So desperate are the cable TV news networks for anything gossipy that they now have dragged out the Tiger Woods car accident story for four days, and there's no end in sight.

Reporters camped outside the gated community where Woods lives. Helicopters hovering overhead. Rumors about marital problems. Talking heads spewing speculation in lieu of any facts. The sharks smell blood, and they're gonna keep circling.

The accident happened at 2:30 a.m. Friday, just after Woods left his Orlando-area home, so the speculation is that he stormed out during an argument with his wife. OK, he had an argument with his wife. This is news? Every married couple, famous or not, has arguments. Big deal.

Then Woods, probably distracted, drove down a road, hit a fire hydrant and a tree and was treated at a hospital for injuries that obviously weren't as serious as first reported. (He was, after all, released the same day).

No crime was committed. (Woods wasn't drunk). No one other than Woods was hurt. I'm sure the mega-rich golfer will pay to have the damaged fire hydrant repaired or replaced. And that will be the end of that.

Except for the fact that the cable TV news networks, and shameless gossip-mongering Web sites like TMZ, just won't let it go.

... even if there's nothing new to report.