The Stars (and planets) Are Falling

It's enough that Pluto might be relegated to dwarf-star status soon or that our own moon, showing delusions of grandeur, might be classified as an actual planet! The stars of this cosmos have definitely begun a shift worthy of a Shakespearean quote or two. But Tom Cruise? Paramount studios today indicated that they will no longer pay Tom Cruise bazillions to front any of their blockbuster movies due to his "erratic behavior," according to a report published in the Wall Street Journal. The "Top Gun" and "Mission Impossible" star has been relegated not just to the bench or the minors: he has been put on waivers for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release. It seems his espousal in public of scientology has created some unrest. I mean, it's the "Chef in Reverse" thing as far as I can see...like a pre-emptive strike. (Isaac Hayes told the "South Park" guys that he would no longer be the voice of Chef because they ripped on scientology. So, in retaliation, they morphed him into a Darth Vader-like character). This way, the studio can get in the first lick before being jilted by Cruise following some exec making an Al Campanis-like verbal gaffe.
Of course, saying that anti-depressant drugs should be avoided pretty much put Tom on the back burner with a LOT of people (doctors, therapists and pharmaceutical reps, for starters), like the executives trying to count dollar signs to indicate how seriously his movies had begun to fall off! Anyone would need anti-depressant medication there! But, of course, Cruise isn't the only one on the chopping block.
Mel Gibson cannot be far behind in the getting-canned department. Spewing anti-Semitic quotes anywhere but, maybe, Rio Creek, Wisconsin, is bound to cause a ruckus. The South Park guys really did a number on him as well. Maybe that's an indication that you're on your way out in Hollywood...after all, Barbara Streisand was pilloried as well.
Hollywood has maybe come to the realization that stars aren't really needed. Quick, who starred in "Superman Returns," "The Chronicles of Narnia," or "Lord of the Rings"? Tell me the stars of all the Harry Potter movies were big stars before that series started, or that Pricess Leia was anyone other than Debbie Fisher's daughter before her big break.
Of course, "Talledega Nights" would not be as much of a hit without Will Farrell, and Johnny Depp certainly brought pirates back in vogue. It's just that jillions of dollars per movie is not really necessay pay anymore. Pretty soon, the jet-setters will be travelling coach instead of in their own Gulfstream...ok, I admit that will never happen. But it does mean that you and I can go sit on stools at soda fountains (well, Starbucks, maybe) in Hollywood and be discovered.
How far can someone fall in Hollywood, and how quickly can it happen? See Shannen Doherty in her new reality show giving relationship break up advice to people or Samuel L. Jackson in "Snakes on a Plane."
I'm going to read blogs instead.