I’m rarely affected by celebrity tragedies played out in the media. My response tends to be, ‘well these things happen to ordinary unsung folk all the time, and the nation doesn’t run around indulging in grief-porn over them’. Of course, it’s completely different when it comes to my own favourite celebrities … such as former Wallaby captain, the great Phil Kearns, who accidentally ran over his 19 month-old daughter in his own driveway a while back. For us rugby fans, who have so often had cause to jump from our seats yelling “go Kearnsy!” to the thrilling sight of the big man charging through the centre of the ruck (ah, how long since we have seen a Wallaby do anything like that? … but I digress), it was impossible not to feel deeply for the man on hearing of his tragedy. How good, therefore, to read today that his daughter “is expected to make a full recovery”. Go little Kearnsy!
Life, Culture and Politics from BrisVegas
Larvatus Prodeo was an Australian group blog which discussed politics, sociology, culture, life, religion and science from a left of centre perspective. more»
The obsession with celebs is just one way society talks about itself. This discussion of tragedy, sex, work, relationships etc brought about by the idolization of celebrities is important, and could it really happen in the same way if we merely discussed our own personal situations or if we chose to randomly harass and obsess over “ordinary unsung folk”?
I’m just playing devils advocate for the hell of it, the distorted prism of celebrity gossip for societies collective introspection leads to some very warped results!
Yes, poor pet. I still get a bit weepy thinking of little Sophie and Molly too.
Yes Kieran, it is an important – and difficult – issue. Ralston Saul (*RWDB-magnet alert*) has some interesting things to say about “The Stars” in his Voltaire’s Bastards. One snippet:
Not since the emperor Nero wove acting, sports and political power into one disastrous formula by competing and winning at Olympus in both chariot racing and musical recital has the superficial been so profoundly confused with the public interest.
Mind you, I’m with Amanda when it comes to rugby heroes; go little Kearnsy!
IÄôm with Amanda when it comes to rugby heroes
Hmmm, no. I don’t think you are at all. My only rugby hero is John O’Neill, swept up in the postqualification afterglow. Although I did notice on the news last night he was wearing his little Order of Australia or whatsit thingo on his lapel so he’s still got a long streak of yawnion toff in him clearly.
However I am not one to visit the sins of the fathers on the poppets so sure … go little Kearnsy!
You mean you’re not staying up till 3am on Sunday to see if the Wallabies can win equal second place in the all-time records for the worst Wallaby team in history Amanda? I’m shocked.
Since you put it that way …. but really, I have simple tastes. Am content just to enjoy the pain of its adherents after the fact.
What happened to Kearns and his daughter is every parents’ worst nightmare.
As a parent, I can imagine what he’s been going through, and that’s multiplied by being in the public eye.
Just remember Phil’s anguish next time you’re driving your car.
Hmm, I am wondering why anti-SUV/4WD activists haven’t picked up on this?
They have, Glen, but they’ve been shouted down. There was a story on the 7.30 Report about it. SUV/4WD are something like 3 times as likely as others to mow down a pedestrian. But that doesn’t stop idiots driving Toorak Tractors (or Towong Tractors to LP folk).
Some geezer from the 4WD guild (or something) disputed those figures and reframed the issue in terms of rights. Yeah, the right to mow down people and pollute the environment just to appease your ego/mid-life crisis.
Of course I feel for parents who unwittingly hurt their kids but jeez, what a goddam idiot driving one of this goddam tanks around the city.
Hear hear, Christopher. Would say the same for any Mum and Dad affected by such a tragedy. I hope little Andie continues her recovery, that the great prop himself is OK and, finally, that she doesn’t grow up to resemble the old man.
PS: Could someone please please sack Eddie Jones now? This is what we’re reduced to without the likes of big Kearnsy.
Is it too cynical of me to mention that when I heard the report twice on the radio this morning, not only was it the headline story but they had left the part out about who ran her over.
It is a horrible accident but it was much better when Kearns wasn’t in the media speaking about the incident like he was today.
Look, no one could question my deep and abiding cynicism about the world and its pathetic inhabitants but seriously, why the bitching?
Facts of life, that the meeja will hit on anything more noteworthy that usual. To paraphrase Woody Allen, if Nicole Kidman stubs her toe its front page news. If I fall into a sewer an die, no one cares.
You want to change Celebrity Cultcha? Knock yourself out — maybe try clicking your ruby slippers, its a wonder no one’s thought of that before — but its a little girl who’s the issue here. No more important because of her connections but no less so either. Do you think you know better than her father about who is responsible for the accident? Have a little compassion, please.
Poor poppet. My utterly, absolutely beloved 11yo nephew had a major health scare recently which has — literally — kept me up nights since. Andie Kearns gets the attention. Thats life. Doesn’t stop me caring desperatley about him, and having empathy for her and her family at the same time. Love all your beautiful kidlings, famous or not.
So anyhow. About last night.
I’d just staggered back from the staff christmas party, in rather a funk because the “deejay” refused to play Khe Sahn. If I could have remembered the terrorist hotline number and had retained the motor skills to use the mobile, that bloke was history.
*cough* sorry *cough*
Going back to bed. i may never get up again.
ps go little kearnsy.
blogging. when. you’re. tired. &. emotional. isn’t. wise.
And Currency, Kearnsy was a hooker!
Props, hookers…