Smith Watch.

Smith's death was a classic case of perfect timing.

Unfortunately, the Astronut Attempted Murder Case had to take a backseat to more important matters such as this.

But in truth, it raises more serious questions about the state of journalism today:

What makes this of more than passing interest is that serious American journalism is in the process of transforming itself into a new, hybrid news medium that combines traditional print and broadcast with a more purposefully articulated online presence. One of the latter's most seductive attributes is its ability to gauge readers' appetites for a particular story on a minute-to-minute basis. What you get is something like the familiar television ratings — though constantly updated, if you choose to treat them that way.

It's all about ratings. Smith, like Jayne Mansfield, knew how to promote herself, whether for good or for bad. That was true even in death.

The twist here is that the internet was front and center in keeping this death in the headlines.