History Main / TabloidMelodrama

* The movie ''Paparazzi'' did this as the whole excuse for the film's plot.

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* Rita Skeeter's job description in the ''Literature/HarryPotter'' series; she was an immoral paparazzi who really didn't care who she hurt or whose reputation she ruined (or even if her information was exaggerated a little - or [[BlatantLies more than "a little"]]) so long as she got the dirt on a subject. As it turned out, she was using an illegal method to get her stories, [[spoiler: being an unlicensed Animagus who could turn herself into a beetle and listen in on any conversation like a fly on the wall, literally.]]

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* In the ''Franchise/{{Shadowchasers}}'' series, Jalal Stormbringer claims to have been a victim of trash like this "ever since the printed periodical replaced the town crier". ([[Really700YearsOld Given how old he is]], that is likely true.) He mostly ignores it these days.

* SheHulk was once a victim of a paparazzi who photographed her sunbathing, topless. Fortunately for Jen, the guy's editor airbrushed the photo, making her skin look flesh-colored instead of green (likely a routine editing job by someone who didn't realize she was supposed to be green). No-one who read the rag ever realized the woman in the picture was her.

-->'''Abigail Adams''': The reign of Mr. Adams has hitherto been one continued tempest of malignant passions. As president, he has never opened his lips without threatening or scolding. He is a repulsive pedant, a gross hypocrite, one of the most egregious fools upon the continent, a hideous, hermaphroditical character which has neither the force and firmness of a man, nor the gentleness and sensibility of a woman.

-->'''Mrs. Adams:''' - the people must demand the immediate resignation of old, querulous, bald, blind, crippled, toothless Adams.

-->'''Abigail Adams'': The reign of Mr. Adams has hitherto been one continued tempest of malignant passions. As president, he has never opened his lips without threatening or scolding. He is a repulsive pedant, a gross hypocrite, one of the most egregious fools upon the continent, a hideous, hermaphroditical character which has neither the force and firmness of a man, nor the gentleness and sensibility of a woman.

* The manga/OVA BoysLove series ''HaruWoDaiteita'' is based on two actors and their relationship with each other, surrounded by paparazzi and gossips, including tabloids and talk shows.

* A lot of ''NottingHill'' revolves around trying to keep things from the tabloids.

* Rita Skeeter's job description in the ''Literature/HarryPotter'' series; she was an immoral paparazzi who really didn't care who she hurt or whose reputation she ruined (or even if her information was exaggerated a little - or [[BlatantLies more than "a little") so long as she got the dirt on a subject. As it turned out, she was using an illegal method to get her stories, [[spoiler: being an unlicensed Animagus who could turn herself into a beetle and listen in on any conversation like a fly on the wall, literally.]]

* Rita Skeeter's job description in the ''Literature/HarryPotter'' series.

* In ''FanFic/MegaManDefenderOfTheHumanRace'', Mega Man has often been the subject of tabloid scrutiny, but this trope really takes effect in the interlude to Episode 14, where [[spoiler:Tiesel Bonne leaks Mega and Kalinka's kiss to the public]].

* SpiderMan once had to deal with a rather vile paparazzi (and the biggest sleazeball you'd ever meet) named Nick Katzenburg with absolutely no morals, who gained a high position at the Daily Bugle because J. Jonah Jameson had been replaced by [[MasterOfDisguise the Chameleon]], making the Bugle's attacks against Spider-Man into outright slander. When the real Jonah returned, Nick's claws were clipped a little, due to Jonah having ''some'' morals as a newsman, and then ''severely'' grounded when Thomas Fireheart became the owner in a hostile takeover, turning the Bugle's coverage towards him positive in order to repay a debt he felt he owed (which, sadly, was just as biased, only in reverse). Nick's slanderous ways finally came to a head when he took incriminating pictures of the Rose and published them with Peter Parker's name to protect himself; once the truth came out, he was the target of both the underworld ''and'' the police, and an attempt on his life led to a heart attack and his eventual death from lung cancer.

* In ''{{Literature/Rewind}}'', the Rewound Children become instant celebrities and are hit full-force by this, the unwilling center of a media circus. At one point, [[spoiler: [[{{Squick}} a tabloid prints nude photographs taken of all seventeen by the government.]] This does not go over well, to say the least.]] ''Rewind'' generally takes a very dim view of the media.

* Taken UpToEleven in the ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond'' episode "Sneak Peak". Ian Peek ran a popular celebrity gossip show that seemed like the typical one, but the difference is, he would use ''any'' method, no matter ''how'' immoral, to get the dirt on celebrities. As it turned out, he had murdered a Wayne Enterprises scientist in order to steal a device that would make him incorporeal, letting him spy on and record conversations that most paparazzi couldn't access. A SmugSnake to the extreme, he even dared to publically expose a mobster who turned informant on other crime bosses, and not only discovered Terry's identity as the current Batman, but Bruce Wayne's identity as the original one. However, right before he planned to air that secret in what he hoped would be his biggest hit ever, he discovered he was losing control of the device, and it was making him intangible against his will. He postponed the airing, and then called Bruce, [[AintTooProudToBeg pleading with him for help.]] Unfortunately, it was far too late for Bruce to do anything. As Terry arrived and a fight broke out, Ian ''completely'' lost control of it, and plummeted downward, unable to even stand on solid ground, eventually vanishing through the basement floor. He [[NeverFoundTheBody hasn't been seen since]], but Bruce theorized that he [[FateWorseThanDeath would probably keep falling until he reached the center of the Earth]], so it's not surprising.]]

* In the ''Franchise/HarryPotter'' [[AlternateUniverseFic AU]] ''[[FanFic/ThreeSlytherinMarauders 3 Slytherin Marauders]] it seems the staff of the Daily Prophet has nothing better to do than stalk an 11-year old boy.

* Rita Skeeter's job description in the ''HarryPotter'' series.

* In ''[[{{Tintin}} The Castafiore Emerald]]'', Paris-Flash's cover promises the wedding of Castafiore to Captain Haddock (who can't stand her voice), and she tells him not to take it too seriously, as she's been linked to hundreds of other men in the past. She later gets upset about the Tempo di Roma's unauthorized expose on "La diva ed il pappagallo".

* One episode of ''{{Absolutely Fabulous}}'' had Patsy locked in a steamy affair with an important man (possibly a cabinet minister), leading the tabloids to hound her and refer to her as a "flash fash slag."