Our Favorite Drunks

A few days ago, I read an article on how Whitney Houston made an appearance at Stevie Wonder’s birthday party. And, as you and I have come to expect, Whitney was red-eyed and showing all sorts of signs of intoxication. Tonight, I watched American Idol(I know, I know…I’m pathetic). Since this is the first season I’ve given more than a passing glance to an episode, I missed all the past episodes of Paula Abdul being drunker than a barrel full of monkies. In Houston’s case, it is well, WELL documented of just how bad of a substance abuse problem she has. PSo, reading the article, I blew it off as just another Whitney Houston binge.
Then there’s Anna Nicole. Dead. Chances are, of a drug overdose. Now, she’s immortal. As is Janis Joplin. As is Hendrix. As is Belushi.
It seems that while people with substance abuse problems are alive, we disregard them as nothing more than worthless users…but once someone dies of an overdose, they reach immortal status. Does this make sense?