The Ten Steps of Sudden Celebrity (as exhibited most recently in the curious cases of Sarah Palin and Joe the Plumber)

1. Rush of excitement/media fanfare

2. Intense media scrutiny of past missteps, embarrassments

3. Public humiliation, revulsion, repudiation

4. Subject complains of media mishandling

5. Sympathetic stories appear

6. Other celebrities express support

7. Public loses interest

8. Plucky comeback

9. Back to obscurity

10. Book deal