The Morning After Show Blog: July 2007

Young Hollywood starlet with an affinity for boozing it up decides to chase her former assistant (who had just been dismissed that night) while drunk. Despite the SCRAM anklet and the cocaine in her pocket, she navigates her Denali towards the fleeing Escalade. Is this a girl gone out of control or the unfortunate byproduct of fame and fortune? It's both. Clearly, Lindsey Lohan has some potential addiction issues she should work out. However, why is it such a big deal to us? Is it because we love to watch the once-mighty stumble? Do we need the misfortune of the rich and famous to feel better about our own possible missteps? Is this just a carnival exhibit, a freak show being played out in the tabloids?

Already in deep hot water for past DUIs, this epitome of teenage wasteland made the decision to drive drunk with coke in her pocket. Not somebody else's coke, like the booger sugar they found in her last police incident...but her own. Anyone who couldn't see themself living a life of excess in Young Hollywood isn't being too honest, but without limits? Live fast, die young, leave a great-looking corpse...is that the name of the game? Britney Spears is melting down at photo shoots, Paris Hilton is back in the party scene after her brief incarceration, and Lindsey makes a 3-day transformation like this:

Honestly, I know what it's like first-hand to find yourself in a situation where you've got disposable income, an opportunity to endulge, and a "party crowd" that is more than happy to enable you to get in the game. Knowing when to say "enough" is vital to staying alive and employed. If Lindsey Lohan already had an addictive personality, her status as an actress and party favor likely did nothing to intensify her desire to stay grounded. Throw into the mix a Springer-esque home life and a nasty split between mom and dad and you've got the next E! True Hollywood story.

You might not feel bad for Lindsey Lohan, but I do. I wish that she had just a few people around her who could have at least tried to intervene. She's obviously close to the ledge and there doesn't seem to be anyone who can help her step back. I'm sure she's not alone in her penchant for the cocaine, but most of Young Hollywood seems to do a damn good job of keeping it out of the media. Granted, nobody else has as big of a bullseye across her ample bosom...but Lindsey sure does make it easy for the tabloids.

If all the charges stick, she could do a few years behind bars. She'll probably end up doing a few months. She's currently in another rehab facility, hopefully one a bit more effective than the one that she checked into just last week. We've all got our demons to wrestle with, and this young starlet is no exception. Let Lindsey Lohan's alarming irresponsibility inspire you to keep yourself in check. There's nothing wrong with going out with friends and wanting to release your inhibitions. I make the personal choice not to drink simply because I know how irresponsible and sloppy I get once I've had a few. Still, I enjoy being around people in various states of inebriation...but I enjoy it a lot more when I don't have to drive them home, watch them puke, or worry about who they might have killed on the way home.

As rough as the road ahead looks for La Lohan, at least she's got it a tad easier than Lane Garrison. He played "Tweener" on Prison Break, a brilliant show on FOX. One night of drinking and drugging turned fatal for Lane, and he killed 2 underaged kids and left one paralyzed after he crashed his SUV. He'll be sentenced in a short while, and I hope all the girls growing up idolizing Paris and Lindsey can at least hear about how the rest of his life is screwed up because he didn't make responsible choices. Blind hope, perhaps, but in this crazy world...sometimes that's all we've got.