Not that I particularly hate him, I could care less, but it would be kinda interesting if he blew up, from a reality show point of view. It would also put a premature stop to this foolishness of celebs in space. The tribute specials would probably be the death of us though.
Damn! I didn’t really care before, but whoa there, buddy! You think in would be “interesting”?! I don’t know how old you are, but if you were sentient in the late 80’s, did you find it “interesting” when the Challenger blew up in front of millions? Did Christa Christa McAuliffe deserve to die because she was a foolish teacher going into space? Why is it foolish for celebs or anyone not in a space program to go into space? That is sort of the future. Y’know, space travel? I think it’s great that Russia is allowing the public to pay their way. They need the money and this is a great way to forge ahead. I wish NASA would implement something like this. The public’s interest in space travel has been waning and this is just the shot in the arm it needs.
Besides, what do you care (you did say that it was possible for you to care less, so you must care - just a little)? Does it affect you in some way? Are you a competing Boy Band member? Do you run your own space shuttle service and are angry he didn’t choose to fly with you? I don’t get it.
I bet when movie stars bought automobiles (or worse, were given one) in the early 20th century, the arguments must have been quite similar. And now, we all drive cars (yes, matt_mcl, not you :)). Money and fame will get you that one step further than your average John Doe. So what?
Actually, re: the OP … how do we know they’re not gonna leave him up there? :>
Uh Deskmonkey, I said it would be interesting, not that I would be sitting there maniacally laughing whilst rubbing my hardened nipples.
Callous or not, but many events in human history (both good and bad) have been interesting to witness or read about. Nowhere did I state that I wished they had happened, or gleaned any type of pleasure from them transpiring.
Maybe this will finally get the kid laid.
Uh, ok. Let’s just say that the first time a civilian blew up in a spacecraft on national television as people watched with great interest, it was less interesting than it was just plain awful. So no, I don’t agree that it would be interesting. I bet it would still be just plain awful. And leave you nipples out of it. Bleh. 
And I also have to agree that the “I sure hope they leave him up there! Heh.” is completely worn out. As are many of your basic one-liner type replies. I wish everyone would just stop talking for a month or two so we could all spend some time thinking of new things to say. Maybe I’ll start.
I’m starting . . . now. No wait, now!
Fine. Don’t leave him up there.
Toss him out the airlock, and let him be the Man Who Fell to Earth.
A little different, ** Monkey ** ?
Coldfire:
And, irony of ironys, the Russians are pioneering while the U.S. space program resists letting the corporations responsible for building things put their names on them. Sure, it might save the taxpayers a few dozen tens of millions of dollars, but it’s the principle.
Just recently the Kommisars at Cape Canaveral decided that they just might someday let private citizens fly into space. The U.S. space program, leading the way into last year.
Okay, first I have to say this:
I hate N’Sync. And The BackStreet Boys. And Britney. And KNOTB. The mere thought that they share a part of my existence leaves me with a white hot ember of pure rage that is slowly burning a hole through my soul. I hate every one of them for their part in totally dismembering the music culture of the free world. When they die, Rock N’ Roll heaven will no longer have a hell of a band. It’ll have a good beat, and you can dance to it.
Ahem. Anyway, Lance bass is actually kinda cool. It turns out that he’s a real space fanatic, and has been since a little kid. Just like a lot of the people here on the SDMB, I’ll bet. He’s come up with a creative way to fulfill his dream while making a buck for someone else and helping the space program gain some much-needed valuable recognition amongst young people. My guess is that when he comes back, he’ll be a hell of a spokeman for the space program.
But if he writes one more song with the word ‘girl’ in it, I’ll freaking kill him.
What if he sings “Girl, I wanna ride your space shuttle”?
How exactly will he be a good spokesperson for the space program? Is he going to convince 12 year old girls to send their allowances to NASA?
You need to have your Paxil dosage adjusted, dan.
And, Sam? I hate N’Sync and their ilk as much as the next person with good taste in music but “dismembering the music culture of the free world”? Hyberbole at it’s finest, my friend.
Aw, cmon. You don’t know what this is doing to me!
Stupid meds.
Maybe it’s just me, but Lance Bass looks too much like that dope from those Dell commercials.
dismembering the music culture of the free world
No that sounds about right.
Well, 12-year-olds don’t stay 12 forever and if NASA can capture their attention now, they could rekindle some of the fascination people used to have. People in the 50’s were amazed at machinery going into space. In the late 60’s and 70’s, there were astronauts - actual humans - headed out there. In the 80’s, a civilian, not just astronauts who have trained and studied for years, was gearing up to blast off. That didn’t go so well. Then things kind of dropped off. The last really cool thing that happened in space travel (for the general public, anyway) was the Mars expedition. I think it’s time to try the civilian thing again. And 12-year-olds don’t remember Challenger, so yes, I’d say 12-year-olds are as good a place as any to start. Hell if I had a daughter who was a rabid Nsync fan, I love it if she got interested in NASA and outer space, even if it was just for Lance Bass. There’s a good chance her new interest will outlast the old.
And yes lurkernomore, I think the “Man Who Fell to Earth” crack is a little better. I like the subtle juxtaposition of Bass and Bowie, two crazy mixed up kids who are totally misunderstood and reviled by grown-ups who know better.
For the record, I don’t particularly care for Nsync and all that stuff, but if we were only sending people I like, there’d be a big problem. I don’t think Tom Waits and Kurt Vonnegut are up for the trip. But how’s THAT for a mental image? 
Take my wife, please.
Oops. Wrong thread. I can’t believe people are telling the joke that way. That is fucked up. It obviously isn’t a good joke if you don’t work in a play on the word “star”. Somethin’ like:
"I hear pop star Lance Bass is going into space for $20 million. "
“Since he’s going up, how much extra to make him a shooting star on the way back?”
See? I’ve implied not just an an end to LB through banishment (I mean what’s funny about that?), but through a flaming death while hurtling through the upper atmosphere that would result in a “star”. Comic genius, really. Fuck these fools who don’t know how to properly take advantage of word plays.
Man that’s one show he’d really burn up.
Now that would be one hot ticket.
That’s the kind of pop star I’d want to see.
No need to bathe that day. He’ll just wash up on shore.
Now, that’s butter . . . .
DaLovin’ Dj
Well, ** DJ **, can we see his comeback?
…at terminal velocity?
I don’t think you are taking into account the gravity of the situation . . .
No, DJ, I can see his downfall, and the attraction of Mother Earth after he makes his exit from the station. Properly done, he should make a big hit.