The award season is upon us -- the People's Choice Awards, the Oscars, Golden Globes, Grammys, SAG Awards. One swanky, posh and expensive award show after another.
Who is wearing what? Best dressed list and worst dressed lists will flood headlines the following mornings, people will anticipate whether a wardrobe malfunction or inappropriate moment will be caught on camera, or whether someone's speech will be either rude or boring. We'll watch closely to see which couples show up together, which don't, and whether Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie will be the best looking duo yet again.
Will you watch along with millions of others, and perhaps like me, live tweet throughout the award show? Or will you turn off the television, Facebook, Twitter and read a book instead?
Why is our society today so celebrity obsessed? These actors and musicians make so much money, enough to feed a country and then they have these elaborate award shows to ultimately pat each other on the back. And we sit there, year after year, and applaud them. We watch and critique and gossip and comment on the fashion.
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2013 Golden Globes Red Carpet
Why? Why do we do this? I'm guilty of it and I bet you are too. Music and film are an art form -- we must protect and honour arts and culture. Right? Yes -- but then they wouldn't have to broadcast those award shows if it were only about the craft.
It's about the celebrity. We are a celebrity conscious culture -- some are completely obsessed. Following the lives of celebrities is a form of entertainment. We love to know what celebrities are doing, wearing, product they're using, people they're dating, and we try to find something in them that we relate to.
Having information at our fingertips at every waking moment makes it easier to always be in-the-know about our favourite personalities and their private lives, verging on the brink of stalking.
This interesting article on LiveScience.com talks about the psychology behind our celebrity fixation -- it's worth a read. Daniel Kruger, an evolutionary psychologist at the University of Michigan, says:
"...Learning what high-status individuals do so you might more effectively become one... knowing what is going on with high-status individuals, you'd be better able to navigate the social scene."
So excuse me while I make a bowl of popcorn and settle down in front of my television to watch Entertainment Tonight -- I may learn a new social skill. Or just be reminded that I'm not rich.