The time has come for a better understanding of the cultural phenomenom that is Paris Hilton. It's become all too routine for people to trash her. Susan Hirsch wrote an excellent column about Hilton and her critics. She observes that criticism of Hilton appears to be a new variation of "JAP bashing". Her male critics feel that it is politically acceptable to bash her because she is an Anglo woman. I'm not surprised that her male critics would hold such a mindset. They often don't like women period, whether women are rail-thin such as Hilton or more full-bodied such as Andrea Dworkin. A cruel lack of sympathy for Hilton being the victim of a sleazy ex-boyfriend (leaking a private sex tape) is also prevalent.

The latest news reveals that someone is attempting to sue Hilton for an accident she wasn't even involved in.

Paris often displays a brilliance that confounds her critics. Her television ad featuring a seductive car washing was actually a witty 21st century take on a classic scene from "Cool Hand Luke". Unsophisticated viewers saw it as some sort of sleazy act. She was mocked as a bimbo for her "Simple Life" series. The show was actually a carefully scripted satire on the cultural clash in America.

One especially unfair bashing of Paris comes from Neocon writer Bernard Goldberg. He faults her parents as being one of the 100 top people screwing up America. Wrong. Her parents instilled good values in her. As was noted on the reality show board, Hilton's mother Kathy has always taught Paris the importance of charitable giving. Visible evidence of Paris's concern for the poor was shown last month on the news- Paris stopped her Bentley to give a homeless man some money. She's not like all those who turn a blind eye to the poor. And don't say she is extravagantly vain. Most of her clothes are donated by designers free of charge. Having Paris wear their clothes in public is invaluable advertisement for them.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________


On this board I would like to examine some of Paris's different achievements. At 25, she's already been an actress, model, and now singer. I hope to review her new album soon. She's also done some notable acting, such as the film "Nine Lives".


For other fans of Hilton, it would be nice to read some of your favorite things about Paris too!!!

Where was this column published? I'd like to read it. Do you have a link?


P.R.: She observes that criticism of Hilton appears to be a new variation of "JAP bashing". Her male critics feel that it is politically acceptable to bash her because she is an Anglo woman. I'm not surprised that her male critics would hold such a mindset.
Luigi Novi: What does gender have to do with this? Celebrities of dubious skill, intellect or achievement such as Hilton have always been fair game, regardless of their gender. How else do you explain the shots that the media takes at male public figures like Kevin Federline, Ryan Seacrest, George W. Bush, Tom Cruise, etc.?

P.R.: They often don't like women period...
Luigi Novi: How so? Who are these "male critics"? Which of them has been established to not like women? Can you name examples?

P.R.: Paris often displays a brilliance that confounds her critics. Her television ad featuring a seductive car washing was actually a witty 21st century take on a classic scene from "Cool Hand Luke".
Luigi Novi: Assuming this is true, why do you assume that she's the one who conceived of that motiff?

P.R.: She was mocked as a bimbo for her "Simple Life" series. The show was actually a carefully scripted satire on the cultural clash in America.
Luigi Novi: I've seen episodes of that show. There was nothing "satirical" about it, much less anything that amounted to an insightful observation about culture. If Paris is mocked as a bimbo, it is, IMO, precisely because she acts like one.

That's so hot.

How about when she was part of P. Diddy's "Vote or Die" campaign in NY and it turned out that she was not (nor had she ever been) registered to vote? Apparently she was just doing it because it was kind of the in thing to do.

P.R. to be honest I'm amazed to hear you talking so highly of someone like her. Given the way you normaly talk about (what I consider) radical feminists (like Dworkin) hearing you sing the praises of a sex kitten bimbo seems a little strange since most smart women I know don't like Paris because she's exactly the kind of image women are trying to get away from.

Anon, agreed that Paris's catchphrase "That's hot!" is rather brilliant. She should have been allowed to trademark it. If Roger Ebert can trademark his 'thumbs up', why shouldn't Paris protect her intellectual property? Her opinion cuts straight to the heart of the matter.

Recently, we've become aware of Paris's blossoming feminist awareness. She feels "great" about her breakup with her boyfriend. She doen't need a man to complete her. One must also consider how a past boyfriend brutally betrayed her by leaking a humiliating private sex tape to the public. Though it was an amazing cosmic coincidence that her boyfriend was also named Paris, it's for the best that she didn't marry him. Many don't want her to sleep with an uncircumsized man.

It's interesting to compare her breakup with Halle Berry's recent breakup. Halle said she coped with her breakup by focusing 'all her hate on men'. Some right-wing commentators criticised this comment, but it is honest. Men are the cause of all the problems in the world, so why should women blame themselves.

Lastly, it's great that Paris and Nicole are officially friends again. Yaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Actually, Nicole Richie appeared on The Tonight Show recently to promote the current season of The Simple Life, and stated she she and Paris are not friends, and likely never will be again, and, IIRC, film their segments of the show separately.

I do not see what's so "brilliant" about "that's hot", nor what breaking up with someone has to do with feminism; men and women break up with each other all the time. It's not necessarily a feminist issue. Nor do I see what breaking up has to do with the misandrist comment that men are the cause of all the problems in the world. If one wishes to subscribe to such a view, one might want to consider that they're also the source of a lot of the good things in the world too.

Archie is not hot.

Many don't want her to sleep with an uncircumsized man. - P.R.

I saw that on the latest Gallup Poll.

Lastly, it's great that Paris and Nicole are officially friends again. Yaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's important to me that they remain friends.

I guess the lesson Rona is trying to teach us is that if you're really a bimbo, that's bad, but if you act like a bimbo when you're really a genius, that's admirable (and hot). Of course, to the general public, being a bimbo and pretending to be one look pretty much the same...Um...anyway, I guess the same theory would apply to actresses. An actress isn't necessarily untalented; after all, it takes skill to make people think you're a bad actress. And even message boards. If you make comments that don't make sense, aren't documented, aren't explained properly or sound silly, you're simply making an ironic comment about culture and society. This site is full of such insights. Yaaaaa!!!!!!!!

Speaking of lessons, I love how the new season of 'The Simple Life' has been changed to include a moral lesson at the end. The ep where Paris and Nicole spend time with a Pakistani Muslim family was a commendable effort at cultural understanding. The end-scene where Paris gives a "Pakistanis are Hot' tee shirt to the family was touching. One has to understand the characters played by the two. Paris is the thoughtful and kind one, while Nicole is the naughty one (making rude remarks). It's also great when mom, Kathy, shows up to give moral guidance (she's a great mother despite what Bernard Goldberg says about her; he praises Anne Coulter, so his opinions are worthless).

In the next ep, Paris learned what holds a marriage together- the couple must have mutal interests.

More of Paris Hilton's genius.

Paris isn't a "bimbo". She is very intelligent. In the 'Simple Life' ep where she answers that "Kabbalah" is the primary religion in Pakistan, the father smiles and admits that Paris is only kidding. Paris is very much playing the part of a modern day Marilyn Monroe. No one scolded Marilyn for being a bimbo. Photographers relentlessly pursue Paris. Photos of her are some the hottest (in demand) by the tabloids. The world is crazy about Paris, but she deserves more privacy and respect. A sadistic glee often fills her critics, as shown by the cruel jokes by late night comedians. Her every move is criticised by many. That's unfair; the same thing is done to Britney Spears - she broke down in tears (on Dateline) because the relentless pursuit by photographers is making her miserable. Paris is holding up a brave front in public, but she must be similarly affected. It was quite understandable that she snatched a sex video of herself off a shelf. That brings up another issue. Why and who would want to watch such a degrading video? Pamela Paul has stated in "Pornified" that men who are addicted to porn are obssessed with oral and anal sex. The cruel jokes about Paris's video reflect the insensitivity of those addicted to such filth. In a society where all too many men have little respect for women, that's not unexpected.

"The couple must have mutal [sic] interests."

Profound insight...Paris really is smart.

Paris Hilton fans are on high alert. Paris has made the tremendoulsly important announcement that she will remain 'celibate' for a year. We shall eagerly follow the news to see if she can keep her commitment.

There won't be a reality show about it?

Paris has learned the hard way that men will betray, cheat, and abuse women.

Paris has learned the hard way that men will betray, cheat, and abuse women. - P.R.

The reverse, is, of course, true. God knows my love life is proof of that.

Boy, Rona, it must take a lot of effort to have cultivated this intense dislike of fully half the human race.

---

Quote:

Paris has learned the hard way that men will betray, cheat, and abuse women.

---

If Paris is going to be celibate, wouldn't that include women, as well?

Paris has learned the hard way that men will betray, cheat, and abuse women.

And women don't betray or cheat on men? See my posts on the "Superman Returns" or "Desperate Housewives" pages here for my take. Or, e-mail me, as I'm trying (but admittedly sometimes failing) to keep my personal problems off these boards. (Except for bashing Disney regarding Once And Again, which I will do anywhere, anytime)

Women cheat for different reasons.

Important News:
PARIS HAS SPOKEN...

"I play dumb like Jessica Simpson plays dumb. But we know exactly what we're doing. We're smart blondes"

"There's
nobody in the world like me. I think every decade has an iconic blonde--like Marilyn Monroe or Princess Diana--and right now, I'm that icon.

I think every decade has an iconic blonde--like Marilyn Monroe or Princess Diana--and right now, I'm that icon.

In her dreams, maybe.

Wouldn't perpetuating the dumb blonde stereotype be an anti-feminist thing to do? Seems to me the progressive thing to do would be to play against the stereotype. Cos Hilton isn't that smart.

Marilyn Monroe had screen presence, beauty, and talent. Hilton has none that I can see. She's an "icon" in the same way that I'm a fire hydrant.

Barbara Walters (the greatest television journalist of our time, according to Star Jones) declared that Paris was one of the most fascinating people of 2004. If she's not an icon, why does the paparrazi relentlessly chase her? Why is she one of the top search subjects on the web. People love Paris. I feel sorry that Luigi doesn't share the love.

the greatest television journalist of our time, according to Star Jones

'Nuff said.

I'd say it's too early to be calling Hilton an icon. She may currently be ubiquitous, but that doesn't make her iconic. To me, if something's iconic it has staying power, it's universal. I suspect Paris Hilton is little more than yet one more flash in the pan who will be forgotten or at best another piece of pop culture trivia.

P.R.: If she's not an icon, why does the paparrazi relentlessly chase her?
Luigi Novi: Using that reasoning, everyone from Nicole Richie and Lindsay Lohan to Joey Buttafuocco and Amy Fisher are "icons". Paparazzi do not bestoy any special status on their targets; certainly not the status of "icon". The paparazzi do what they do because they're sensationalistic vultures without any regard for privacy or decency who are just trying to make a big buck. It seems a bit of a non sequitur to me to reason that "the paparazzi chase this person, therefore she's an icon."

I'm sorry if my not sharing the love is disappointing, but in general, I tend not to dole out that sentiment to those who populate reality tv shows and tabloids, as my admiration tends to be directed more towards people whose accmplishments I think are noteworthy. Even if I did start prioritizing with entertainment personalities and tabloid cover girls, I doubt I'd begin with the Paris Hilton. But that's just me. To each their own.

On this board I would like to examine some of Paris's different achievements. At 25, she's already been an actress, model, and now singer. I hope to review her new album soon. She's also done some notable acting, such as the film "Nine Lives".

Didja ever see her in House of Wax? Admittedly, I never did but I was just a bit surprised that you didn't mention that film in which her character dies. I'm sure there were many, many cheers at that part when it played in theaters.

Anyway, the other day she was on some entertainment show (I forget which one) wherein she seemed close to tears, talking about how the sex tapes and all the negative comments on Internet forums about her have really hurt her feelings. Ah, poor baby. I dunno who all these naysayers are, of course, but I'd bet a good number of 'em are jealous of her money, knowing that they'll never have anywhere near that much in their miserable lives. How did I feel about her little pity party there? I was almost moved but then remembered that she's an actress so how sincere she was or how much of it was a put-on I really don't know so I just took her comments with a grain of salt. In short, I didn't care.

Everything she has she has as a result of her name, and I see little evidence that any of her work in acting, modeling or singing is indicative of any real skill or ability on her part. There's nothing wrong with getting your foot in the door as a result of nepotism, but once you're through that door, you have to prove that you have abilities of your own. I see none from her.

...she's also an author of two best-selling books. Didn't anyone read "Confessions of an Heiress"?

"Author"? I'd be willing to bet good money the books were ghost-written.

Most likely. I doubt mz paris could write a dick and jane book on her own.

Paris and Nicole to kiss and make up on the Letterman show in September.

Do they really kiss, or are you being metaphorical, Adam? Perverted minds want to know.

Benn, would you really want to see them kiss, though? I wouldn't because neither one's the least bit attractive IMO.

Ditto.

Hey, I was just thinking of the girl-on-girl action. I hadn't gotten beyond that thought to realizing who all would be involved in the girl-on-girl action.

I'd rather talk about the "Marina Sirtis Appreciation Society"

No kidding, Johnnie Lang. BTW, how's the recording industry treating ya? :D

Speaking of recordings, Paris Hilton's video for "Stars are Blind" is sensational. It's very elegantly shot in the black-and-white style of Herb Ritts. The video resembles Chris Isaac's "Wicked Game", and in several shots Paris looks quite like a blond Helene Christianson. It can't be denied that Paris also has a beautiful and exotic voice. She's a class act all the way! The end of the video is cute. Paris nabs the man's car keys and makes a getaway!

Frankly, I never care about music videos anyway. If the music can't make it without the video, why bother?

I don't watch videos a lot either, but I've seen the Wicked Game video, I see no resemblence between Paris Hilton and Helena Christensen. Their features are nothing alike.

Ditto, Luigi. Helena's a knockout in that video, whereas Paris is just not. I dunno how I was able to but I managed to sit through that insipid video, most of which is an obviously blatant Wicked Game ripoff, down to Paris' ugly dark eye makeup. And no one can shoot a Herb Ritts video like Herb Ritts, but unfortunately neither can he any longer, either.

However, since this the Paris Hilton Appreciation board I'd appreciate her leaving the limelight for good so we don't have to think about her anymore. Unfortunately, the entertainment press loves her too much for that to happen, the idiots.

It really is disingenuous to see people posting remarks that Paris isn't pretty. Playboy named Paris as one of the "25 Sexiest Celebrities" and Maxim ranked her #38 on its annual "Hot 100". Most people find her very attractive.

I have to address the issue of male ignorance. That repulsive ignorant creature known as Larry King (who brags that he never reads the books of authors he interviews, unlike Oprah and Katie Couric) joked "What does Paris Do?" ... More than you. If someone actually did some research on Paris they would find that she is actually very much like a female P. Diddy. She started her own record label, has her own line of designer clothing and perfume. She has modeled, acted, and donated time and money to charity. Another ignorant male, Bernard Goldberg, has said that her parents are irresponsible. Really! The A&E documentary on heiresses shows that her parents instilled excellent values in their children. The father required both daughters to get jobs at 12. The mother stressed the importance of charity. How are those bad values, Mr. Republican Bernie? Considering the Republican party's ugly practice of homophobia, Paris has spoken out in defense of tolerance (another 'bad' value, Bernie?).

Paris describes herself as a business woman. She has repeatedly stated that she is "playing a character" on the Simple Life. If some men are unable to understand this, it is understandable. We need to examine the issue of why so many men find "dumb" women attractive. Men are threatened by intellectual women. I've seen this quite recently. A rude fat Republican male ( a friend of my husband's) recently called my dear friend Julie a "b*tch" because she is an intellectual. Some right-wing men don't want women to voice an opinion. Paris has found out that it is very profitable playing to male fantasies. Those are fantasies and not reality, so don't mistake the two.

>If someone actually did some research on Paris >they would find that she is actually very much >like a female P. Diddy.

Uh, that's your idea of a positive comparison?

P.Diddy is a businessman and entrepreneur just like Paris. P.Diddy has been praised for his business skills, but why not Paris? Sexism?

P.R.: It really is disingenuous to see people posting remarks that Paris isn't pretty.,
Luigi Novi: No it isn't. That's our opinion. Paris Hilton is the least attractive celebrity that I know of who is purported to be attractive. Whether Playboy or Maxim or others find her attractive doesn't mitigate this, since I'm not obligated to share the aesthetic views of others. To each their own.

P.R.: ...she is actually very much like a female P. Diddy.
Luigi Novi: What acts has she actually produced? (And then again, how much musical talent does Diddy himself actually have?)

P.R.: Paris describes herself as a business woman. She has repeatedly stated that she is "playing a character" on the Simple Life.
Luigi Novi: And was she "playing a character" in her real-life shenanigans, as when she received tickets for parking in handicapped parking spaces, stole items from a newstand, expressed ignorance of who Tony Blair is, etc.?

P.R.: Men are threatened by intellectual women. I've seen this quite recently. A rude fat Republican male ( a friend of my husband's) recently called my dear friend Julie a "b*tch" because she is an intellectual.
Luigi Novi: Or, he called her that because he thought she was one, and her intellect had nothign to do with it. And what does his being fat have to do with it?

P.R.: P.Diddy is a businessman and entrepreneur just like Paris. P.Diddy has been praised for his business skills...
Luigi Novi: And criticized for his part in a shootout at a nightclub, and for trying to get one of his entourage to take the fall for it by giving the gun to him.

Yeah, I was also gonna comment about how wrong it is to compare Paris and Diddy because AFAIK she's never shot a gun at anyone, if not just shot a gun at all.

It really is disingenuous to see people posting remarks that Paris isn't pretty. Playboy named Paris as one of the "25 Sexiest Celebrities" and Maxim ranked her #38 on its annual "Hot 100". Most people find her very attractive.

And some of us like women who have a bit more weight on them and don't look like extras from Trainspotting.

Another ignorant male, Bernard Goldberg, has said that her parents are irresponsible. Really! The A&E documentary on heiresses shows that her parents instilled excellent values in their children.

By the age of 15, she was a regular on the NY club scene, where you are supposed to have to be 21 to get in. I'm not sure if drinking, doing drugs and hanging out with 20-something men is something that a responsible parent would allow a 15 year old to do.

We need to examine the issue of why so many men find "dumb" women attractive.

Reminds me of a line from the show "The War at Home" the father is talking about how as a young man he would lie to girls to get them into bed. ".....tell a fat girl she's skinny, tell an ugly girl she's pretty, tell a dumb girl; well no the dumb ones were usually good to go."

My most recent experiences with dumb girls came about as a result of a roommate I lived with for 6 months recently. He works at a cheerleading gym and hangs around with a lot of 18 year old cheerleaders. Many of them are dumb, pretty and easy to get into bed. My problem with hanging around with them was that they are so dumb I was ready to bash my head into a wall. That's when I realized that was why I never could have been a "player" the types of girls those dudes hang around with are too dumb and annoying for me to put up with. I'll stick to my female friends who can actually hold up their end of the conversation.

Also lets not forget that not all men are threatened by strong, intelligent women and like dumb ones. Lots of the "independent" women have the problem of telling the guy who treats them well that they just want to be friends (lack of spark) and than fall for the biggest jerk in town and act surprised when he cheats on them, dumps them or get abusive toward them.

P.R.: P.Diddy is a businessman and entrepreneur just like Paris. P.Diddy has been praised for his business skills...

He's also been criticized for using samples from other artists work as such a big portion of his own songs and for lyrics that many feel glorifies violence and objectify women.

Brian Fitzgerald: My problem with hanging around with them was that they are so dumb I was ready to bash my head into a wall.
Luigi Novi: Ditto, and this doesn't just pertain to women. I can't stand being around people who act like there's something wrong with reading or having a good vocabulary, regardless of what gender they are. I'm not gonna lie and say that I'm not affected at all by looks, but if I had to spend the rest of my life with someone like Jessica Simpson or Anna Nicole Smith---regardless of what they'd look like---I'd feel all alone. I need someone with a brain to confide in and form a rapport with.

People who feel "there's something wrong with reading or having a good vocabulary" are idiots who think those kinda people are showoffs or something, which is hardly the truth. Well, maybe a relatively few are like that but the majority aren't. If you don't like reading or learning new words then that's your problem but some of us like to expand our horizons and vocabularies.

Exactly. The prevalence of that attitude in in-person life is one reason why I like coming here.

There is a double standard for male and female celebrities. Jerry Lewis always played dumb characters. No one confused his screen characters with his real self. Paris has stated, over and over, that she is playing a character on Simple Life. So why do men have trouble distinguising between the two. It's a sexist attitude to have about a female celebrity.

Brian, the same has to be said in the reverse. I don't know ANY women who find it enjoyable to be around dumb men ( and not counting Laura Bush).

But no one here has argued otherwise. The only one who has argued that one gender finds unintelligent members of the opposite gender attractive was you.

As for this "double standard" you describe, the analogy doesn't work for me, because Jerry Lewis was actually playing characters. Everyone knows this. It's obvious and common knowledge. His characters had fictional names, and where in fictional situations, that were read off scripts written by screenwriters. I don't think, for example, that anyone who saw Visit to a Small Planet thought that Lewis was an actual extraterrestrial, or that anyone who saw The Nutty Professor thinks that he's an inventor in real life.

Paris Hilton and Jessica Hilton, on the other hand, do not do this. They claim to be playing characters, but whether this is true is less clear to me. They could simply be saying this to cover up the fact that they really are as ignorant as they appear to be. If they're playing characters, then why do they use their real names, and make no other indication, other than this assertion to the contrary, that their behavior is not genuine? Why do the shows not make it clear that this is part of the premise? Aren't these women worried that viewers will assume that they really are that way?

I remember seeing a special on reality TV, and in reference to the Simple Life, someone (I think it may have either been one of the producers or some other inside source), stated that the shenanigans the girls engage in are actually set up by the producers, but get this: He argued this by pointing out that Paris was not intelligent enough to come up with them herself. Certainly some of her behavior in public (a few instances of which I mentioned) does little to suggest that her behavior on the show is some sort of act. But that's just me.

Brian, the same has to be said in the reverse. I don't know ANY women who find it enjoyable to be around dumb men ( and not counting Laura Bush).

Don't forget Marilyn Quayle.

Jessica Hilton, Luigi? Do you mean Jessica Simpson? Anyway, it's blonde bimbos like them that perpetuate the dumb blonde myth, which must tick off a lot of intelligent blondes, and yes, they do exist.

Ack! Yeah, I meant Simpson.

Paris has stated, over and over, that she is playing a character on Simple Life. So why do men have trouble distinguising between the two. It's a sexist attitude to have about a female celebrity.

But she already had this reputation for being a bimbo and the show just played it up with fake over-the-top situations. Sort of like how William Shatner had a reputation for being a self-involved jerk for many years and he now plays it up in his TV apperances (both when "playing" himself in interviews and when playing fictional characters)

Yeah, Brian, like in the indie movie Free Enterprise in which he plays a less bombastic version of himself ("My friends call me Bill.") It's also funny to hear him use the F-word, or as the kids say these days, "Drop the F-bomb," like in a dream sequence where the younger version of Robert tells him why he started fighting another kid. I won't quote it here but you can look it up on IMDB under "Memorable Quotes".

Everyone has to be aware that Comedy Central is airing a 'roast' for Shatner on Sunday night. CC only runs 20 promos for it every hour. Speaking of Shat, no one can say that his album is anywhere near as good as that of Paris.

Sure I can. I can say whatever the heck I want.


Shatner's album is better than Paris'.


Disclaimer, having heard neither album, my opinion is to be taken with at least a mole of salt.

I don't have Comedy Central so I was unaware of the roast till I saw it on Inside Edtion or Entertainment Tonight. They had a few funny spots from it, like George Takei correcting him on the way to actually pronounce Takei ("Tah-Kay, kinda rhymes with tou-pay", or however he put it).

P.R.: Speaking of Shat, no one can say that his album is anywhere near as good as that of Paris.
Luigi Novi: Now there's a great marketing slogan!

The video resembles Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game"...
But, "Wicked Game" is a great song, with a superb video, one I've listened to over and over again. "Stars Are Blind?" The newscasters at Channel 2 News closed their newscast with the "Stars Are Blind?" video this morning, and IMHO, thought it was a big goof.

Shatner's album is better than Paris'..
Mr. Shatner had real musicians, with proven track records of quality stuff, as his collaborators on "Has Been," such as Ben Folds, Joe Jackson, Henry Rollins and Aimee Mann. Who worked with Paris on her record? BTW, J&R in New York is selling the CD now for $9.99 as a pre-order.

Paris' new album has recieved some glowing advance reviews (which I will discuss later). It'll be released next week, and I'm sure it will make a fine addition to everyone's CD collection!

Who has given it glowing reviews?

It won't make a fine addition to my collection.

[concession of a single point follows]

NBC's "Today" did mention that it got some decent reviews.

Toss all copies of her new album into a huge vat of radioactive goo and it'll get glowing reviews all right!

This seems coincidentally appropriate.

"Meanwhile Paris is officially the most overrated celebrity in the world."

Ain't that the truth!

"The 'Stars Are Blind' singer is known for her love of style and vanity and recently declared herself to be the new Marilyn Monroe."

Um, no, not in the least. Marilyn actually had intelligence, an attractive face and curvy, womanly figure whereas Paris has none of those.

"She said at the time: 'There's nobody in the world like me. I think every decade has an iconic blonde - like Marilyn Monroe or Princess Diana - and right now, I'm that icon.'"

Oh, yeah, she's totally vain alright. Of course, she was probably raised to be that way, what with her parents and other family members always calling her beautiful, smart, talented and whatever other nonapplicant adjectives they could come up with, so she probably doesn't know any better. Which is no excuse, of course. I think she's got beautiful eyes, though. Beautiful, deer-caught-in-the-headlights eyes with nothing behind them.

You really have to Marvel at the conceit with which someone who's been in the public eye for only a few years, and for reasons that have nothing to do with talent, declares themself an "icon." Marilyn Monroe was indeed an icon. She created a powerful screen persona that resonates decades later. The same cannot be said for Hilton.

No kidding.

One reviewer said that Paris might become the new Madonna. I would add another comparison. Initially, some were sceptical of Carly Simon because of her famous last name. Some dismissed her as a spoiled little rich girl, but she overcame that. Paris holds much promise. Her singing voice is undeniably beautiful.

I caught part of one of Hilon's videos. I didn't watch much of it. I thought the song was a bit mediocre and by-the-numbers. I suppose if I were to actually hear the CD, I'd probably hear something on it I'd feel was decent. But I don't think it's worth the effort, frankly.

Well, Benn, that's why you listen to songs on the internet first, like with artists who might put out a song or two of their own or internet radio or whatever.

Her video had music in it?


........Oh, you meant her music video.

I guess, if you could call what she does is music.

She cries when she listens to her CD, because "it's so good."

Can someone give me a brief explanation on just what this thread is about? I've never actually read any of it...

Rona thinks that Paris is a cool person worth admireing so she started this to post positive things about her. Most of the rest of us don't like her and post reasons why here.

Wouldn't the title of the board and the first post indicate what it's about?

Luigi, haven't you become a bit too jaded. I think it is touching that music has the power to still move people. Paris' reaction to her album is genuine and very sweet.

Paris' reaction to her album is genuine and very sweet.

Because she doesn't have any reason to push the album, no siree!

Sorry to disappoint you, P.R. I think it's touching that music has the power to move people too. But when someone claims such an effect from their own music, it just seems a tad unusual, and in light of Hilton's other public comments, somewhat conceited. Sorry, but that's just my reaction to that comment.

She cries when she listens to her CD, because "it's so good."

I don't think Sheryl Crow (as an example) cries when she listens to her own music, if she does listen to her own songs. And, she's had a lot more to cry about than Paris Hilton ever did (like breast cancer, for example.) Ms. Crow's music has moved me in ways that Paris Hilton's never could. I even thanked Ms. Crow for her song "No One Said It Would Be Easy" at an autograph session in 2002. The only way that Paris Hilton's CD could ever move me is to move my hand toward the "Eject" button on the CD player.

The only way her CD could move me would be for my hand to move it over into one o' them thar skeet shooting machines. "PULL!"

Check this out. I'm not really into celebrity worship in general, but stuff like that is pretty much the reason why "celebrities" like Hilton cause me to be......"jaded".

Why, Luigi, do you find it so objectionable that an artist (such as Paris) is moved by their own work? Would you also criticise Michaelangelo if he was moved to tears by how splendid his 'David' turned out?

I just wouldn't take it as an unbiased opinion on the quality of the work.

I don't think that I find it objectionable that an artist be moved by their own work. I think what I found so objectionable about the comment was how lacking in humility it was. There have certainly been times that I've finished a portrait, and been extremely pleased with how it came out, but I would never tell someone, "It's so good, I was moved to tears by it." Maybe this is just a case of my personal biases or philosophy as an artist, or something, but I just prefer to let others make that judgment. Again, maybe that's just me.

It gets better: She thinks she's an A-lister, and anyone who does not give her acting work is "insecure."

Kathy Griffin is a self-described "D-Lister" who still has a better resume than Paris. Plus, she did that classic Seinfeld episode, where she played an ex-girlfriend of Jerry's. Who mines their relationship for material, much to Jerry's chagrin.

Her album's sales.

"The international outlook is not much better for her," one industry source told Page Six. "The international people are not inclined to do a big push since she can't back up the album with a tour. Obviously, she can't sing live." - article from the above link

OUCH! Now that's a burn.

Elijah Blue Allman, the hunky son of Cher and Gregg Allman, boasted to Howard Stern the other day that he had a fling with Hilton before she was famous - but he got nervous right afterward that he might have picked up a sexually transmitted disease from her. Allman says he was so worried, he raced downstairs and grabbed a household cleaning product to pour over his private parts and "disinfect" them. - the same article

Double "ouch"! Almost literally, I should add.

Paris busted for drunk driving.
She's not having it too good lately, is she? With her album tanking, and now this.

It's obviously a plot by the Male Dominated Hierarchy to suppress poor brilliant Paris.

Adam Bomb: She's not having it too good lately, is she? With her album tanking, and now this.
Luigi Novi: Yeah, looks like she got tanked herself.

Photos of her arrest.

Paris made an innocent mistake. She drank on an empty stomach. Some in the media have covered the story in a mean-spirited manner. Keith Olberman laughed as he showed her arrest photos on MSNBC. We should all be greatful that Paris is all right. It reminds us of how precious life is, and how cruel men are.

Elijah's story of sex with Paris is just that...a story. It's as phony as a three dollar bill. Paris has said that she's only had sex with TWO people. Any one who has ever used TILEX knows that it burns if it gets in any small cut. A story about scrubbing genitals with Tilex is about as believable as Bush's reason for invading Iraq.

As for the sales of Paris' record; it means nothing. The American public has lousy taste. When that krappy Pirates of the Carribean sequel is the top grossing movie of the year, I don't value the tastes of the commoners too highly. Paris is a class act. In her video, she is reminicscent of Bridget Bardot. We have to remember that if Beethoven were alive today, he wouldn't be in the top ten either.

And if a man gets busted for DUI?

DUI is DUI. It has nothing to do with being a woman or not.

P.R.: Paris made an innocent mistake.

There's nothing inocent about drunk driving. Period. It's a sign of reckless irresponsibility and disregard for the lives of other people. If Ms Hilton had too much to drink, or even suspected she might not be capable of driving safely, the only correct choice would be to call a cab or a friend. Drinking on an empty stomach is no excuse, if anything she should've taken that as aggravating circumstance when she judged her ability to drive. With a legal limit of .08% (in California) we're not talking about a glass of beer or sip of vodka, for most people that would require 2 or 3 drinks. She made the call to drive, now she have to take the consequences.

And how is this proof of "how cruel men are"? Were she forced to DUI? Or are you sugesting the police officers should've looked the other way because she is Paris Hilton?

My brother (who was an NYPD detective, now retired, who worked both Ground Zero and the Staten Island landfill where everything was laid) was busted for drunk driving a number of years ago. To make a long story short, it made his life a nightmare, but he has never touched a drop of any alcohol since.
IMHO, Paris was given preferential treatment by the LAPD, as she was processed out of the police station in half the usual time. (And, wasn't she released without having to post bail?)

...and how cruel men are.
And women aren't? I don't want to go over that again, as the gory details are posted elsewhere on this site.

P.R.:Paris made an innocent mistake.
Luigi Novi: She knowingly broke the law, and I'm curious as to whether you would afford this consideration if it were anyone else.

I once made the mistake of drinking on an empty stomach, since I don't drink often, and the dangers of doing so were not on the forefront of my mind. But I knew enough not to get behind the wheel of a car.
P.R.: It reminds us of how precious life is, and how cruel men are.
Luigi Novi: Your misandry aside, the incident shows her getting preferential treatment, since the police have decided not to release either her arrest report or her mugshot, which they generally do not do with other celebrities, or anyone else, for that matter.

P.R.: As for the sales of Paris' record; it means nothing. The American public has lousy taste.
Luigi Novi: Maybe it does. But then again, if her album went double-platinum, would you not be using that as proof of the opposite?

Let's not forget that when Mel Gibson was busted for DUI, he was mocked and made fun of in the media. I even have a couple of MP3s of songs making fun of it. Hell, any time a celebrity screws up in public, jokes are made about it. It doesn't matter what gender the celeb is. That's normal. The jokes about Paris Hilton are no different than the jokes about Mel Gibson or any other famous person.

Every human being has positive qualities. In the interest of fairness, I would like to hear people state some POSITIVE qualities about Paris...

Um...........

After reading some comments on the Shatner board, I did think it was very sweet that Luigi finds Sandra Bernhard "hot". I now understand that Paris isn't his type, but he must realise that others find Paris hot. It's also interesting that he and Paris both use the expression "HOT". Great minds think alike!

Paris made an innocent mistake. She drank on an empty stomach.

Actually I heard a radio DJ here in Atl played the clip of her calling Ryan Seacrest's radio show telling the story of the night she was busted. She says that she went out to dinner with her sister, than they want to the club where she drank and than drove home. Than she says that she was drinking on an empty stomach. The DJ pointed out that she just said that she went out to dinner with her sister before hitting the club, oops. This is why celebs have publicists to make statements for them, so they don't make slips like that.

P.R.: After reading some comments on the Shatner board, I did think it was very sweet that Luigi finds Sandra Bernhard "hot".
Luigi Novi: Sandra Bullock. Not Sandra Bernhard. You think you could quote me correctly at least once, perhaps?

Every human being has positive qualities. In the interest of fairness, I would like to hear people state some POSITIVE qualities about Paris...

OK, here's one: She's not dating any of us guys here. Of course, that's just saying more about us than her since we've got higher standards than she does.

Oops! I just said something negative about her again, didn't I? Damnit! I'll try better next time. I swear!

Every human being has positive qualities. In the interest of fairness, I would like to hear people state some POSITIVE qualities about Paris...

Pot. Kettle. Black.

As soon as you state some POSITIVE qualities about men.

The idea that she drank on an empty stomach is also dubious, given her own comments to Ryan Seacrest when she called in to his radio show on L.A.'s 102.7 KIIS FM:

"You know what, it was nothing," she said. "I'd been shooting my music video for my new song, 'Nothing in this World.' … I got off last night at about 10 p.m. then I went and had dinner with my sister and all my girlfriends, and then we went to this charity event Dave Navarro threw for brain tumors.

"And um, I had one margarita, starving 'cause I had not ate all day, on my way to In-n-Out which is probably three blocks away, and I'm in my (Mercedes) SLR, which is a little fast, so maybe I was speeding a little bit" – she giggled – "and I got pulled over."

So she says that she went and had dinner, and then a margarita at a later event. So she was not on an empty stomach. But then she says she was "starving" because she had not eaten all day? What about that dinner? Hilton is full of it. She can't even keep her lies straight.

Paris refuses to appear in Playboy. Sandra Bernhard has, maybe that's why Luigi likes her. If Andrea Dworkin appeared in Playboy, then Luigi might have fallen in love with her.

and if Marina Sirtis appeared in playboy...

Except that Luigi said it was Sandra Bullock, not Bernhard.

NO self-respecting American male would ever fall even the least tiniest bit in love with Dworkin simply because physically and mentally there's absolutely, positively nothing whatsoever that's attractive about her at all.

P.R.: Paris refuses to appear in Playboy.
Luigi Novi: Thank God.

Then again, does she really have anything to show that hasn't been seen by anyone who bought her home movie?

Or any paparazzi?

Or any anyone else?

P.R: If Andrea Dworkin appeared in Playboy, then Luigi might have fallen in love with her.
Luigi Novi: Sorry, I'm not really into necroamory. (Is that a word?)

ScottN: Except that Luigi said it was Sandra Bullock, not Bernhard.
Luigi Novi: Yeah, well, obviously P.R.'s repeated and deliberate twisting of others' words (usually mine) is intended as a provoke some type of reaction on my part, which further convinces me that he/she's just trolling, as I find it difficult to believe that anyone could honestly get others' words wrong so often.

Luigi Novi: Sorry, I'm not really into necroamory. (Is that a word?) - Luigi Novi

I'd use "necrophelia" in this case. It's not entirely accurate, but it gets the idea across. IMHO.

Glad to know you gave so much thought to the subject matter.

I couldn't remember if it was Dworkin or whoever the other woman like her was that died.

Anyway, tonight's Tonight Show's "Headlines" segment started off with perfect headline that I just had to show off here. It said, Paris Hilton Confuses DUI With IUD. Hey, it may sound like a joke but I wouldn't doubt it's true, either!

Glad to know you gave so much thought to the subject matter. - Luigi Novi

A half-a-second is putting "so much thought to the subject matter"? (And I don't know which is scarier: That I could have spent time thinking about the right word, or that I didn't spend hardly time at all thinking about it.)

Luigi Novi: Sorry, I'm not really into necroamory. (Is that a word?)

No, it's not. But it's a good try, buddy.

Paris Hilton Confuses DUI With IUD

Now, that's a good one. BTW, I didn't know that anyone even used those things anymore, considering their bad reputation. (Is a diaphragm considered an IUD?)

Luigi, we dare not correct you.We had a debate politic person, she was the guru of polotics on aol.


just don't use that screaming yellow when you post!

Paris' costars on Paris.

Paris "rolls her own cigarettes"?? This girl was born with a silver spoon in her mouth, and and has never required having to get or work a hard job in her life, but she rolls her own cigarettes?

Ooooookay.

You can never be too rich to be too cheap, Luigi.

Some role model. Drunk driver, pothead, amateur porn star. Anything else?

There is a rumor going around that Paris will star in yet another remake of A Star Is Born, but IMDB can't confirm it (thankfully). I've avoided the 1976 Barbra Streisand version like the plague (I'd rather watch steel rust than see one frame of that vanity project.) I can imagine just how bad a Paris Hilton version would be.

maybe she's rolling something else in those cigarettes.

Adam Bomb: Some role model. Drunk driver, pothead, amateur porn star. Anything else?
Luigi Novi: You left out spoiled heiress, thief, vandal (she ripped up a poster advertising her home video and stole a copy of it from a newstand), and lazy worker (see my first post on Sept. 13).

Thanks, Luigi. I do aim to be a completist.

I mentioned earlier how cruel some in the media are. More evidence of that this week. Another female, Anna Niclole Smith, that everybody loves to ridicule lost her son. The media reported as if she was some sort of wacko for needing to be sedated upon hearing of her son's death... a new low in lack of compassion.

Which outlet reported that? All the stories I read about it treated the story as the tragedy that it is, and mentioned her need for sedation as a result of her understandable anguish over her son's death. Who reported this in a cruel manner?

Probably the tabloids, real bastions of honest journalism.

I just think, out of decency, the Anna Nicole bashing should stop.

She's in the public eye, and as long as she is she'll always be bashed to some lesser or greater degree, whether she deserves it or not. But I will say one good thing about her: she finally lost all that weight and actually looks more decent than she has in years. At least the last time I saw her.

She lost that weight a couple of years ago.

LOL.

For some reason, the link doesn't work here. Go here, and click on the last link for Monday, 9/18, the one that mentions Paris.

Kinda surprised noone have yet pointed out how similar the music of "Stars Are Blind" is to UB40's "Kingston Town".

Anna paid for son's last pics.

Paris: "I'm not like that smart."

Audio of her saying it and other things here.

Here's more on that (scroll down.)

Paris and Nicole will appear together for yet another season of The Simple Life. I can't believe that WCBS-TV news this morning thought that this non-story was worth their (and our) time, while the story of Tower Records going out of business didn't even rate a mention.

Perhaps they mentioned it yesterday during their evening news? That's when I heard it on ABC.

Donald Trump on Hilton (as well as Angelina Jolie, Kevin Federline, and Congressman Mark Foley) during his interview with Larry King:

KING: What do you make of all this Paris Hilton stuff?

TRUMP: Well, you have to understand I've known Paris for many years. I have known Paris for many years. I have known Paris...when she was a little baby and I know the parents very well and they're really nice people. And I think Paris isn't getting enough credit. She was another one. You have Kevin Federline but you have Paris. Paris said she wants to build a brand just like Donald Trump and I don't know if she's done it the same way but she is smart like a fox.

You know, people say "Oh, she's not smart. She's not this. She's not that." She's done a very good job. When they pay her $25,000 or $50,000 or $100,000 to show up to a party, she's making a lot of money and she gets criticized all the time.

I also happen to think that I believe she's very beautiful. A lot of people don't agree with me, you know. Some people say "Oh she's really not." I happen to think she's very beautiful. But, Paris has done really a good job in building a brand for herself.

KING: But is that in itself a talent?

TRUMP: Well, I think everything is a talent. I think that she--if she didn't have a good look, she wouldn't be able to do it. She'd have to do something else. But she happens to be born with a great look. If that look weren't there, she couldn't do that. You know look is important in life, Larry. That's why you're so successful.

KING: Oh, gorgeous.

Well, there you have it. Getting paid to show up at a party requires one to be "smart", and cashing in on your name (which is what Paris has really cashed in on, and not her looks) is a "talent", as is--according to Trump--"everything". Look is important in life--and without qualifier--I wonder what Trump thinks of Bill Gates or Stephen Hawkings' "look".

Here's Lloyd Grove's take on Paris. It's a bit old, but I thought it worthy of inclusion here.

Hilton distancing herself from flick.

Man, how bad does a flick have to be that Paris Hilton doesn't want to be associated with it?

Tina Fey on Paris. One more inside scoop the type of person Hilton really is.

Some are against Paris simply because she's thin. I saw a good example of this on Dr. Phil. A fat male had a very nasty attitude towards thin attractive women (and wondered why they weren't attracted to him). Dr. Phil had to explain to him that it was HIM and not women that had the problem. I've seen a similar attitude in other fat men. They even refuse to admit that they eat unhealthy either. One tried to give transfat laden junkfood to my daughter, and then complained when I said "no". I realise that the causes of obesity can be different in men and women. Many women gain weight after having been abused by a man. Andrea Dworkin detailed her weight gain after her horrific. abuse by a man. Another sad fact is that some men also specifically target overweight women to hit on. The cycle of abuse is thus set to start all over. My dear friend Julie, whose nasty husband put on a lot of weight before their divorce, calls fat men "Jabbas". I've told her that there needs to be mutual respect, but it has to be noted that fat men have some of the nastiest attitudes towards women.

Sorry, everyone. But I'm part of the Marina Sirtis appreciation society.

I've met her and gotten her autograph at conventions. She is very beautiful, but I was surprised at how short she is in person. On screen, she looks taller. I guess it's that way with all tv stars.

In my opinion, Paris may look good on the outside, but she is extremely ugly on the inside. She has an incredibly hideous, grotesque, and offensive personality, and there is no way in the world that I, as a straight male who loves gorgeous, beautiful women, would ever want to become romantically involved with her, or even have anything to do with someone like her.

It's the same way with Pamela Anderson, Jenny McCarthy, and Carmen Electra. They may be portrayed as "hot desirable babes" by the media, but I do not find any of them the least bit attractive. Like Paris, their personalties, as well as the majority of their past behavior, turns me right off!

When I look for a woman, I prefer an attractive petite brunette or black-haired woman in her early-mid 20's. If you're wondering, I am 28.

Although I'm not saying that slightly older women cannot be attractive. Just look at Courteney Cox. She's in her early 40's, and she's gorgeous!

And then there are the women around my age, like Jennifer Love Hewitt. SHe is one of my absolute favorites!

Also, there are women in their mid-30's I like too. The two most notable examples are Jennifer Connelly and Denise Richards.

But I'm not saying that I don't like blondes. Far from it! I like Jenna Elfman, Maria Bello, Piper Perabo, and especially Amy Smart!

Whoops, it looks as if I've gone WAY off-topic. I am glad I was able to use this forum to express my opinion about this subject. Later now!

Over the weekend, many commentators were comparing Anna Nicole Smith to Paris Hilton. It was said that the two were both "famous for being famous". I thought that was a very belittling remark about any woman. When is that ever said about a man (other than Kevin Federline)? Unlike Paris, Anna willingly posed for nude pictures. Paris was recently the victim of another scandal when a video in a storage facility was released to the public against her will. She has vowed to take this case all the way to the Supreme Court. I hope she does. She deserves all our support.

She's now in prison, to serve her full 45 days for violating probation. Not the 23 she was originally set to serve. Guess the judge got real mad when the sheriff let her go early because of a rash (or so I heard. Maybe she's allergic to the detergent used on prison clothes.
My girlfriend compares Paris' predicament to that of Martha Stewart. Ms. Stewart swallowed her pride and did her time in jail (six months, IIRC, shortened to five for good behavior.) When she came out of jail, she became more popular then ever. Maybe Paris would get a little more respect from the public if she did the same.

Funny how silent PR/Rona is. I'm amazed she hasn't jumped on here and defended her actions.

Paris has spoken to Barb Walters. She said she is 26 now and it is time to stop acting "dumb". She said she'll have a new focus on being serious. She also communicated the message to the media that she wishes they'd devote more coverage to our troops in Iraq. Paris cares. Geraldo has been doing some excellent legal analysis of her case. He feels that her prison sentence was grossly unfair and harsh. The same overly harsh sentencing was applied to another prominent woman, Martha Stewart.

So, please tell me. How exactly does screaming "Mom!" and "It's not right!" as deputies have to *carry* you out of court make you a mature, caring individual?

Paris is not in prison, she's in jail; and didn't Martha Stewart get house arrest, like Paris was about to? This is how probation/parole is supposed to work. Probation is essentially a 'get out of jail' pass, unless you break the judge's conditions, which she did. So instead of going to jail for a short time when she was first arrested, she now must go for a longer time. That's not 'grossly unfair', that's how the system works.

Martha Stewart got house arrest for five months after her sentence was finished. IIRC, she was allowed to leave to attend business meetings.
I've used the terms "jail" and "prison" interchangeably, although the differences are quite apparent. "Jail" is short-term, while "prison" is for longer-term sentences. At least that's the way I see it, and please feel free to correct me.

Paris is now out of jail. NBC and Barbara Walters tried to snag the first post-jailhouse interview with her. NBC was willing to pony up a cool million, but backed off. So, Larry King will interview her tonight.

According to Michael Moore, on the Daily Show, King bumped him for Paris. That's some stuff. Love or hate him Moore is an important filmmaker with a major issue film coming out. They bumped him for a rich boozer who spent a few weeks in jail.

Surprise! Paris Hilton said something stupid and offensive again. And then her rep says she said something completely different (even though it's on tape):

http://gawker.com/5944921/paris-hilton-says-gay-guys-are-disgusting-but-her-rep-says-even-stupider-s***,

(Replace the final word with the profane s-word, which Nitcentral censors.)

As some of you know about me, I don't condone misogny OR promiscuity, which I believe applies to both men and women. And that also goes for gays and lesbians as well, I think.

But for her to say that gay men are "disgusting" and the "horniest in the world" and that "they probably all have AIDS" is like, really ignorant of her. Not *hot* at all!

ANYONE of ANY gender or orientation can be "really horny". It's human nature after all, to have the urge to propagate the race. What separates us from every other species in the world is that we can *choose* not to reproduce if we dont want to. Animals have the inborn instinct to mate and have offspring. That's just the way it is.

Paris had really better watch what she says from now on, even I thought up to this point that she was a supporter of gay rights. And that she had gay friends. I wonder what they will think of her now!

It really is true what they say, you can't buy class. You (or your family) can be worth billions and have a worldwide empire, but that's no guarantee that you'll have any manners, refinement, or common sense. And poor ol' Paris really personifies that description to the hilt!

AMC is showing the House Of Wax remake tonight. How many watch just to see Paris bite it?

What was so great about
Paris Hilton ?