You MAAADE It... #100!!!

It is said that everybody gets their own 15 minutes of fame. BUSE's very own, Grey, has had a few moments of local celebrity being seen in two commercials; one for the CW and another for his beloved White Sox. Everybody loves the recognition that comes with their chance in the lime light, at least at first. Even Jon Gosselin was okay with his celebrity in the beginning. But what has always shocked me is what people do to get their chance at their 15 minutes of fame. It is as if they have no shame in airing their dirtiest laundry, like the underwear rife with skid marks.

We all know who Maury is and surely we have all seen at least one of his paternity test shows. Several couples come onto national television to debate whether a child is this man's or not, and for what? A free trip to New York and a chance to be on TV? Maury's paternity tests are just one ridiculous example of the lengths people go to for their exposure, but it is not the craziest. In its heyday everybody loved the Jerry Springer Show because it was on his stage where the true depths of desperation for celebrity were put on display. With topics ranging from I slept with my sister to I didn't know she was a he and the legendary on stage fights needing to constantly be broken up.

To be fair to those like Maury and Jerry, there is a market for such "entertainment". Everybody does love watching or looking onto the scene of a wreck, so much so that a cleared accident still causes a traffic jam due to the gawkers. But are these human train wrecks truly must-see entertainment? Is the disconnect of not knowing and essentially not caring about those involved enough of a buffer? In this scenario I only wish these folks would have some decency and self-respect.

While racking the brain for a similar situation, I thought of those in the pornography industry. But even in that case there is a notable difference that justifies their decision, they are getting paid (some quite well). What I am wondering is where do you stand? Is the exposure and chance to become "famous" worth what you reveal? And for those who can't turn away, what is so entertaining and why can't you turn away? Get thorough with me.