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Imagine a world with no celebrities...

All of these familiar faces would be regular people

If there were no celebrities, everyone would be considered a normal person. It would be weird and considered harassment to constantly follow a regular person around with a camera, wouldn't it? The privacy of celebrities is violated on a daily basis, and society is perfectly okay with that. But how far is too far when trying to know every part of someone else's life? 

Missing Richard Simmons is a podcast which sole purpose is to figure out why celebrity personality Richard Simmons removed himself from the spotlight with no explanation as to why. Filmmaker Dan Taberski took it upon himself to investigate Richard's removal from the public eye and document his investigation through the podcast. His investigative methods are invasive and exploitative of Richard's right to privacy. Missing Richard Simmons and podcasts like it are intrusive and show how inhumane it is to pry into the life of another person.

Episode 2: Stakeout

Episode two of the Missing Richard Simmons podcast is where the blatant disregard for Richard's privacy is first displayed. Dan Taberski had decided to go to Richard's house with hopes of being able to talk to him. Richard did not come out to greet Dan and he was eventually sent away by Richard's housekeeper Teresa.

After being sent away, Dan says

"I'm frustrated, I'm just frustrated."

The fact that Dan is frustrated that Richard won't talk to him shows a lot about Dan's character and the morality of the podcast. Richard has no obligation to talk to anyone. No one ever has an obligation to talk to anyone. Paparazzi and fans who feel like celebrities owe them an interview or a picture are so wrong and out of line.

Richard Simmons chose to remove himself from the spotlight. It was his choice and it should be respected.

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