A New Low for the Lohans

Jon Voight, Candy Spelling, Bill Hudson…the list goes on and on. In fact, in Hollywoodland, estranged celebrity parents are as common as celebrity divorces. And it seems Michael Lohan may shortly become another statistic.

According to The New York Post, "Michael Lohan has released a recorded phone call from his weeping daughter -- who is heard crying her heart out to him for more than two minutes as she sobs in anguish."

On the recording, released to RadorOnline.com and posted yesterday, Lohan weeps to her father, "No one cares about me. They don't, by the way . . . It's about how they feel, not how I feel. It's not about me. It's never been about me, unless I fight for it."

For his part, Michael Lohan defends his actions, citing the active role he has taken in trying to get Lindsay into rehab for alleged prescription drug addiction.

Michael Logan told The Post, "I've tried every way possible to do it privately, and I feel if I put pressure on Lindsay, maybe she will go into rehab and get off the prescription drugs."

But Lindsay and mother Dina Lohan do not seem to see Mr. Lohan's actions as those of a concerned parent.

Twittered Lindsay, "My father's such a loser & those recordings are from years ago."

And Dina Lohan told The New York Post, "It's just inconceivable to me that a father would do something like that."

It doesn't seem to be up for debate that Lindsay Lohan is an ever-struggling celeb and likely a pill, snort, or sip away from a body bag. From her see-sawing sexuality and Jerry Springer-esque relationships to her multiple DUIs to her conviction of cocaine possession, Lindsay Lohan is undoubtedly high-risk.

But with many celebs sporting a risky profile, the plight of Lindsay Lohan—though sad—is almost yawn-inducing. Perhaps more fascinating, there seems to be a new trend in celebrity family feuds. While once celebrity family drama was investigated and leaked by media and tabloids—much to the chagrin of the families—celebrity families themselves seem to now be seeking the media out as a forum to feud. And perhaps even more stupefying, they seem to believe it will help them resolve. From Jon and Kate Gosselin to Tori and Candy Spelling to the Lohan's, celebrity families are increasingly turning to the media to air their dirty, very expensive laundry.

Why? In an age where celebrity privacy is an oxymoron, why are they running to the media with family fights? Why are celebrities so eager to use the media—television, books, online journalism—as a medium of conversation and intervention with their own family members? Why are Jon and Kate going on news shows to defend their version of the divorce story and send their spouses messages? Why is Mr. Lohan recording a phone call with his distraught daughter so he can release it to the press? When did the media become a replacement medium for in-person conversation and private family discussion?

One can only wonder: has the reality show industry seeped into the minds of Americans? With reality and television on a collision course, have celebrity families started to mistake news shows for their kitchen table? When did The New York Post begin doubling as family therapy?

In short, are celebrity families confusing media with mediator?