The Human Truman Show (The Olsen twins were born 16 years ago. Now they're worth more than you.)

FORTUNE ^ | Monday, July 8, 2002 | Grainger David

[southern rock]

My 6-yr. old neice is crazy about these two. But now that their videos and T.V. shows have become borderline sexual, her mom doesn't let her watch them all anymore, which leads to some noisy tantrums.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Man, my daughter is three months older than these girls........she's not good at bringing in an income, but she sure can spend.................lol

[Paul Atreides]

Yeah, but how many shares if IMClone have they unloaded? ;-)

[TxBec]

I saw a show some time ago and these girls each have their own personal assistant (from what I saw, this is someone who follows them around agreeing with everything they say) The girls seem to be calling ALL the shots with their careers. Must be nice to be them ... :)

[Paul Atreides]

But now that their videos and T.V. shows have become borderline sexual, her mom doesn't let her watch them all anymore, which leads to some noisy tantrums.

Chewy also stops the tantrums.

[Bogey78O]

90% of letches and sexual predators surveyed by the Clinton Institute for Sexual Studies are waiting them to turn 18 and legal.

[general_re]

The Olsen twins are one of many reasons I'm glad my daughter is only 3 - by the time she's old enough to be interested in stuff like this, their star should be pretty well faded. Not that this'll spare me in the long run - somewhere out there right now is the next precocious little snot, just waiting to be discovered by some agent/promoter with dollar signs in his eyes... :)

[Gumption]

by the time she's old enough to be interested in stuff like this,

Stuff like what? Good sweet innocent entertainment for kids?

[jaz.357]

Once the CA$H flow ends, PLAYBOY will make them an offer.

[general_re]

One man's "good sweet innocent entertainment" is another man's "schmaltzy, saccharine, cynical attempt to separate the nation's parents from their hard-earned money" ;)

[Mike-o-Matic]

   Once the CA$H flow ends, PLAYBOY will make them an offer.

Doubtlessly. Not to mention that since they're approaching 18, I'd bet they'll get offers from porno producers as well.

For these reasons, I don't care what their net worth is, in a way I feel sorry for them. It's bad enough living in a parent's or sibling's shadow (Donny & Marie Osmond's brothers in the 70s comes to mind) but can you imagine being obscured by your own childhood??!? Ouch.

Cases in point: I felt (figuratively) nauseous watching Williams on Celebrity Boxing. I cringe when I see David Cassidy on VH-1 (it's always something about the Partridge years. I mean, the guy's still alive, isn't he??).

As for the headline,
   (The Olsen twins were born 16 years ago. Now they're worth more than you.)

I hate to say it, I'm no pauper, but that's still old news by about 14 years!!

[Mike-o-Matic]

From the article byline:
   Monday, July 8, 2002

I know Free Republic is cutting edge, but now we're getting news & analysis from eight days into the future! Wicked!!

[Alouette]

Few child actors are able to carry their fame into adulthood.

Shirley Temple became the U.S. ambassador to Ghana. Any guesses as to what qualified her for that post, other than she was Bill "Bojangles" Robinson's dancing partner?

[Tex-Con-Man]

but now we're getting news & analysis from eight days into the future! Wicked!!

FORTUNE Teller magazine

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Exactly what I was thinking. Every time I look at these girls I see them posing for Playboy within 10 years and in and out of drug rehab in adulthood. Sad. I hope I'm wrong.

[IronJack]

Two of the absolutely most untalented people to ever grace a stage, they are the perfect examples of folks who are famous for being famous. They need to thank their agent and the luck of the draw, otherwise they'd be pumping softserve at a Dairy Queen instead of riding around in limos.

My cat has more charm, and I don't even have a cat.

[VA Advogado]

Never heard of them.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Actually, you should REALLY be glad your daughter isn't old enough to be part of the "Brittany Spears" sensation........ she makes me ill.........

[Not_Who_U_Think]

"Exactly what I was thinking. Every time I look at these girls I see them posing for Playboy within 10 years and in and out of drug rehab in adulthood. Sad. I hope I'm wrong."

Never happen. Why? Because when you're worth $38 mil, the best Playboy and any others can come up with is chicken feed !

For that matter, why should they attempt to do anything else in show business as a team, when almost any vehicle would be trading on their popularity?

I see them continuing to make videos until 18, and then manage the francise for at least another 10. As a parent, at least it's something my kid can watch that's clean and hip enough to keep her interested.