Is it because we as the American public aren't interested in real people?

No. (These thoughts aren't original with me, but I don't remember where they came from. Perhaps you could look them up.) We can't gossip about real people, especially if they're doing stuff that make us look bad. On the other hand, if they're doing stuff that make us look good, we can run 'em down to our heart's content, forgetting for the moment that their sins are worth a million dollars a minute more than our lives.

The media force feed us these caricatures

No. Remember this old saw? "Rule 1. The customer is always right. Rule 2. If the customer is wrong, see Rule 1." The media give us what We the People will buy. Or they go out of business. Which is why TV news, over the past two decades, has gone from Walter Cronkite to National Enquirer. If We the People would actually buy the Peace Corps, it would be on prime time and American Idol would be on your local community access channel, maybe. The truth is, We the People wouldn't watch Peace Corps shows if the alternative was a firing squad. Probably because they give us nothing to feel good (or, more accurately perhaps, superior) about.

I can't watch these celebrity gossip shows anymore.

There's hope for you. See my author profile under "Television".

I hope you don't think I'm picking on you. But you raise thoughtful points. This one has been on my mind for a long while. You've given me a chance to mount my soapbox. Thanks. :).

Unfortunately, that's what people want to watch.

It is strangely addicting watching celebrities.

I lost hope for humanity the day I heard someone seriously say that they viewed Paris Hilton and Britney Spears as good role models because they had good business sense.

And yes, you are absolutely right. Those celebs who are doing work of real meaning are often lost in the parade of vapid bores. I would much rather have a conversation with Bono than Paris Hilton, because there is a chance for real conversation.

......that was said on an old episode of that crap show Elimidate.

That's almost embarrassing to admit, too.

I remember the statement, though.....because when the chick said that (she was a cop, or was going to 'cop' school, supposedly?), I sat here tellin' the worse half how stupid ho's like that give blonde bimbos like me a bad, bad name.

Ya know, I don't even watch that show on a regular basis~ and that's the ironic part. I just happened to be sitting here doing something on the bed (and no, bananas weren't involved) and I had turned the tv on for background noise. But I totally remember when that happened because Paris Hilton had just put that crap of a book out, and everything was Paris Paris Paris at that time, and that chick said she admired Paris Hilton, and I stopped what I was doing to watch that segment because I was.........stunned. lol Oh, I think she she was hosting a show on Nickelodeon or something around that time too. It was just mind boggling to me. I could take Britney being a role model before I could Paris. I mean, if given the choice.........or, if given the choice, I'd slap her upside of the head with a 2 x 4, just like I would Gary Coleman. I'm an equal opportunity head basher. hohoho~

your writing is interesting

5 iron. Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet~