A Ban on Paris Hilton? Where do I Sign Up?

The AP has finally tired of Paris Hilton. What took it so damned long, I ask. Apparently, the AP has decided that, unless it is n-e-w-s, the AP wires will no longer cover Paris Hilton. That's a shame. What's even more sickening is that it is now news to report that Paris Hilton is no longer news. How does that make any sense whatsoever?

The wire service's entertainment editor Jesse Washington sent a memo to staffers on Feb. 13 that said, barring any major events, the AP would not run any mention of Paris Hilton on the wire, according to the memo, which was obtained by the New York Observer.

Good riddance. But this is nothing new. Americans have always had a predilection for tawdry gossip. Our celebrities are our Royal Family, so we have to project onto their lives. It sucks, but it's the sort of thing that's always going to happen, I'm afraid, so don't get used to the idea that gossip will somehow go downhill without the airy heiress to keep your tv screen full.