Fascinating, frustrating

Over the years, I’ve found that I enjoy relaxing outside, watching the world go by.  This year marks Barbara Walter’s 19th season of people-watching – specifically, The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2011. 

Although the show doesn’t air until Dec. 14, ABC leaked most of the countdown last week. And already, people are ticked. 

Causing the greatest reaction is the inclusion of the Kardashian clan – Kim, Khloe, Kourtney and Kris. This socialite family with seemingly no redeeming qualities has blanketed the media with their exploits. 

Even a 72-day marriage doesn’t seem to embarrass the family, instead giving them more tabloid fodder.

Yet bloggers and the general public have been up in arms that Babs would consider them “fascinating.”  They’ve been further disgusted by the addition of Britain’s rudest man, Simon Cowell, singer Katy Perry, royal-in-law Pippa Middleton, Donald Trump and Modern Family actors Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet to the list.

By definition, fascinating means possessing the power to charm or attract attention. So do these people fulfill that requirement? Love ‘em or hate ‘em, these folks have made headlines.

Donald Trump once contemplated a run for president. 

Now he’s been asked to moderate a ¬Re¬pub¬lican presidential debate in Iowa this month – effectively killing any lingering credibility in American politics today.

Katy Perry has ¬roc¬keted up the music charts despite a reputation for off-key live performances and an over-exposed visit to Sesame Street. She’s Betty Boop without the personality but at least she tries not to offend. 

The Modern Family actors are just that: actors.  The interest is in their hit show and their ground-breaking characters, not them.

Meanwhile, Pippa Middleton is basically as interesting as a glass of sand. It might be cool at the beach, but at home? It’s cat litter. 

And then there’s Simon Cowell. As a music producer, his job is to find and mold talent.  Which makes him the wrapping paper on a Christmas present. It sets the stage but really, it’s all about the gift inside. 

So they’re on the list because people – not necessarily Barbara – are paying attention to them. And she’s going to look into it. But what if her list were about the people who should fascinate us? What if she talked about the 70-year-old cancer patient who has run 59 marathons since his diagnosis eight years ago?

Personally, I live for the day I hear Babs say, “According to media and social network hits, this person is fascinating. And there’s absolutely no reason why.” 

According to Oscar Wilde, “there are only two kinds of people who are really fascinating – people who know absolutely everything, and people who know absolutely nothing.” 

How nice of Babs to prove half of that theory.

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