Review: Understanding Media: Inside Celebrity

Edited by Jessica Evans and David Hesmondhalgh ISBN: 0335218806

Among the myriad courses offered by the UK's premier distance learning institution, the Open University, is a series titled "Understanding the Media." The first installment in this series, "Understanding Media: Inside Celebrity," delves into the intricate world of celebrity culture. This textbook, edited by Jessica Evans and David Hesmondhalgh, serves as a cornerstone for the course, offering a comprehensive examination of how celebrities are crafted and perceived in contemporary media.

The Role of Celebrity in Modern Media

The textbook meticulously dissects the phenomenon of celebrity, highlighting its pivotal role in modern media. It explores four key elements essential to understanding this subject: history, texts, production, and audiences. By examining these components, the book provides a nuanced understanding of how and why celebrities dominate our cultural landscape.

Historical Context and Media Construction

The book is divided into four chapters, each focusing on a different aspect of celebrity culture. The first chapter challenges the notion that individuals become celebrities solely due to their inherent charm or magnetism. Instead, it argues that celebrity status is a construct, meticulously crafted and propagated by various media outlets such as the press, films, and television.

Textual Analysis and Media Interpretation

The second chapter delves into the concept of "text" as a means of understanding media in relation to celebrity. It discusses why texts—whether they be articles, interviews, or social media posts—deserve critical consideration. This chapter provides a framework for analyzing how media texts contribute to the construction of celebrity personas.

Media Institutions and Celebrity Production

The third chapter focuses on the internal workings of media institutions that promote individual celebrities. It examines the organizational structures and procedures that underpin the media industry, shedding light on how these institutions collaborate to create and sustain celebrity culture.

Audience Engagement and Cultural Impact

The final chapter explores the audience's role in the celebrity phenomenon. It investigates the fantasies and pleasures of movie-goers, magazine readers, and other media consumers. This chapter emphasizes the active role audiences play in interpreting and perpetuating celebrity texts.

Scholarly Insights and Case Studies

Interwoven with the authors' analysis are scholarly discussions on topics such as the media's role in the celebritization of politics, the explicit and implicit meanings of media texts, and the interpretive role of audiences. The book also includes carefully designed student activities and illustrated case studies in each chapter, enhancing the learning experience.

The Celebritization of Politics

One of the book's most compelling discussions is on the celebritization of politics. It examines how political figures increasingly adopt celebrity tactics to engage with the public. For instance, former U.S. President Barack Obama effectively used social media to build a personal brand, a strategy that has since been emulated by politicians worldwide (source).

Audience Interpretation of Celebrity Texts

The book also delves into how audiences interpret celebrity texts. A study by the Pew Research Center found that 72% of adults in the U.S. use social media, making it a significant platform for celebrity engagement (source). This chapter explores how these interactions shape public perceptions of celebrities.

Conclusion

"Understanding Media: Inside Celebrity" is a timely and essential study for anyone interested in the complexities of celebrity culture. It offers a well-rounded perspective, combining historical context, textual analysis, institutional insights, and audience engagement. Readers will gain a deeper understanding of a phenomenon that significantly influences modern culture. The book's structured approach and inclusion of student activities make it an invaluable resource for both academic and casual readers.

In summary, this textbook is not just an academic exercise but a vital tool for comprehending the pervasive influence of celebrity in our lives. It challenges readers to think critically about the media they consume and the celebrities they idolize, making it a must-read for anyone looking to understand the intricate dynamics of modern media.