Week 5 Analysis

An interesting pop culture topic to me this week is the death of the amazing actor Patrick Swayze. I was very saddened by the news of his death because I remember him most from the movie Dirty Dancing. This movie was his break through role and it came out in 1987. I was a young teenager when this movie came out and to me his character represented the ability to fight for what he stood for. This was a valuable life lesson for me.

Patrick died after a two year battle with pancreatic cancer and was 57 years old. According to the Times Online (2009), he died in his home in Los Angeles and was surrounded by his family. Two weeks ago he announced that he would return home because treatment was not working.

He is a three time Golden Globe nominee and has starred in many plays and over thirty movies. Some of the movies that he is known for include Ghost, Road House, Outsiders, Red Dawn, and Point Break.

I think that he was an amazing actor and he will be remembered for many great roles. Patrick Swayze will be missed and it is sad that he died so young.

Reference:

Times Online. (2009). Patrick swayze dies at 57. Retrieved September 15, 2009 from www.timesonline.com

Week 4 Analysis

Any interesting pop culture topic for this week is that Ellen Degeneres has officially been named the new American Idol judge that will be taking Paula Abdul's place. Ellen Degeneres has signed on for the next season and has said that she plans to be a passionate judge, much like her predecessor Paula. According to People Magazine (2009), Ellen Degeneres plans on sticking up to Simon Cowell and letting him know if he is mean just like she does on her own show.

Ellen Degeneres is a stand up comedian and has her own talk show that has been on the air for six years. The show has won four Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Talk Show Host. In all she has won twenty-five Emmys. The show is also responsible for raising money for many charities including Toys for Tots, Pink for the Cure, and the rebuilding of New Orleans.

The controversy comes from the fact that Ellen Degeneres has no musical background and people are not sure that she will be able to judge musical talent. Ellen has said that she plans to be the voice of the viewers and the people who buy the music. She claims that she is a fan just like everyone else and the job does not require a music expert. It comes down to relating to the person at home and the person whose music she plans on buying.

Reference

People Magazine. (2009). Retrieved September 10, 2009 from http://tvwatch.people.com

A current pop culture topic in the news recently is how the death of Michael Jackson on June 25 is being ruled a homicide. According to MSNBC, a law enforcement official has said that this means more than likely a criminal charge will be filed. The definition of a homicide means that someone died at the hands of another, but does not necessarily mean that a crime was committed.
The forensic tests found Propofol, a powerful anesthetic, contraindicated with two sedatives in Michael Jackson’s body. Propofol, also known as Diprivan, is administered intravenously and is generally used to sedate patients for surgery. The doctor who was treating Michael Jackson is the target of the homicide investigation. Dr. Conrad Murray had become Michael Jackson’s personal physician just weeks before his death. He has stated that the drugs were given to Michael Jackson because he could not sleep. According to MTV News, Propofol is a powerful anesthetic and should only be used in attendance with someone who can rescue you if your breathing ceases.
This case reminds me of stereotyping because recently in the news many famous people are dying suddenly from over doses or drug abuse. It seems like because of whom they are or because they have money, doctors are giving them whatever they want. This is not the first case where a doctor has been investigated for giving an actress, actor, or artist too many prescribed pills. Stereotyping is putting certain people into a category because of things seen remind you of that person. When I see strange behavior out of famous people, I automatically think they are on something.



References
MSNBC. (2009). Coroner rules jackson’s death a homicide. Retrieved September
3, 2009 from http://www.msnb.com/
MTV News. (2009). What is propofol, the drug that causes michael jackson’s death?
Retrieved September 3, 2009 from http://www.mtv.com/