2nd. Article in our series Bringing Spirituality back to Hollywood
By Ozzie
Last year was a big year for celebrity scandals. We decided to look at three stars who were hit badly last year to see what happened and how they are dealing with their comeback.
Charlie Sheen seems to have topped most of last year’s top celebrity scandals. Although his troubles seem to have started in December of 2009 when he was arrested for assaulting his wife, the scandal reached its peak in 2011. Despite his many arrests and trips to rehab, CBS and Warner Bros. (the distributer and the production companies behind his hit show Two and a Half Men) supported and stood by the actor during this wild behaviour, which included trashing a hotel room on a drug and alcohol bender. However the straw that broke the camel’s back were his bizarre rants that started in January 2011 in which he insulted the show’s creator Chuck Lorre. On the 7th of March, Warner Bros. announced that Charlie had been fired. That hasn’t stopped his tirades against neither the show nor his odd statements about many other things.[1]
This however isn’t the first time Charlie Sheen has run into trouble in his career history. In 1990, he made headlines after accidently shooting his then fiancée Kelly Preston in the arm. In 1995 he was named as one of the many stars who hired call girls and he testified in the case over Heidi Fleiss’ escort agency. Despite this he still had a successful career. The down turn started shortly after this though. He was arrested in 1996 for assaulting his then girlfriend Brittany Ashland. In an effort to clean up his image Charlie announced he had found God and for a couple of years, he managed to star in a couple of successful roles but most were flops. In 1998 he was hospitalized for cocaine over dose and went to rehab. This was his lowest point in his career so far. However he made a big comeback 2000 when he took over the lead role from Michael J. Fox on the hit show Spin City and in 2003 he landed the lead road in Two and a Half Men. He had a small hit to his career when he divorced Denise Richards, who accused him of drug use but he continued to have success until his December 2009 arrest.
After his bizarre tour of his show The Torpedo of Truth: Defeat is Not an Option, which was a hit or a miss depending in which city it played at, Charlie has been relatively quiet career wise. He seems to have followed his previous comeback plan in 2000 (retreating and working on quieter projects). In June though, he will make his comeback in his new show based on the film Anger Management, which will also star Selma Blair. Hopefully this show will put him back on top again.[2]
Lindsay Lohan is another celebrity who was featured a lot in the headlines due to her on going troubles with drugs, alcohol, arrests and court dates. Her downfall started in 2006 with her partying all night and turning up late on set. The following years she has been in rehab five times, arrested and gone to jail many times. In January 2011, Lindsay completed her three month court ordered stay at the Betty Ford Centre but on the 9th of February she was charged again but this time for theft. In May she was sentenced to 120 days in jail but due to overcrowding she was put under house arrest for 35 day and she also received 480 hours of community service (360 hours to be spent at a woman’s centre and 120 hours to be spent at the county morgue). Lindsay was hauled once again back in front of the judge in October after only completing 21 hours of community service in the six months since her last court date. She was ordered to complete at least 16 hours of community service before her next hearing.
Her next court date was on the 2th of November and she was sentenced to 30 days in jail (she only served 5 hours due to overcrowding). This year on the 22nd of February she was in court once again to report on her progress. The Judge praised Lindsay for completing most of her community service. She now only has 14 more days to serve at the County Morgue and five more therapy sessions to complete. If she does all that before her next court date (29th of March) it could be her last time in front of a judge. It seems like slowly Lindsey is getting her life back on track. [3]
Career wise, things are also looking up. Although she has lost many roles over the last few year (the last being a role in the in the movie Gotti: Three Generations in 2011) she has reportedly been cast to play Elizabeth Taylor in a Lifetime’s TV movie biopic and in the next few days will do a couple of interviews and will host a Saturday Night Live episode. Although Lindsay has dabbled in various religions it seems tough love has put her back on the right track.[4]
Arnold Schwarzenegger also made a big splash in 2011 with the revelation of a love child. On the 9th of May, it was announced that he and his wife, Maria Shriver, were separating and just one week later the story broke about his affair with a member of their household staff and him fathering a child with her. [5] Although this is not the first time he has hit the headlines over a scandal (allegedly he has sexually harassed several women in his career) this one has been the biggest and it couldn’t have come at a worse time. In January, just weeks after his second term as Governor of California ended, he announced he was returning to acting. However, after the scandal broke he put a hold on his comeback for two months to focus on repairing the damage he had caused to his family. Later this year he will play a cameo role in The Expendables 2 and in 2013 he will star in three films[6]. Arnold seems to be slowly taking his time to help his comeback, which hopefully by 2013 will have blown over by then. Also him admitting and apologising for his wrong doings have helped to smooth things over too.
So it seems that to make a good comeback you need time, a bit of tough love, faith and humble pie! Hopefully this year we will see a strong return to their acting careers for our three chosen celebrities.
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First, I read the title too fast and thought it said “Scandals and SMACKDOWNS” and I got super excited!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! 🙂
Next, excellent article Ozzie! THis will be a great discussion!
Thank you, LB! I actually like the idea of a smackdown! 🙂
Ozzie, I look forward to the discussion too. I feel a laugh coming on; I will probably make comments between today and tommorrow.
I wonder whether we can do “Pop Sugar” better than “Pop Sugar.” Oh just ignore me.
I don’t know why I said that about “Pop Sugar.” I think I was embarrassed about the actor’s you mentioned because I rarely think about them yet I see them all the time. I see them all of the time but I honestly never really think of them as actors as much as I think of them as celebrities. Ozzie, why do you define these actors as celebrities when all can claim to at least have the minimal pedigree?
No need to be embarrassed! 🙂
I think they appear as celebrities (I assume you mean those who get attention not from talent but rather they’re personal lives) because their antics get them alot of tabloid attention. Where as a famous actor (which is what I like to call them rather than a celebrity because of what I’ve defined it above) tries to really on talent and not their personal lives. So in my view you are correct! They’ve let their scandals take over their talent and therefore I view them as celebrities too.
I hope that makes sense because I feel like I’ve rambled about in that explanation, lol!
Ozzie,
Obviously I can’t wait, yet I am fearing that I will start your discussion on the wrong foot, but please permit me a few questions.
Ozzie how was it that you refined this list of celebrities?
Nothing to fear at all! There are no wrong foots, just things that can lead to interesting and fun discussions! 🙂
I chose this list by people who I thought hit the headlines most this last year so they were fresh in people’s minds. Fortunately they had past scandals so we could see how they coped with them and as their problems are on going, we can see how they deal with it.
Oh a big influence was they were recent offenders. Thanks for the clarifications.
I was thinking Ben Affleck/Woody Allen/Meg Ryan are all film-making contributors who ran into big troubles and seem to be making odd comebacks of their own yet not similar.
Ozzie,
Excellent Article!
In your opinion, do you think that these three people you have mentioned genuinely want to change or are they just going through the motions to save themselves?
Also, do you recall when Charlie Sheen was going through all of his troubles with the production studio and he said something like ” Why is everyone so interested in me? People are dying for God’s sake.” Why do you think that people enjoiy scandal more than allowing themselves to be of use to their fellow human being?
(Paris,
Because most people are very selfish with such low self-esteem, they enjoy watching others suffer…IMO)
Hi Paris, LB & CR,
I think people enjoy scandal because they get enjoyment seeing others as unhappy as they are. Also, the media and certain celebs have made scandal an everyday thing audiences have become addicted to it. However, when audiences indulge in scandal media they live in fear and isolation despite being apart of these social media sites.
Hi Paris, LB and OB,
I think the emphasis on low self-esteem is really sad
I don’t want to diminish the accomplishment of the guys, yet because of her long period starring on the cover of tabloid magazines and websites like Popsugar.com, I guess Miss Lohan appears to be the most similar to that brand of celebrity. I’m sure I will contradict myself if I keep on talking.
Then I think of it again, and that “celebrity” tag sounds unfair. Even she knows or knew what her tabloid celebrity is all about.
This is Lindsey reciting her wrap sheet:
Well at least she can make fun of herself. She still has a long way to go to prove herself, IMO. BTW, she said “I never lose my cool points, just my underwear.” Shows how reporters listen.
Honestly, if it was my job to listen I think I would resist also.
Thank you Paris!
I would like to see them on the road to success but I think at the moment it’s too early to tell. Based on their past would say Charlie will bounce back, it’s just a matter of time as he seems to be a “come back king!” Arnold I think will be ok too, though why is a bit difficult to say. His first sexual harassment scandal came out right before he was elected as govenor. I guess he has that “it” factor that I can’t define. Lindsay, in my opinion will be the weakest of the three. I would love for her to get better and make a come back but I think she has a few toxic relatives which will make it difficult.
I think everyone has hit the nail on the head with why people enjoy scandals rather then help a fellow human out! It makes us feel better to know that there are others worse of than us.
Hi Everyone!
Ozzie! Wow! U get big applauds for writing and researching this article.
What’s difficult about Charlie Sheen is he’s had so many chances after not really changing his behavior. So one has to wonder if television is the problem? I mean continuing to give him television shows after claiming he is rehabilitated then he spirals out of control again. I’m sorry it does not look like another TV show is helping his problem.
Do u think people continue to give him television shows because audiences like seeing his disfunction?
Hi OB,
If I may chime in, I think most people who are rehabilitated and WANT different life, actually CREATE a different life for themselves. Even if they stay in the industry, they don’t go back to what they knew. They find those that will support their sobriety, lifestyle change, etc…and pick work that doesn’t allow them to mingle with the crowds/pressures that inevitably lead back to them falling off the wagon.
Hi Everyone,
OB, I did hear that CS is getting another show and that they are going to film it back to back with no days off so he can’t go out and have recreational time. I don’t know when this show will be starting but it may be interesting to see if it takes off.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, that’s unbelievable.
Sometimes I think of Sheen as being the most accomplished “actor” of the group, (yet I even place actor in quotations). Yet his frequent walks on the wild side are a user’s manual for what a Hollywood “bad boy” should be to maintain his tabloid attention.
To many he’s a polarizing figure. Yet many feel equally free to not take him less seriously.
This is an example of the general public’s speculation about his celebrity.
IMO, I dislike Charlie Sheen. He’s disrespectul to his employers and why he is still relevant. IDK.
ITA!! He is soooo being rewarded for being this character. If audiences cared they would do him and them a favor and not watch his show.
Negative attention is still attention. Tsk, tsk!
Thank you OB!
Good question and I think this one maybe one to keep thinking on too.
Yes, I do think they keep giving him shows because people like to see him go wild. That being said maybe it’s the only role he knows how to play well? Umm, I had a longer point on this but it’s completely disappeared!
LB, I agree with what you say about rehabilitation! Unortunately I think you have to reach rock bottom before you get to that point where your willing to do whatever it takes to get better.
Paris Part 1: It’s starting to film very soon, I think I read somewhere that it’s this month and will air July or after. I haven’t heard about the stipulations but it doesn’t surprise me though, lol! It’s based on the film Anger Management and I think he’s playing the councellor, which you would think is a change for him but it kind of isn’t! The film is worth a look just for Jack Nicholson (which would be Charlie’s role), just switch your brain off for the rest of it!
For anyone who’s not seen it, just two of many of Jack’s funniest scenes!
CR, Paris & OB part 2!: I do think he’s an absolute jerk for saying those things but I do love that song and the phrases he came out with. One of my guilty secrets! *blushes* I think it would of been alot better though if he kept the work comments to himself and somehow managed to put those phrases into his dialogue on the show but what is done is done. *shrugs*
Paris & LB,
ITA u need to change the people u hang out with to have a real shot at rehabilitation. Do u think some celebs feel peer pressure to be out of control because audiences have come to like that out of control character?
Gosh darn that’s a great question that I can’t respond to on my phone. I will come back to this.
Possibly. I’m sure I read somewhere that maybe Charlie had started off this downward spiral to live up to the role. Maybe he couldn’t get out of character either?
Lindsay I think is down to being in a bad place. I don’t think it’s down to peer pressure from the audience but more that she was very vunerable in the first place and turned to substances to escape her pain. It wouldn’t surprise me if she had peer pressure from her friends though.
Arnold? I have no idea!
I think Arnold tends to get a free pass every time he makes a scandalous mistake.
– groping his female staff
– having a baby with his house keeper
He has a number of movies scheduled to come out next year. His audience never lets him down.
http://www.ontheredcarpet.com/photos/Celebrities-who-have-been-to-rehab/7819749
In this list of celebrities, as well as the ones you mentioned, I feel a lot of compassion. I think there is something to be said of having a spiritual foundation and the support of those who help to keep you on that path. I cannot speak for those who have ever dealt with alcohol or substance abuse, but I have had my own addictions and surrounding myself with positive people made the world of difference. * When I say spiritual foundation, I am including self worth and value in the mix *
I think HW has so many different pressures that it is easy to become consumed by them.
That’s a good point you made about the difference of a spiritual foundation. Not only did I mean just religion but I meant that of self worth like you said and faith of those around you that you can pull through. So for non religious people (and for religious people too I guess), I meant a positive faith in humanity. That your not alone, that you are truly worth it and that there are good people out there who will support you and give second chances.
Hi all! This should be fun what with my internet speed! 🙂
Hi Ozzie!!!! HI Paris!!! Hi OB!!! 🙂
Hi Ozzie.
Hi CR!
Hi Ozzie!!
Everyone!
i’m going to go for the night. Take Care. :–)
Bye Paris.
Goodnight Paris!
Night Paris, thank you for coming! 🙂
You can’t get involved with Arnold’s celebrity without getting involved with his Horatio Alger story. The clip below takes you in that direction. I wouldn’t play it if you can’t stand him.
Ozzie,
Do you understand why consumers allow these “celebrities” to galvanize air time when so many more serious actors are doing great work.
A week away from the Oscars, it’s amazing how none of these figures play any role in improving the field of movie making or acting.
I assume that once again it is more entertaining to watch someone suffer more than them so you they feel better of themselves. Serious actors require people to think about the roles that they do. Unfortuanely, with low attention spans, little time and stress, the world seems to prefer to get entertainment quickly without having to think too much.
Ozzie,
What celebrities have used rehabilitation to their advantage and had successful comebacks?
LB or Ozzie,
Do celebrities comebacks ever include standard performance accomplishments like winning Emmy’s or Oscars.
What Robert Downey Jr.? He made a good comeback.
Sorry! What about RDJ?
What about Drew Barrymore?
Robert Downey Jr. and Drew Barrymore: excellent answers OB.
Well looking at that great site LB posted there’s Robin Williams, Colin Ferrell, and Kelsey Grammer. Philip Seymore Hoffman has been sober since he was 22 which I think was right at the beginning of his career. I think you could include Daniel Radcliffe kind of in the same category. Also Catherine Zeta Jones.
IMO Hollywood needs to make spiritual health apart of being an actor or celeb lifestyle just like actors and celebs need to keep their outward appearance intact.
OB,
Why do you think so many people are so afraid to get in touch with their inner demons.
Ozzie,
As per Lndsey, she has one cookie family which does NOT help at all and right now I think she could pass for twins with her mom.
Also, yes, you DO have to hit rock bottom. I think anyone that has put themselves into rehab stands a better chance than going because people say you need to. Downey Jr. is a great example of that. Hitting rock bottom in a sense is cleaning your slate for a whole new you. It is horrible at the time but the only way out is up! 🙂
She does pass as the same as age her mum doesn’t she. I’m not sure if the plastic surgery helps too. Unfortunately, her sister seems to be heading it kind of the same direction. Probably not drugs but definately plastic surgery. No one changes that much during puberty! (Of course, this is just speculation. I don’t know if they have or haven’t but they look like they have.)
Yes, her mom and her dad are pretty messed up themselves in my opinion too. I think the whole family needs to go to rehab! I do wish her the best as she has a tough battle ahead of her.
Yes, me too.
Goodnight Ozzie!
Hi LB-
Good Q! Let me see if I can answer. I think people run away from the truth because sometimes the truth is ugly and requires u to take responsibility. So people think it’s easier to avoid or hide the truth and live in denial. Also, people who like to live in denial fear being alone IMO!! I hope this answered your Q.
Well I guess I don’t live in denial because I looooove and treasure my alone time! 🙂 But yes, I do agree with you. I think truth also forces one to be vulnerable and that is a very precarious place to be. YET, it’s the most free place as you can choose to grow and develoe (particularly as an artist) or continue the spiral of despair.
LB Said: “I think truth also forces one to be vulnerable and that is a very precarious place to be. YET, it’s the most free place as you can choose to grow and develoe (particularly as an artist) or continue the spiral of despair.”
Me: Ahh! Beautifully said LB! If I may add. People who are resolved to take the easy road in life tend to avoid the truth because the truth is hard work.
People take the truth to be hard. And yes it is. /welcome to reality folks: none of us are perfect., no matter how much you pay your publicist.
Ahh! Yes, the publicist. Gotta love them. They think they are great detractors of the truth. But the truth always undermines all the work of the person they represent. Especially, if the publicist paints too drastic of a character unlike the persons actual philosophy. Eventually the person will self combust from the pressure of keeping the truth hidden. Tiger Woods is a perfect example of this.
None the less, I think many feel celebs and actors have it easy. The idea they suffer is somewhat gratifying, which is sad. Why? The general public today have no tolerance for people using entitlement to get ahead. When they see a celebrity/actor indulging in scandal/stunts for tabloids to advance their career etc… They see their work as tenuous and render them inconsequential, not worthy of respect. I think when u enter into that territory its harder to sell audiences on the idea u and your work should be taken seriously IMO.
Thanks Ozzie.
Great article.
I have to go.
Thanks CR! I’ve had fun! 🙂
Night CR!
Ok, I think I’ve replied to everyone which is great as my internet speed seems to be going slower and slower now. I think it needs a rest, lol! I have had a lot of fun! Thank you everyone for coming tonight! 🙂