[yonif]

Can you explain why Mel's name is in the title and not his father's name?

For the same reason it is like that when it is talked about relatives of celebrities or important people. It catches people's attention, and people usually know who is being talked about.

Reagan's son talks about his abuse

Lieberman backs Bush's brother in case of comatose woman

Bush's younger brother quizzed over $2m deal (Neil Bush)

[ladyjane]

For the same reason it is like that when it is talked about relatives of celebrities or important people.

The technique is used frequently to discredit the well known person. Your examples illustrate this use very well.