Posted on 09/02/2018 1:08:42 PM PDT by Kaslin
The United Kingdom’s Daily Mail recently decided to break a “story” about actor Geoffrey Owens who works at Trader Joe’s in addition to his current acting career and other life activities, such as apparently taking care of his 95-year old mother.
Facing widespread and bipartisan, and in this case justified, backlash quickly on social media, including even from the sternly neutral Dictionary.com, this saga is a firsthand example of some of the problems infecting our current journalistic climate.
As someone who dabbles in the acting and media worlds myself, I am grateful that my “job between gigs” is a fruitful and well paying one. I also realize how blessed I am, as for many of the actors who entertain and make us laugh, cry, and wonder big ideas on screen every year it’s a much rougher and tumble life.
It is well known how many famous actors were waiting tables, working odd jobs, living in roommate-packed apartments, and other true grit struggles while trying to get the breakthrough in a turbulent industry where but a few attain stardom and riches.
It is a tough life but a fulfilling one for many at the end of the day, as they/we get to spend a substantial amount of one’s professional time doing what many others dream of and something truly enjoyable and fun.
On the broader point, however, the way the Daily Mail described Geoffrey Owens’ situation – apparently without comment from him – was clearly meant to disparage not only his profession but his job within itself.
There is nothing wrong with working at Trader Joes. It is an honest job that society is willing to pay for and provides a living to those involved. It may offer him benefits specifically suitable for actors such as the ability to take time off quickly and frequently, which is precisely why many actors look to such service jobs.
It may be beyond the comprehension of the folks involved in the story at the Daily Mail that the millions of Americans out there who work in the numerous jobs out there that run our society day-to-day are not only happy and fulfilled but also perhaps even more necessary than them, as the recent and repeated series of layoffs at both the Daily Mail and in the traditional journalism industry overall show.
I am not bashing journalists. Many serve an essential role in our society in providing coverage of events going on in society as well as uncovering information and stories that are of concern and interest to the public but might otherwise fall out of sight. Just like the other countless jobs out there, they serve a purpose – no lower, but also no higher.
Yet the Daily Mail decided to take this tip they received and actually allow it to become published in such a manner. In my opinion, this speaks more about the people involved in that ‘journalistic’ process. It is worth noting no one clearly had the guts at the Daily Mail to put their name on the piece, as the byline merely reads “DailyMail.com Reporter.”
Journalism is a tough industry as well and particularly nowadays amid the advertising revenue drain brought about by Internet services and social media companies and the decline of traditional, particularly print, subscriptions. Many journalists, even at the height of their careers, find the work still grinding and the pay not compensating the amount of intellect and work they put into. Indeed that’s why traditional journalism now ranks as one of the ‘worst’ jobs in America due to that chaos and stress.
Many still love it and many don’t. It is what it is, as everyone lives their own life with their own cares and wants.
However the fact that these ‘journalists’ at the Daily Mail decided to use the small bits of ‘power’ they have to, in their minds at least, ‘punch down’ on someone like Geoffrey Owens is sad and despicable. But we should remember it is more that they are compensating for their own bitterness and inadequacy.
I do not know Geoffrey Owens but to trash him merely because of his work, not too different from most in the acting industry and a well-accepted part of it, and a type of job that countless millions of Americans work dutifully and proudly every day, is lunacy, cowardly, and Un-American.
In this country any job that pays and is legal is honest work and considered by the market to be socially useful and necessary. Maybe if these journalists at the Daily Mail soon find themselves again on the free market’s chopping block they will understand that reality all too well.
Good article.
The Daily Mail is very anti Trump and now more than ever very anti American. The new editors are the worst.
The DM is tabloid trash. Nothing more.
Today’s journalism is mostly manufacturing controversy, speculation and implication masking as news, and gossip.
“The Daily Mail is very anti Trump and now more than ever very anti American. The new editors are the worst.”
Not necc. true. I could count The Guardian Uk as the most anti American brit tabloid. Now how many editors wanted to arrest Dick Cheney for “crimes against humanity”...in person (yes, the editors did this physically)? While Cheney was in London? I rest my case.
The Daily Mail was one of the very few tabloids who was reporting on the victories of the allies in 2003 Iraq invasion instead of the MSM making sure dead Americans come home in body bags and that we lose there. Even during the obama years, they printed out anti obama stories which surprised a lot of Freepers.
The new editor who joined in July 2018 is anti Brexit. So the tone will definitely change onwards..
“The new editor who joined in July 2018 is anti Brexit. So the tone will definitely change onwards..”
good to know ... i USED to like the Daily Mail ...
I saw that Daily M. article. There is nothing to be ashamed of or shocked about. Just because you were in show business as a child, does not mean you are wealthy and set for life.
Many roles are either just walk on, as part of a large group or if you’re lucky, you have a few lines.
The vast percentage of actors do not make it anywhere near Easy Street or get to stay there for very long. This former actor is doing what he has to do to pay the bills and live with some comfort. So he is going a little grey, and gaining weight round the middle, Oh Well! As far as I know, looking your age is not classified as a crime just yet.
Oh...He also may be less than eager to discuss his show biz links to Bill Cosby. Poor Mr. Cosby is now hated by thousands of people due to his ‘unique recreational customs’.
Well, it ain’t call the Daily Fail for nothing. Just as the Guardian is called the Graduin for nothing because of its typos. The Brits, as much as they repulse me these days, aren’t famous for their wit for nothing.
Trader Joe’s is a GREAT employer, and a sought-after job. At least half the staff at my local Joe’s have worked there for 15 years or more, and are very happy, paid very well with great benefits and retirement plan. In Hollywood, which the DM worships, your “bosses” are scum like Harvey Weinstein (or worse) who make even young children submit to sexual depravities just to get entry-level gigs.
I ran into a local comedy celebrity in Moline, IL bagging groceries at a supermarket. The manager of the comedy location had previously asked if I would be interested in an ongoing opportunity there and I actually acted with this same man on stage, so he recognized me and I said it was great to see him, but he was unfortunately embarrassed. I didn’t accept because I was only frequently there due to visiting my girlfriend (I lived quite a ways away).
What is wrong with this world that such a situation is deemed “below someone?” I greatly respect all such persons, and Trader Joe’s actually pays very well!
Screw the Daily Mail!
Count me as someone who loathed the racist "Mr. Cosby" long before his "unique recreational customs" came to light.
He's not even a *former* actor. Looking at his IMDB.com page Geoffrey Owens has been employed as an actor, nearly every year, since 1985, including three acting credits this year. In addition, he teaches a Shakespeare workshop.
But you're right. Most of the "acting credits" over at IMDB are not to people who are swimming in money. A supporting role in a sitcom isn't going to buy a Ferrari and there were probably a hundred actors who auditioned for that part.
I went to high school with a guy like Owens. He's nearly 50, still out in L.A. trying to scrape by. Every now and then his Facebook page will announce a role in some production or another, maybe he'll have a line or two and that's usually about it. He does some work as a musician as well. But like most, he waits tables, bartends, and yes, sacks groceries. The type of flexible "non-career" work that struggling actors pursue, allowing him to take an evening, or perhaps a few days off on short notice if an acting gig comes up.
You were very perceptive to pick up on your friend’s embarrassment. Someone who didn’t know how to read faces, body gesture or voice inflection would have kept chattering away, gushy and oblivious. But you’re right, there is no shame in holding down a common job. Your pal may have been able to keep both worlds separate until that rare moment.
We had a Lowes Foods open by me recently.
The place was fully staffed and people were still asking about jobs.
From what I pick up, people like working for the company.
In other news, about half of the finance department is getting axed and their jobs sent back to Europe.
The sage espousers of company trends say to look for a few more heads to roll by November.
The DM on a daily basis runs nothing but a dozen Trump Hate
pieces and some are so petty and vicious that Trump serious derangement is the only answer .
Please feel free to show us all these Pro Trump reports.
I can recall ever seeing one.
As for Brexit, the DM ran nothing but slanted Anti Brexit Polls by left wing new sources right to the end . I don't recall seeing any apology ?
Mostly , its full of paid PR stories and half truths .
I challenge anyone to find a few fair unbiased story on Trump in that rags pages .
The paper ranges from mean petty Trump hate to full blown lunatic derangement .
Anything not unhinged is a rare occurrence .
A busy actor in a top British crime drama reacted to this story on Twitter, saying it’s not a problem, that most actors work other jobs. I also know other well known British actors who did or still do the same. This was a sad article.
Careful with DAILY Mail as their choice of words generally always will tear down the Trump family peppered throughout their articles....even when it appears favorable....one way or another.
They are coy and deceptive...more times than not. Unless it’s about the Obama family.
When Cosby’s career went into the toilet last year, cable companies stopped showing re-runs of the Cosby Show. That means this actor Geoffrey who played the son-in-law probably lost a chunk of income from residual payments. So he did the manly thing and got a supplementary job until he finds a better gig.
The DM article and everything about it stinks on ice. What is wrong with people? To think that an overweight, plain-looking black female did this grassroots exposé to a total stranger, a working black man, is realy shocking. Next she will claim racism because anonymous people on the DM comments section think her actions were crass.
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