The Charlie Sheen Has Worn Off
For the past few months, Charlie Sheen has given our distraction-hungry culture a particularly delectable snack. "Hey look over here!" he grins. His grandiose, self-delusional bragging, his unapologetic hedonism, and his remarkable ability—whether it's a result of mental illness, years of heavy drug use, that "Adonis DNA," or a combination of the three—to call the broken parts of his life whole is stunning.
"Winning!"
The disturbed actor has been offering us the intimate details of his life on a plate, and we've been grabbing them by the handful, wolfing them down, and licking our fingers in expectation for the next course. But, after a few weeks of noshing on Charlie's braggadocio and the perverse details of his life, the novelty of it is—forgive me—losing its sheen. We're sick of hearing about him, but no worries: there's an app for that.
Our culture wipes its mouth with the back of its hand and glances absentmindedly around the room. What's next, we wonder. We want a new distraction.
Well, we could divert our gaze toward the April wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. The Internet buzz gets louder and we turn our heads toward important questions such as: Is the bride-to-be getting too skinny? Could she be pregnant? How does she compare with her fiancfamp;copy;'s iconic mother. Hmm … like Princess Diana, Middleton 29, is admired as a fashion icon, commits herself to charitable causes, and, of course, is adored by William. But is she a mere "commoner?" (Was Diana? What does that mean, anyway?)
When Charles and Diana were married at St. Paul's Cathedral in 1981, an estimated 600,000 people lined the streets in hopes of catching a glimpse of Diana on her way past. I know. I was one of them. As her carriage rolled by, flanked by white-wigged footmen, I saw her for one fleeting, thrilling moment. It was, indeed, like seeing a fairy tale come to life.
Fast forward to a summer day in 1997, when Americans woke up to learn that Princess Diana had died. By then, we knew that her marriage to Prince Charles had been anything but a fairy tale. (Well, maybe more like one by The Brothers Grimm, not by Walt Disney.) She died after being injured in a car crash, the result of her driver going twice the speed limit to avoid paparazzi.
A few weeks later, I dreamt about Diana. She and I were standing inside a circus tent that was bursting with noise, prancing elephants, oscillating spotlights, and hoards of people. She was frightened and shaking. When I asked her what was wrong, she just smiled that famous smile. A moment later, a man's voice barked her name and, in response, she climbed up into the open mouth of a large cannon.
Auditing America's Political Integrity
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John
Neither I nor any of my Christian friends that I know of take an interest in celebrity fame or gossip or news. Is this is a big problem in the church? I have plenty of idols and distractions I need to give up for lent, and for good. I did appreciate the focus on that at the end of the article.
Carol
Just because something is true is no reason to speak of it. Discretion is rare in our know-it-all-right-now world, but what a treasure it is to those who find it.
Anne
Is speaking truth about someone who's life is out of control judging? I don't think so. It is speaking truth; that's all. Charlie Sheen's life is out of control and we do certainly need to be praying for Him. Christ died for him too, only if will accept that great truth and turn his life around. I certainly pray he does. What Jen is doing is calling us all out - Christian and others - let us not be so deluded to think all Christians are exemp from this- from delighting in celebrities struggles and pain. Those of us who are guilty should be ashamed of this and repent. We should also pray for these people whose lives are out of control as well as ask how in big and small ways our lives are also out of control. After all, isn't the Christian life about turning away from sin and becoming ever more Christ-like?
janice morris
It is so sad to see clueless celebrities who think they have it all when they are bankrupt of anything of real and lasting importance. I refuse to put money in the pockets of dysfunctional celebrities who make a living setting the worst possible examples. Nearly all of them will go to ridiculous lengths to get our money in their pockets. I'm hoping some good examples will come out of Hollywood soon. I do know of some: Stephen Baldwin, Connie Sellecca, John Tesh, and Jim Caviezel (not sure about that spelling).
Doreen Ashley
I always fast from celebrity news. I don't think God wants us to waste our time on it.
Catharine Phillips
Well said, Jen. A powerful dream, and powerful image. I think we focus on others (and celebrities are oh so easy to draw our attention)so we don*t have to pay attention to the brokenness in our own lives. Lent is a good time to switch focus. Thank you for the reminder.
archae ologist
the author needs to learn to speak for herself, as she does not know what everyone else does and she needs to remember that instead of talking about these things she should be honestly praying for charlie sheen instead of judging him and his actions.
Doreen Ashley
I have never given two hoots about celebrity gossip; most Christians I know don't - which is one good thing we can say about the church, anyway. BTW, I think that article about Middleton being pregnant is a kind of parody news site.
David H. Wallace
I never watched one episode of Sheen & Co. But the space in the daily news given to such people as Sheen, Lindsey Lohan, Mel Gibson, Michael Jackson and a dozen more celebrities staggers my mind. Why do we care about their bizarre and broken lives? They never were, or could be, an icon. My focus is on men and women who contribute to the welfare of the broader human family.linestri
Doreen Ashley
It surprises me that there seems to be the impression here that so many Christians take an overt and unhealthy interest in celebrity gossip and scandal. Is this really a major problem in the church and among belivers? If so, we're in some real trouble. Our family doesn't in the least. We simply have no interest in these kinds of details other than to note that they highlight in sad and tragic ways the fallen and broken condition common to us all. Don't worry, we have plenty of other faults; God knows we're not perfect. But even a basic ordering of one's priorities in accord with God's will sends this kind of remote voyeuristic interest plunging to the rock bottom of any list.
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