Desire to be Famous

PFD - McCann

Discussion questions

• Why would people want to participate in reality shows such as “the Real World: Denver”?

• Students get college credit for taking the course on TV and Popular Culture at Boston University. – Should they get credit or not? – Does it say anything about our view of

“education”?

• “Americans are lonelier than they have been in the past” said Jake Halpern.

– How is that, when there are more ways to communicate than ever?

– Think of someone you love, would you rather communicate with them via text or face to face conversation?

• Who was Charles Lindbergh? What did he do to become famous?

• The drive for fame is so strong it even drives some people to confess to crimes they did not commit. What do you think about the people that confessed to kidnapping Charles’ child?

• What is Polio?

• Who cured polio?

• Do you know anyone that had polio?

• Why do you think you do not know that much about polio?

Quotes from the movie for Discussion

• “It used to be enough that you got attention from your parents. You got attention from your teachers, your peers and that sort of thing, but that is no longer enough.”

Quotes from famous people for discussion

• “Fame and riches are fleeting, stupidity is eternal!” – Don Williams, Jr.

• “It is strange to be so universally well known and yet to be so lonely.” - Albert Einstein

• “Don’t confuse fame with success. Madonna is one, Helen Keller is the other!” – Erma Bombeck

• “The cool thing about being famous is traveling. I have always wanted to travel across seas, like to Canada and stuff!” – Britney Spears