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CNN Live Event/Special

Anderson's Final Thought: Schadenfreude

Aired August 05, 2003 - 19:58   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Well, finally tonight, schadenfreude. It's a German term -- means taking joy from other's misfortune. Schadenfreude has been breaking out all over lately.
Did you see "Gigli"? Yes, didn't think so. The new Ben Affleck/Jennifer Lopez movie tanked this past weekend, earning less money than Kobe Bryant spent on his wife's ring. Now critics didn't just pan the movie, however. Many seemed to want to kill the love itself.

Then there was the announcement about Liza Minnelli and her husband, David Gest. The curtain is closing on their marriage production. A lot of jokes were made about them as well the last couple days.

The questions is -- why do so many of us seem to take glee in what are obviously painful personal ordeals? True, as much as these folks gripe about paparazzi, many have used their personal lives to try to advance their own careers.

J. Lo, for one, promoted her movie "Maid in Manhattan" by showing off her engagement ring. "Gigli" was promoted by major interviews with the famous couple talking about their relationship.

But let's not forget even though we are talking about celebrities, we're also talking about real people. How can one not feel for Liza Minnelli's heartache? Haven't we all had a "Gigli" of our own? Metaphorically at least, an opening weekend that failed to meet expectations?

No matter who the celebrity is, beneath all the makeup and Botox, there's a real heart beating, even if it is masked by muscle paralysis. No matter how famous they are, if you prick them, do they or at least their agents not bleed?

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired August 5, 2003 - 19:58   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Well, finally tonight, schadenfreude. It's a German term -- means taking joy from other's misfortune. Schadenfreude has been breaking out all over lately.
Did you see "Gigli"? Yes, didn't think so. The new Ben Affleck/Jennifer Lopez movie tanked this past weekend, earning less money than Kobe Bryant spent on his wife's ring. Now critics didn't just pan the movie, however. Many seemed to want to kill the love itself.

Then there was the announcement about Liza Minnelli and her husband, David Gest. The curtain is closing on their marriage production. A lot of jokes were made about them as well the last couple days.

The questions is -- why do so many of us seem to take glee in what are obviously painful personal ordeals? True, as much as these folks gripe about paparazzi, many have used their personal lives to try to advance their own careers.

J. Lo, for one, promoted her movie "Maid in Manhattan" by showing off her engagement ring. "Gigli" was promoted by major interviews with the famous couple talking about their relationship.

But let's not forget even though we are talking about celebrities, we're also talking about real people. How can one not feel for Liza Minnelli's heartache? Haven't we all had a "Gigli" of our own? Metaphorically at least, an opening weekend that failed to meet expectations?

No matter who the celebrity is, beneath all the makeup and Botox, there's a real heart beating, even if it is masked by muscle paralysis. No matter how famous they are, if you prick them, do they or at least their agents not bleed?

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com