“Celebrity in American Culture:
From Barnum to Blockbusters”
Introduction
9-17-14
Weebly Site
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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: caltex6@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. 1a. widely known, b. honored for
achievement 2. excellent, first-rate
Synonyms
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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
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Actors
Directors
Writers
Artists
Musicians
Types of Celebrities: Non-artists
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Athletes
Journalists
Reality-emcees, hosts, participants, contestants
Government-elected & appointed officials
Military-heroes & leaders
Religious
Criminals
Philanthropists
Business leaders
Course Overview: Part 1
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P.T. Barnum (1830s & 1840s)-Cook & Adams
Hollywood movie star system-de Cordova
Mae West & censorship-Hamilton
Theoretical view of movie stars-Dyer
Elvis Presley-Guralnick
1930s & 40s radio star system-Murry
1940s & 50s TV star system-Murray
Course Overview: Part 2
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Collapse of live TV star system (1950s)-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 (1950s)Desjardines
Course Overview: Part 3
• Celebrity & journalism-Marshall
• Celebrities & copyright-McLeod
• Celebrities, Power & New Media-Marshall
Approaches
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American Studies
American History
Media Studies
Media Theory
Gender Studies
Censorship Studies
Copyright Law
Questions & Resources
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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