By Brittany Duggins

Tabloids, magazines, and celebrity gossip shows, Americans are enthralled in celebrity life.

In 2005 alone, People Magazine, according to the Advertising Age FactPack, had a gross revenue of $1,271,005, making it the top seller. From that estimate, approximately 3,652,022 were paid subscribers to the magazine.

Jack Shafer, of Slate Magazine, wrote in the November 2003 issue, “Sculpted into the human psyche is a vessel that would thirst for page after page of articles about mating rituals, health and drug problems, fertility problems, wealth and plastic surgery secrets of actors.” Whether or not people buy the magazines, they are at least guilty of glancing or thumbing through them when standing in line at the store.

Walter Winchell is to thank for all the gossip being printed. In the late twenties he developed a whole column in his newspaper, the “New York Evening Graphic,” dedicated to celebrity gossip. The idea stemmed from the success of his backstage gossip postings of his acting troup.

Perhaps, Americans are wrapped up in celebrity life and gossip because average people need an escape from their sometimes monotonous lives. Americans are also obsessed with how the celebrities dress and how they spend their money, using them as an example for how to live.

Catching a glimpse into how much of a wreck some people lives have become can be somewhat rewarding for regular people with average lives. When a star’s life becomes jumbled, it lowers them from their almost “god-like” status in the media. For example, most people who have seen at least part of the Danny Bonaduce show on VH1 are most certainly thankful to not have his life.

Similar to the Danny Bonaduce Show, several networks have adopted the same format. Now people can not only read about their favorite celebrities, but can catch them on TV as well. Shows include Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, My Fair Brady, Hogan Knows Best, and last but certainly not least, The Newlyweds. Due to the escalation of people’s obsession (and sometimes stalking), VH1 has developed a new show called, Celebrity Obsession.

One anonymous person wrote, “Who cares about some 23 year old’s wedding or the fact she bought a house, or went to a convenient store barefoot. Of course if that 23 year old is Britney Spears things are different-suddenly her actions are of interest.” When an average American goes to the store barefoot or gets married in Las Vegas, they definitely would not get the same interest or attention. People feel they have a right to know the happenings in a celebrity’s personal life.

Another point is the lengths celebrities go to in order to conceal their identities, and their lives, making people yearn to be like them. They are running from paparazzi and screaming fans, while average people are trying desperately to become famous, not realizing, or caring about, what they would be giving up.

“I’m really not all that interested in gossip,” said senior biology major Sara Wezensky. “I think the extent to which people go to find out other people’s business is ridiculous.”

Gossip has even reached our cell phones. The website, http://www.dailypopgossip.com, is one in which people can receive new celebrity gossip via text message on a daily basis. This service is a whopping $9.99 per month.

From the magazine rack to television and now cell phones, celebrity gossip has reached an all time high.