The excessive coverage of the scandal signals that the news media may have finally hit/reached 'the bottom of the barrel'.
Salaries in the industry are scraping/hitting 'the bottom of the barrel'. [=salaries in the industry are very low]
Several people have lost their jobs recently, so the office isn't exactly a 'barrel of laughs' these days.
(..) Well, did you want me to go to that? You're always telling me not to have fun at those things. Yes. We might even snatch a gift from the charity barrel. Oh. Okay, well-well, I think Ann's parents are having their party on Bethlehem time... which is pretty early, so maybe I can make an appearance. (..)2004 TvShow: Arrested Development Title: Afternoon Delight Season: 2 Episode 6
(..) but he didn't, and neither do you. Hey, nobody laughed louder than me at any joke about Dad. Merry Christmas. You can go ahead and put that right in the charity barrel. Thanks a lot. Sorry, pal. We just can't have them resent us. that George has been into the kitty- - (..)2004 TvShow: Arrested Development Title: Afternoon Delight Season: 2 Episode 6