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Posts Tagged ‘letters’

      Wow… I just watched a clip from The View today in which Barbara Walters talks about an interview she did with Paula Abdul on her radio show.  http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6425460

       In the chat fest in the beginning of the show Barbara refers to that interview when she says that Paula has dropped a few explosive bombs about American Idol producers, Fox television, as well as,  Simon Cowell.

         As many of you know, there was an unfortunate young woman who was allegedly obsessed with Paula Adbul who died in front of Paula’s home…allegedly a suicide.  This young woman, Paula Goodspeed, has been supposedly sending letters and trying to make contact with Paula Abdul for something like 17 years, through her fan club. 

         Abdul claims in the radio interview with Barbara Walters that the producers of American Idol knew of this young woman’s obsession and still they allowed her to audition for the three Idol judges.  That audition  appears to have caused much harm; because of the rejection  Paula Goodspeed felt that she was publically humiliated.  Does a show like this carry a  legal and moral responsibility to pre-screen contestants; to make sure that they can handle the criticism that they face on the show?  I think they should.

          Paula Abdul says that she begged the producers and Simon not to allow Ms. Goodspeed to audition…but, against her wishes they allowed her to audition, possibly more than once.  It put her in a terrible position; Paula says that the producers and Simon wished to see her squirm. 

          At some point, Ms. Goodspeed followed Paula Abdul to her home address.  There were other incidents that took place there before the actual suicide took place.  Paula was not home when the suicide took place.  She now has her home for sale i hear; she says she has not slept there since it happened.

         Paula also says that she has lost endorsements and business opportunities because of the public’s perception that she is drunk or stoned on medications; because of the way that she is portrayed on the show.  She says, part of, that is caused by Simon who says crazy things in Paula’s ear piece while she is trying to communicate her “judgement”.   She says, something to the effect, that this is a distraction; and, Simon tries to make her laugh when she is trying to graciously speak to the contestants.

         If these things are true, and she can prove them…i see this turning into a major big, legal deal.  Obviously, Paula is upset about the whole nightmare of the suicide of Paula Goodspeed.  After all, a life was lost and if it is true that it was because of manipulations behind the scenes of the show…then shame on those involved.   There are more important things than ratings of a television show!

         When asked why Paula was still on the show…she apparently, simply said that she is under contract.  Paula also allegedly says that Simon could have at anytime corrected himself and retracted the statements that he has made.  She is under contract for another year; even though, this year there is a fourth judge being brought onto the show.  Just last week, Randy Jackson was on television shows saying not to believe everything people hear about this year’s American Idol.  

           What does this mean?  Is there a mystery here behind the scenes?  Does Paula want out of her contract?  Did this suicide impress on anyone the importance of the impact of the hurtful words that are said to contestants who don’t measure up to the judges expectations?  Is the show going to be legally liable in the young woman’s death?   I wonder, do you anyone feels guilty who was involved in that episode involving young Paula Goodspeed?

          Does this controversy mean that Paula will no longer associate herself with the show after her contract expires?  Time will tell.  I suspect that we have not heard the last of this drama.  What do you think is going on?  Is it alright to do “anything” to get ratings…or, should networks, producers, and the like be held responsible when things go wrong?

* See related story here: https://writeasrain.wordpress.com/2008/11/13/american-idol-judge-idolized/

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     While speaking peace and love, peace and love…Ringo Starr recorded a video, that was on CNN, demanding that no more fan letters be sent to him.  He says after October 20th…they will be thrown out.  He also says, no more sending things in, to be signed or autographed. 

       For a man who made a career out of the love of his fans…and their dedication to him and his band mates…you probably wonder what would prompt him to declare such a statement.  He says…he has too much to do!

       Myself…i would have to say…a person needs to consider what it must be like to live in a fishbowl your whole life.  Could be that maybe, just maybe Ringo has figured out that many of those “fans” who clamor for an autograph are just turning around and selling those same autographed items to ebay or to some collector so that they can earn a pretty penny!

         Another thing to think about is that Ringo Starr, born Richard Starkey, is 68 years old.  He says that he has too much to do…but, in the back of his mind you also have to wonder if he is looking back saying…I am 68 years old; most of my life is behind me.  I have given so much to my fans…maybe it is time to do what I want; with, what time i have left. 

        That isn’t too far fetched; as two of his band mates are already deceased.  There is only Ringo and Paul McCartney left alive of the Beatles.

        Also this week in the news, there was an article that i read somewhere that claimed that fan stalkers are the most dangerous of the mentally ill.  Consider this, both John Lennon and George Harrison were attacked by stalkers.  John was fatally shot and killed.  George Harrison was stabbed, but lived after the attack.

        While listening to the video that Ringo recorded regarding fan mail…i was put off by the tone of the video; it comes across as  hostile…but, once i stopped and thought about these other issues…it made more sense to me.  So…Peace and Love as Ringo says!  www.ringostarr.com

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       In the “old” days…families lived in close proximity to one another, it was important to the strength of the family.  Either several generations lived in the same homestead together or at the very least…lived in the “neighborhood”; close enough to see and communicate with one another on a daily basis.  Parents, grandparents, children, aunts, uncles and cousins all grew up together…teaching each other, learning from one another and helping to guide and direct each generation with their own brand of family values; to their place of prominence when it was time.   This type of family bonding has been broken for a long time…going back to the years of the great depression; leaving quite an impact on the way families were structured. It wasn’t willful or voluntary…it was necessary.  (more…)

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      Terrible news is breaking at the moment of a woman who was involved in the Washington DC prostitution ring..she was convicted of federal charges recently.  She swore that she would not go back to prison…not for even one day. Deborah must have been terribly fearful and desperate.   She had already served time for prostitution related charges back in the nineties.  You have to wonder why would she risk doing the very thing that sent her to prison in the first place if she was desperate to avoid repeating such a consequence?

          She was going to be sentenced in July.  How horrible for her elderly mother, who was the person who found her.  That is a terrible thing to do to someone who brought you into the world.   Deborah hung herself in a shed near her mother’s home.  There were letters found that revealed Deborah’s  apparent intention to commit suicide.  I don’t think too much of what was written, has been revealed just yet.  I am sure more details will eventually be released.  It is just a shame…a waste of life.

          Quite often you hear people say that prostitution is a victimless crime…I wonder how Deborah’s alledged clients are feeling at this moment?   Some of them are very powerful people in the Washington DC area.  There were politicians, and others who were involved in obtaining the services that Ms. Palfrey business provided…will they be charged with a crime as well? 

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