Here are some of your responses to Mike's last column.
Sean P writes: I will just add to all of those that have dumped on you regarding Simon Cowell ostracizing certain AI contestants. It was horrible what these kids go though. I mean the poor contestant who was referred to as a "bush baby" and his buddy not only had to endure Simon's ridicule, but now they are subject to it repeatedly because their agents are getting them bookings on various late night television shows. These poor kids!
D. writes: Prince a legend? Oh, puuuuleeezzzz!!! What has he done over the last few years? Nothing!! After the Janet Jackson fiasco, I was hoping for some decent entertainment during half-time — just for once at least. I kept waiting for Prince to either fall on his fanny or be electrocuted out there on that wet stage, all the while having the sound muted so that I didn't have to listen. I actually only glanced at the screen periodically to see more of the great band also out there in the rain, which no one has bragged about or even mentioned by the way. And I'm sick to death of Phil Simms always sounding like he's yelling. Maybe over the summer somebody could arrange for him to have some voice lessons. John Madden used to sound the same way until someone got wise. Most of the time I agree with you, but not this time!
Claire S. writes: The mainstream news media is a big contributor to the "importance" of celebrities. An actor, singer, celebrity should not be given prime coverage because they have a political opinion, support a particular candidate or behave in a way designed to get them media coverage. The political opinion of a celebrity is no more and probably less important than that of the average citizen. These celebrities do not live in what might be called the real world. Yet when any celebrity holds a new conference to tell us what candidate he/she support the media(including those covering hard news) line up to cover it as if it is of major importance to the nation as a whole. Most of us simply do not care.
I did not grow up with a pop star or actor/actress as a role model. Reading —- books, news magazines and newspapers — was stressed in my home. I know that celebrities film, TV, athletes (with few exceptions) are not role models for anyone. Their career choice makes them narcissistic and pretty much out of tune with what constitutes everyday life for the rest of us. Put these people back where they belong — in the pages of the tabloids and entertainment magazines. They seldom do anything of importance enough to need heavy news coverage from FOX, CNN, MSNBC, etc. Do not give them the news coverage and their importance will diminish.
Randy S. writes: Grrr to your review of the “Prince Half-Time Show”. First of all he hasn’t done anything of note since "Purple Rain" — what’s that, 23 years, now? Perhaps his identity crisis had something to do with that. As for his performance, it seemed to me like he was trying to show the world that he was Jimi Hendrix redux. Sorry, not even on his best day. His segues from song to song during the medley were stilted and uneven. It almost seemed he wasn’t sure which song was next. And everyone wants to mention the fact that he was singing "Purple Rain" in the rain, well, wasn’t that just an earth-shattering coincidence, never mind that it was the biggest hit he ever had, what did everyone expect him to sing? Sheeeesh. It was, at best, a C+ performance.
Anonymous writes: Mike — I couldn't agree with you more about "Girls Gone Wild!" Most of the
celebrity news has become absolute trash!! Bare crotches in public! Are you KIDDING me?!? There are so many truly talented young celebrities who are doing really brilliant work, and who know how to conduct themselves in public. I know from listening to my own children talk that our youth would really rather be reading about them. If you tell people they can't be better, and keep throwing up images of how badly people in the public eye are encouraged to behave, believe me, that's the way things will go. Our children are better than this, and capable of so much more.
My daughter is a young adult performing artist who now lives and works in Europe. I can't tell you what difficulties she encountered when first moving there due to Europeans' perception of American women. I know these young people are just that — young — but they need to realize
that they are not only projecting an image of themselves, they're also projecting an image of young American adults to the rest of the world. I'm embarrassed for all of us!
Robyn writes: Watching Prince (I'm glad he is Prince again!) perform "Purple Rain" in the pouring rain was amazing! Congrats to you on your new book! Of course, I will be buying one and it would be cool for you to offer one in a contest ... whoever does the stupidest thing or something to that effect. Thank you for your time.
Chris writes: Mike, I have to eat my words. I agree with you that Prince really "rocked the house." When I first heard that Prince was performing, I imagined him doing small sections of his songs with Beyonce or Jay-Z running in and out. This is what has happened in previous years. Instead, Prince came out and blew it up. Even better, he was actually playing and singing, with no backup vocal "help." "Purple Rain" was great! I loved how the whole stage lit up purple and you could see the rain coming down. It almost looked like they planned it that way. Keep GRRRING!!
Mary writes: You always seem to take the words right out of my mouth. Speaking of mouth if these stupid celebs would just keep their mouths shut but they promote every lifestyle that is wrong as right. No sin in La La Land. I am a Republican but even I e-mailed Senator Clinton and told her to send back any contribution from Babs and run from Hollywood. I don't think God likes them very much.
Joey C writes: Man, I can’t believe EVERYONE wasn’t blown away by Prince! He was sooo awesome…glad we share the same opinion…GRRR to those who can’t appreciate him. I can’t wait to get your book! Love the GRR’s, keep’um coming!
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