What do you think of celebrities who are as known for controversy as they are their work? Does it make them more interesting to you, or does it make them seem more gimmicky, and less sincere/talented?

I read somewhere that Michael Jackson was dealing coke to teens. It depends on the controversy. The shit Charlie Sheen gets into does nothing to boost his image but I can still tune that shit out when I watch reruns of 2 1/2 Men but I will never buy a ticket for a Mel Gibson movie again. Not saying I won't watch when it gets to cable. The mischief Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian get into does nothing to diminish my opinion of them. For some celebrities such as Lindsey Lohan, the controversy is their career.

Makes it seem gimmicky to me.

It depends on the reason for the controversy.

Madonna was controversial because repeatedly called out the Catholic church for its hypocrisy, and her videos always showed a woman in a sexual way that wasn't subservient, which people both hated and were intrigued by.

I find that to be good controversy, because she was trying to change the double standard.

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Then you have somebody like Lady GaGa, who tries to be controversial by arriving to the Grammys in a plastic egg, wearing meat dresses, and making videos where she has the nerve to imply that she gave birth to the gay community. This kind of controversy, which isn't really controversy at all, is just a gimmick.

^^^^The "good controversy" is always the controversy that you agree with. The bad controversy is always the ones you don't. Ah, humans love themselves so.

I think Madonna's controversies imply a lack of creativity musically. (Gaga's too. )

(Oh!) Rob Petrie wrote:

It depends on the reason for the controversy.

Madonna was controversial because repeatedly called out the Catholic church for its hypocrisy, and her videos always showed a woman in a sexual way that wasn't subservient, which people both hated and were intrigued by.

I find that to be good controversy, because she was trying to change the double standard.

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Then you have somebody like Lady GaGa, who tries to be controversial by arriving to the Grammys in a plastic egg, wearing meat dresses, and making videos where she has the nerve to imply that she gave birth to the gay community. This kind of controversy, which isn't really controversy at all, is just a gimmick.

I don't get that at all about GAGA and I don't see how she implies that she gave birth to the gay community. I see GAGA as a New Generation Diva, Madonna is from another era gone by.

Not saying Madonna is still not a great performer mind you cause I like her too but she had her time, she made her statements and she will always be a musical legend.

I think that, just because Madonna is 50, America isn't interested. The music is still good, her shows are intense, and she's still as intelligent as she ever was. She took a break between albums and GaGa happened to have come up with her gimmicks and now, all of a sudden, she's the new queen of pop.

wtf?

Since when did Madonna retire?

But anyway, this is about controversy. GaGa makes her own gimmicks because she's a desperate attention whore. Madonna actually had a message to say.

I write both Madonna and Gaga off! There's no need for controversy in music when you got true talent.

Chris wrote:

What do you think of celebrities who are as known for controversy as they are their work? Does it make them more interesting to you, or does it make them seem more gimmicky, and less sincere/talented?

i like to read about them, but it won't make me turn away from a movie/tv show that they are on.. i'll still watch if i like it

Forgiveness Man wrote:

I write both Madonna and Gaga off! There's no need for controversy in music when you got true talent.

Actually they both have talent and both used their talent and gimmicks to call attention to that talent.

(Oh!) Rob Petrie wrote:

I think that, just because Madonna is 50, America isn't interested. The music is still good, her shows are intense, and she's still as intelligent as she ever was. She took a break between albums and GaGa happened to have come up with her gimmicks and now, all of a sudden, she's the new queen of pop.

wtf?

Since when did Madonna retire?

But anyway, this is about controversy. GaGa makes her own gimmicks because she's a desperate attention whore. Madonna actually had a message to say.

Its called changing with the times. Madonna has certainly not been forgotten and Yes she is still very talented and I don't think anyone doubts her intelligence, she is a self made woman and I have always admired her for that!

GAGA is the product of a new generation that wanted a new Queen of Pop and she gave the people what they wanted. I saw her Monster Ball concert on HBO the girl is very talented, by no means a comparison to Madonna but she does have talent.

Hey I am still a Madonna fan and I look forward to her next CD that should be out soon.

Tony Marino wrote:

Forgiveness Man wrote:

I write both Madonna and Gaga off! There's no need for controversy in music when you got true talent.

Actually they both have talent and both used their talent and gimmicks to call attention to that talent.

I think GaGa uses gimmicks. I think Madonna used imagery she liked that happened to piss a lot of people off.

GaGa is the one with the... "I stayed in my egg for three days" kind of stuff. It's never about the music or anything. Even her videos are entirely unrelated to the song. Judas, in fact, for so "incoherent" that the Catholic didn't even care. She really just wants people to love her. I just see her doing more harm than good to the music industry. She's nothing but a fraud. Whenever I see her, I just want to slug her one in the face.

Depends. For the most part, it's the latter.

Depends on how far their antics go & how often they pull stunts. I think tho if their work is good then all the "gimmicks" and controversy cant take anything away from it. Some stars just cant play the dapper clean cut star. They got personalities and gotta do what they gotta do. Doesnt take away from their talent. The ones who aint talented and use gimmicks and controversy always fade away sooner or later.

This thread is so interesting to me, as I read Tony's and Rob's posts about Madonna and Gaga.

The one thing I wanted to say is that in Madonna's time, creating the "buzz factor" was a much different beast. Online buzz was non existent during many of Madonna's efforts in pushing the line. So, maybe or maybe not, that factor makes Gaga different. I think that any true blue Gaga fans would say that her stunts like the meat dress are just her expression, and not to get into the weekly mags. Even if Madonna's headlines were just for buzz, they were not as easy...

Who knows? Both women are so talented. Madonna will always have my heart, and I don't think Gaga will ever do that for me, but she is crazy talented.

Tony Marino wrote:

Forgiveness Man wrote:

I write both Madonna and Gaga off! There's no need for controversy in music when you got true talent.

Actually they both have talent and both used their talent and gimmicks to call attention to that talent.

Sorry Big Bro, I gotta disagree. IMO, neither is anything special.

RedBedroom wrote:

This thread is so interesting to me, as I read Tony's and Rob's posts about Madonna and Gaga.

The one thing I wanted to say is that in Madonna's time, creating the "buzz factor" was a much different beast. Online buzz was non existent during many of Madonna's efforts in pushing the line. So, maybe or maybe not, that factor makes Gaga different. I think that any true blue Gaga fans would say that her stunts like the meat dress are just her expression, and not to get into the weekly mags. Even if Madonna's headlines were just for buzz, they were not as easy...

Who knows? Both women are so talented. Madonna will always have my heart, and I don't think Gaga will ever do that for me, but she is crazy talented.

Forgiveness Man wrote:

Tony Marino wrote:

Actually they both have talent and both used their talent and gimmicks to call attention to that talent.

Sorry Big Bro, I gotta disagree. IMO, neither is anything special.

I am going to duct tape you to a chair and put headphones on you and make you listen to a marathon of both Madonna and GAGA! By the time its over you will know every word to every Madonna and GAGA song.

Tony Marino wrote:

I am going to duct tape you to a chair and put headphones on you and make you listen to a marathon of both Madonna and GAGA!

You ain't prepared for the consequences you will have to deal with if you try that!

Forgiveness Man wrote:

Tony Marino wrote:

I am going to duct tape you to a chair and put headphones on you and make you listen to a marathon of both Madonna and GAGA!

You ain't prepared for the consequences you will have to deal with if you try that!

Tony Marino wrote:

Forgiveness Man wrote:

You ain't prepared for the consequences you will have to deal with if you try that!

You laugh now Big Bro, but you won't be laughing then.

Forgiveness Man wrote:

Tony Marino wrote:

You laugh now Big Bro, but you won't be laughing then.

Depends on why they're controversial. If they cause controversy by being outspoken about pertinent views, then I congratulate them for not being a glossy, plastic Hollywood bot. If they're controversial for things like sex, nudity, depravity and go out of their way to shock people for attention or the hell of it, then they're tools (even if they do have some talent.)