You've probably seen this pop culture guru on VH1's "The Fabulous Life..." where he dishes on all things celebrity. Mickey Boardman, AKA Mr. Mickey, is the Deputy Editor of PAPER Magazine, fashion extraordinaire and forever a red carpet presence. Whether he's writing his hilarious column or sitting front row with the likes of Lindsay Lohan during Fashion Week, Mr. Mickey knows his celebrity scoop.Alex Catarinella: We're now in a time when a disastrous celebrity moment that would have been the end of a career is a claim to fame. When did this start?
Mickey Boardman: Well I think Paris Hilton's sex-tape was a watershed moment. Before that it was considered every star's worst nightmare to be exposed in a sex scandal that way but the tape actually made Paris a much bigger star. A few years ago I saw in the Paper a survey that asked teenaged girls who they'd most like to be like and the number 1 answer was Paris. And this was AFTER the sex tape scandal. Pamela Anderson had a sex tape also but she was really already considered a porn star of sorts so it didn't really create that much of a brouhaha. That said Paris, and most of the other stars who've had sex tape scandals ( Kim Kardashian, Ray J etc) still struggle to be taken seriously as performers. Paris is still mostly famous for being famous. Even though she made a cute record (Stars Are Blind is fun!) and has been in movies, TV shows and in ad campaigns she's really thought of as a party girl or fame whore.
AC: What's the difference between a celeb gossip blog and a magazine?
MB: I think that at most legitimate magazines there is a level of professionalism and journalistic integrity. You don't make fun of how people look. You don't print scurrilous rumours without real verification. You act like a responsible journalist. Meanwhile a blogger like Perez Hilton, who has TOTALLY changed the face of gossip journalism, writes the posts on his website as if he's writing a personal e-mail to a friend. 'Girl that Britney Spears is a crazy whore! She must be on crack!" A real magazine in the past just wouldn't do that except the Enquirer and even a gossip paper like that would at least 'act' like they were reporting serious news. 'Pop-singer Britney Spears erratic behavior has alarmed her friends and fans alike. One insider says, "We're worried she's using drugs, perhaps even crack.'What really bothers me about this shit-talking tone (and I love Perez) is that it encourages the commenters to be even more heinous. They seems to think that if the blogger can talk smack that all rules are off and they can say the nastiest most insulting things about anyone. It really lowers the tone and leaves a bad taste in your mouth.
AC: Over 50 years since her death, people still are fascinated by the rise and fall of Marilyn Monroe... Why do we enjoy seeing celebs at such highs and lows?
MB: We love a soap opera and the best soap operas have crazy highs and lows. I hope that people don't actually want to see big stars take tumultuous falls but I guess they do! But people also love a comeback story. Look at Liza Minnelli. Look at Britney. Look at Mariah. If you think of it in cinematic terms people love a crazy series of plot twists. No one wants to watch normal people live their normal lives.Lately I feel like people have been turning on Beyonce and I think it might be because she's the opposite of Marilyn Monroe. She's absolutely professional and sane and has no ugly drama in her life. I think some people find that boring and want a trainwreck type of celebrity. When Britney was having her breakdown people couldn't wait to get on-line or watch TMZ to see her latest exploits and frankly I think people hated to see Britney get better (if she even can really be called better). Maybe people hate to think of someone else having success and fame and wealth and the idea that celebrities are more fucked up that us comforts people. Personally I like celebrities who've had interesting sections of life and career like Mia Farrow or Jane Fonda. Kirsten Dunst is a more modern example of someone who's had a few different eras in her life although now she's a bit messy and for me that gets depressing and sad after awhile.
AC: Why do we have such high expectations of celebs now? (Heroes like Angelina, Lance Armstrong, etc... ) Are the days of celebs as just entertainers long gone?
MB: I think we've always had high expectations of celebrities. If you look back to the 40s and 50s celebrities were presented as these god-like creatures who were so special. The media was so controlled by studios then whereas now there are so many gossip magazines and blogs so it seems like the few celebs like Angelina and Lance that are worshipped as heroes are few and far between. I for one worship Angelina. I don't even see her movies but I think her humanitarian work is amazing and I think she's great. Maybe I'm a sucker and a fool but I don't think I am. I've heard from people at the UN that she really does tons of great work for them that we don't even hear about. Add that to the fact that she's gorgeous, a bit crazy, a second generation celebrity and a bit of a man-eater and how can you resist Angelina? She's a REAL movie star. The closest thing we have today to Ava Gardner or Rita Hayworth. So of course she inspired worship. Lance is a different kind of hero because he defied all the odds and became the greatest cyclist in history (at least I suppose that's what he is). America LOVES that kind of story. Rags to riches or overcoming disease or beating all the odds. I think we do expect celebrities and rich people to be examples and to do charity work since they 'have it all.' But I think people have always expected that. Maybe it's just more in the media because so many celebrities do charity work or have foundations or go to charity events and pretend to care!!!
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