Coverage Given To Deaths Of Well Known Figures

[LeMarchand]

Am I the only person disappointed by the amount of coverage given to the passing of Gerry Anderson, a man who has inspired and entertained generations of children and adults?

Compare the media coverage of his death to that of (say) Whitney Houston or Amy Winehouse who appear to have given the world (respectively) that awful warbling thing so popular with talent show hopefuls and, erm, the resurrection of the beehive and both of whom were pretty much responsible for their own deaths. Mr Anderson inspired many to become scientists and creators, and doesn't appear to have been responsible for his own demise.

So why the disparity?

[ChillDoubt]

That's the thing LeMarchand, Anderson died after illness, not young(in comparison) in a drug induced haze in a hotel bathroom., the sort of stuff the paparazzi thrive on.
Plus, he'll only be fondly remembered by those of us who are over 35 and remember the thrill of Thunderbirds et al.

His passing filled me with more nostalgia than Houston's ever could but that's because he brought me more joy and excitement than she did.

[Iluvspikey]

I've often wondered the same - like now, I know he isn't dead, but every morning on Radio 4 we seem to be given a blow by blow account on Andrew Marr and his stroke, I mean is it really news?

[Zeuhl]

Timing accounts for a lot and the perception of how many people currently care.

i.e. Gerry Anderson = big in the 60s, not done much recently except get old and die as per normal
i.e. Amy Winehouse = recently very successful, widely known and admired, newsworthy battle with demons, cut down at an early age with unknown potential unfulfilled

[ummmm]

I'd never heard of Gerry Anderson.

[ummmm]

I'm over 35 but never watched thunderbirds. I thought it was rubbish.

[tonyav]

Yes I agree with you LeMarchand.

[ichkeria]

There was a lot about Gerry Anderson in the TV I thought.

[emmie]

i guess some seem more noteworthy that others, not sure why the death of Patrick Moore wasn't covered more, programmes of his works, life, unless i wasn't watching...

[jno]

Anderson wasn't a public figure - people knew his name but not his face.

Era is also a factor. "Responsibility for own death" isn't.

[ichkeria]

There was extensive material about Patrick Moore also: an entire film about his life in fact.

[flip_flop]

"Am I the only person disappointed by the amount of coverage given to the passing of Gerry Anderson, a man .who has inspired and entertained generations of children and adults? "

Erm, yes

The premature death of Amy Winehouse was a tradegy. Whereas Gerry Anderson died a ripe old age.

[joeluke]

Andersons was deemed less newsworthy because his death didn't bring a 'It's a tragic shame/I have no sympathy' cross section of views from people like Winehouse's and Houston's demise did

Plus, of course, he wasn't responsible for his own death

[modeller]

Directors die every day, the majority of which never get a mention. Unless you are 'seen ' regularly on TV or have done something extraordinary you are not newsworthy. The name meant nothing to me but I remember Thunderbirds very well and knew all the character's names. How many people bother to read the endless cedits of all those involved in the making of the a film.

[LeMarchand]

Some interesting answers, thanks.

I still fail to see why the death of Amy Winehouse was a tragedy (maybe because I'd find it hard to name one of her "songs" and because she chose to live a lifestyle that was likely to lead to an early death). I'm also surprised at the lack of "name recognition" for Mr Anderson - I thought he was very well known.

Good point about Patrick Moore: another man who was an inspiration to many but who I saw comparatively little coverage for - yet Whitney Houston's funeral had live coverage!

I'd also maintain that both the above-mentioned gentlemen had a much more positive effect on society than either of the two ladies.

[erin-x]

I don't think it has to do with their effect on society or anything like that.

Amy's death was a tragedy because of how young she was when she passed. And just because Whitney Houston didn't float your boat doesn't mean to say she wasn't an inspiration to millions of others. Her voice was so powerful and although the circumstances of her death were moulded by the decisions she made during her life, it was no less tragic.

Would you say the same about Elvis Presley or Freddie Mercury? Their deaths had a lot to do with the paths they followed in life.