Too Much Whitney Houston

Monday, February 20th, 2012 6:00 AM

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By John Hubbuch

Prior to her recent death I thought Whitney Houston was a singer with a really good voice who had drug problems, and had gotten beaten up from time to time by an abusive spouse. But I guess I was wrong. The 24/7 media coverage suggested that she was one of the most significant people of the century. Her life, death and funeral were the lead story on CBS,NBC and ABC- not just Entertainment Tonight. There were a number of two hour specials. I was told that her music was the ' soundtrack of our lives".

So you can imagine my guilt and costernation because I must say that I was and am utterly indifferent to her death. Now don't get me wrong. I'm sorry for her family and friends. I'm sorry that one of the almost 7 billion of us has died. On the day of her death a Mexican farmer, an Italian lawyer and a Californian homeless person also died, and each was hpoefully mourned by people who had loved them. I hope.

Ms. Houston was a really good singer, but the coverage seemed essentially exploitative. Just an excuse to sell more Viagra and Advil. It's hard to tell whether many people really cared, or whether the media told us we cared, and so we did. Our maybe it's the electronic opiate we need to keep us from thinking about our broken governments and Iranian nukes.

All of this is probably moot because once poor Whitney is laid in the ground she'll be forgotten. No. I almost forgot. There's the story of her autopsy and whether she overdosed and whether her doctors are complicit. So I guess we will care about her for a little while longer.

Reader Comments

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Jim Coughlin Facebook Verified

Posted: February 22nd, 2012 4:27 PM

Of course, the media goes aboard with it's coverage of the lives and untimely passings of celebrities. It's doesn't require them to spend much time or money. That's why the networks are crammed with reality shows. Of much greater concern to me is that our local tv newcasts have basically abandoned reporting and analysis of real news in favor of nonsense and fluff pieces. Thankfully, WTTW offers Chicago Tonight.

Phil of Ideas

Posted: February 22nd, 2012 2:40 PM

Turns out she was a closeted lesbian. Even Bobby Brown said as much in his book. I know this much: she wont be taking toddlers to the Lake Theatre anymore!

Problem Solver from Oak Park

Posted: February 22nd, 2012 1:50 PM

Too much John Hubbuch. Your TV remote has an off button. Use it. Problem solved.

anonymous from OP

Posted: February 22nd, 2012 8:45 AM

What a jerky thing to write. (tho I see you have fans here) 'Viagra' and 'Advil'? Actually, she was taking prescription Xanax, a very popular medication, implicated in many deaths and something to be avoided at www.worstpills.org Presently, we are still waiting to find out what caused her death. Replays are not the last we will hear from woldwide 'Queen of Pop" Whitney Houston. Believe it or not, she has a new film slated to come out later this year. I hear it is extraordinary.

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: February 22nd, 2012 12:14 AM

Agree with you totally on exploitation, though I do think she had the greatest voice in my lifetime.

Info

Posted: February 20th, 2012 11:25 AM

Its clear that Whitney didnt make most of the money off of her talent.

Dave Coulter

Posted: February 20th, 2012 8:23 AM

It occurs to me that a TV show like ET might actually prefer a dead celeb than a live one. No pesky live interviews, plane tickets, or agents - and they can run the footage over and over. What can we expect? They're still getting mileage out of JFK and Marilyn Monroe - still dead after 50 years.

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