Celebrity in American Culture From Barnum to Blockbusters
“Celebrity in American Culture: From Barnum to Blockbusters” Introduction 9 -17 -14
Weebly Site • • Address: ollicelebrityinamerica@weebly. com Contains course information A copy of the syllabus Active links to readings Active links to the Power Point presentations Discussion questions for the readings Supplemental resources Instructor contact info: caltex 6@verizon. net
Definitions: Celebrity • Celebrity n. the state of being celebrated • Celebrity n. a celebrated person • Celebrate vb. to hold up or play up for public acclaim: extoll • Celebrated adj. widely known and often referred to
Latin & French Roots • Latin-celer-quick, swift, rapid, speedy, fast • French-celeber-much frequented; famous
Definitions: Famous • Famous adj. 1 a. widely known, b. honored for achievement 2. excellent, first-rate
Synonyms • • • Renowned Noted Distinguished Eminent Illustrious Legendary Recognized Prominent Well-known Popular Sensational
Variations: Negative • Notorious • Infamous • Scandalous
Gossip • n. a rumor or report of an intimate nature • n. a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts • Usually considered scandalous or surprising • Rumor-n. 1: talk or opinion widely disseminated with no discernable source: hearsay 2: a statement or report without known authority for its truth
Media • Plural of “medium” • Medium n. means of effecting or conveying something: as (1) a publication or broadcast that carries advertising (2) a channel of communication (3) a mode of artistic expression or communication” • Electronic mediums- radio, TV, cable, internet, films, recorded music, photographs & all copy & playback methods • Print mediums-magazines, newspapers, books, posters, advertisements, photographs
Celebrity: Constituent Parts • The celebrity • The fan • A medium for the two to find each other
Types of Celebrities: Artists • • • Actors Directors Writers Artists Musicians
Types of Celebrities: Non-artists • • • Athletes Journalists Reality-emcees, hosts, participants, contestants Government-elected & appointed officials Military-heroes & leaders Religious Criminals Philanthropists Business leaders
Course Overview: Part 1 • • P. T. Barnum (1830 s & 1840 s)-Cook & Adams Hollywood movie star system-de Cordova Mae West & censorship-Hamilton Theoretical view of movie stars-Dyer Elvis Presley-Guralnick 1930 s & 40 s radio star system-Murry 1940 s & 50 s TV star system-Murray
Course Overview: Part 2 • • Collapse of live TV star system (1950 s)-Murray Beatlemania-Ehrenreich, et al. Fandom as pathology-Jensen Heroes vs. Celebrities-Boorstin Celebrity, the tabloid & democracy-Turner Gossip: Walter Winchell-Gabler Scandal & gossip magazines (1950 s)Desjardines
Course Overview: Part 3 • Celebrity & journalism-Marshall • Celebrities & copyright-Mc. Leod • Celebrities, Power & New Media-Marshall
Approaches • • American Studies American History Media Studies Media Theory Gender Studies Censorship Studies Copyright Law
Questions & Resources • • What do you want to get out of this class? How do you want to participate? To read or not to read? The Discussion Questions? Class lectures Class discussion Supplemental readings & viewings
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