to shoot, he'd tell them "Be quiet now, so I can do this and get back to you all." You could have heard a pin drop on the street. When we went off to lunch to do the interview, I commented I'd never seen another star do that. He responded "Then you've seen a lot of fools! Without those kids, I'm nothing" That was when I realized that "Ahhnuld" was one of the smartest guys I ever met in Duh Biz.

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Carol C's avatar

Such journalism is its own reward!?

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JDinTX's avatar

Rupert has found his reward in power and the ad revenue.

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Bob Lewis's avatar

What a story. Very interesting. Thanks.

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JDinTX's avatar

Good Lord, i knew about Hearst, but had never heard about the others. I’m Sure Rupert Murdoch had. Also, the Campbell’s Funeral Home is still in business. Wow

Dead celebrities still make money. Wonder if someone has figured out a way to squeeze some more bread out of The Sheik. And the beat goes on…

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Monnina's avatar

Thanks. I enjoyed that. Here is a song about the ever with us Daily News that some of you may be familiar with 🐈‍⬛💙

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ui-cL6YOKHI

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