When famous old people die, why is it news?

[Boojatta]

Almost none of the information in an obituary is news.

The event itself isn't particularly surprising. Fame doesn't provide immunity from death.

Why not make an effort to interview famous old people who are thought to have little time remaining? They might have interesting things to say.

[Blue_In_AK]

1. It has to be news

so people will have the answers when they're playing "Dead, Not Dead," silly.

[Matariki]

26. Not to mention "who's going to be the third?"

in the "happens in threes" game.

[Drale]

2. Why not?

If you don't want to hear about it, don't read the story, but some of us have a connection to these "famous" people. When Ron Santo died, I was really really sad, I'll admit it I cried. He was one of the nicest people I've ever met and he was a great Cub and Cubs fan forever. Live and let live thats my moto. This is like those stupid speak outs in my local newspaper that says "I don't use facebook so they should shut it down."

[southernyankeebelle]

4. Because to me they have been around in many cases since we were young. You go see their movies and

you get to like them. I'm sad when anyone I knows dies.

[Thaddeus Kosciuszko]

20. The Light Emitting From Your Space Is Well Placed...

illuminating it all the way to the end

[southernyankeebelle]

22. Well thank you Thad. It was very nice of you to say. Sounds like poetry.

[WCGreen]

13. Yep, I saw him play at old Forbes Field in Pittsburgh....

[Son of Gob]

15. I agree with the sentiment of "Why not" but

Ron Santo isn't a good example. He was still working as color commentator for the Cubs at the time of his death. The OP is referring to famous people who are no longer in the limelight.



EDIT : Nevermind, I think I read the OP wrong.

[onehandle]

3. Famous people are just more interesting.

[liberal N proud]

5. It is how we mark time

When famous or important people in public or our personal lives, retire or die, we pause to remember.

My long time boss just retired last week, we all took time to reflect on his accomplishments and those things we will miss now that he has moved on.

[BeyondGeography]

6. "Fame doesn't provide immunity from death."

Fer chrissakes...

[WillowTree]

9. Amen to that.

[JBoy]

7. Get the latest NEWS on Abe Vigoda here ->

http://www.abevigoda.com/

[rhett o rick]

8. I think it provides some closure. I wonder whatever happened to..... nm

[Lucinda]

10. I agree with your point about interviewing them while they are still with us

[Boojatta]

11. Well, there's not much point in interviewing them when they're dead.

[emilyg]

12. hehee

[Hoyt]

14. If folks weren't interested, they'd report on something else. Death is the last publicity stunt.

I do agree there are some -- with a little time left -- who should be interviewed before it's too late.

[zbdent]

16. dang, I missed him in the "Death Pool"

I had him down for next Tuesday ...

[SaintPete]

17. Bercause it underscores the illusion that we are immortal

Bigger than life screen stars or rock and roll legends die, but we keep trucking on.

It's a fantasy, but one we love to bask in on a regular basis.

[Thaddeus Kosciuszko]

18. Because of The Human Element.

I know you have met at least one person in your life who was ostensibly larger than life itself. Some people touch the lives of others to such a degree, that when they pass, those who were touched by them feel the loss.

(This applies to people who touch others in negative ways too.)

[REP]

19. Due to their fame, people feel as though they know them, especially those with long careers

As an example, Paul Newman. He made a lot of movies, some of them excellent (Hombre, Cool Hand Luke, Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid, etc); some forgettable ones and one of the few sports movies I love (Slapshot). He was also socially active (pro-gay rights, pro-Democrat, many charitable acts, etc). And he had a long, active career.

For these reasons, a lot of people liked and admired him, and were sad when he died - even though they had never met him. For many, he was a life-long or near life-long presence in one form or another, and his death was a loss to them.

If you weren't looking for a serious response, I apologize.

[bluerum]

21. It demonstrates respect. Not sure about infamous old people.

Maybe morbid curiosity when old dick chainy goes.

[Kellerfeller]

23. To reflect on their accomplishments in life

Or at least why they were famous.

Obviously there were some, otherwise they would not be famous.

Some are not "accomplishments" per se, (e.g. Paris Hilton...)

[Johonny]

24. Death of someone IS news last time I checked

When my relatives died who were not particularly of any fame, they all had obituaries written up in the newspaper. It is pretty customary for the news to report the death of a person. Even ordinary persons. Is it shocking more famous people getter broader coverage since they are more broadly known? Nope.

Would it be better if people died in secret with no one knowing who is alive or dead?

[Hugabear]

25. Well, I imagine if you knew ahead of time when they were going to die...

Patrick Swayze comes to mind - not that he was old, but that people knew that he was going to die. He had plenty to say before his death.

Problem is that for most people - especially the elderly - death can come very rapidly. You can be in great health, then come down with a sickness or an injury that kills within weeks or days.

[ZombieHorde]

27. Entertainment is the one true god.

The death of God is always news.