Johnny Grant, the longtime Hollywood showman and Tinseltown's unofficial mayor, has seen a lot of star antics over the decades.
But from his penthouse apartment atop the trendy Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, Grant, 84, said he's not happy about what he's seeing today -- especially amid investigations focusing on underage starlets partying at Hollywood hot spots.
"They're out of hand today," Grant said. "They used to be much more discreet. Studios used to control their images. Each studio had somebody who sat by the phone in case people got in trouble."
So went the finger-pointing Wednesday on Hollywood Boulevard and the Sunset Strip as the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board was poised to investigate the case of actress Lindsay Lohan, who was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after what tabloids and paparazzi said was a night of partying.
ABC spokesman John Carr said that after the Beverly Hills Police Department provides evidence that alcohol was in Lohan's system, the agency would try to determine whether the 20-year-old actress was illegally served liquor. Police have only said that Lohan's blood-alcohol level was over the .08 legal limit after her arrest early Saturday.
"ABC's protocol is to look at where the alcohol came from," Carr said. "From our standpoint, we have to regulate whoever sells alcohol. Underage drinking is a huge priority of ours."
ABC is seeking a 15-day closure of the club Mood on Hollywood Boulevard after photos last year showed several underage stars, including Lohan and singer Jesse McCartney, partying there.
An attorney for Mood said the bar has become a scapegoat and that more focus should be given to how underage patrons get fake identifications and why their parents don't better monitor their behavior.
"Put the blame where blame should be, with the minor," said attorney Stephen Solomon, adding the club diligently checks the IDs of all young-looking patrons. "That's the person you should worry about going after."
Officials in West Hollywood said they hope the Lohan case serves as a cautionary tale for bars.
Mayor Pro-Tem Jeff Prang said businesses roll the dice if they allow underage celebrities to drink in their establishments.
"Their cachet comes with having 18-year-old celebrities in their bar," Prang said. "The problem is it's a really bad business plan."
