Jim Fixed It - Celebrity Culture Rules

Of course they did. Not only was it common knowledge here (just as it was common knowledge that Andy Coulson and Rebekah Brooks were pond life), but Louis Theroux had raised the question with Savile himself on a TV programme that was transmitted, and the scarecrow look-alike, cigar-chomping DJ made it clear that he would see anyone who alleged this in court with a great big action for libel.

         The BBC paid this repulsive clown so much that he could not only afford a white Rolls Royce, but also the very best libel lawyers.

         The airwaves and newspapers are full of the Savile story, but few have noticed what made it possible for this under-educated, not obviously intelligent, ill-spoken, probably smelly creep to gain access to schools for disturbed children, children's hospitals and wards, and even Broadmoor, Britain's secure hospital for the mentally-ill. Yes, Savile raised a good deal of money for several charities. But what made this possible?  He was, apparently, as talent-free as he was free of scruples.

         The answer is that he was a product of our Celebrity Culture. This celebrates people for no reason except that they have become well known. Paris Hilton, Katie Price and Kim Karsdashian's names spring immediately to mind as examples of celebrity syndrome. They're all female, but there are plenty of males besides the late Jimmy - though most of them have some vestigial claim upon our attention, such as being able to play football well. And, of course, none of them has criminal sexual tastes. But Jimmy's fame was drawn from the same poisoned well.

         In some cases, such as "Jim'll Fix It," his TV programmes actually gave him access to his victims. Again, why did the BBC give him these programmes? The only possible answer is: because he was famous.

         Until we as a society stop celebrating those of us who have little or nothing to offer to the rest of us, those who can contribute nothing to civilization but an ability to kick a ball, or a large and imposing bust or wardrobe, we'll continue to connive in the exploitation of the vulnerable.

         While we apply the thumbscrews to BBC manager and executives to force them to tell us exactly when they knew Savile was having his wicked way with kids, we are ignoring the underlying evil of celebrity-chic. In the meantime a few religious maniacs are worried about grown-up men and women getting married to other grown-up men and women (who just happen to be of the same gender). 

         Oh, and a candidate is running for the Presidency of the US, who believes that god lives on a planet called Kolob and that Jesus visited America not all that long ago. Would Romney, I wonder, be mounting his challenge to the sanity of the American electorate if we were not all obsessed by empty celebrity?