Mischa Barton’s drink-drive troubles of late have seemed relatively low on the crazy-celeb scale, if only by comparison. Thanks, Britney! And when Mischa has been in the news, she’s had the decency to be pictured crying and going to church. Repentant, see.

But when the tabloids/blogs started going after her sister, 19-year-old Hania, who had been hospitalised for a suspected overdose, a Barton publicist got unusually candid and issued the following statement:

“Mischa understands that as an actress and a public person she needs to address her issues in a timely and appropriate manner. That being said, she's the only public person in her family and we will not address these sleazy, tabloid reports. I think these pieces of shit who work at hospitals and sell private information are not only breaking the law, but they're morally reprehensible. They're selling people's private information for the price of dinner for four. And I hope they choke on their prime rib.”

Cor. If only all tabloid tat played out in such a frank and honest way. No more “exhaustion”, no more “naturally skinny”, no more “amicable splits”… It’s a brave new world, and I want a piece of it.