Lohan's losing streak

Lindsay Lohan needs to fire her agent (the one responsible for "I know Who Killed My Career"), sideline her mom (though night-clubbing Dina already seems preoccupied with turning younger sister, Ali, into a star), and her manager (the one who set up this week's nude shoot for New York magazine).

It's a massive coup for New York magazine. But the biggest loser in all this isn't Playboy, Maxim, or Vanity Fair (for the latter, NY mag's scoop must hurt worse than the premature cancellation of the VF Oscar shindig.) It's Lindsay herself.

Not sure what she hopes to gain by baring all (a few Chiffon scarves are "tastefully" used in a few shots, but they're just the Empress's new clothes). It's shot by photographer Bert Stern as a homage to the shots he did of Marilyn Monroe, and therefore ostensibly more artful than anything in the Hugh Hefner portfolio. But what kind of statement is Lindsay hoping to make with all this? That she's all growed up now? Anyone who has passed through a supermarket check out over the past year knows that her Disney days are long gone. Is this a way to deflect conversation about her rehab days? Mission accomplished -- for about a day or two. Ultimately, it just fuels the "girl gone wild" reputation when she should be focusing her efforts on reminding people how talented she is. Is it a bid for some sort of cred? A lot of guys will enjoy this pictorial at night, but they won't respect you in the morning, m'dear.

Is she hoping to compare herself to Monroe, of whom she claims to be a big fan? Monroe was an icon. Lohan isn't, at least not yet, though she's a far more versatile actress than the blonde bombshell.

Another interview excerpt: “Here is a woman who is giving herself to the public,” Lohan said, about the Monroe photos, when we spoke the next day by phone. “She’s saying, ‘Look, you’ve taken a lot from me, so why don’t I give it to you myself.’ She’s taking control back.”

I'm not so sure about that, Lindsay. As a movie star, you give yourself to the public as a career -- and you've given a lot, including all the travails of your private life. Isn't it time you kept something for yourself? That's taking control back.