If I hear Paris Hilton's name one more time... a rant, by Susan

Remember when news actually used to be about what was going on in the world or in your city? When Uncle Walter said, "And that's the way it is," and you felt that WAS the way it was? Then O.J. Simpson crept down a Los Angeles freeway and overnight, it seemed, everything changed. Top Story became Top Speculation.

And now we have Hollywood gossip dominating the news. What the heck is that all about? I find it hard to believe that I'm the only one who could give a flying fig what Paris Hilton and others of her ilk are doing. Yet you can't seem to pick up a magazine or turn on a television without encountering a story about them. When did vacant-eyed young women whose only claim to fame is drunken partying and/or narcissistic exhibitionism become the main story on the six o'clock news? How has it managed to overtake in-depth reporting on matters of actual importance?

Or maybe I should just take a deep breath. Okay, doing that here.
Still, I have to admit it feels good to get that little rant off my chest.

Anything you'd care to get off yours?