# Celebrity death that would make the biggest headline today **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 15, 2012, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-that-would-make-the-biggest-headline-today/634776 "2012-09-15T08:35:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![jepflast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d6d6ee/32.png) [@jepflast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jepflast)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2012, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-that-would-make-the-biggest-headline-today/634776/61 "2012-09-16T09:37:56Z")
More of the endless list of people who could crack the top 100: Bob Dylan, Mike Tyson, Dan Rather, Paul Simon, Clint Eastwood, Michael J. Fox, Hugh Hefner, Conan O’Brien ---
**Author:** ![audit1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@audit1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/audit1)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2012, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-that-would-make-the-biggest-headline-today/634776/62 "2012-09-16T09:45:56Z")
Two more that would make the list Jerry Lewis and Mickey Rooney ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2012, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-that-would-make-the-biggest-headline-today/634776/63 "2012-09-16T10:56:56Z")
[Abe Vigoda.](http://www.abevigoda.com/) ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2012, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-that-would-make-the-biggest-headline-today/634776/64 "2012-09-16T11:03:41Z")
> [@Gus\_Gusterson](#): > > I think there are a couple of obvious tests you have to pass to be the next big death. You have to merit the “we interrupt our currently scheduled programming” treatment and your funeral has to be televised. They are not interrupting anything to announce that Joss Whedon is dead and they certainly won’t preempt anything to show his funeral. He won’t be the lead story on the news. He might even suffer the indignity of being mentioned only in the scroll at the bottom of the screen. Old people haven’t heard of Joss Whedon. If old people haven’t heard of you, you’re nobody. I can’t remember the last time network programming was interrupted for someone’s death since Kennedy was assasinated. And I wasn’t even born yet. Did they do that for Princess Diana? I wouldn’t know, I was camping when we heard the news. And, of course, the only other thing was 9/11. But that’s not an individual. Other than the President/VP dying or getting shot, I can’t think who might get that sort of treatment. Also, televised funerals are rare. The families involved usually choose for privacy. I think all the obvious ones have been said. Now it’s “who would make that B-list?” ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2012, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-that-would-make-the-biggest-headline-today/634776/65 "2012-09-16T11:08:26Z")
Donald Trump. ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2012, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-that-would-make-the-biggest-headline-today/634776/66 "2012-09-16T11:12:43Z")
> [@Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](#): > > Barak Obama, HRH Queen Elizabeth That would be Barack Obama and HM Queen Elizabeth. Just saying. What made Michael Jackson’s death so big? He was very rich and very famous. Everyone knew him. His career had gone on long enough that a lot of people will barely remember a time when he wasn’t extremely well-known, but he was still young enough that no one expected him to die very soon. Lastly, he was extremely interesting to tabloids and was the subject of plenty of non-career-related news in the years before his death. In terms of heads of state, I’m not convinced it would take less than an assassination of Obama to get that kind of publicity. Or perhaps, as some suggested, something that too-easily recalls Princess Diana’s death. But if we’re killing William and Kate, it has to look vaguely wrongful (chased by paparazzi etc.) and not just falling out of a window. ---
**Author:** ![Sally\_Mander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@Sally\_Mander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sally_Mander)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2012, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-that-would-make-the-biggest-headline-today/634776/67 "2012-09-16T12:14:33Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > I can’t remember the last time network programming was interrupted for someone’s death since Kennedy was assasinated. And I wasn’t even born yet. > > Did they do that for Princess Diana? I wouldn’t know, I was camping when we heard the news. And, of course, the only other thing was 9/11. But that’s not an individual. Michael Jackson. I was home, and they definitely broke into whatever I was watching at the time to show cops and ambulances and paparazzi at his house. They did for Princess Diana, but it was late here in the US. I was getting ready for bed and turned the TV on - hadn’t had it on all evening. It was nearly 11:30 or sometime soon after, I think, and they were alternating between showing the cars in the tunnel and reporters outside the hospital. I don’t think they had yet announced her death. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2012, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-that-would-make-the-biggest-headline-today/634776/68 "2012-09-16T22:56:50Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > [Abe Vigoda.](http://www.abevigoda.com/) Ah yes. Just a simple page with Vigoda’s picture and the header above it saying “Abe Vigoda is Alive”. But the most hilarious thing is the message, in very small type, saying: “Reload page for update”. :p:p:p:p ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2012, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-that-would-make-the-biggest-headline-today/634776/69 "2012-09-17T00:43:00Z")
> [@Szlater](#): > > The queues that will form at her graveside for those wishing to either dance or piss will put the queues outside apple stores to shame. Does she get a state funeral? I know she’s not royalty, but other PMs have gotten one and I think I remember hearing something about plans for one in the news. > [@ctnguy](#): > > Nelson Mandela will make big headlines, even though at his age it won’t exactly be a surprise. But the major media organisations have [plans, and in some cases cameras already in place at his house.](http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/15/mandela-house-cameras-media) The same thing happen with Pope John Paul II. Media outlets purchased apartments in Rome years in advance just so they could set up tempory studios with views of the Vatican. And he didn’t just die; he lingered on his deathbed for days beforehand. Plus there was the added drama of speculating on how his succesor might be. Usually when a monarch dies (at least in modern times) the succession is already predetermined. When Queen Elizabeth II is on her deathbed reporters will have to content themeselves speculating on wether her son become King Charles III or King George VII. It’s not nearly as exciting. > [@RickJay](#): > > I don’t think there would be as much reaction to the Pope or the Queen as there would be to someone like Barack Obama who isn’t old enough that you’d expect him to die. The Queen, although she’s in good shape for 86, is 86. The Pope is 85, and looks 110. If either dies it’ll be a big deal, but it’s an event most news agencies probably have contigency plans for right now. Nobody would be shocked… Alot depends on just how they die. If Her Majesty is assasinated it’ll be a much bigger deal that if she has a heart attack. When was the last time a British/English/Scottish was assasinated? Charles II at least got a trial, and the truth about George V’s death didn’t come out for decades. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2012, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-that-would-make-the-biggest-headline-today/634776/70 "2012-09-17T00:55:00Z")
Britney Spears. Lindsay Lohan. Charlie Sheen. Their funerals wouldn’t be televised, but it would provide a week of angsty discussion by the likes of Drs. Phil and Drew on the Perils Of Celebrity. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2012, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-that-would-make-the-biggest-headline-today/634776/71 "2012-09-17T01:04:17Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Not if you’re Bajoran. I love how we Trek fans get a bonus inside joke. 😉 My first response as to the topic was Lady Gaga, but in reading more I think William and Kate are probably at the top of the list. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2012, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-that-would-make-the-biggest-headline-today/634776/72 "2012-09-17T01:38:54Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > In movies and TV, I think Angelina Jolie would be somewhere on top. She’s won an Academy Award, is still fairly hot, does lots of work not only with movies but with humanitarian efforts, is part of a power couple, and still has a few good number of years left. She’s currently in the middle East on behalf of Syrian refugees. I was thinking earlier what a shitstorm would break out if she were murdered by Islamic militants. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2012, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-that-would-make-the-biggest-headline-today/634776/73 "2012-09-17T02:03:18Z")
It’d have to be someone very big in pop-culture and in front of the camera, younger than average to die, and with a tragic back story. So no heads of state, politicians, composers or directors - they all fail all on at least one of those criteria. William or Harry would be huge (much bigger than if the Queen or Chuck died). Justin would be enormous. Bet you all know who I meant without the surnames. (I know a couple of other people mentioned them in this thread too, but you’d still have known). > [@alphaboi867](#): > > Does she get a state funeral? I know she’s not royalty, but other PMs have gotten one and I think I remember hearing something about plans for one in the news. Only Winston Churchill had a state funeral. That’s one of the reasons there are protests against the idea that Maggie should have one - it’s not a common thing for PMs (nor should it be; it’d cost us millions each time and a lot of former PMs are going to kick the bucket in the next few years) and it’d elevate her to the level of Churchill. > [@salinqmind](#): > > Britney Spears. Lindsay Lohan. Charlie Sheen. Their funerals wouldn’t be televised, but it would provide a week of angsty discussion by the likes of Drs. Phil and Drew on the Perils Of Celebrity. Yeah, them. Lots of opportunities for hand-wringing and debates and retrospectives of favourite shows/films. Angelina Jolie’s a good call too - she’s Hollywood royalty and ticks all the boxes. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2012, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-that-would-make-the-biggest-headline-today/634776/74 "2012-09-17T03:29:54Z")
> [@Nancarrow](#): > > The editors and photographers of Closer magazine are hardly celebrities. But if Kate Middleton were to wander down to their offices with a shotgun and start blasting away, that would make pretty big headlines, I’d have thought. > > (I’m excluding the possibility that HM the Queen would be their visitor, because come ON, let’s not get totally ridiculous) I would nominate Kate as Queen of the World if this happened. ---
**Author:** ![Namkcalb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c89c15/32.png) [@Namkcalb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Namkcalb)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2012, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-that-would-make-the-biggest-headline-today/634776/75 "2012-09-17T05:50:24Z")
If you take Micheal Jackson as the yard stick, I think Madonna Ciccone has a good chance. Both were hugely successful entertainers. Both are known for their eccentricity. Both are often in the public eye. Both are relatively young. Well, with threads like this, it could be someone you wouldn’t think of. Do you remember Jade Goody? No, noone does, she was a reality tv contestant who released a few barely-sold exercise videos. Well, her death was front-page news for weeks in some of the trashier British papers. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2012, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-that-would-make-the-biggest-headline-today/634776/76 "2012-09-17T14:08:58Z")
OJ Simpson has to be in the top five. Olivia de Havilland, for the Gone With the Wind connection. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2012, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-that-would-make-the-biggest-headline-today/634776/77 "2012-09-17T14:50:36Z")
Oprah, without a doubt. The whole world would mourn, it would rock everybody who feels like they know and like her. Especially since everyone assumes she’ll be around for ages yet. I think Oprah would cross a lot more lines than any other celebrity, to be honest. The farthest reaches of the world would honestly weep, I believe. ---
**Author:** ![One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/838e76/32.png) [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2012, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-that-would-make-the-biggest-headline-today/634776/78 "2012-09-17T14:59:34Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Oprah, without a doubt. > > The whole world would mourn, it would rock everybody who feels like they know and like her. Especially since everyone assumes she’ll be around for ages yet. > > I think Oprah would cross a lot more lines than any other celebrity, to be honest. The farthest reaches of the world would honestly weep, I believe. I know the name and what she looks like of course, but thats it. Never seen any of her shows at all. Wouldn’t make any diff to me whatsover if she lived to be 200 or died tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2012, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-that-would-make-the-biggest-headline-today/634776/79 "2012-09-17T16:10:35Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > Donald Trump. That would be HUGE! Music: Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney US Politics: Either Clinton, Obama, Romney, Bush, Cheney Actors: Nicholson, Streep, Depp And of course, Pope Benedict, QE II, Charles, William, or Katherine. ---
**Author:** ![The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_wind_of_my_soul)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2012, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-that-would-make-the-biggest-headline-today/634776/80 "2012-09-17T16:23:06Z")
> [@Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](#): > > Nothing throws the media into a frenzy like the death of a head of state. So, Barak Obama, HRH Queen Elizabeth, Vladimir Putin, and so forth. There wasn’t a big frenzy when Kim Jong Il died. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-that-would-make-the-biggest-headline-today/634776.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-that-would-make-the-biggest-headline-today/634776.md?page=5)