Celebrity TMI

Our very own local Clearwater celebrity, Hulk Hogan, has recently gotten into some hot water over his statement that he basically feels some sympathy for OJ Simpson and his angry feelings for his ex-wife. Hmm.. not a good move, Hulkster. Even if you put these kind of irrational statements into context- he was referring to the fact that his wife drives his old Escalade around with her 19-year old boytoy, and they play and live in his old house, not to mention hang out among whatever type of C-list celebrity crowds down here that they use to share as a couple- it still is a really crappy insensitive thing to say. He has apologized,and further explained himself, and I think most people with agree simply due to his reputation as a pretty normal level-headed family man, that he's not going to kill his wife like OJ.
But- why do people say things that they know will be printed, and that they know will make them look really really bad? Celebrities say dumb things all the time, and they know that the press is always waiting for that next dumb staement, that next fall from grace, and they wait with open arms and fresh ink.
Then, then....I was reminded of a great standup routine by Chris Rock (either Bigger and Blacker or one of those 3 great shows he did circa 1999-2004. ) During his outstanding and intelligent routine, he got that crazy look in his eye and said something to the affect of "I don't agree with what OJ did, but I understand". In context of that part being about crazy relationship moments and emotional women, it was funny simply because it was shocking that a man would actually say that...all with a witty "wink wink" of course, to let the audience know he wasn't really serious.
Hhhmmm...double standard? or simply that The Hulkster isn't a great comedian that can pull off some off -the -cuff statement like that without some people going- is he serious? Does Chris Rock look less menacing in his slim, younger, intelligent image than this newly divorced, muscle bound and bronzed man who actually has real anger and emotions going on? Who is scarier when they say that they can relate to OJ and knife-wielding revenge? Who is just stupid for even saying it? What all goes on in people's minds that they don't say outloud? That is even scarier, I would venture to say.
I hope Hulk's family is ok after all this mess, and I hope his daughter doesn't have to live down that ignorant statement for the rest of her life..how screwy would that be?