What do Lindsay Lohan, Mel Gibson, Ben Roethlisberger, Jeff Pearlman, Deadspin and the giant weekend feud between Phillies bloggers and traditional media all have in common?
You’d be amazed, but they all (somewhat seamlessly) fit into our first segment.
For a point of reference, read this piece at SI from Pearlman. It’s a launching point into a conversation about how much is too much to remain a fan of someone famous.
With celebrities, the gossip is the game and the other stuff (actual movies/TV and other things that actors do) is secondary. Sure, you can make a ton of money doing a movie, but you’re not going to get on the cover of any magazines unless you show up drunk somewhere or adopt 50 kids or, yes, go to jail. But how much is too much?
Is Mel Gibson a bigger star this month than last, or did he go too far and is his career over?
And how does this translate to sports, where the game is the most important thing and the gossip is superfluous? Is Pearlman right that we shouldn’t root for Big Ben anymore? If you believe all the allegations, then yes, he’s probably right.
But why do we have morality when we root for our teams but not when we watch the celebrity fish bowl? We can’t stop paying attention to – and in a way, by continuing to perpetuate her fame, rooting for – Lindsay Lohan, so how can we be expected to be any different when it’s an athlete.
And, parenthetically, is Roethlisberger a monster like Pearlman claims, or is he just really, really dumb and entitled? If he’s a monster, didn’t we create him?
To pile on a bit, read this about the whole LeBron thing from Pearlman where he basically rips ESPN.com’s Rob King to shreds while talking about journalistic ethics, yet basically gives Daulerio credit for something he didn’t even write (note: not the first time Deadspin was credited with having something on this LeBron story that they didn’t have first.)
• We also talk about a report that Shaq may be looking at Europe, Rafael Marquez coming to MLS (and the Red Bulls) and Tim Tebow as a cult figure in Denver already.
Thanks for listening.
Tags: Ben Roethlisberger, Jeff Pearlman, Lindsay Lohan, Mel Gibson, Rafael Marquez, Shaq
Really? — I had a faint (and mistaken) recollection of Dameshek making an appearance. Anyway, Dameshek or Don Spagnolo would bring an interesting yinzer voice.
And by back on the show, I assume you mean on the show for the first time.
If you want to talk more Roethlisberger, maybe it’s time to get Dave Dameshek back on the show. BTW, Dameshek is going to be doing something on the NFL Network this fall with a Sunday morning fantasy show.