Cry, Cry, Love Me Society

Show business and the need to please.

My recent copious amounts of time off from university work has meant that I have spent a lot of time streaming. Lately I have taken to re-igniting my love of BBC comedy, and in doing so have set about on many a Youtube stalking sessions of my favourite British comedians. During one particular stalking session of Russell Brand I came across some footage of a radio segment he was hosting. Simon Amstell, who was co-hosting the segment, brought up the accusation that many celebrities are ‘in the biz,’ if you will, purely for validation. Russell Brand in his surprisingly charming cockney accent replied with “of course we all are, that’s horse rubbish if you disagree,” (or something along those lines).

This remark hit me across the face like a cold wet fish. I had always suspected that many celebrities were in the game, because they are driven by a need to be liked, and desired, but I could never even entertain the idea that my favourite actors, singers, and comedians were all driven by this need. When it comes down to it though, celebrities are more or less performers who must continue to win the heart of the public in order to maintain their status. I think the question really needs to be asked just what kind of person feels the constant desire to please other people? One would instantly assume that insecurity must surely play some part in this.

The more I delve into this question, however, the more complex I realize it truly is. When it comes down to it most celebrities received their status, in the first place, because of a drive and a motivation to practice their craft. In this sense it does not separate them from say your local fast food worker. They perform their job because it’s what they know how to do, and they have bills to pay. Even if they did do it to please other people, it seems to me that in some way or another we are all trying please other people with our jobs. A chef cooks food to see other people full and happy, a doctors helps sick people to see them well and happy, a scientist attempts to better understand the world, and eventually make it a better place to live, thus seeing others are happy. Is the desire to contribute to society in general a sub conscious desire to please other people? If so does this mean that in some way we are all insecure? Or merely generous?

What do you think? Why do you do your job? Do you think in some way that makes you insecure?


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