I've spent some time watching "coverage" of the recent and tragic death of Jett Travolta and have found myself questioning...a lot. After word of the tragedy, word that came from my sister-in-law as if she had cracked the DaVinci Code (is there one?), my wife made a beeline to the TV and Internet to see what had happened. Laptop on said lap and remote in hand paging through 6 potential media outlets, hoping for "coverage". Initially, I understood her enthusiasm. All you have to do is look at the number of weeklies that are published regarding celebrity. If you're like me, there are 9 of them strewn across the bathroom floor like puzzle pieces every Friday. My wife of course purchases them, I use them to merely pass the time. What does a 38 year old have to know about Britney and Milley anyway? They're just growing up too fast, and the "coverage" can get to you. And, is it just me or do they all begin to look and read the same after you've combed through 2...I digress.
So, I understand the attraction to the story, but to a point. And all it took was one 5 minute WTF did I just watch moment on CNN that sent me questioning where, or what is this point? And, please don't get me started on the whole public eye thing either, as if the Travolta family has asked for this because of their celebrity. A personal tragedy should trump all the whoring out celebrities do to promote a movie, book, play, religious cause, brand of vodka etc. It's a job and I don't want to debate that today.
I also don't want to discuss the $$$ aspect either. We all know why the mags, rags and countless 24/7 quickie mart news channels do this. They're journalists!!! What I want to get at are the words "to a point" in hopes of redefining the current definition of "coverage". Which is ...Coverage: frome the latin word covi, to saturate and blanket you with angles and opinions using a 6-paneled, expert filled, TV screen for extended periods of time (typically a week). Then putting it on YouTube.
To a point, Jetts' death is news. To a point, a statement from the family is relevant. To a point, reaction from friends and colleagues is acceptable, but do we really need Larry King interviewing the funeral home director in the Bahamas? His reactions to Larry's questions could be put into the proverbial "oh no you ditn't" category. Do we need his guest, an entertainment-host-good-looking-perfect-hair guy, saying he understands the body being cremated? What? Do we need Larry asking about reports of a hearse at the airport sent there as a "ruse" due to all the media coverage? This was making me sick...oh wait, here comes the expert opinion from the coroner who did the autopsy on Anna Nicole's son...NOOOOO! Not a commercial break Larry!? I can't wait for the commercial break. Bring him on now! Incredibly, this all took place in the first 5 of 45 minutes devoted to the "coverage". Way too much, and I'm not even to my point yet. Or, did I just make it?
I can already predict the cover of every OK, US, People, Life & Style, National Enquirer, and I know you can too. So, the question is: are you at that "to a point" place, or will you, like millions of others, go buy this crap? Will you TiVo and watch the sure to be upcoming Nancy Grace special? God help you if you said yes!
Again, I get it, we live in the information age, "coverage" is instantaneous, starbuck-like and it hits you from a million angles. It vibrates in your pocket, tweets in your earphones, scrolls on your flat screen, slaps you in the Facebook and hammers you in the supermarket while your fighting off requests for jelly belly's and big league chew. It even allows me to opine as I am today, but to a point, please people (er...People), to a point. There is no scandal here, no Ponzi scheme, no battered child, no drug related cover up. A 16 year old child who happens to be of celebrity parents lost his life way too soon. Yes, it's sad and heart wrenching, but it's not worth all this "coverage". They've passed the point.
The bottom line for me is this: I have 2 wonderful children and I cannot imagine the pain of losing one for a minute, let alone the rest of my life. But, why do we need to pry into an abyss of minutia? I feel for this family. This "coverage" isn't peering into a window, it's blowing the entire house down and sifting through the rubble. Hurricane Larry style. I can't help but wonder what Jett's family would say about this "coverage"?
There needs to be a point and here it is:
I have family that have lost children and I try to place myself in their position daily in order to put my life into perspective and it works, it helps. A Steven Coveyesque way for me to change my paradigm. "Coverage" of said tragedy should focus us to personal reflection, not a dogged uncovering of 911 calls, and interviews with hotel staff and baggage handlers at the Ocalla airport. Remembrance is great, it's special and sometimes cathartic. "Coverage" feels bad to watch. Just picturing Billy Bush (the journalist from Access Hollywood) using some phony somber tone as he throws the story to 5 reporters then seguaying into Madonna's divorce news makes me cringe.
Simply...Say what happened, state the facts, let people know the importance of prayer and well wishes. Take some time to reflect, and let the family handle this their own way. If there is some good to come from Jetts' condition and passing, let it be done through the family, a great reason for "coverage". Educate, discuss, learn, prevent...whatever, there can be something positive from a tragedy, the proverbial silver lining, but all the "coverage" about what the parents said during an ambulance ride is way past "The Point". No more Scientology experts, no more Deepak Chopra and his red bedazzled glasses.
The "coverage" we need is on the economy, or Obama's road ahead, or the NFL playoffs for that matter, but please don't panel discuss the Travolta's religion ad nauseum. This family needs to begin to piece together the worst imagineable tragedy any parent can endure. This won't take time either, from what I understand, you never get through, or over death, you may learn to cope, but you never learn to get through it. Why not shut up and let them decide the "coverage"? Because, the current "coverage", "coverage" outside their terms, only serves to belittle a life and mask what has really happened to a boy and to his family. This cannot and should not be covered by anyone in suspenders.
My heart and prayers go out to Jett and his family.
Count your blessings, they're worth it.
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