One long weekend, two sort-of celebrities and three hours in jail - this is what happens when you put Tila Tequila with San Diego Chargers ball player, Shawne Merriman and toss in liquid refreshments.

Merriman was arrested over the weekend when Tila Tequila, reality star and whose real name is Tila Nguyen, pressed charges and accused Merriman of choking and assaulting her.  He was released three hours later and immediately spoke to the press. He has completely denied the charges and insists he was only trying to protect the woman because she was drunk and he didn’t want her to drive.

Meanwhile, Tequila released her own statement and insists she wasn’t drunk, and even goes so far as to tweet she’s allergic to alcohol. Ah, but the police say she was indeed drinking.  Classic “he said, she said and they said”, to be sure.

Late today, Nguyen tweeted, “If u or some1 u know is being abused or hit..Tell on em”.  Whatever happened to proper grammar?  FoxSports is reporting paramedics could find no injuries, marks or bruises on Nguyen.  So what happens now?  Unless formal charges are filed, nothing will happen and since Merriman was hauled in as a result of Nguyen filing a citizen’s arrest, that only makes it even more likely that nothing else will come of this.  Apparently there were many party goers nearby who witnessed what happened and more importantly, what didn’t happen.  Many interviewed by the media insist they’re ready to come forward and answer any questions the police may have that will provide an unbiased account of what transpired.

In the meantime, both sides have returned to their respective corners and with the exception of Nguyen, who apparently spends an incredible amount of time on her Twitter account, there has been no new information today. Merriman’s attorney insists his client did nothing wrong and expects the evidence will completely absolve him.

This is one for the “I’m not surprised, I should be, but nothing surprises me anymore…but I know it should because this is just insane. Nope, nothing surprises me anymore” column. In typical Hollywood fashion, drug abuse has revealed its ugly presence by exposing yet another entire family that is addicted. Ryan O’Neal and his son, Redmond, were arrested after police searched the elder O’Neal’s home and discovered crystal meth. It should be mentioned here that Ryan O’Neal denied knowing it was in his home and says he does not use drugs. Police are usually prepared and have a pretty reliable sense of who’s using long before they raid a home, so forgive me if I sound a bit jaded when I say, “Yeah. Whatever.”

There was a time when Ryan O’Neal was considered a Hollywood “must have”. Since his guest appearances on the bizarre reality show ex-wife Farrah Fawcett starred in and caused major

Father and Son Matching Portraits

embarrassment for herself, he’s been viewed as a bit kooky. And that’s being polite. He is now in his late 60s and should have enough living and wisdom under his belt to know better. His son, who has a history of drug abuse and has been arrested more times than Otis Campbell, should have learned his lesson as well. And of course, there’s the sister, Tatum O’Neal who was arrested in Chicago less than a year ago with cocaine in her possession. What has happened to the American family? Keep in mind, Tatum O’Neal is the youngest actor to have received an Oscar. Remember Paper Moon? It was her first movie and she starred in it with her father. At what point does incredibly talented family members, with accolades and promising futures become drug addicts who make headlines for the hokiest reasons? And what’s next?

And crystal meth? I realize if there is one family in this country who doesn’t have a member who is hooked, they are indeed rare. And too, I know nothing about the power of drug addiction. I have to admit, the thought of father and son sitting around smoking meth is sickening. What happened to parents who would die for their children in their efforts to protect them? Looks like Ryan O’Neal will die for his son too - and in fact, they could possibly die together if they continue down this road.

In the meantime, Ryan O’Neal released a statement through his lawyer denying ever having used meth and reiterated his insistence of having no knowledge of its presence in his home. Truth and lies become murky and it’s hard to tell where the truth lies. One thing’s for sure - I know where the shame should lie.