The Hollywood Walk of Fame

At the risk of sounding a little like Andy Rooney . . .

I don't know how much of this signifies a change in policy versus ignorance just being bliss, but it seems like just about anyone can get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame these days.

When I was a kid, I had this notion you had to have worked pretty long and hard for such an honor. Being in one or two television shows or movies didn't make the grade (unless maybe one of those shows had been on the air for 20 years). A star was a kind of cap to a career. Not that you were ready to retire, but you had more behind you than you might ahead of you.

So how much of this stems from a childish view and how much of it indicates a change in the way stars are awarded? I really have no idea. But Richard Burton isn't getting one until next week, whereas Simon Baker got one last week. Really? Simon Baker before Richard Burton?

Seems a shame to devalue these things. There can only be so much available pavement after all. Maybe they should raise the standards a bit, give these actors and musicians something to aim for.