Is our interest in "David's Sunday Disaster", aka "the David Cassidy Debacle", akin to rubber-necking an automobile accident on the highway? Perhaps. For me though, what really comes across in most comments, especially those on my blog, is that David Cassidy fans CARE about him. We are concerned about him and about his career. We want him to succeed, we want him to be remembered as a multi-faceted and talented performer, not "just" a teen idol. (The quotation marks are there because I don't think it's that simple being a teen idol and I resent how the press dismisses a performer with that label.)
As I look back on David Cassidy's career, I can't help but know he never got the career his talent deserved and I think it's a shame. There are a lot of factors that come into play into creating a successful career. It's not just talent. Some factors are beyond a performer's control but others, such as conduct, should be within a performer's control. Stars have publicists to help them when their conduct is less than stellar. I can't understand why David Cassidy's management team effed up the whole thing as it did with the rebuttal in The National Enquirer. It reads more like the work of a sworn enemy than the work of a publicist. Seriously, wtf??? Thank you, CassidyFanNoMore, for directing us to the response from the organizers of The Hollywood Show. Once more, I tip my hat to Ms Moose's class act. And kudos to Scott, at C'mon Get Happy, for managing the discourse in this whole mess with the deftness of a bomb disposal expert.
It's true, this whole debacle won't get much more coverage than the National Enquirer and David Cassidy/PF boards, fan sites, blog(s?) and the like. Who else cares about David Cassidy today?
Friday, November 13, 2009
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41 comments:
I'm on the fence with this question. On the one hand, I do care about the man---I've loved listening to him sing almost my whole life---and when I read his books and his story of how he grew up, my heart really went out to him. I understood how he felt---I know all about that dysfunctional family stuff and how it can damage a person.
On the other hand, I think the rubber-necking feeling comes from being powerless to save the man from himself. Anyone who reads both sides of the story can see that he was out of line, and common sense would suggest that he would at least try to keep from making the situation worse---even ignoring it altogether would have been better than what he's done so far. It's very strange. So now I find myself checking his website to see what they do there. And then the reaction to that. It's kind of a spectator event at this point.
I wonder if maybe his publicist doesn't really understand the role of the internet these days. She's been in the business a very long time, and many people in that age bracket don't keep up with the latest technology. DC's website is a pretty sophmoric effort, as well (I would so love to re-design his website for him!). Maybe they're just behaving as they would have 20 years ago, when there weren't real-time chat boards, and a simple letter from a publicist was all that it took to quell a controversy.
SLK, thank you for your always insightful post. DC's team not understanding the internet really does come across with that website, doesn't it?
Well, if DC is looking for new management, I don't think he could go far wrong looking around these boards and blogs. Lots of savvy people who care for him. Actually, if I were him, I'd try and hire Ms Moose, who organized The Hollywood Show!
I think they understand the internet very well, since in one of the emails between Ashley Walls and JoAnn Geffen, Ashleys notes that if they don't put something on the website asap, one of the fansites will pick it up and post it to one of the chat lists before his website can give details.
I also think that since Joann works for David, he is aware of what she writes and to whom. And yes, I heard that she was a friend of his wife Sue's....from her kidscharities pr? Also i think his wife needs to have her own website for her business venture.
CassidyFanNoMore - great I.D. and sad to say that I am slowly heading to that same direction. Gave him the benefit of doubt so many times, running out of them now.
Midwest Fan
"Actually, if I were him, I'd try and hire Ms Moose, who organized The Hollywood Show!"
Great idea, but first she'd probably have to pick herself up off the floor after laughing hysterically at the mere suggestion of taking DC on as a client. Then the answer wouldn't be just no, it would be hell no.
Midwest fan, Ashley is the webmaster, so you would expect her to know about the internet. I'm not impressed with her work, though---that website is really a mess, and the design work is not of the quality I would expect for a celebrity client. And she isn't in charge of things, anyway---that's the publicist's job.
It's the publicist, Geffen, who I think mis-read the consequences the situation. She's up in senior citizen territory, and I have a feeling she doesn't know much about the power of internet chatboards and social networking, and the impact a news story can have within a particular community---much less how to use the web to benefit her clients. This story has been festering for a month now, with no input from her other than some insulting emails and letters she sent to the Enquirer and the Hollywood show. If she were smart, she would put a few feelers out, at least to gauge how people are feeling about this, and respond accordingly.
DC doesn't know anything about the web, either (I've read a few chats where he admitted this). I don't even think he can type. So we can't expect him to be aware of what's going on unless someone tells him. And if his publicist is clueless, then he is, too.
I did say "try", CassidyFanNoMore :)
As to the who cares about DC today question, I meant that he's only a "relevant" celebrity to his fans now, not the general population. The popular celebrity press won't run any articles on him.
When I wrote to Geffen's office earlier this year on another question, I received an email reply from her which she sent from her Blackberry. So she is not so tech stupid. She also employs Ruth McCartney who runs IFANZ and sends out e-blasts. I got an e-blast in the week prior to the autograph show telling me that David would be appearing there. Ruth McCartney also runs McCartney.com multimedia and webdesigning company who Ashley also works for. Ruth McCartney used to run David's website in the late 90's, then it was done by Annie the Digital Maven. None of his past websites were that good.
Midwest Fan
When I rediscovered David in 2007, my image of him was the same that I had when I was 15. Then I read his book and realized that he had been very different from what I imagined back then. Now though, he seemed to be a person with self insight, able to analyze himself and his life.
Then came a review in "Just David", where a fan described his behaviour at a show in May-June last year. I didn't want to believe it, but got nervous since I was going to meet him in Glasgow in November. What if he would behave like a jerk towards me?
He didn't, he was very nice at the Meet&Greet, except some irritation (not directed towards me) because I didn't have my camera ready. It wasn't my fault, the organization of the event was a disaster and far from what had been promised on e-bay. I know many people were shocked by the prices we paid to see him, and I understand that, but that's not the point here. The point is: I always blamed the organizers for having sold their "product" by using false marketing and had it been something else than a meeting with David Cassidy that I had bought, I would have taken some kind of action against the seller.
I thought of it, because it was so much money involved (I'm not rich), but the fact that it concerned David, that the seller was located in another country, that I bought the product on e-bay etc. made it feel completely impossible. And how would I have been able to prove anything?
Now when I have seen how they work, I have started to wonder if the blame was completely the organizers after all. Was David aware of what had been promised, but refused to do anything else than an ordinary Meet&Greet? One-on-one, OMG, how could I believe that? But that's why there are consumer laws, to protect naive people like me!
I can't express my thoughts as clearly as I would have wanted, but I´m upset and this is the first time I mention these things publically. I have wanted to protect David, because I thought he was probably not aware of the promises made, and I also wanted to protect myself against angry fans! I mean, I could hardly write about this on his MySpace.
But did David know that we paid these huge amounts for something DIFFERENT, that we were lead to believe that this would be something completely out of the ordinary? And did he think that if we were such complete idiots, we only had ourselves to blame? He was NICE, though!
OK my two pennies worth.
1. David is shrewd with money. Maybe his representation is not good enough because he wont pay enough to get the best available people.
2. The news that JoAnn is a friend of Sues. His lack of variation in content/rehearsal time for shows indicates he has gotten a little lazy. He has allowed these women to run things and does as told or lets them get on with it. I'm just speculating here.
3. There is a part of David's personality that is vain, self centred, egotistical. This accounts for some of his behaviour. His die-hard fans/those close to him are partly responsible for this manifestation.
However if he were 'normal', David would be devious enough to hide this or come out with excuses to keep the fans onside whatever he may think of them in private. Vain, self important people NEED to be loved at whatever cost.
4. Demons and issues
Can't go into detail because I don't know his state of mind or want to speculate much about it. However it is glaringly obvious these things exist and are a problem. Too many reports of erratic behaviour, blowing hot and cold, not reacting in a logical way. Again those who really care for him should be making him face and sort it. Tip-toeing in eggshells around him and accommodating his demands will not help.
Those who have been on the receiving end of David's disappointing behaviour are entitled to say 'stuff you' to him and not bother anymore. Dwindling audiences will have an impact sooner or later.
David needs to take time out from performing so he can really sort himself out. He should only perform for the right reasons, the enjoyment and interacting with people, rather than as a means to make money. He could always concentrate more on the horses if his real passion lies there.
My final thought. He has lived through the most crazy fandom possible. There are not many who could understand what this can do to a person. How many other famous people have succumbed (even lost their lives) and been scarred irreparably by it? Here are just a few: MJ, Karen Carpenter, Jimi Hendrix, Marilyn Munroe,Jim Morrison and my personal childhood favourite Pete Duel. All these people had everything they could possible want but their demons won in the end. Always such a sad waste of life.
Yes, David is alive but I don't think any less scarred.
British fan, I agree, he should take a time out to find out what he really wants to do with the rest of his life. One would think that he can choose what he wants to do at this point in his life. Does he really need more money?
Sue did write that she had to start working, because if something happened to David, she would not be able to maintain the lifestyle she has got used to. Maybe that's why he doesn't retire.
I would love to see him on the stage again, but I want him to make some effort and put his heart into it, not just go on routine. That would require a new show though, and like you, I think he is too lazy for that. Or maybe it's not laziness, but lack of energy due to health reasons. In that case he should retire and just enjoy life. Speculation again.
I must add that I don't want to sound like I'm critizing Sue. Where would he have been without her? He can not be an easy person to live with and I think she has saved his life.
Ditto MaeB. I don't think he would be here with us today without Sue in his life. I do thank her for that. She must find herself in the same position as those who had to live with David's father. It must be difficult to know what to do for the best.
Mae, your're correct to equate 'lazy' with lack of motivation. I did not elaborate enough. I meant both physically and motivationally lazy. It may indeed be due to health/age.
British Fan,
You mention a lot of people that you say lost their lives etc,
Karen Carpenter lived in a time where they didn't talk about anorexia.
They same thing about people like Jack and bipolar.
We didn't know talk that much about mental illness. .
By the way, Jack did have a psychiatrist.
If you look at Shirley's Cmongethappy interiew, she did not want a divorce. Jack wanted it because he thought it would be to hard to be around him.
Ryan C said that if Jack had not died the way he did, Jack would have only lived 2 years longer anyway.
I just came from Carrie Fisher show where she talk about her Bipolar disorder.
The question about people still caring about DC.
Other sitcom 70's people like the people on the Brady Bunch are still care about becuase they care about their fans.
DC never had that much of an education, yet he treats his fan like they are simpletons.
I have said all along that this guy needs help, The problem I see it that I saw people getting critical with DC getting skewered.
Thanks for your great insights, everyone. British Fan, I agree with everything you have said here and I really can't add anything. :-)
MaeB, thank you for sharing your story about the Meet & Greet. I understand your reluctance to share this on MySpace where his loyal fans are particularly rabid. I have read comments about the event being quite disappointing for fans. Too bad a group of you couldn't get together to complain to the organizers and get a refund. It really was a once in a lifetime experience they sold and what a criminal shame you were shortchanged so.
About Sue...I read on her Arbonne site that the money she is now making would allow her husband to retire early. Who knows. For a mere mortal like myself, I always wonder, just how much money is enough for stars. Then again, when you've made and lost a fortune as DC has, I can understand being cautious and perhaps even greedy about it. No matter the amount a person has saved, where to invest it is always iffy today. And luxurious lifestyles cost a fortune to keep up. You may own a $4M house outright but you have to pay the $40K taxes on it yearly, etc.
cao, I agree that DC criticism isn't well received on most boards. Your participation in these boards and blogs raises questions because you don't seem to share ANY appreciation for his talent. Worse, all your posts skew to pointing out his personality flaws rather than flaws in his work. That's when one wonders if you have a personal agenda in all this.
MaeB, I don't understand what it was that disappointed you. You went to a meet and greet, DC was nice, but you didn't get what you paid for? What was it supposed to be like? I'm a little confused.
I was at a meet and greet where a gal had paid several thousand dollars at an auction for a chance to meet DC "one on one". They included her with the meet and greet and when David got to her, she said she was the one that paid so much to meet him and he looked at her like, AND? (as if, OK, you've met me) and on he went. She was so disappointed.
Look like his retirement may be on the cards then. If that's what he wants then good luck to him. I guess I re-discovered him a bit too late! That's me all over. I'm a 'missed the bus' kind of girl.
Aw. It does look like he certainly may WANT to retire, British Fan. But...can he, esp. if he wants to keep his horses???
Dang. :-( I'd be disappointed, but I'd rather have him do that than be tortured half the time performing and doing things he hates doing.
Alicia, I can imagine the girl must have been crushed!
Hey singme. I always have bad timing.
Now if I started looking him up before last Christmas, say last NOVEMBER I could have gone to see him myself.
Where's Daydreaming, I have a prediction. My gut feeling is that David's way of dealing with this mess will be to go out on stage on 21 November and give a really great performance and be on his best behaviour. It doesn't excuse anything but that's what I think will happen. He's always focused to the future. Then the good reviews will be posted on his website.
If his mood is not good he will be well and truly f***ed (excuse me).
Am curious of Sue's statement - if something happened to David, she would be more concerned about maintaining the celebrity high level of life she has become used to??
She couldn't scale back as so many of us have had to? I know I am in the minority but I tend to feel that Sue uses David's name and fame for her charity & Arbonne purposes, and uses his fans as well. I'm sorry if I offended anyone who is friends with or likes Sue. I feel that if Sue wasn't with him, he would not have to keep working and doing things for money that he doesn't really want to do.
I dont think he hates what he does per se. I think he loves performing and the reaction he gets, when his mood is right. Maybe he knows he's not doing the quality of work he would desire but he doesn't actively seek that quality work because it may not guarantee enough money i.e. a show could close, tv projects fail (like Ruby) so he sticks where the money is safe with a concert list that rarely changes. The trigger for his current problems.
Whether he feels pressure to work for his wife's lifestyle or his own future security I can't say.
British Fan, I think you're right! Yeah, this would be the concert to go to. LOL!!! He knows he's GOT to do this well.
MaeB, do you remember where you read that from Sue? I recall only the statement on her Arbonne site that the money she makes would allow her husband to retire early.
That horse business must be a money pit, no?
Just deleted your post cao. I think you can figure out why.
I thougt it went along with the theme of 'who cares".
There are a lot of thing that are not reported on this guy becuase he is not an A-list celebrity.
THere was a link to that if mood you wanted backup.
You want this guy to be known for his talent.
He has a management team around him that just throws him out there, no matter the mood, for a quick buck.
I think most management wouldn't do that.
SLK, what disappointed me was that I was led to believe that I bought a unique product, something very special worth paying a lot more than fore an ordinary product of the same kind.
Marketing: once-in-a-lifetime, unique chance to meet David ONE-ON-ONE. To me that is not two minutes standing in a corridor with the rest of the fans waiting for their turn, no time to prepare, not even to get your camera ready, which irritates David and makes you feel like an idiot.
I and most of the others expected to meet David ONE-ON-ONE, just for a few minutes, but having a possibility to say a few words in private. Nothing more and nothing less. That was what I paid the EXTRA money for, that was what would have been unique. We did pay around 1000 euros each, which is a little less in dollars.
Stupid and ridiculuos and something to be ashamed of in a world with people who starve, but I STILL think that false marketing is unacceptable - well, it's even illegal in most countries, the purpose of which is to protect consumers.
Daydreaming, I think I read that on Sue's Arbonne-site.
David's webbsite: I think it is even worse now than the earlier one, and one of the worst I have seen. Also, most famous people with websites update them regularly! They have chats with the fans, FAQ:s etc.
Talking about the fact that fans could request songs for the shows in the UK through e-mail, David said in British TV that it was fantastic that he could interact with the fans through his website - interact??? Hmm...
I think the problems is that no-one does more than what's absolutely necessary - not David, nor his people. There is no motivation, no goals (at least not now when Ruby... is gone), no interest for the fans except for getting as much money as possible out of them.
I think I will do as some of you has already suggested: listen to his music, watch the photos and love the David I loved back then.
Morning.
I had a very lazy day yesterday. I retreated to a certain lovely person's tribute to David and spent some happy time there.
Then I picked my favourite videos of David acting (not pf). I love the Bonanza episode The Law and Billy Burgess. God, he was hot in that and played the sullen brat very well! Loved his moody bit in the school classroom "I'm not readin'".
He could have been a great actor.
I will always love him and his work.
Sorry , your post just appeared after my ramblings. I'm so sorry for you and the other people who have spoken of these disappointing meet 'n' greets. I don't know what to say. I think when people part with so much money a little more effort could have been put in at David's end to make it special. It doesn't take much does it, goodwill and all that.
Funny, I spent yesterday remembering the David I grew up with. One can't help enthusiastically finding out as much info as possible on those who make such an impression in your life.
I'm kind of feeling now that I wish I'd left well alone and kept my childhood memories intact.
I will always love and admire his work.
MaeB, you and everyone else that paid that money certainly deserved a lot more. I'm so sorry you had such a disenchanting experience. Thank you for sharing it. Some of these disappointing events appear to be more than just a bad mood, like you're saying. They seem to be unfair marketing, and disrespect and callousness toward fans I'm sorry to say. It doesn't look like a very good bet to pay money to see him anymore based on his ever more prevalent moodiness, disrespect for fans, false marketing, and reported laziness. Maybe it's time for him to at least stop doing the things he doesn't enjoy.
I'm a little grieved that I probably won't go to see him. But like British Fan, and probably most that post here, I can still enjoy his "then" and "in between" voice and looks, and I look forward to discovering more about his acting and recording career.
cao, I think it's pretty established now that DC's management isn't doing a fantastic job. And yes, we can give examples of his moodiness but I will not post gossip from anonymous sources, especially not gossip to "explain" his wife's behavior! I really don't think that is constructive.
Can I just add some information about the meet and greets in the UK last November. They were auctioned on Ebay, through Ashley Wall's Ebay account.Thats his webmaster by the way. All monies almost $40.000 went straight into Davids pocket. At Hammersmith he had to be cajoled by his wife and promoters to go back into the After show party and meet and greet, as he baulked after 5 minutes. He's quick to take the money, but never fulfils his obligations.
$40,000? WOW. What a shame. How long did he stay at the "after party" and was it just for the ebay people or were others there too?
I think I've discovered the seeds that sowed his alleged contempt toward fans. Been reading back on one fansite of reviews of his concerts dating back to 2000 and more.
This only applies to the rabid fans.
Yes they enjoyed themselves, but constant reports of shouting out to David for attention, shouting I love you, I want you, wanting things signed, throwing undies, waving old stuff wildly in his face , rushing the stage.
Yes, of course they're there to enjoy themselves. But from his perspective no wonder he appears to treat them like simpletons or children, they're constantly ACTING that way. Many of them have seen him countless times, do
they need to act that way every damn time they see him?
He's up on stage and sees this crowd of middle aged women (no longer teenagers and not so thin as they used to be) surging toward him like a herd of wildebeest. Geez, I'd want to leave by the nearest exit. If they're anything like the bunch on Oprah I'm afraid I'm put off ever going to see him.
Let the guy grow into his NOW persona and act your bloody age.
Course, he doesn't have to encorage it and he has the power to take charge and change his act but maybe he feels trapped.
Best get out altogether. If he's still doing this in 10 years he'll have 60 year olds charging at him with their zimmer frames and walking sticks.
I'm kind of half joking here and feeling very sarcastic tonight. I'm taking on Dave's persona.
Oh, BF! You ARE me in an alternate universe. That's kind of what I was hinting at over at Staingirlkaye's blog. Of course you expressed it all in a much funnier way. Thank you.
That said, I'm afraid his contempt for his fans started from the get go. Remember how he admits in his autobio that he couldn't understand, much less stand, how girls could hang around the studio entrance ALL DAY waiting for him. He'd be thinking, "go to the beach, go do something, anything!" At the core, he cannot understand how he could warrant that type of adulation. He's right, of course, no one deserves it. In his case though, I suspect the disbelief has deeper roots due to his abandonment issues.
Morning DD,
Yeah, I remember reading that. He's had to put up with it for 40 years.
I have occassional pearls of wisdom among the ramblings.
The crowd behaviour is illogical given their and his ages. A little more sophistication and appreciation of the music would be nice.
On one of the reviews, a husband shouted out at David that his wife loves him. David goes over says "What's wrong with other men?". They're not YOU", she gushes. Cringe!! David replies, I get BO and gas like any other guy. I love him for that! He has a great acerbic sense of humour that is probably lost on most of these women.
Ah yes! I remember hearing of that clip. And yes, his acerbic sense of humour is lost on most. The other thing that kills me is even his WIFE's presence doesn't seem to cool these women's jets.
Teen mags were imploring the hysterical fans to behave back in 1972: Courtesy of Clodyne's great site, check out the last page of the "David Goes all the Way" article in the Nov 72 Spec issue. They didn't listen then; I doubt they'd start now.
I'd like to see that clip, British Fan!
I see what you're saying about those types of fans. I must read through those reviews. Those are some pretty hilarious images you've brought to mind about the herds of stampeding middle-aged wildebeests!!! LOL!!! Thank you!
But what do you think he can do about it? I can see how that could really undermine his enjoyment of his performance, for both him and other fans.
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