Gawker: defamer, dakota culkin

CBS Now Just Taunting Macaulay Culkin, Defamer

Kyle Buchanan — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 20:46:31 EST

When we noticed today that CBS 2 had made a completely inappropriate photo choice for its story on the death of Macaulay Culkin's sister, we figured they'd eventually change it. But is this an improvement?

The initial mugshot seemed to heavily imply Culkin's responsibility for the death, and while the new picture removes some of that taint, he now seems weirdly happy and satisfied. Again, we're glad they didn't use this photo, but we fear now that they're only getting warmed up. Guys, a neutral or frowning picture of Macaulay is not hard to find — Google Image Search is your friend! Let's just be happy that Shenae Grimes hasn't had to suffer this insult upon injury today, and claim that as our tenuous silver lining.

CBS 2

CBS Uses Classy Photo Choice to Imply Macaulay Culkin Killed His Sister

Kyle Buchanan — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:38:23 EST

Let it never be said that we don't understand the value of a click-through (witness our new look!). But, uh, KCBS 2, can we talk for a sec?

Certainly, we can understand running with a picture of Macaulay Culkin to illustrate the death of his sister Dakota; after all, Macaulay is the most famous sibling and therefore the one that readers will hook into. But...that picture? Surely you know what using Macaulay's mugshot is suggesting to your readers, don't you? And it's not, "Oh, remember when Macaulay got arrested in 2004 for marijuana possession in Oklahoma City?"

Here's the Associated Press photo site. Put an account on your Christmas wishlist! Still, we'll reluctantly give you one thing: at least you didn't use this.

CBS 2

Dakota Culkin Killed By Car

STV — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:35:54 EST

It's not a very good week to be a Hollywood sibling, with the Russian roulette death of Scott Ruffalo followed soon afterward by Dakota Culkin's fatal encounter with a moving vehicle.

"Law enforcement sources tell us Dakota Culkin was walking on the west side of Los Angeles Tuesday when she stepped off a curb and was struck by a car," reports TMZ. "The 29-year-old Culkin was taken to the UCLA Medical Center where she died of her injuries yesterday afternoon." Dakota was the elder of two Culkin-clan daughters, adds The Huffington Post. We send our condolences to Macaulay, Rory and the rest of their family, and urge Clint Howard to stay indoors until this whole trend blows over.

[Photo: HuffPo]

Macaulay's Sister Dies [TMZ]