Mother Talkers

Too Much Information on YouTube?

by Elisa

Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 12:01:04 PM PDT

Throughout this election season and the back-and-forth barbs on gaffes, I have told my husband I would never want to be a politician today. I can't imagine having my every move taped and aired on YouTube. You can't win!

Apparently, this kind of scrutiny isn't limited to high-profile legislators. A bitter actress and divorcee, recently aired the details of her husband's sex life, their divorce and family on YouTube. Here is the clip and an Associated Press story on it.

The wife, former actress and playwright Tricia Walsh-Smith, looked demonic as she described her millionaire husband's plans to evict her from their posh Manhattan apartment -- they had a prenuptial agreement -- her husband's penchant for viagra and porn and his money-grubbing daughters. She posts their names and pictures on YouTube and even rings up her husband's secretary to leave him a message about the viagra, porn and condoms.

Absolutely cringeworthy. But even I could not stop watching this train wreck. I felt claustrophobic about our shrinking privacy with all this digerati and how easy it is for any embittered person to post video of a boss or ex-lover. But I am also wondering if this is simply the modern-day strolling-by-the-car-accident-scene? What do you think of Walsh-Smith's actions? Would you ever stoop so low for revenge?

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Tags: TMI, YouTube, divorce, Associated Press, Tricia Walsh-Smith, barbs, gaffes, election (all tags)

Permalink | 11 comments

  • It reminds me a little (0 / 0)

    of someone I heard about many years ago who, when she found out one morning her professor husband was sleeping with a student, threw all his stuff on the lawn, changed the locks, withdrew all their money from the bank, etc. etc. before he got home from work that night to realize what had happened.  If YouTube had been around then she no doubt would have utilized that outlet as well.

    I can see someone being angry enough to do it, but don't really think it likely serves the victim very well in the long run.

    Katherine

    by pat of butter in a sea of grits on Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 12:24:35 PM PDT

  • Oy. (0 / 0)

    That is 6 minutes and 22 seconds of my life I'll never get back. WTF? Crazy, crazy.

    by GiGi on Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 12:54:38 PM PDT

  • Sad. (0 / 0)

    I think it makes me cringe because it's almost a certainty that she will regret this odd public display of bat shit crazy. Then again, maybe she will never have enough self-awareness to feel the embarrassment she has earned.

    by hardlyaclue on Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 01:50:30 PM PDT

  • stooping low.. (0 / 0)

    well i have had a rich fantasy life of revenge...but never could bring myself to do even the most benign form of it.  but oh my mind can concoct a rich little revenge fantasy life.

    i wanted so badly to take out a billboard in orange county near my ex's home with his picture, name and headline Deadbeat Dad. perhaps my impluse was tamed by the work involved and expense.  but with youtube it is sooo easy..  kinda like owning a gun.

    truthfully i get sick to my stomach watching couples battle given the pain i went through..it is just so very ugly and non productive. in the end, i am very glad i am for whatever reason not really capable of revenge. no regrets.

    by parentalunit1 on Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 02:11:21 PM PDT

  • I don't understand (0 / 0)

    why people are driven to watch stuff like this.  I seem to be an odball this way, although my DH is similar.  Who cares about other people's lives?

    by lonespark on Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 02:40:12 PM PDT

    • my counselor (0 / 0)

      said to me, when i was confused as to why some folks have been so interested in what i am up to:

      "people who mind your business, are not minding their own. if they were, they would not have time in the day to worry about what you are up to."

      good point.

      i think this kind of crap is despicable. i did not watch it. i think a person does him/herself a disservice by talking bad about anyone, but particularly, someone to whom you have been married, had children with, whatever. beyond a good friend or counselor to work through issues with, mum is the word unless you can say something positive.

      of course, that is an ideal, but i sure try to go by that rule.

      We cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home. - E.R. Murrow

      by lorin on Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 03:29:36 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      • I disagree with that somewhat (0 / 0)

        It's important to speak out against those break oaths and break frith.  But it shouldn't be done in the midst of emotional upheaval.  You need to sort out your own head, retreat to those who support you, let go of the extreme pain and rage.  Then you can say, "I have been harmed in this way, and I need to take such and such action."  

        Then again, perhaps I don't disagree.  Because while I don't think you should keep it to yourself, it's a matter for your family/community, not the public at large.

        by lonespark on Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 04:47:53 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        • well (0 / 0)

          the question was specifically speaking to revenge. most anybody in a close circle are going to find out in simple terms why a break up occurs. that is, if it is not completely evident beforehand.

          and i see what you mean in the case of domestic abuse and such.

          but beyond stating a simple reason when someone asks, i think it is a private matter. if one goes on and on about what the offending party did wrong, then that sets up a situation where even if they have learned from their mistakes, they have a huge rep following them around.

          i think we all might be able to agree to airing grievances on youtube is revenge? i can't see how it would be anything else. going out of one's way to broadcast personal business.

          We cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home. - E.R. Murrow

          by lorin on Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 06:47:46 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

  • I've had rich revenge fantasies (0 / 0)

    in my head about humiliating ex-whatevs, but thankfully never had the nerve or whatever to go through with it. I don't think I'd ever do something like this if DH and I split, mainly because it would be most unfair on Jess.

    Jeez, what's wrong with maintaining a dignified silence? Yuck.

    by Rachel on Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 08:55:43 PM PDT

  • Wow, she did herself no favors... (0 / 0)

    I found myself thinking, "Sheesh - I would have wanted you to sign a prenup, too." She came off as crazy, undignified, and unstable. I imagine the admin assistant she called was sitting there open-mouthed after she hung up the phone.

    I also found myself thinking, "There is no way this woman is sober."

    by elliottsmom on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 08:13:07 AM PDT

  • I bet that guy has a secret apartment in New York (0 / 0)

    Hers is on Park Avenue, but would the most successful Broadway theater owner really live in such a dinky apartment?  I was really expecting something grander, like the fab place in "Regarding Henry."  Mr. Smith probably has many more secrets than the ones she has uncovered.

    She has, no doubt started a new trend with her video.  That has to be the only explanation for why Associated Press published a story about this "victim."

    by MsMarvel on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 07:12:20 PM PDT

Permalink | 11 comments