So, here’s a debate that has been waging in certain segments of my professional circles.  Your thoughts are welcome.

There’s a school of thought that people are more obsessed by celebrities than ever before.  Twitter, Facebook, etc… all give us access to everyone’s thoughts and weaknesses (see: Beasley, Michael.)

Another school of thought says that with 432 channels, the Internet and DVR’s, we have tons more people that qualify as “celebrities.”  Back in the day, PR flaks and studios could control their “celebrities.”  If one of them got out of line, you just cut them off and went into your unused supply of theatrical talent who were stuck waiting tables at Denny’s.  But nowadays, the need for content means the guy who played stand-in Teen Angel in his high school version of Grease still has a chance to catch a gig on a game show or Temptation Island.  And now the PR flak has to hope Johnny Screwup will be on a date with a Real Houswife from Topeka and punch 3 Hell’s Angels so US Magazine has a photo for page 34.  

So what do you think?  Are we putting too many people in the limelight, which leads to ridiculous stories about no-names?  Or are we really seeking out the type of titialting content about people we admire as “celebrities.”