Nicely put.

I'd just add the additional burden of "celebrity" and drinking the kool aid, as well as the diminishing of the interest in "serious work" for the vox populi.

However, one doesn't see DeNiro, just as an example, taking the risks he could well afford; ie, Al Pacino having just played Shylock in Central Park this summer and now signed on for 8 shows a week on Broadway as did Denzel Washington with "Fences."

And there are plenty of incredible independent film scripts out there that would challenge and enhance some of these actors. Annette Bening and Julianne Moore in "The Kids Are Alright" pops immediately to mind. And Alec Baldwin just did "Equus" in a small theatre on Long Island this summer.

And then there's Lady GaGa at a rally in Maine. I see "Sweet Bird of Youth" in 30 years....