Does Waiving Your Celebrity Fee Really Count as Charity?

Celebrities are constantly signing up for gigs, and waiving their fee as a “charitable” gesture.  But does it really count as charity when you waive your payment?  Why not give your money out of your personal bank account instead — or perhaps match the fee?  Darren Criss, the new Gleek I often pick-on, performed at The Roxy over the weekend and donated the proceeds from the gig to charity.  He also signed autographs in exchange for audience members bringing toys-for-tots gifts.  And let’s not forget Idol Gives Back, which is perhaps the best example of all time.  American Idol hosts a charity show, and the huge ratings allow FOX to pocket a tremendous amount of money from the ad revenue.  But FOX doesn’t donate their ad revenue, and they instead air an entire show about how every American, except the FOX executives, should “give back.”  Americans wouldn’t need to “give back” if FOX, donated half their profit.  So am I a heartless prick that doesn’t appreciate a decent gesture, or am I correct?  As an aside, I didn’t think of this brilliant theory on my own.  The great Howard Stern said it during his famous Bill O’Reilly interview.  I’ve posted the very funny video below, and he begins to talk about Bill’s “chachkies” on minute 3:10.   And if you’re wondering why I chose Katy Perry as the picture for this post, I figured nothing says “charitable giving” like Katy Perry in a skimpy American flag outfit.

 

Has Glee’s Darren Criss Let Fame Go to His Head Already?

I hope I’m wrong about this, but since I’m never wrong, I doubt it.  Alright — that’s a joke — even The Dishmaster isn’t that egotistical.  Darren Criss is the new golden boy on Glee, and he’s been all over the news since his first appearance on the show singing Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream.  I’ve seen him in interviews since, and his head seems to be getting so big it just might explode.  So either I’m wrong and he needs a good PR person to help him circumvent that image, or his head really is too big.  I’m guessing it’s the latter.  I’m only posting this as a warning for him to be careful.  It’s a small industry, so image control is extremely important.  The guy is talented, but so are a lot of people.  Click the link below to watch his recent Rolling Stone interview, and look at the picture on the right to see the glasses he wore to the AMAs recently.  You tell me if I’m right.  I’ve also posted his brilliant rendition of Teenage Dream just to show that I’m capable of compliments. 

Darren Criss — Rolling Stone Interview