"They Say I'm Crazy, But I Have a Good Time..."

Apparently, Nicholas Cage was arrested in the Big Easy this morning. He was charged with disturbing the peace ("Alice's Restaurant" style) and domestic abuse while filming a movie in New Orleans, and is scheduled to appear in court on May 31. Now, I know there are a lot of folks out there who hate on Nick Cage because of his acting, but let me just say that when properly cast - either as a recidivist hick, a tormented baker, or a treasure hunter - Nick Cage does a fabulous job. So I'm sort of hoping he can get his act together and keep from going downhill, as many of his celebrity predecessors have done in the past.

We have an odd fascination in this country with the misdeeds and shenanigans of celebrities. Why? I have no idea. The answer a lot of people give is that we love to see people more successful and talented than ourselves suffer and fall apart, but I think that answer is pretentious, disturbing, and totally beneath the human race, so I'm not going to back it up. Honestly, I think we just love good stories - and the fact is, a lot of those good stories start with mug shots. 

Below I have included a fascinating collection of celebrity mug shots. These photos prove the old adage, a picture's worth a thousand words. So come on, take a look - you know you can't help yourself. :)

LEFT: Legendary comic George Carlin, taken after he was arrested for performing his famous, groundbreaking comic routine about the Seven Dirty Words You Can't Say on Television. Sure, quite a few of these words are acceptable to say on TV today. But back then, something like this was considered pretty saucy.

RIGHT: Iconic blues singer (and member of the 27 club) Janis Joplin, taken after she was arrested for yelling obscenities during a concert. Charges against her were later dropped after it was determined that her tirades were an exercise in free speech. Seriously, if I had a nickel for everyone who was arrested for free speech issues in the '60s, I could buy Janis's fabulous car and turn it into my very own furniture set.

LEFT: Super talented former child star Haley Joel Osment, taken after crashing his car and subsequently being charged with drunk driving and marijuana possession. Osment has had quite a history of struggles with drugs and alcohol, but he has since cleaned up his act something fierce. Initially, he enrolled in a mandatory alcohol education class - as well as rehab - and, in 2010, graduated from the esteemed Tisch School of the Arts in NYC.

RIGHT: This one just tickles me. This is Bill Gates, folks - before he owned half the universe as the second richest man on the planet, Bill was just a nerdy kid who sometimes violated traffic laws. A kid just like you. If that carefree, slightly prophetic smile doesn't warm your heart, I simply don't know what will.

LEFT: And for our finale, Glenn Frey - nabbed for drug possession and public drunkenness. I chose the Eagles' front man to conclude this collection because one of his band members, Joe Walsh, wrote a song in 1978 that epitomizes the dark but humorous side of fame, "Life's Been Good." It's not only a great tune, but a truthful testament to the wild lives of celebrities. 

[Video: YouTube; mug shots: thesmokinggun.com]