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Brandgalina back together? Blah, blah, blah

Apparently, based on the claims of biographer Ian Halperin, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are "consciously re-coupling" after intense rehab and spiritual counselling. I read this news and thought. OK. According to Halperin, seven weeks ago, two of the world's most famous faces were spotted outside a modest three-bedroom house in Beverly Hills. They stood face-to-face for the first time in 10 months. "Brad took the first step forward. Then they collapsed into each other's arms". OK then.

I don't think it's completely impossible for them to reconcile as a couple - though I believe if that should happen Brad Pitt would be universally hated for completely taking us for a ride (through no fault of his) where he was somehow painted as a victim and Angelina as a calculating ice queen. Aren't media narratives interesting?

In any case, even though I don't think a re-coupling is out of the realm of possibility for these two (though to be honest, I highly doubt it) I really didn't appreciate the way in which Ian Halperin has painted the scene and people's general reaction to it. The reaction being that strain of excitement that begins with that irritating 'awww' sound. I found the idea, or in this case the technique, of romanticizing a reconciliation between Brad and Angelina distasteful. It propels this fairy tale narrative that the media is already obsessed with when it comes to celebrity couples who they choose to idealize or destroy to sell papers. And from what I gather, Ian Halperin is a cog in that machine.

When I first heard the name, it rung a bell and thanks to Google I recalled him and how irritating I found him. First of all, and I know this isn't a legitimate argument, but he's the kind of guy who would wear sunglasses indoors. Enough said. He's also an investigative journalist, writer and documentary filmmaker. His 2009 book, Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael Jackson was a #1 best-seller in the New York Times list on July 24, 2009. He's written 14 other books on the lives of Kurt Cobain, Celine Dion and the Kardashians to name a few. Most of you have probably never heard of him or those books. And I'm going to tell you why.

Based on my research Halperin tends to write about people or subjects who are currently a focal point in the media (Brad and Angelina case in point) or someone who he thinks will be in the media within the next 6-12 months. His interest lies in selling books, not exploring subjects or people. He tends to overly promote his books, using outdated info commercial type of selling techniques to build a hype around the book which when released is never widely read, doesn't reveal anything of particular significance and is often glazed over with his own personal feelings or opinions. I don't find him to be a credible source and I don't find this story credible enough to warrant any of us giving it much more thought than these last few words I'm writing.