Stars are poor role models, American poll shows

Most Americans think movie stars are poor role models and almost half say movies generally aren't as good as they used to be, according to a new poll.

Among those in the hall of shame are Russell Crowe, for allegedly throwing a phone at a hotel employee, and Christian Slater, who faces charges that he grabbed a woman's buttocks in a New York City grocery.

This kind of behaviour, combined with most Americans' preference for watching movies at home, suggest the industry faces challenges if it is to reverse a recent drop in attendance at movie theatres.

Almost three-quarters of Americans polled for the Associated Press and AOL News said they would prefer to watch movies at home.