Reporting on the untimely death this afternoon of actor Heath Ledger, The Associated Press (and other news services, I'm sure) felt compelled to point out that Ledger was found naked.

I'm reminded of the line from the Elton John song "Candle in the Wind," about the death of actress Marilyn Monroe: "... all the papers had to say was the Marilyn was found in the nude."

John's lyricist, Bernie Taupin, was trying, I believe, to make the point that the media will do anything to sensationalize celebrity news that already is sensational enough.

Monroe died in 1962. "Candle in the Wind" was recorded in 1973. It's now 2008. Sadly, little has changed.