Years ago there was a really stupid chat show host called Simon something (actually saw a clip of him the other day -- forget his last name) who enjoyed considerable success on TV for a while. It was clear to me that people liked him precisely because he WAS thicker than the average citizen. That could be the appeal of many of these shows -- allows people to feel superior, at least to SOMEONE. Simon Dee. That's it. Maybe with the growth of celebratory culture (not really a new phenomenon in its basics -- look how people saw kings, queens, lords and ladies in the days before mass media) people don't just want to envy those who have their five minutes of fame but need to despise others ?
Of course, some of us wind up despising almost everyone on TV...
:)
Of course, some of us wind up despising almost everyone on TV...
:)
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