The Benoit Effect
For those that don't know, Chris Benoit was a professional wrestler from Canada. He apparently killed his wife and disabled child, before hanging himself.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Benoit_double-murder_and_suicide
I'm a huge fan of pro wrestling, but when I go back and watch his matches I still feel uneasy. I can watch them all the way through but splitting the person in the ring from the person outside it can still be tough.
Are there any celebrities you are a fan of, but have trouble watching, listening or following in any way, because of something bad they did? Hopefully not as bad as Benoit. Or, would you stop following the work of a celebrity you loved if they did something terrible?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Benoit_double-murder_and_suicide
I'm a huge fan of pro wrestling, but when I go back and watch his matches I still feel uneasy. I can watch them all the way through but splitting the person in the ring from the person outside it can still be tough.
Are there any celebrities you are a fan of, but have trouble watching, listening or following in any way, because of something bad they did? Hopefully not as bad as Benoit. Or, would you stop following the work of a celebrity you loved if they did something terrible?
Comments
Now would I think they are a piece of shit and deserve to die? Of course.
Nope, if a musician did something shitty it has nothing to do with their work, 10/10 would still listen after they murdered their entire family.
Now would I think they are a piece of shit and deserve to die? Of course.
This man has the right of it.
Sometimes it enhances the work other times it detracts.
I can't separate a body of work from the person.
Sometimes it enhances the work other times it detracts.
Exactly the same for me. It's tough to look at an individual and their output separately. Especially for entertainment. If I'm listening to a podcast or watching a video the person is the product. When I can't agree with their conduct it is tough to enjoy the product.
I still read Seuss/watch the movies with my kids.
This is doubly true for YouTube personalities, where the line between performance and person is even more blurred. The main example I can think of is watching Max Landis guesting on Red Letter Media's videos. Seeing him just cracking wise and joking along like one of the guys feels wrong when you consider what he is accused of doing. I don't even know if he did it, but I still FEEL gross watching him now.
Bill Cosby
Yeah... I miss the Cosby Show.
No, I enjoy Tom Cruise movies all the time and I'd buy a blu ray of Clownhouse in about .2 seconds
What did Tom Cruise do?
As I Lay Dying is a band that I love, but with the lead singer I can never really forgive what he tried to do. It is all about the music, but honestly never will got see them live anymore knowing Tim would be there. They rock together, that's for sure I mean their latest single is awesome.
Reminds me, that shit went down right before I was supposed to see them again.
No, I enjoy Tom Cruise movies all the time and I'd buy a blu ray of Clownhouse in about .2 seconds
What did Tom Cruise do?
Days of Thunder...
No, I enjoy Tom Cruise movies all the time and I'd buy a blu ray of Clownhouse in about .2 seconds
He is who my mind goes to when I thought of this topic. I like Clownhouse and Powder and Nature of the Beast is a really underrated movie. It's just f'ing sickening.
He may be scum, but what he did on his own time has no effect on me enjoying his music.
No, I enjoy Tom Cruise movies all the time and I'd buy a blu ray of Clownhouse in about .2 seconds
What did Tom Cruise do?
Days of Thunder...
Rubbin' is racin', son!
So I've seen a lot of Benoit matches this year. Including a lot where Nancy was at ringside.
At first it really bothered me. It was scary to watch. He is in there smashing his head into things 5 feet away from the woman he would eventually murder, partly due to the trauma caused by all of it.
But as time went on, I was able to move past it, especially once they took Nancy off tv, and I'm able to mostly watch his matches now in the context of the time period and not think about what he did. I still cringe though when there's a particularly hard shot to his head though.
Bill Cosby
This. That man is an animal and I can never watch something of his again.
Earlier this year I started a new fitness routine and the thing I decided to do while on the treadmill was watch every WCW Nitro, Thunder, and PPV in order starting from The first Episode of Nitro through to the end.
So I've seen a lot of Benoit matches this year. Including a lot where Nancy was at ringside.
At first it really bothered me. It was scary to watch. He is in there smashing his head into things 5 feet away from the woman he would eventually murder, partly due to the trauma caused by all of it.
But as time went on, I was able to move past it, especially once they took Nancy off tv, and I'm able to mostly watch his matches now in the context of the time period and not think about what he did. I still cringe though when there's a particularly hard shot to his head though.
If I watched any past matches now, this would be my sentiment.
And yes, I'm a female.. hah.. I watched Monday Nitro regularly with my dad and brother back in the day and remember Benoit and hearing the tragic news...heartbreaking. Sometimes I wonder if it wasn't some kind of a hit and things were made to look like he killed his family and committed suicide. But anyways, sad all around.
No, I enjoy Tom Cruise movies all the time and I'd buy a blu ray of Clownhouse in about .2 seconds
What did Tom Cruise do?
Other than be the highest profile high-ranking member of Scientology?
If a person is just all around rude, asshole, idiot, dumb, disrespectful, making stupid life decisions and etc I would still watch/listen/read his works
If a person is rapist, killer, harm others - no
I would use an example of bible approach like sin against yourself or against someone.
If a person is just all around rude, asshole, idiot, dumb, disrespectful, making stupid life decisions and etc I would still watch/listen/read his works
If a person is rapist, killer, harm others - no
Pretty much this. The forgivable vs the unforgivable.
I can't define it, but I know it when I see it.
I would use an example of bible approach like sin against yourself or against someone.
If a person is just all around rude, asshole, idiot, dumb, disrespectful, making stupid life decisions and etc I would still watch/listen/read his works
If a person is rapist, killer, harm others - no
Pretty much this. The forgivable vs the unforgivable.
Yup same here. Case by case basis.
And then there's Morgan Freeman, Dustin Hoffman, Michael Douglas, and on and on.
Looking at the MeToo movement alone, like half of Hollywood's output is tainted if you dig far enough. No XMen movies, no Arrested Development, no Stan Lee. Where exactly does the buck stop?
1. Chris Benoit - huge fan of WCW back in the day, I can't even imagine watching an old PPV especially if they showed his wife. I think it would make me uncomfortable no doubt - specifically because he harmed others, not just himself...
2. Heath Ledger - we all can probably admit Dark Knight Rises is very goosebumpy to watch now. Particularly with that being his last movie and that he likely was struggling so much emotionally during the filming, I think some say he got "too" into the Joker character and it spilled over into his ongoing mental health problems. When I watch it now, I genuinely am sad.
3. Linkin Park / Chester - this is rather recent, but I'm a big Linkin Park fan despite the newer stuff not being great - the stuff I used to jam to is really different to listen to now after his suicide.
4. Robin Williams - SOOOOO sad about this one and yes it's hard not to completely think about his suicide when watching his films. I think I read that his acting was on point 24/7 even with his loved ones given how bad his mental well being was (I think he also had a condition or cancer too).
Prolly others too...