A Brief Post on Popularity and Personality
December 12th, 2007Every so often, multiple things I love combine to make something even more wonderful. It makes me think that some days, the world really does revolve around me. This week, there was a mother of a confluence when the Queens of the Stone Age appeared on a holiday-themed episode of Anthony Bourdain’s show in which he made a huge feast and visited a foie gras farm. My favorite foul-mouthed TV host joined forces with my favorite kick-ass rock band — fantastic. To make matters even better, the episode was covered on the A.V. Club’s TV blog. Bourdain’s show isn’t a featured show, so it was a treat to see my favorite pop-culture magazine write at length about it.
But this post isn’t about those moments. (And what else could I say about them other than, “Gee, they’re swell”?) This post is about something that drew my attention within that A.V. Club post. Rather than shoddily paraphrase, let me reproduce the first two paragraphs of Noel Murray’s article:
So how different is the Anthony Bourdain Christmas show from the Larry The Cable Guy Christmas show, really? Both are riffing on classic ‘70s TV specials, though Bourdain is more overt, sitting suited in front of a fire and saying into the camera, “Remember those old Bing Crosby specials?” Both feature musical guests: Kid Rock fronting a massive rock outfit for Larry; and Queens Of The Stone Age donning ironic sweaters and playing carols acoustically for Anthony. Both make references to drugs and strippers, though Larry pretends to be living that lifestyle, while Anthony’s winking at (or boasting about) a sordid past that’s reportedly behind him.
The difference is that I like Bourdain. But of course, I’m supposed to. A cynical smart-ass with a store of pop-culture knowledge, a punk-rock attitude and an urbane intellect? The whole reason Bourdain’s on TV is that advertisers expect my key demo—middle-aged over-consumers with disposable income—to tune and watch his culinary monkeyshines. So I have no illusions here. In terms of entertainment value, a slobby faux-redneck comedian and a rakishly ruffled faux-badass chef probably aren’t so far apart. It’s all a matter of taste.
Hmm. In terms of entertainment value, Anthony Bourdain isn’t so far apart from Larry the Fucking Cable Guy. Hmm.
I suppose he has a point — they both proudly exaggerate their personality and feed off assumed expectations of them. And sure, they have their own niche of intensely loyal fans. But I’m sure you can understand why I bristle at the notion that a Larry the Cable Guy fan might not be too different from a Bourdain fan like me. I mean, Anthony Bourdain is smart and funny. Larry the Cable Guy, on the other hand, is a fuckwit who appeals to bigger fuckwits. Pretention might be distasteful to some, but it tastes awfully different from brainless redneck humor.
I think Noel Murray wrote that just to ruffle some feathers. Phrased the way it was, you could compare any two mildly popular people. Person A and Person B “aren’t so far apart” because their nature massages their fans’ natural personalities. Donny Osmond and Marilyn Manson, John Cena and Wayne Newton. They all have something that some people see (or want to see) in themselves. That’s kind of how popularity works.
So I ask my loyal readers: whom do you love because they have similar attitudes and/or traits as you? My list includes Bourdain, Penn Jillette, and Steven Wright, among many others that I’m not remembering right now. I’ll come up with more in the comments if you do the same.
-Darrell
December 13th, 2007 at 6:35 am
Should have known that you’d be a Bourdain fan! Have you read “The Nasty Bits” yet, or would you like it for Christmas?
Interesting question for your readers. But Penn Jillete? I’m scared now . . .
For me – maybe Jon Stewart, Uma Thurman, and Tiger Woods.
December 13th, 2007 at 6:38 am
. . . also, Dan Savage and John Cusack. I do love Bourdain, but he’s a little too self-consciously “bad boy” for me to identify with.
December 17th, 2007 at 2:45 pm
Darrell,
I figured I’d let you know that I’ve been thinking about this question but am totally unable to come up with an answer (that doesn’t require mentioning the name of some obscure economist).
Also I just figured I’d say hello, since I feel like I’m so far away from you now… because I am…
So hello.
December 17th, 2007 at 7:12 pm
Don’t be scared of Penn Jillette, Jules. He’s an atheist libertarian with a dark sense of humor and an interest in magic. If I were louder and two feet taller, we could be brothers. Hmm… with that in mind, maybe I should have chosen Teller. He has all those qualities, plus he’s short and quiet. Penn had the radio show, though, so he wins.
I have not read any of Bourdain’s books — I imagine they’re good. His narration is fabulously written, and was the first thing that drew me to his show.
Good choices with your list, Jules. I’m more of a Colbert fan these days, but I definitely identify with Stewart a lot more. His book of essays (Naked Pictures of Famous People) was a high school favorite of mine. My only question about yours is why Uma? I don’t really know much about her, other than she’s gorgeous and has fantastic breasts.
While we’re at it, I’m going to add Mark Grace and James Lileks to my list, mostly because those names look strange next to each other.
Dave: Hello. So nobody on your list? Not Milton Friedman, or the dude from Silverchair? What about Tom Waits? He might make my list, come to think of it.
-Darrell
December 18th, 2007 at 6:39 am
Yes, I do appreciate all of Penn’s qualities that you list – but there’s also that bloody, sadistic streak . . . maybe it’s just for show.
On Uma, check out her bio on wikipedia – she has an interesting family history, she’s very smart, she’s gorgeous but doesn’t let it go to her head, and she’s been completely in control of her career from the start. Marrying Ethan Hawke was a misstep, though, I’ll grant you that.
Where’s Curt Schilling on your list?
Finally, send me your new address via e-mail, and Bourdain will be on his way to you. You will love his writing!
December 19th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
Hello.
OK, here’s the (maybe not that) obscure economist that reminds me of me – especially the future me: Tyler Cowen. He’s a super guy, and he just happens to teach economics a couple miles away from my new digs here in DC.
I’d like to emphasize the *future me* part. Look at this picture.
Actually, come to think of it, maybe that’s the CURRENT me – If I only did my hair a little differently…
December 21st, 2007 at 7:04 am
I’ve been thinking about this one quite a bit too. All I could come up with is Spock.
January 3rd, 2008 at 10:26 am
i guess i’ve never thought about identifying with celebrities personality-wise, although i’m sure i do. maybe alton brown? i generally divorce the notion of personality from most celebrities: i assume they’re nothing like the way i perceive them. but i guess the celebrities who are playing themselves on tv (or in a band, etc) are more or less like they appear. i’d also add jon stewart to my list, i suppose. i feel like i should have a female person on my list: how about jennifer tilly? i think she’s a bad ass, which i of course can completely relate to, because as you know i am nothing if not a bad ass.
mainly i enjoy celebrities who provide me with an acceptable level of entertainment.