The Exploitation Of Jade Goody

When it was obvious that Jade Goody didn't have long to live I wrote about how, "I would like to see her have a dignified end with her family. For this reason we will not be mentioning her again unless there should be any important news."

At the time I felt that many so called tabloid papers in the UK were exploiting her for circulation purposes and this didn't feel right. Now Michael Parkinson has written in the Radio Times of how he believed that Jade had been, "...manipulated and exploited till the day she died."

Michael said:

"When we clear the media smokescreen from around her death, what we're left with is a woman who came to represent all that's paltry and wretched about Britain today.

She was brought up on a sink estate, as a child came to know both drugs and crime, was barely educated, ignorant and puerile.

Then she was projected to celebrity by Big Brother and, from that point on, became a media chattel to be manipulated and exploited till the day she died."

It's really hard to disagree with this. Though she was almost revered at the end for her definite bravery in the face of cancer, and became almost a cult hero, only a short while previously most of us were criticising her with headlines such as Jade Goody Fight Turns Ugly and Jade Goody Worse For Wear - Again.

Michael concluded by saying, "All that is to be wished of such a troubled soul is: rest in peace."

Let us hope that this is the case and that she won't continue to be exploited in death by the media in general or her 'friends' and relatives.

Celebrity Quick Snippits

Charley Uchea & Big Brother
About Big Brother we wrote yesterday, "Was there a bit of a fiddle going on, by the programme makers, so that Charley Uchea wasn't nominated? They no doubt want to keep her in the house for a little longer, it would be dull without her."

Today the Daily Star catches up with our news! On their front page they have a banner declaring: 'BB Fix It For Charley To Stay In House' Nice to know we got the story first!

Michael Parkinson Leaves Talk Show
Chat show host Michael Parkinson is now stepping down as UK chat show king. He's reached the age of 72 and has decided to take time out to write his memoirs. What a book that should be. Michael has interviewed all of the biggest names over the last 30 years. Just a few include: John Lennon, George Best, Orson Welles, Miss Piggy, Muhammad Ali, Princess Anne, Woody Allen, The Beckhams, Meg Ryan, Tom Cruise, Tony Blair and so and so on.

The Spice Girls Are Back!
As we have previously said the Spice Girls are getting back together - don't groan! They have announced today that they will be doing a world tour.

At the time, mid 90's, they were one of the biggest groups around. They were right, with their Girl Power, for that particular era - see photo on left.

There are now worries, however, about their vocal ability (wasn't there always?) and computers have been brought in to assist the girls. They will be able to 'sing' live but the computer can automatically adjust any flat or bum notes. Should be a busy computer but at least they won't have to mime on stage. Their spoksman would only say, "They all have great singing voices." Suppose he would have to say that!

Chantelle & Preston Split
Chantelle Houghton and Preston (real name Samuel Preston), from UK Big Brother 7, are going to split up after only ten months of marriage. Chantelle was originally a Paris Hilton lookalike but she doesn't have the art of keeping in the limelight. Perhaps she should try a stretch in jail! As the fame of Chantelle and Preston has dwindled so has their love - ahhhh! At least they made a couple of million on the way up.