Britney and Kate Hudson over Widmark and Dassin = A Sad State of Entertainment

Gina Telaroli April 4, 2008 | 12:04 pm EST

I really recommend heading over to the Huffington Post to read John Farr’s piece about his disappointment in the media’s preoccupation with celebrity in light of the death of two American movie greats, Richard Widmark and Jules Dassin. Farr writes:

Just this once, I’m going to bite (more like nip) the hand that publishes me, or more accurately, the fingers of those who contribute its content.

I was scanning the Huffington Entertainment page several days ago, looking for some interesting perspective on the life and work of actor Richard Widmark, who died last week at age 93. I saw an article on why Kate Hudson shouldn’t wear wigs. I spied about three tedious looking pieces on Britney Spears (with one titled “I’m Britney’s Neighbor, Bitch!“) and a couple on Brad and Angelina’s purported marriage.

I know entertainment is meant to be light and diverting, but inevitably it also mirrors the tastes and values of our time. Too much of what I observe these days feels like so much noise, signifying nothing — or very little. Am I alone here, or do others feel it too? [Huffington Post]

Right on John! I too find it sad that two men who contributed so much are being thrown aside in favor of mindless celebrity. Widmark made a good point in a 1995 interview when he said:

“The businessmen who run Hollywood today have no self-respect. What interests them is not movies but the bottom-line. Look at Dumb and Dumber, which turns idiocy into something positive, or Forrest Gump, a hymn to stupidity. ‘Intellectual’ has become a dirty word.” [Huffington Post]

Whether you agree with his statement or not, it can’t be denied that we have become a media junk food culture. And in case you were wondering we here at TakePart posted a story on both Widmark and Dassin.

So in response to the lack of media coverage on two American greats, and post a comment on John’s post letting the world know that you agree.