(Instant) Fame and (BAD) Fortune?

It’s true.  It’s not common…and it’s not likely.  But at times, it’s true: Youtube = instant fame. 

Williams before fame struck
http://mantoos.com

Just ask Antoine Dodson.  Or Susan Boyle.  And now, Ted Williams. 

No, not the legendary Red Sox Hall of Fame, 19-time All-Star left fielder.  There’s not much Youtube coverage of him… 

I’m talking about Ted Williams, the straggly looking man with the silky baritone who is the latest overnight Youtube sensation.  Surprisingly, the ‘Youtube = instant fame’ bug doesn’t only apply to musicians and child prodigies.  Now, it’s infiltrated the sports and sports media world as well.    

I’ll admit, the 53-year-old Williams’ story is certainly a tear-jerker.  The man went to school for voice-acting and even held a position with a radio station in Columbus, Ohio in the ‘90s before drug and alcohol abuse derailed his life and his career.  After nearly 15 years of homelessness and poverty, Williams was recorded earlier this month by a videographer from the Columbus Dispatch who then posted the video of Williams (and his undoubtedly impressive and powerful, yet soothing radio voice) on Youtube:  

You know how the rest goes.  Matt and Meredith, Letterman, Jimmy Fallon, even Dr. Phil.  Williams made an appearance with each.  Now, job offers are rolling in.  He’s already promoted macaroni and cheese for Kraft, a commercial that now has over a million Youtube hits.  On the sports side, the Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA want Williams for TV, radio and Web voiceovers, and NFL Films is looking into his services as well.

Since finding fame overnight,
Williams is trying to clean up his act
http://www.lex18.com

A man who, less than a month ago, had nothing, now has the world (or at least any job he’d like) at his fingertips.  Thank you, Youtube.

Sorry to interrupt the emotional music, but is this really a fairytale?  Will Ted Williams live happily ever after?

The same media industry that has instantly made him famous can just as easily guide him toward his demise.  In his appearance with Dr. Phil, Williams had a reunion-turned-intervention with some members of his large family (Williams has nine adult children).  Williams is an alcoholic.  He claims he’s been clean for over two years. His daughter, fresh off a recent altercation in which she claims her father punched her, says he’s a liar.  He checked into rehab a few weeks ago, only to check himself out of it…against the advice of medical professionals.  Dr. Phil loves it.

The point is this: Fame isn’t as easy as it looks…especially for a man with a history of drug and alcohol addiction.  Psychologist Dale Atkins agrees. 

 “Indeed, sudden stardom is overwhelming in every sense of the word. Williams never had a moment to take it all in, process what was happening, and reflect, revitalize and restore himself.      

 He was suddenly faced with televised reunions with family members, appearance after appearance after appearance, contemplation of various job offers, little or no sleep. In these situations, parties and celebrations become the norm. How does someone adjust to all of these changes when all around him are lights, cameras and too much action?... People want to see a positive outcome. But instant fame doesn't usually come with the ingredients to ensure that will happen. Privacy, respect, preservation of dignity and concern for the person's welfare seem to be less important than making the most of the moment.”

 Hear that, Dr. Phil?

So while Quicken Loans Arena, home of the Cavs, beautifully offers to pay the mortgage of a home for Williams  as part of their full-time job offer, Cavs officials (and the world) better wait and watch Williams either unravel before our eyes or ride off into the sunset. 

Meanwhile, I need to go record a video of myself doing play-by-play of a televised college basketball game in my living room and then post it to Youtube.  I should have a prominent sports broadcasting job by tomorrow...