Kendall I agree - celebrity worship baffles me too. But it didn't when I was twelve years old. The age I would imafine of the ajority of the Beckhams' fans.

The examples of 'celebs' you quote are or have been all involved in skirmishes with the law ( altho in OJ'S case perhaps that is a gross understatement) or/and drug taking. You are right, not a good example. Like I said the Beckhams' may live a shallow existence in some of our eyes, but they manage to do so without hurting anyone or themselves.

And the how much is a footballer worth when compared to a teacher is a no win argument. The value that is put on people or commodities does not and never has followed a 'worthy' code.

A Picasso may sell for the price of a third world country's debt. A racing driver may earn more in promo deals in a year than a doctor will earn in a lifetime. The accrued royalties of Dark Side of The Moon could build twenty hospitals and the same number of schools and still be a small fortune. Monetary value is what someone is willing to pay for an item and since currency began has always been so.