I’m not a big fan—I tend to read TMZ and that lot only when someone else links something that might interest me—but as long as there are (a) public records laws; and (b) publicists who choose to make that which isn’t public public, there will always be someone doing this kind of work. 

I have way more disdain for people like the McCourts who fail to keep their private life private when they have every right to do so.

By fail do you mean “meant to keep it private but it got out” or “decided to go to the press with it themselves”?

Myself, as a matter of ethics I avoid all gossip press.  We should not be using people merely as an means to titillate ourselves, nor should we let ourselves be used by those who want to air dirty laundry in public either for attention, or to put pressure on another party in a dispute.

How is this different than sports?  I’d say in sports we are celebrating with the people competing, therefore cooperating in a shared telos.

Don, I’ve read comments like yours a few times lately.  Just how badly wrecked is a franchise that is the two-time defending NL West champ?  I’m guessing about two dozen other teams’ fans would gladly have the Dodgers’ level of success.