Home > Blogs > Sir Critic on Cinema > Archives > 2007 > February > 09 > Entry
Anna Nicole: It’s not funny
When the news broke Thursday that Anna Nicole Smith had died suddenly, I could hear the derisive jokes already.
“Wonder how many drugs she took?”
“It was the silicone that did her in.”
Har har har, snarf snarf snarf.
But I wasn’t laughing - and I must admit, I was surprised I wasn’t laughing.
Like many people, I never had much use for Anna Nicole. In fact, it’s fair to say I found her actively annoying. Whenever I saw her on TV, I usually sneered and quickly flicked the remote. Her imitation of Marilyn Monroe was galling, considering there was more talent in one of Monroe’s eyelashes than in all of Anna Nicole.
As for her movies, she did appear in a couple good ones like “The Hudsucker Proxy” and “The Naked Gun 33 and 1/3rd,” but what worked in those movies wasn’t because of her.
And while I understand a lot of people are interested in her story, I raise my eyebrow at the fact that she received the kind of nonstop coverage and quotes sidebars usually reserved for heads of state and Hollywood legends. And yes, by posting this, I’m only adding to the pile, I know.
But I do so because I was surprised at how sympathetic I felt for her. Thinking about it, I realized why I wasn’t laughing at those jokes.
It’s not funny that someone dies suddenly at the age of 39, whatever her autopsy reveals.
It’s not funny that Anna Nicole’s family and friends are stunned and saddened at her untimely death.
It’s not funny that she died after the loss of her son amid an array of legal troubles.
It’s not funny that this resulted in so many tributes about her from lawyers.
And it’s especially not funny that her 5-month old daughter will never know her mother, no matter what one thought of that mother’s character.
Will I miss Anna Nicole Smith? If I’m being honest with myself, the answer is no. I will not miss Anna Nicole Smith the starlet. But all the same, I mourn the loss of Anna Nicole Smith, the human being.
Permalink | Comments (21) | Categories: Celebrities
Comments
By Pearl
February 12, 2007 9:57 AM | Link to this
People are so misinformed its crazy. Everyone still thinks she got millions from the rich guy she married for a year. Does anybody do research before speaking? If you knew anything you would know that she lost the $400 million lawsuit - it was reduced to $89 million - then it was reduced to ZERO. The Texas judge said she could still try again later, but Anna never did. Close friends reportedly said she was going to give half to charity even if she did win - whether it was for tax purposes or not. Her son just died and now her daughter, whom is such a precious gift, it now going to go through a battle of fathers. Such a shame… But the big shame is the selfish, no feeling morons we live with.By TGW
February 12, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this
Although I suppose poking fun at a death is not right, poking fun at her is expected. If you saw her reality show, her marriage to the old geezer, her life as SHE wanted it portrayed to the public . . she deserved the jokes. If you want public attention, and she did . . and you look and act like that, what else can the world think. Lots of folks die every day that are more worthy of attention … certainly not her. But it gives the media a jolt . . I’m thankful it moved them away from the flaky astronut!By Tammy
February 12, 2007 12:25 AM | Link to this
Unknown: HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT MONEY WILL COME CLOSE ENOUGH TO REPLACE A MOTHER’S LOVE??? DO YOU HAVE KIDS??? IF SO, WILL THE MONEY YOU LEAVE THEM REPLACE YOUR LOVE FOR THEM???? THINK ABOUT THAT ONE!!! CLEAN OFF YOUR OWN FRONT PORCH BEFORE YOU START ON SOMEONE ELE’S!!By drama_trauma
February 12, 2007 12:22 AM | Link to this
RE; UNKNOWN: You’re WAY out of line with the last sentence (if that’s what you can call your grammatical train wreck). Anna Nicole’s daughter will ALWAYS have a piece of her life missing because of not having a mother. At the very least, have compassion and sympathy for Dannilynn and Anna Nicole’s mother. R.I.P. ANNA NICOLE…By Unknown
February 11, 2007 5:54 PM | Link to this
I think everybody is making a big deal out of nothing.. How many people come on this site an read the obituaries? or look at the news an actually care about who lives or dies? So what make her so important other then she’s rich if I died tomorrow would any one mourn my death? NO, Because im a middle class working person an not some rich “Star” the way I see it people spend tooo much time on celebrity deaths period, and not enough time on what’s really happing in are society. People are very cruel they don’t have respect for the living or the dead, so I wouldn’t take a little joke serious, and I might even laugh if there amusing .I’m sure they talked about her before why stop now? That’s what people do. Far as the kid go yes she’s going to grow up without a mom but she’s RICH I no it don�t take the place of a mother but im sure it going to be damn near close, what about the kids who don�t have anyone or any money or not even a picture of there family those or the people I feel sorry for im pretty sure her daughter will be fine she�s still a baby u cant miss what you didn�t have and don�t her dad got custody anyway? I’m sure she not going to be worried about what us ” nobody’s” think or feel about her mothers death. I�m also sure that she will have a good life a GREAT life an not have to worry about nothing but whether she should wear her red Gucci pumps with her Versace jeans.By Shiv
February 11, 2007 8:50 AM | Link to this
It is a sad commentary on anybody’s part to make a fun of Anna. She did what she thought was best for her. Is it not the way we all do . Has she harm or cause any injury to anyone by her actions. If the answer is no that we have no right to comdemn her. Evey human has the right the liver his/he life the way one’s things is right for her/him. Ultimatley everyone is responsible for her/his actions. Let us all mourn the loss of a human being and pray for her love ones.By Joe
February 10, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this
Everyone should just leave her alone.She lived her life as she chose,as you all live yours as you choose.Who is to judge who.Judge yourself ,not others.Her life was open to the public.You who judge her and feel no sorrow for her death probably are lucky your life is not in the public,because we all know we all make mistakes,we all do stupid things,we all have done bad to others,we have all done things bad period,but your lives are not open to the public like hers was.We all have secrets we dont want others to know.She was a person who loved and had feelings, just like all of us.Feel some sorrow and compassion.By Sir Critic
February 10, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this
You miss my point, Lance. No, I didn’t care for Anna Nicole, and I won’t miss her - but I do mourn her in the sense that she was a human being who died under sad circumstances, and I think it’s unseemly to make fun of her in this light, as some have done - even if what she did in life was tacky, tasteless or stupid. And for the record, no, I didn’t think NASA jokes were funny either.By Lance
February 10, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this
I agree with Czd08 and Paul on this one,I could care less about a doped up fluzzy, and dont quite see what all the fuss is about. We should give our atention to better things such as Iraq and Iran. that is what deserves front page news every day. I wonder if the Eric has ever said a NASA joke. The funny this is Eric says he didnt like her, and wont miss her but then says he will mourn her death, what a Joke!By Mary Richards
February 10, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this
Dressed as Peter Peanut, Chuckles the Clown was killed when a rogue elephant tried to shuck him.By SRCputt
February 10, 2007 8:58 AM | Link to this
Oh, annafan, reponding to your question is just too easy. Most of us with normal 9 to 5 jobs who work them as well as we can are contributing more to society today. Anna Nicole Smith’s actions were all about one thing: herself. She is not worth all this time. She got to experience extreme wealth, so I refuse to refer to this as tragic. I will save that for the clients I see on a daily basis who are struggling to make ends meet. Or for the people dying daily in the warfare in Iraq. Or for the children who are growing up in orphanages in Africa due to the AIDS epidemic. But for CNN, FoxNews, and MSNBC to spend their entire Thursday afternoon on this story when there are far more important stories… yeah, it makes me upset.By lpaul geiger
February 10, 2007 1:12 AM | Link to this
nobody knows what demons the poor girl had, its very very sad she died the way she did. God Bless her may she forever be at peace…….By Paul
February 9, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this
Name the Congressman who “represents you”, the two Senators from your state. You can’t. Oh, but you know Anna. “Bread and the Circus” brought down Roman society…the U.S. is next due to your inability/reluctance/stupidity to grasp what is important. Anna is important correst???!!! You’re lost. When did narcissism (her own…and yours) become the plate that you eat from? Losers.By Ryan
February 9, 2007 5:53 PM | Link to this
I agree with you totally. A friend left me a message on MySpace today and basically said he thought it was hysterical. And that really upset me as she was a fellow human being, a person, no matter how many times she received the negative backlashes she deserved. I feel terrible for her family and her daughter and I can only say that her death is shocking but not surprising. She did lead a rather high risk life style. It’s just a shame that she passed in such a fashion.By annafan
February 9, 2007 5:40 PM | Link to this
You too will be judged…. at your funeral…..What service have YOU done, other than spread the hate today?By Rachelle
February 9, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this
Yes, it is sad of the untimely death of this lady. I’ve never heard of her before until now. I pray for her children. RIP Ms. Smith.By Julie
February 9, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this
Hear! Hear!By CZD08
February 9, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this
I think that EVERYONE knows the death of Anna Nichole!! It is ashame to think that she has done nothing for the good of the united states but this is what is in our news papers on all over TV. What about the people that die every day due to the war in Iraq????? Why are they not on the news and in the paper everyday???By SRCputt
February 9, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this
No, this is not funny, but I think she was an embarassment to society, got way too much attention when she was alive, and way too much attention when she died. She accomplished … nothing. Unless showing your body is an achievement. David Poland got it right, this story is not as tragic as any urban child who isn’t able to get a good breakfast.By Barb =:)
February 9, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this
I was shocked to see that she died. She was much smarter than she lead on. She was a savvy business woman and knew what her “talents” were and knew how to market that. My first thought was of her 5 month old daughter. She will grow up without knowing her mother. That is a tragedy. Will I miss Anna Nicole? No, but that is because I didn’t know her. I’m sure her family and friends will miss her. I miss my mother who died several years ago and can’t imagine what it would be like to have grown up without knowing her. My heart goes out to her daughter.By Rev. Art
February 9, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this
I couldn’t look away from Anna Nicole Smith. When she was good, she was funny and so beautiful. When she was bad, she was a train wreck about to happen. Either way, I couldn’t look away from Anna Nicole. I was always pulling for Vicky, hoping against hope that she would be able to get it/keep it together. As it turned out, she rose above an abusive, absent father-vindictive mother, trailer-trash childhood to become famous for being famous. Paris & Nicky had it handed to them. Vicky scratched her way to the top rung of wealth and fame and reinvented herself several times along the way, though never getting it quite right or keeping it together for long. Her last interview showed a wasted woman slurring her words. She looked VERY tired… “Live fast, love hard, and leave a good-lookin’ corpse…” “Thanks for the mammaries…”