Call me old fashioned but....

That's what I meant by his fall from grace, crimson. There was a huge PR offensive to get him back in peoples' good books and obviously VB would have shot herself well and truly in the foot if she had not supported him. It was a huge wake up call for DB and to his credit he worked hard at re-inventing himself as a good role model for youngsters. They both come from stable backgrounds and have always had lots of family support but can ANYTHING make her laugh....not even being bessie mates with Gordon Ramsay?

Don't you think, though, that this not-smiling affectation is just for the cameras? I'm pretty sure she must smile and laugh at home - I certainly hope so, anyway!

Merlotgran you obviously have more knowledge of the Beckham PR offensive than I do.

Don't understand exactly why VB would have been that badly off if she had not supported her husband. Plenty of money and fame in her own right.

It's as if we want to say everything this woman does is for shallow reasons, as though she has no love for her family or finer feelings of any kind.

Is that realistic?

But they weren't married at the time; they went away and got engaged. She totally stood by him then. And no PR offensive is going to work if it's for the wrong person..I mean, look at the government [and going back further, Tony Blair..and that's coming from a lifelong Labour voter].

petallus, I don't think everything VB does is for shallow reasons but the Spice Girls were heavily marketed so I would think she was already used to relying on advice from her 'team'. crimson, I didn't realise VB and DB were not married at the time of the World Cup but I still think they were advised and influenced by those around them. Fame is fickle and a celebrity couple have payrolls - sometimes including memebers of their own families.

Funny really this celebrity business. I've just read an interview with Duncan Jones who was bought up by Davoid Bowie as his mother was pretty unfit to look aftera child. He has been a wonderful father; was quite strict with the [then] Zowie but encouraged him to be a prolific reader. Now a very good film director. Just goes to show how one's perception of a public figure can be so different to the reality. Also read an article about Marilyn Monroe last night [this is all due to my spring cleaning and finding articles thatI never got round to reading]. Wish I could do the cut'n'paste thing because it's a fascinating read.

I'm a huge fan of Marilyn Monroe.

Me too , big time. What a horrid emotional life she had , used and abused .

Sorry petallus I don't think I anywhere gave the impression that I regarded anybody as subhuman - just that their lives are of no interest to me - Just as I imagine my life would be of no interest to them!
And while I agree one should take an interest in what is going on in the world, for me that doesn't include ex pop singers /film stars/footballers and/or their wives!

Your tone was very scathing I though gracesmum

'agog with indifference'
'slebs'
'why do we even give them space on our site?'

However, sorry if I got the wrong impression.

Is there anybody else you do not think is worthy of space on our site, just as a matter of interest?

I am quite fascinated by the lives of others, celebs and such like [although I hate them making a fortune out of just putting on weight, losing it then putting it all back on again; marrying umpteen men etc etc] but have always found the lives of people you get talking to on a bus or train journey far more interesting.

Now whose tone is scathing?
Do I have to care?Just because I don't share an interest, oh dear, am I not allowed to express an opinion?
I believe the term "slebs" is quite widespread, and as for being " agog with indifference"I am so sorry if that offends - it is a phrase I have used many mnay times and most people take it as it was intended.
What on earth had occasioned this outburst?
And as for your second post petallus what are you implying - oo-er, I suppose I had better watch out.

gracesmum my first post was meant to explain why I thought you were being scathing. But then I said I was sorry if I got the wrong impression.

Second post obviously sounded different to the way I intended. I was interested in the idea that some people are not worthy of space on Gransnet (an idea introduced by you)

I can become indignant at certain attitudes it's true but of course everyone is entitled to express an opinion. I don't know why you say you had better watch out .

Anyway, it looks as though it is going to be another nice day and I'm now going off to start enjoying it. Hope you do too

OK pax!!
I got the (misguided) impression that I was seen as judging groups of people as unworthy of space on our site and I'm afraid, yes, it did come across as patronising, hence my reaction. And frankly, I did feel intimidated and wondered if it was safe to pop my head above the sofa without donning the steel knickers.
But it's not the people I meant, but the topic of celebrities, I see a difference between discussing the whole awful celebrity culture and indulging in it. I was surprised that women of our age and education were giving space to details about the wives and gilfriends of sportspeople when there are so many other topics which excite and stimulate discussion. It actually bothers me that there is this fascination in the media not only with the private lives ofpeople who achieve fame or success in their chosen field, but with their spouses. I cannot be alone in feeling that private lives should remain precisely that.

gracesmum Why would you wear steel knickers on your head?

Sorry! Another of the family phrases - steel knickers/agog with inndifference/underwhelmed/sparrowfart etc etc etc
(Anyway you must admit they'd be dead fetching!)

Gracesmum I do know what you mean about celeb culture being trivial (somehow though I can't helping having a read if it's something on VB or Coleen Rooney).

On this thread I was more interested in how certain women are represented in the media (which after all is the only way we know anything about them) and why some get a consistently bad press and others are treated quite sympathetically.

I try not to jump on the 'slagging off' bandwagon which is why I was objecting to some posts which I thought were doing that with VB.

As I said I sometimes read a bit about celebs if it happens to be in the paper I am already reading. But my 'brow' is quite broad and goes from Coronation Street on tele to the Greek classics at the theatre.

I think I might start a thread on high brow/low brow to see what others think.

I am truly sorry if I came over as patronising or threatening.

petallus well done!

too! (But secretly, !!)

gracesmum ...not forgetting you.

Oh that's nice thanks!