The media academic David Marshall once said: "The public loves to see celebrities fly but we get an even bigger kick when they fall. This makes them just like us."
This may be true. But the one thing the public loves more than a fallen hero is a redeemed sinner.
Penitents who publicly apologise and atone for their sins, and who come to us grovelling for forgiveness and seeking public pardon, often court our affections. This is no secret to celebrities and their management. The most tried and tested way to show penance is to enrol in a rehab clinic.
Rehabilitation centres do provide important support to addicts and their families but in recent years celebrities have abused "going to rehab" as a publicity tactic.
For those facing legal battles, a trip to rehab supposedly demonstrates sincere regret and a genuine desire to change. Celebrities such as Lindsay Lohan have voluntarily enrolled in rehab programs in the hope of reducing jail sentences. Sex-addiction clinics have become de rigueur for serial womanisers such as Tiger Woods and David Duchovny.
In theory there is nothing wrong with celebrities seeking treatment. But there is something sinister about celebrities who enrol in programs for reasons associated with career revival and a desire to re-enter A-list circles as fluidly as possible. They know rehab allows them to lie low for a few months, and offers the public a chance to forget their indiscretions. Sex-addiction clinics also provide cheating partners with an excuse: it's not my fault I was unfaithful - it was my "disease".
Surely there is a line to be drawn somewhere between redemption properly sought, and cynically resorting to rehab without genuine effort.
In the United States a reality show titled Celebrity Rehab with Dr Drew is entering its fourth season. While it is meant to explore the trials and tribulations of rehabilitation, many say it is a grotesque and sensationalist exploitation of people with problems.
Others have criticised the "contestants" who transparently attempt to use the show as a platform to revive their careers.
This week Australia has been dealt its own celebrity-rehab drama with the actor Matthew Newton enrolling in a rehab program after his former girlfriend, Rachael Taylor, applied for an apprehended violence order against the star. She has accused him of "two unprovoked violent assaults" and has sought treatment for serious injuries that she says were sustained at his hands.
Taylor issued a statement on Monday: "After much consideration and struggle, I have made this personal decision to send a clear public message that violence, threats, abuse and intimidation are not acceptable and should be dealt with by the full capacity of the law.''
In 2007 Newton was charged with assaulting his former girlfriend Brooke Satchwell. He pleaded guilty and was convicted of assault and placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond. The conviction was later quashed after his lawyer said he had mental health issues. Newton's career was resurrected a short time later. Whether his career will survive these allegations is less clear.
But when it comes to domestic violence cases involving celebrities, the public demonstrates a surprising willingness to forgive and forget.
Last year the singer Rihanna spoke candidly to the interviewer Diane Sawyer about the night her then boyfriend Chris Brown allegedly held her in a headlock, and bit and punched her to a bloody pulp. Brown issued a statement to MTV news: "While I respect Rihanna's right to discuss the specific events of February 8, I maintain my position that all of the details should remain a private matter between us."
Initial public outrage gradually dissipated. Before long newspaper reports were referring to his "bad boy" past, as though a domestic violence charge holds some sort of edgy cachet.
Brown's female fans set up anti-Rihanna groups on Facebook and MySpace. One poster wrote: "Chris Brown seems to be a good guy, and I really do think that she did something to set him off."
Who knows how Newton's fans will respond to the latest allegations. But mental health issues or not, Taylor is right to send an unambiguous message that there is no excuse for intimidating or abusive behaviour.
Nina Funnell is a researcher at the journalism and media research centre at the University of NSW.
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