Gossip and Conspiracy Theory

I heard the other day that there was a big fight between Denise and Heather over Richie. One of them called the other and... I also heard that Jessica and Nick were getting back together. And that Jessica's sister had a nose job! And that...

BTW, did you hear that the reason gas prices are so high is that George Bush and Dick Cheney are in a secret society and Saudi royalty is in this group. And that Bush will make millions off oil prices when he leaves office. And...

Today it seems that anything but news is news. Gossip reigns. Conspiracy rules. All we need is a tease, and we'll hold captive the audience that tunes in. Which is important, because that is what pays the bills. Without an audience, Viagra adds wouldn't pay our bills. Without that much sought after 20-40 year old demographic, no adds, and no multi-million dollar contract for Katie Couric.

And if we make it up, or only share part of the story, well an apology later will suffice. Time is of the essence. Truth? When convenient.

National Geographic's presentation of the Gospel of Judas is an example of this. So is The DaVinci Code. Both offer salacious tidbits of tantalizing conjecture. Jesus was married? He had children? Of course, which explains why the Catholic Church has been so secretive over these many centuries. Jesus and Judas had a secret pact? Yep, and to seal the deal, Judas only needed to hang himself. It doesn't matter that there is no evidence, we want a story, we want controversy. Gossip and conspiracy - we'll keep watching day after day.

Until the next story takes us away. For example, I heard Brad and Angelina are having twins...conjoined...and that she's a virgin...and he's Jesus' great, great, great, great, etc......great....grandson. I mean he's got blonde hair and blue eyes just like Jesus does......

Stay tuned...