<h2 class=" eplus-wrapper" id="crosshead">Hare-brained fame?</h2>

Crash! The two skiers on the slope in Deer Valley, UtahA mountainous state in the west of the USA. More than half its inhabitants are Mormons, who founded its capital, Salt Lake City. went slap-bang into each other. One of them screamed; the other one swore loudly. The man and the woman ended up in a heap, their skis entangled. It could have been an ordinary accident - except that the woman was one of the world's most famous actresses. 

The question being debated in court is whether Gwyneth PaltrowAn American actress and businesswoman, known today for her lifestyle brand. was to blame. The man involved, a retired eye doctor called Terry Sanderson, claims that she skied into him, causing him brain damage and breaking four of his ribs. He is seeking £245,000 in damages for her "reckless" behaviour.

Paltrow is countersuing him for a symbolic $1 plus her legal fees. She claims that he caused the accident by skiing into her back. Her lawyers argue that Sanderson has only brought the case because Paltrow is a celebrity.

One person claims to have witnessed the accident: Craig Ramone, who was skiing with Sanderson. He says that Paltrow hit Sanderson; then, when she got up, she skied away without checking whether he was all right.

But Eric Christiansen, a ski instructor who went to help, told the court that she remained on the scene - and that Sanderson apologised to her. Christiansen also said when a ski patrol asked Sanderson if he needed help he answered "No."

It is the small details of the case, however, that have really fascinated TV viewers. Take, for instance, the differing effects that Sanderson and Paltrow say the accident had on them.

Sanderson claims, in strange language, that he is a changed man whose relationships have suffered: "Something is wrong with my essence and what I bring to the table with them."

Asked about an email in which he said that it was "cool" to have collided with a celebrity, he said it had been sent by "the other personality that's inhabiting my body right now".

Paltrow, asked about the effect on her, replied: "Well, I lost half a day's skiing."

Then there is the bizarre performance by Sanderson's lawyer, Kristin VanOrman, with questions such as whether Paltrow is friends with Taylor Swift. Yes, said Paltrow, "but we don't talk very often".

VanOrman also asked about her height. When Paltrow said she was 5ft 10ins, VanOrman exclaimed: "I am so jealous! ... I have to wear four-inch heels just to make it 5ft 5!"

"They're very nice," said Paltrow.

The clothes are also objects of fascination. According to Alex Abad-Santos in Vox, Paltrow arrived in court dressed like "a glamorous ski assassin". Sanderson admitted that he still skis, but wearing an "ungodly-looking red fluorescent outfit".

Writing in The Independent, Clemence Michallon observed that the trial "should not be interesting" and hardly would be if it were not on TV.

As it is, people can enjoy the experience of "gawking at the proceedings collectively" with "the tantalising promise of unscripted moments from a famous party". A courtroom, she adds, "is an environment tailored for conflict, for confrontation".

Yes: Nobody can be normal if they live their life in the public eye. Because they have little contact with ordinary people they lost touch with reality and live in a bubble with other celebrities.

No: The reason people are so fascinated by Gwyneth Paltrow is that she is in a league of her own. Among the products GoopA wellness and lifestyle brand and company founded by actress Gwyneth Paltrow. sells is Psychic Vampire Repellent, a "sprayable elixirA medicinal or magical potion. " to deal with "bad vibes".

Or... We are all weird in our own way, as Sanderson and VanOrman demonstrate - and there is no shame in that. Everyone should be encouraged to be as unusual as possible.  

Utah - A mountainous state in the west of the USA. More than half its inhabitants are Mormons, who founded its capital, Salt Lake City.

Gwyneth Paltrow - An American actress and businesswoman, known today for her lifestyle brand.

Goop - A wellness and lifestyle brand and company founded by actress Gwyneth Paltrow.

Elixir - A medicinal or magical potion.