Maybe you'll disagree with this, and if so, that's fine. I'm at once surprised and not surprised that a big deal is being made out of Michael Phelps smoking pot. To me, the real crime here is not that he was smoking marijuana (which I could really care less about, and I honestly think we'd be better off it were just legalized). To me, the real problem is that Phelps obviously doesn't know that his money is in maintaining his brand image, and so if he wants to smoke pot, he needs to make sure he's in his home, or at least in an environment where no one's going to photograph him. Because, here's the deal– the Olympic medals were what got him the endorsement deals, but the brand equity is based on his being an aspirational character, and about companies (like Kelloggs, which just announced they're not renewing his contract) associating themselves with his squeaky-clean image. To me this is a classic case of a young person getting a job, then not performing it as described, the same as if he worked in a factory and didn't show up on time. Are we thinking that many famous celebrities don't have things they're hiding from us, that only happen in the privacy of their own homes? Um, I hope not, because that would be hopelessly naive. Reese Witherspoon, for example, is as well-known for her squeaky-clean image as for her movies, and she makes very sure that she doesn't do anything that might hurt that brand. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying she's not a perfect, well-raised, church going person. I'm sure that she is. But, I'm also sure that she's enough of a smart businesswoman to understand that if there's something she really wants to do that would tarnish that image, she needs to make DAMN sure that no one can see her doing it.
So, I guess for me the issue is not about the drug use– the only problem for me is that Phelps does not seem to be smart enough to realize that he's being paid to set an example, and is not fulfilling the terms of his contract. I guess that means that for me, being stupid is even worse than being a stoner.
By the way, we made it to the movies AGAIN yesterday (we're trying to catch up before the Oscars), this time to see "Milk." Wow! So amazing! I think I'm going to have to say it was one of my favorites of the year, although I also really loved "The Wrestler." It's going to be a close race to see who gets the Oscar, between Mickey Rourke and Sean Penn. I think Mickey Rourke actually has the "dark horse" chance because this was such a comeback for him (and because, let's face it, he's so strange looking now he can only play unconventional characters). But, Sean Penn has a history of really being willing to go for it, and eventually the Academy has to reward that. I'm excited to be able to talk about films again, as last year I was on the Screen Actors' Guild Nomination Committee and was prohibited from doing so. Really!