Personal Story
Celebrities in HDTV: Five Years Later
It appears that my observations have created quite a stir.
By Swanni
Celebrities in HDTV: Five Years Later
It appears that my observations have created quite a stir.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (May 2, 2008) -- Five years ago this month, I called TV Week Managing Editor Tom Gilbert to get his advice on a column idea. (I was then writing a weekly column for the trade magazine.)
Tom, I said, I want to write about how some Hollywood celebrities look horrible in high-def. The picture is so clear, I explained, that you can see them as they look in real life -- and many simply don't look very good.
At the time, no one had written about this odd angle, in part because so few people had high-def sets at the time. So I half expected Tom to reject the idea on grounds that it would be a bit crass, perhaps even a bit cruel if I mentioned which actors and actresses did not fare well under the unforgiving HD lens.
But Tom said, "Sure, go for it."
And so I did.
Click to read Swanni's original TV Week column
Five years later:
* My observations on how celebrities look in high-def have been featured in (literally) thousands of publications and on countless television and radio shows;
* Celebrities have spoken openly about how they are frightened of appearing in HD and news reports say some stars simply won't show up for a live high-def broadcast.
* Cosmetic companies have sprung up, offering HD make-up solutions;
* Perhaps hundreds (perhaps more) of local broadcasters and actors have crammed doctors' offices in search of Botox treatments and various facial surgeries, saying HD is the reason.
* And the TV networks have invested heavily in camera filters and other tricks to try to soften the stark reality of HD.
Based on Swanni's comments, Cameron Diaz is often cited in media reports as a celebrity who fares poorly in high-def.
Now, I am not lobbying for a Pulitzer or anything, but it appears that my writings have created quite a stir. The issue of celebrities in HD arguably has become the most talked about topic in the category.
But is that a good thing?
People often ask me that question, along with, "Don't you feel bad writing about how people look bad?"
They ask that a lot.
But the answer to both is: Yes and no.
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See:
Swanni's 2007 'HDTV Best & Worst!'
The celebs who look great -- and not so great in HD.
_____________________________________________
I would argue that many Americans (particularly women) first heard about high-def by reading a story in their local paper about celebrities in HD. It probably piqued their interest and perhaps led to them buying a new set.
I think it's also helpful for people to know that not all "beautiful" people are actually that beautiful. Over the years, celebrities have used air brushed photos and fuzzy analog cameras to create the perception that they are flawless.
This perception, I submit, has contributed to some insecurity issues, particularly among young women who have tried to measure up to that manufactured ideal.
Knowing that they might look just as good as their favorite stars should give them some comfort.
However, speaking of insecurity, having lived in Los Angeles for five years, I know that many actors and actresses are extremely insecure and they probably have been hurt by my comments about their skin imperfections and other flaws. In fact, since the initial TV Week column, I have occasionally been contacted by agents and, yes, actors complaining about my descriptions.
And I'm human so I do feel their pain, if you will. But at the same time, I try to remind everyone that my remarks are purposely excessive to entertain the reader. People shouldn't take them personally, or too seriously. It's a humor piece, albeit based on my factual observations.
But the bottom line is that I'm just a writer who enjoys telling the world what I see. For that reason, the odds are good that five years from now, I will be writing about the 10th anniversary of my TV Week column -- and how some actress looks worse in high-def than you might think.
See, Tom Gilbert, it's your fault.
Comment on this article!
Tom, I said, I want to write about how some Hollywood celebrities look horrible in high-def. The picture is so clear, I explained, that you can see them as they look in real life -- and many simply don't look very good.
At the time, no one had written about this odd angle, in part because so few people had high-def sets at the time. So I half expected Tom to reject the idea on grounds that it would be a bit crass, perhaps even a bit cruel if I mentioned which actors and actresses did not fare well under the unforgiving HD lens.
But Tom said, "Sure, go for it."
And so I did.
Click to read Swanni's original TV Week column
Five years later:
* My observations on how celebrities look in high-def have been featured in (literally) thousands of publications and on countless television and radio shows;
* Celebrities have spoken openly about how they are frightened of appearing in HD and news reports say some stars simply won't show up for a live high-def broadcast.
* Cosmetic companies have sprung up, offering HD make-up solutions;
* Perhaps hundreds (perhaps more) of local broadcasters and actors have crammed doctors' offices in search of Botox treatments and various facial surgeries, saying HD is the reason.
* And the TV networks have invested heavily in camera filters and other tricks to try to soften the stark reality of HD.
Based on Swanni's comments, Cameron Diaz is often cited in media reports as a celebrity who fares poorly in high-def.
Now, I am not lobbying for a Pulitzer or anything, but it appears that my writings have created quite a stir. The issue of celebrities in HD arguably has become the most talked about topic in the category.
But is that a good thing?
People often ask me that question, along with, "Don't you feel bad writing about how people look bad?"
They ask that a lot.
But the answer to both is: Yes and no.
___________________________________________
See:
Swanni's 2007 'HDTV Best & Worst!'
The celebs who look great -- and not so great in HD.
_____________________________________________
I would argue that many Americans (particularly women) first heard about high-def by reading a story in their local paper about celebrities in HD. It probably piqued their interest and perhaps led to them buying a new set.
I think it's also helpful for people to know that not all "beautiful" people are actually that beautiful. Over the years, celebrities have used air brushed photos and fuzzy analog cameras to create the perception that they are flawless.
This perception, I submit, has contributed to some insecurity issues, particularly among young women who have tried to measure up to that manufactured ideal.
Knowing that they might look just as good as their favorite stars should give them some comfort.
However, speaking of insecurity, having lived in Los Angeles for five years, I know that many actors and actresses are extremely insecure and they probably have been hurt by my comments about their skin imperfections and other flaws. In fact, since the initial TV Week column, I have occasionally been contacted by agents and, yes, actors complaining about my descriptions.
And I'm human so I do feel their pain, if you will. But at the same time, I try to remind everyone that my remarks are purposely excessive to entertain the reader. People shouldn't take them personally, or too seriously. It's a humor piece, albeit based on my factual observations.
But the bottom line is that I'm just a writer who enjoys telling the world what I see. For that reason, the odds are good that five years from now, I will be writing about the 10th anniversary of my TV Week column -- and how some actress looks worse in high-def than you might think.
See, Tom Gilbert, it's your fault.
Comment on this article!
___________________________________________
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TVPredictions.com to see today's Swanni Sez.
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TVPredictions.com
____________________________________________
Swanni (Phillip Swann) is president and publisher of
TVPredictions.com. He has been quoted in dozens of
publications and broadcast outlets, including CNN, Fox News,
Inside Edition, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The
Chicago Tribune, The Financial Times, The Associated Press
and The Hollywood Reporter. He can be reached at
swann@tvpredictions.com
or at 703-505-3064.
Click
TVPredictions.com
to read more news and features on TV technology.