Thursday, July 17, 2008

Celebreality shows and their children

Some celebrities are very careful to make sure that their children are not in the public eye. They want their personal lives to remain as personal as possible. Some celebrities refrain from going out in public places where there will be large crowds that may recognize them. Others cover the identity of the child as much as possible with blankets and scarfs. Celebrities even goes as far as not taking their children out of the house and let nannies or babysitters watch their infants. Photographers have been dying to capture a photo of Halle Berry's new baby and still have not gotten a decent photo of the baby's face and Halle's child was born over five months ago.

But others find it appropriate to place their children into the direct range of the paparazzi camera lens and broadcasting television cameras. Some even go as far as creating a reality television show about their children and their parenting habits. Kimora Lee Simmons is a great example. She has two daughters Ming Lee (age 8) and Aoki Lee (age 5). Her show Life in the Fab Lane aired in August of 2007 when her daughters were only seven and four. Below is a clip showing Ming Lee making preparations for her birthday party.


Shows that incorporate their children has really grown within the last five years considering celebrities have been having children and in many cases their first child. For producers they feel that having a show which showcases the children will boost the celebrities careers. There has even been shows especially designed around celebrities when they or their spouse is pregnant to capture parenting before the child is even born. The child enters the world with cameras and television crews directly in their faces. Scott Baio is 46 & Pregnant is one of those shows when the pregnancy was recorded and the birth also. I think Scott Baio agreed to participate because he was (and still is) a recovering celebrity and he had recently finished a season with Vh1 entitled Scott Baio is 46 & Single so a show about his pregnancy was a great follow-up.

But is this too much?

I wonder what the motive is behind these celebrities wanting to publicize their parenting. But there are also people with miraculous stories about the hardships of parenting. The Jon & Kate Plus 8 is a show about a couple with 8 young children. Through this show viewers witness how hard it is for a couple to handle 8 children. But still the children's lives are videotaped without the child's consent.
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Graduate Work

Much preparation proves successful for grads

Students at Midlothian High School have been preparing to end one chapter while starting a new one at their graduation commencement.

Christopher Shelton hangs out with friends backstage at the Siegel Center as he awaits his graduation. As Shelton looks back over many years of hard work, he realizes he is spending the last minutes of being a senior at Midlothian High School.

Shelton is nervous, but excited at the same time.

“Since the first day of my senior year I have been looking forward to this day,” said Shelton. “I made sure I did all my work, kept studying, kept good grades and always held on hope.” He will be attending Virginia Tech in the fall majoring in computer engineering.

Chesterfield, Henrico and Hanover counties high school graduations are held at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Stuart C. Siegel Center. VCU hosts 26 graduations at its 190,000 square foot facility.

Many behind the scenes preparations help make this day for Shelton and the other 341 seniors at Midlothian High School a day they will never forget. Parking passes are issued, roads are blocked, security is in place and chairs are organized.

There are close interactions between senior class faculty sponsors and officials at VCU. Nate Doughty, associate director of the Siegel Center and Athletic Facilities, said it is great public relations.

“This is a great way for VCU to give back to the community,” said Doughty. “We fit the need and it’s a win-win for everyone.”

Eileen Sunseri, senior class sponsor at Midlothian High School, is already planning for the 2009 commencement ceremony. Preparations for an event that involves students, families, faculty and the community is a year round affair.

Sunseri describes the graduation process as “controlled chaos.”

“We get started in October when the students are measured for their caps and gowns,” said Sunseri. “Most planning really starts in March. VCU sends us the date, time and schedules. In mid-May there is a walk through where we receive maps, parking passes and information to give to the parents.”

Doughty said the biggest headache is parking. Traffic on VCU’s campus is congested and heavy during these times. There are between 300 to 500 graduates for each ceremony. On average, there are three graduations a day during this 11-day period yielding more than 1300 vehicles for each graduation.

VCU Enforcement and Safety Coordinator Lou Ann Jones has overseen this process for the past four years. Each year changes are made to make sure the entire graduation process is a success.

Between 100 to 150 people work during graduations.

“The secret is teamwork,” said Jones. “The school systems, Siegel Center staff, deck staff, enforcement staff and the VCU Police Department work closely to assure that everything run smoothly.”

During graduation regular traffic is not stopped. Jones said that so far they have done a great job with accommodating everyone.

“Our goal for these graduations is to make them as safe and happy as possible for all involved,” said Jones.

Shelton could not be more happier as he hugs his friends and takes pictures to capture last memories. He reunites with his parents.

His mother Debra Shelton said that the entire process leading up to graduation has been a smooth one.

“I thought the graduation was wonderful and well organized,” said Debra. “I was impressed.”