Veronicolumn

I heard some really great news last week. No, I haven’t received a call about a post-graduation job. It was revealed that we would soon know who the father of Anna Nicole Smith’s daughter is.

I just need to know who will hear the famous words, “You are the father!”

Yes, that was the highlight of my week.

Like many of you out there reading this, I am happy to admit that I love to hear and read some good, juicy celebrity gossip.

When I’m shopping at Wal-Mart, I grab an issue of probably one of the most inaccurate, sleaziest magazines on the shelf to read while I shop. I won’t buy the magazine, but I will read the entire issue before I leave the store.

I love to read the latest dish about celebrities. That crazy Britney Spears, Brad and Angelina, I just must know what’s going on with them.

Tabloids magazines aren’t the only ones to blame for this fetish.

E! Entertainment television is also to blame. It’s a 24-hour tabloid channel full of gossip, true Hollywood stories and tales of past fallen stars.

I don’t know why, but there’s something intriguing about reading into the lives of the rich and famous. It could be because we love to know that famous people have the same problems we do, or that their problems seem 10 times worse than ours.

But I do kind of have a problem with celebrities who claim they hate these media outlets. Justin Timberlake recently told Details Magazine that he despises what the paparazzi and tabloid magazines do.

I think that Justin needs to reevaluate his celebrity status. Sure, Justin can sing, but so can student Candice Bell. The only difference is that people are able to see him on E! and in “Star.” I guarantee that if Justin wasn’t on the cover of “Teen” and “The National Enquirer,” he would be half the star he is today.

I agree that maybe tabloids go too far in their quest for a photo, but when someone steps into the celebrity spotlight, he or she should expect intrusion.

So I’m sorry, Mr. Timberlake, that gossip may have cost you two relationships, but I’m sure that with all your exposure you’ll land another girl pretty soon.

According to several holy texts, I am harming others by reading and possibly spreading gossip. Well, this is my repentance. But I just can’t help myself!

But don’t mistake this infatuation; I could care less about what’s going on in the lives of people on campus. Local gossip is limiting, and who cares about what the homecoming queen is doing?

The funny thing is that people who say they hate gossip the most are the ones who love to spread it. The moment you hear something you’re not supposed to, it’s like a feeling of euphoria.

There are those who will say that I need to get a life and mind my business. That could be true.

So what? Maybe I do need to take their advice.

But for now, I will continue to indulge in my own addiction of choice – celebrity voyeurism.

Why not, it’s hilarious, entertaining and for the most part – just damn good.