Boston Famous or Really Famous?
Attendance at some recent high-profile Boston sporting events has brought this to light: the concept of “Famous” in Boston and “Famous” in the rest of the world are very different.
Boston is a world-class city, and the Commonwealth’s efforts to lure Hollywood to the Bay State through significant incentives have brought the stars here to create many similar films … but the celebrities at our big games are still kind of lame, or at the very least, provincial.
I started thinking about this back in April during the Celtics/Knicks playoff tilt, and continued to do so last night at the Stanley Cup Game 4 (in which the biggest Boston celebrity in attendance to cheer on the Bruins was injured Patriots K Stephen Gostkowski).
Let’s compare, using the Celtics-Knicks series as an example.
The Knicks most famous fans are legitimate celebrities.
The most high-profile Celtics fans in attendance are either current Patriots, retired Patriots or Ray Allen’s mom.
Celebrities at a Knicks playoff game will include, at the very least, Spike Lee and Woody Allen, two legitimately famous people.
Celebrities at a Celtics playoff game will include at least some of the following:
Bill Belichick
Bill Belichick’s girlfriend
At least one current Patriot (most likely Vince Willfork and his wife)
At least one retired or ex-Patriot (Ty Law, Troy Brown)
And the closest thing to a bona fide celebrity: A lesser Wahlberg
Notable exceptions:
Depending on the opponent, you may get 1-2 famous fans following the visiting team (Rachel McAdams was at the Cup game last night to cheer on Vancouver, I assume, given that I believe she is Canadian or at the very least midwestern; Spike Lee came to cheer on the Knicks; Jay-Z and the lovely Beyonce made the trek last year for the Cavs/Celtics; Jack Nicholson in years past with the Lakers)
