by Chrysa Smith

OK. I admit I can be occasionally grabbed by the old green eyed monster. So tell me, really: Why is it that, contrary to what Jack Kennedy said, the current trend is ‘to whom much is given, even more will be given?’ It just doesn’t seem fair–and I’m not saying that in regard to myself. I’m saying that in regard to our fame-crazy society.

Now before you accuse me of being a socialist, I am a proponent of working hard, getting ahead, getting what you work for and sharing it by personal decision as to how it is distributed. I don’t think everything will ever be equal –for better or worse.

But I really get annoyed at seeing the Chanel No. 5 ad with Brad Pitt. Does the mega-superstar have to be selling women’s perfume? Couldn’t they put another beautiful person, without the gorgeous income to work? I personally, wouldn’t mind seeing a new, hot face and body (in the interest of marketing, of course). Will Brad sell that much more? Maybe, but it’s irksome nonetheless.

I have the same view on the tv networks. Why is it that the morning hosts regularly do nighttime news shows too? Isn’t it enough to get the millions of dollars and the part-time hours? Do they have to gobble up possible slots for night owls as well? Will they grab that many more viewers? Maybe, but it’s irksome nonetheless.

I’m sorry, but when I see the ‘chosen’ taking on even more, there’s an air of gluttony that looms within me. Now, I’m not saying that a movie star can’t write a children’s book (although they often can’t–green eye alert!), or an anchor can’t launch a perfume (AP for women–green eye alert!), but that’s their own choice to achieve–to climb—to enrich. And what’s wrong with that?

What I do have issue with are the ‘hired’ slots that keep going to the same already successful folks. For God’s sake, in the interest of job creation alone, can’t we hire a few new faces? What about all those aspiring models? Those communication majors without jobs? Those movie producers just waiting for their shot?

Perhaps I’m just being a ….ch. It happens every now and then. I know taking a risk on an unknown can be shaky, but then again, the famous were once unknown—and so it goes. So, even though I love my morning show, I turn on my Fox or BBC networks just for a change. Somebody said that change does a person good. I’m beginning to agree.