2008 Woodie Awards
Just how important is the opinion of celebrities in politics?
Andrew Zaleski
Issue date: 3/18/08 Section: Opinion
I think I'm television-deprived.
The gods of television must be telling me something, because if I'm so desperate to suspend thinking and numb my brain waves to the point where I'll watch coverage of the presidential campaign for the entirety of my spring break just to get the taste of television back again, I'm assuming I'll need a healthy dose of MTV on my TV sophomore year.
Reunited and it feels so good?
I did manage to break up the monotony that was my spring break programming with a show of actual substance. Fortunately, I caught an episode of The Colbert Report the night singer-songwriter John Legend appeared as a guest on Colbert's show. In his usual half-mocking, pseudo-serious tone, Colbert was probing Legend to talk about the candidate he was supporting in this election year.
Amidst the cheering and applause from Colbert's studio audience, Legend noted his support for Senator Obama by replying with this:
"I think he's the right guy for right now; I think America needs somebody like Barack to be a leader."
Fair enough -- John Legend is a Barack Obama supporter.
However, that one simple remark got me thinking (I know it's ridiculous-who associates spring break with any sort of contemplation?). I wondered if John Legend understood the amount of power he holds in making such a remark.
Is he aware that his place as a popular musician tends to hold a vast amount of sway and influence over a significant number of people in America?
Indeed, do any celebrities understand the clout their popularity affords them? For instance, I can write a column that discusses my support for a leading presidential candidate like Senator Obama. No one will really care what I think. My parents may care ("Look, that's our son in the newspaper!"). For the sake of argument, my older brother will certainly care. But it's highly unlikely that anyone on this campus will genuinely believe that my position on a candidate matters.
The gods of television must be telling me something, because if I'm so desperate to suspend thinking and numb my brain waves to the point where I'll watch coverage of the presidential campaign for the entirety of my spring break just to get the taste of television back again, I'm assuming I'll need a healthy dose of MTV on my TV sophomore year.
Reunited and it feels so good?
I did manage to break up the monotony that was my spring break programming with a show of actual substance. Fortunately, I caught an episode of The Colbert Report the night singer-songwriter John Legend appeared as a guest on Colbert's show. In his usual half-mocking, pseudo-serious tone, Colbert was probing Legend to talk about the candidate he was supporting in this election year.
Amidst the cheering and applause from Colbert's studio audience, Legend noted his support for Senator Obama by replying with this:
"I think he's the right guy for right now; I think America needs somebody like Barack to be a leader."
Fair enough -- John Legend is a Barack Obama supporter.
However, that one simple remark got me thinking (I know it's ridiculous-who associates spring break with any sort of contemplation?). I wondered if John Legend understood the amount of power he holds in making such a remark.
Is he aware that his place as a popular musician tends to hold a vast amount of sway and influence over a significant number of people in America?
Indeed, do any celebrities understand the clout their popularity affords them? For instance, I can write a column that discusses my support for a leading presidential candidate like Senator Obama. No one will really care what I think. My parents may care ("Look, that's our son in the newspaper!"). For the sake of argument, my older brother will certainly care. But it's highly unlikely that anyone on this campus will genuinely believe that my position on a candidate matters.
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