I read the other day that Lady Gaga had passed Oprah as the top money maker. "Lady", my Aunt Sally's bum. The photo showed her grasping her personal parts while making some gesture with the other hand. The expression on her face would have curdled goat's milk. Singing about serial killing, wearing meat dresses, she has yet to display any sense of decency about anything. Yet our society has made her wealthy. Young girls want to be her. She is the darling of the media,hell even Oprah loves her.
I quickly searched for one of my favorite pictures of Miss Hepburn. Her grace and gentility came so naturally. I love the lines of her head and neck in this shot. She once said that God gave us two hands. One to help ourselves and one to help others. She certainly lived that credo. She would never do it, but if Loony Gaga held out a helping hand, I think I'd ask her to wash it first.
I always assumed that the 'Gaga' was an adjective to describe to the noun. She is, by her own appellation, grotesque, insane, of our world but upside down and inside out. Not a 'lady', but a circus mirror image of one. The irony, of course, is that such a description might be worthy of true art - Picasso, for example - yet she does not reach such heights. Instead it turns out to be a cheap schtick that generates enormous wealth, but not from 'our' society, James; from hers. I for one am glad that my measure of success has absolutely nothing to do with wealth. And I'm fortunate to be able to count a large number of my friends and acquaintances who elegantly sail under the banner of the lady. I'm sure that you do too, for that is our society.
ReplyDeletewell said, sir. audrey was a class act all the way. the lady gaga comparison to oprah was purely a 'social media power' ranking, and not wealth. ms. O pulled almost $400million last year alone (and usually make $100million annual); so no, the little tempest in a warped teapot will not out earn the daytime diva.
ReplyDeletems. LG is a post-modern cultural phenomenon to be sure. she is most assuredly striking a cord with the millennials (rebrand of next the gen 'x' and 'y' crowd) who haven't been given a moral compass by their betters; who in fact don't think they have any betters.
i wrote a piece about the 'pornification of america' over at FatScribe if you've a moment or two.
http://fatscribe.com/2009/03/selling-sex-er-i-mean-food.html
again, very nice piece. we're in for an interesting ride, n'est pas?
Amen to this!! I will say I enjoy Lady Gaga's music--her bumping songs are great for dancing, but as a person I have little respect for her.
ReplyDeletevir beatum: Excellent point, I feel a little better now.
ReplyDeleteJg: Thank you for the correction, in my mood I must have misread the headline. I wondered how she could have made more than O.
S&S: As long as there are young ladies like you around I hold out hope!
You have me giggling James and you once again speak the truth. Real 'ladies' are quickly becoming the ghosts of days past. We've given this younger generation absolute permission to express themselves, in all ways and forums; the good, the bad and the ugly. The tasteless, and the tacky. LG states she is who she is to express the abuse she endured growing up going through public school. I admit it now, I'm older and I don't understand. I miss the days of Audrey H., miss them very much.
ReplyDeletex Deb
I don't pretend to understand Lady Gaga but I do think she speaks to kids who don't fit in with their peers or don't feel welcome in their schools. The gay and/or transgender, the questioning, those kids that feel different for whatever reason and don't want to fake it or simply can't fake it and wait until they grow up to be who they feel they are. As a school nurse, I saw lots of socially isolated kids looking for solace in the health room as a place where they weren't judged or teased. For them to have a super famous person reach out and celebrate their being different, however weird we might think it is as grown ups, if it prevents one suicide or one descent into substance abuse from feeling alone or marginalized, well, maybe she is a weird but good influence. Just food for thought.
ReplyDeleteLooney Gaga! Ha Ha! I think I will refer to her that way from now on. While I do like her music, I'm not a fan of her 'style' (or lack thereof).
ReplyDeleteI had never heard that quote that Audrey Hepburn said about having two hands before, but it has just become one of my favorites :-)
Oh James I am with you!!
ReplyDeleteOh I agree 100%. I find her brash and vile. She is extremely talented, I'll give her that but does she have to be so 'out there'? It's just disappointing. Women like Audrey Hepburn are rare. I just wish there were more like her than Gaga. Funny, I just had a photo of Ms. Hepburn on my blog too. Must be something in the air...
ReplyDeleteA gorgeous photograph - such an elegant lady Ms Audrey.... Not sure if I understand the popularity of Gaga but there again I am over 50! XX
ReplyDeleteListen James, even my DAUGHTER is repulsed. That somehow makes me feel better.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Excellent put! xx
ReplyDeleteDumbwit, I agree that there is a (temporary I hope) dearth of true "Ladies" I would add to that the coincident fact that there is an equivalent dearth of real "Gentlemen"...
ReplyDeleteBonjour James,
ReplyDeleteWell said! Looney GaGa is right. She is disgusting, and I feel sorry for the poor misguided young girls and boys who are following her horrid example. What are their parents thinking? They need you to straighten them out. Don't despair though, there are still some true ladies out there, I've met so many in Blogland - and a true gentlemen as well :)
Thank you for you visits today, always a treat for me.
Mimi
Ah, the incomparable Audrey...she was the epitome of grace and elegance...just found your blog...I'm a new follower!
ReplyDeletehttp://wwwcatherinerobinsoncashmere.blogspot.com/
Flicking channels the other day the hubby and I alighted on 'profanity central.' One TV station where Ms Doolally-look-how-small-my-pants-are was tra-la-la-ing. She has a nice voice, (not so the lyrics,) but it was the chit-chat between chansons that was really offensive.....MY BABIES WILL BE SHIELDED FROM THIS HARLOT FOREVER MORE!
ReplyDeleteWow your blog post really hit a nerve. Sorry. (Climbing off soap box...)
Yikes my word verification on your blog is licas... she's EVERYWHERE!
Happy Father's Day, James!
ReplyDeleteI think the real adjective you are searching for is "class". Oprah as a certain amount of it, Audrey was the very essence of it and Gaga has none.
ReplyDeleteAudrey was noble, as well...she was a humanitarian and philanthropist. I'm not sure anyone would ever accuse Gaga of that! She is, however, godmother to Elton John and David Furness's baby....God help him!!
HERE HERE, James. I love Audrey, and as I see that you came by to visit me, (merci beaucoup), you must have seen Ms. Hepburn look ravishing but tasteful in a lunging back, lace and tulle number. Class and innocence, this woman is still my example of a fashion icon as well as a woman of integrity. I laughed so hard at your ending...my goodness you are a witty writer. You would love my husband's wit...I shall direct him to you. Thank you again sir, for your time! Anita
ReplyDeleteHI James
ReplyDeleteI got wind of your blog through my wife Anita of Castles Crowns and Cottages. I think I found a kindred spirit here. I like how you saw a lot in a little space, something I need to learn.
Sincerely,
Ruben
http://www.heavenlymindedandearthlygood.blogspot.com/
This was a great article. I have loved this great website and I really do think that this is awesome. I really do think this is so very cool. Thanks
ReplyDeletemodern floor lamp
Amen to that.
ReplyDeleteGiven GaGas fame and fortune, one thing is clear...We have a very weak and feeble minded society.
I think the era of grace and style have become extinct.