Today's fame comes cheap

Adding to the queue of B-list celebrities garnering acclaim, Ryan Seacrest now has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, setting the standard another notch lower. After receiving his award during the ceremony, aired on Fox, Seacrest said, “Thank you very much. I’m totally surprised, actually.” It’s no surprise that Hollywood is handing out fame, actually. The award, once recognizing an artist’s lifelong fame, seems more like a joke.

How did Seacrest earn a Hollywood star when his career has been so dim? His talkshow, On Air with Ryan Seacrest, had such skimpy ratings last year that Fox wouldn’t let him have a second season.

Although he is the host of American Idol, he doesn’t add much to the show. The judges are in the spotlight more than he is, and their interaction with Seacrest is uncomfortable.

Just about everyone wants 15 minutes of fame, and it doesn’t matter how they get on the air. People are willing to sell out and in return they are celebrated. One day, when these stars are old, they can walk down the Walk of Fame and show their grandkids how much importance we place on fame.

People have bought into the hype of stardom, and Hollywood is collecting them for its own sticker collection. How long until there is no room left in Hollywood for another star? There will be a saturation point.

Until then, regular people will be turned into stars, with their false commitment to entertainment immortalized. The public will continue searching for a face, or a figure, to look up to. It’s been a long time since we’ve had any real idols.