Time to question motives of Hollywood's health crusaders

0 Comments | Insight on the News, Sept 30, 2002 | by John Elvin

Ever wonder why Hollywood stars go on talk shows or blab to the gossip columnists about what most of us would consider personal-health matters? Well, you might think it's because they've got good hearts and want to use their influence to help others. At the very least, you might assume it's a way to show the world that, shucks, they're just humans like the rest of us with all the associated aches, pains and traumas.

But it turns out that for many, if not all, the motive is the almighty dollar. According to the New York Times and a CBS News report, stars can pull down as much as six figures for going on a show such as Today or Good Morning America and talking about their battles with obesity or arthritis.

The fees are paid by pharmaceutical companies engaged in "public-awareness campaigns." Now that the word is out, TV network executives are scrambling to assure the public that their favorite shows will not be used to hype products and procedures. They say they were really surprised to find out that the stars were giving interviews because the pharmaceutical industry put them up to it. Industry insiders say that's hogwash because it's publicists for the drug companies who arrange the interviews in the first place.