The British journalist Malcolm Muggeridge may have been the first to use the actual phrase in the introduction to his book "Muggeridge Through The Microphone" (1967) in which he wrote:In the past if someone was famous or notorious, it was for something—as a writer or an actor or a criminal; for some talent or distinction or abomination. Today one is famous for being famous. People who come up to one in the street or in public places to claim recognition nearly always say: "I've seen you on the telly!"