From Paths of Glory to Celebrity Boulevards: Sociology of Paris Match Covers, 1949-2005

• Published in: Revue française de sociologie Vol. 49; no. 1; pp. 3 - 52
• Main Author: Chenu, Alain
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: 01.01.2008
• Subjects: Fame; France; Science; Social Constructionism; Technology
• ISSN: 0035-2969
• DOI: 10.3917/rfs.491.0003

The social construction of celebrity involves a triangular relationship between personalities, audiences & the media. That relationship is studied here by considering a celebrity any person identified by name & appearing at least once on the cover of the French weekly general news magazine, Paris Match between 1949 & 2005. 85 % of the topics handled by the magazine concern celebrities. The distribution of celebrity scores (measured by number of covers a person appears on) is highly uneven. The celebrity population is described in terms of scores, specialization area, age, sex & nationality. The article then explores the world of values or value conflicts incarnated by these celebrities. It offers a new way of viewing the social changes that occurred over the half-century observed. In the 1950s & 1960s, the as-yet vivid memory in France of the two world wars, France's direct involvement in the wars in Indochina & Algeria, the ongoing feat of conquering space kept the public stirring to the rhythm of la grande histoire, history made of power conflicts & scientific or technological advances. Later, the proportionally stronger presence of aristocrats & show business professionals went along with a strengthened quest for what is first & foremost private well-being, as attested to by increasing interest in the love lives & family life of princesses & actors. Tables, Figures, References. Adapted from the source document.