Transforming Celebrity Apologies
The celebrity apology has become a kind of public ritual in the United States. Don Imus, Paul Wolfowitz, Mel Gibson, Naomi Campbell, Ted Haggard, Rush Limbaugh: the list of famous people trying to convince us of their contrition is long and varied – and essentially, it would seem, a matter of public relations.
The obvious aim is to spin the problem out of sight as quickly as possible, then let the process of forgetting, more than forgiving, do its work. Failing that, the more cynical and self-righteous apologizers may try to push the problem onto those who continue to disapprove.
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