Starstruck: When a Fan Gets Close to Fame

by Michael Joseph Gross

Why are we so obsessed with fame? In Starstruck , former autograph hound and current entertainment journalist Michael Joseph Gross searches for the answer as he travels from Hollywood to Dollywood, Neverland to Middle Earth. He chases after Mick Jagger with a professional autograph collector; gets the inside scoop from Mary Hart on covering Hollywood for Entertainment Tonight ; walks the red carpet with Sean Astin during The Lord of the Rings' s Oscar championship season; and discovers what fans look like to the celebrities themselves―who often seem to be among the most starstruck of us all.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Pop Culture

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Phair · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book left me with lots to think about. I have always been a "fan" of one or another actor, show or character though never to the level of stalking or wanting to 'mate with Spock'. This book was interesting. it was good to see that I am not alone in my tendencies and to learn a little bit about the reasons for the fan mentality, although it was sometimes painful to see fans from the other side: the actors' & publicists' views.

"Fandom is less like being in love than like being in love with love." - yeah, I can agree with that.

[ And, truth be told, back in the '67 I might just have jumped at the chance to mate with Spock, I just would never have chased after Leonard Nimoy to try.:].

[JBP · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought I'd like this non-fiction look into our society's obsession with celebrity more than I did. I think the problem lies with some of the elements Gross writes about--Michael Jackson and his legion of fans has NO interest for me whatsoever. I don't care how freaky MJ is--I don't want to read about him EVER. This wasn't the only chapter that didn't do it for me subject wise. It's an interesting premise from Gross but had he chosen more inviting subjects would have been a more satisfying read.

[Caro Buchheim · Rating 4 out of 5]

read this after stumbling over the title below an article gross had written for gq: sextortion at eisenhower high. as a self-confessed fangirl, i really enjoyed the book, even if i wished it had delved even deeper into some of the issues it presented.

note to self: need to find out whether gross wrote about michael jackson's death.

edited: of corse he did!

[Sookie Tex · Rating 4 out of 5]

i read this book approx 6 maybe 7 yrs ago. i don't recall how i came upon it other than i was looking for another book at the local library & it caught my attention. i enjoyed it very much. Mr Gross has a way of making the reader feel as though they are experiencing the encounters with celebs that he did as he did with each turn of the page. Any autograph seeker, freelance paparazzi, or celeb admirer will not be disappointed. i think i'm going to pop in to some of my local book sellers' shops & see if i can find a copy to re-read & add to my permanent collection.

[Mary Warner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is important for focusing on fans and what the interaction is between fans and stars. The weird boundary between fans and stars is fascinating, but frustrating in its artifice. We're being played against each other by industry.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth every penny of the $1 that was spent to buy it. A fun read with some interesting anecdotes and ideas at any rate.