US Weekly has a big article this week about Heather Locklear’s sad breakdown. I knew she was having serious substance abuse issues, but the details they gave really brought it home for me. Heather just turned 50 last year and recently split up with her fiancee, her former Melrose Place co-star Jack Wagner. She took it extremely hard and has been mixing booze with prescription drugs. We heard that she was hospitalized on January 12 with a potential overdose after she complained of stomach pains. Then the news came out that she’d had a fight with her ex Jack that had come to blows. (Heather hit him across the face, but it was supposedly in self defense when he lunged at her and tried to get her to stay. It’s hard to figure out exactly what happened.) Here’s US’ story, which just makes me feel sad for her more than anything. She’s a starlet who has taken aging and the loss of a once-hot career extremely hard. Heather has a fourteen year-old daughter with her ex, Richie Sambora, and due to Heather’s issues her daughter has been living with Richie.

It was never too early to drink for Heather Locklear. About twice a week, she would leave her house in Westlake Village, California, throw on a pair of dark sunglasses and head to her favorite watering hole along. “She come in around 10:30, 11, sit by the bar and have two or three vodkas on the rocks, easy,” an eyewitness tells Us. “She always seemed so sad and lost…”

“Heather has been a mess for the last several months,” says an insider. And her drinking only escalated after she and her beau of four years, Jack Wagner, split in November, calling off their three-month engagement. “She doesn’t get out of bed most days,” says the source. The situation was so dire, in fact, that her daughter, Ava, 14 has been living with her Bon Jovi rocker dad, Locklear’s ex-husband Richie Sambora. Now that Locklear is home from the hospital, says the source, “her family is terrified. They think she’ll hit rock bottom before she finally admits she needs serious help.”

[From US Weekly, print edition, January 30, 2012]

US goes on to remind us that Heather has been in rehab twice, in 2008 and 2010, and that she even secretly went to rehab in the past few months after she split with Jack. They quote an insider who says “Her drinking led to the demise of their relationship. [Jack] begged her to go to rehab. She entered a treatment program [after their split], which her family was able to keep quiet. But she didn’t take it seriously.”

As for Heather’s career, their insider says “She’s very Hollywood. It drove her crazy that she never hit another big moment after the 90s. She’s always been very emotional. When people saw her as washed up, that made her crazy.”

Heather has a lot of family and friends around her who are trying to get her into rehab, and I’m hoping they’re successful and that she can find some meaning in life. Her identity was so caught up in being a beautiful bitchy TV star that it seems like she’s never been able to move past that.

The article has an inset story about how Richie Sambora and Denise Richards have split up – yet again. They also claim that the fact that these two rekindled their relationship just led Heather to drink more. I’m thinking that US’ source is Denise Richards. She used to be best friends with Heather and was her neighbor for a while. Denise claimed that she was no longer friends with Heather – and that Heather and Richie were separated – when she first hooked up with Richie in 2006. She used to talk about it constantly.

Heather is shown with her daughter at the Breaking Dawn premiere on 11-14-11. Denise is shown on 1-17-12 at The Grove with Maria Menounos on “Extra!” She is promoting her new bag and shoe line. Credit: WENN and FameFlynet

Less than a week ago, Heather Locklear’s family called 911 and Heather ended up being hospitalized overnight after an alleged overdose, a mixture of alcohol and pills. There are different versions of the story, so I’m just going with People Mag’s version, which seems close to official – I think People has good sources in Heather’s family. People claimed that Heather was “out of control” last Thursday night after drinking heavily at a Lakers game and then going home and taking pills. One of the reasons for this relapse (Heather had similar problems in 2008) seems to be her broken engagement to Jack Wagner. Sources tell People that Jack is sober, and he disliked Heather’s continued usage of drugs and alcohol. People reported yesterday that Heather’s friends and family are encouraging her to go back into rehab (she went in 2008):

The initial scare is over. Now comes a difficult question for Heather Locklear.

After the Melrose Place actress was briefly hospitalized for reportedly mixing prescription drugs and alcohol, friends and family are hoping she’ll seek rehab, sources tell PEOPLE.

“She’s weighing her options right now,” says one source. “Her family is all over her with concern, and that’s a hard thing to hear.”

According another source, her battles with alcohol “go back a long time” but that “she was able to handle it and be in social situations and just fine.”

But turning 50 and having her engagement to Jack Wagner end has only exacerbated longtime insecurities, says the source. Then came the 911 call from her sister on Jan. 12.

[From People]

In a trashier addendum to this story, Radar/Star Mag is reporting this week that the catalyst for last week’s breakdown was a fight Heather had with Jack Wagner:

It has been anything but a happy new year for troubled actress Heather Locklear, and the new issue of Star magazine has exclusive details on the former Melrose Place star’s recent meltdown.

Just days before being rushed to the hospital on January 12, the 50-year-old beauty had a blowout altercation with ex-fiancé, Jack Wagner, after he drove to her Sherman Oaks, California home to return some belongings.

“A huge argument erupted as they insulted each other’s families,” a source exclusively told Star. “As Heather went to her car, Jack lunged at her, trying to grab or push her. Her reaction was to swing. She caught Jack with a right hook across his face, knocking him to the ground.”

Wagner, 52,t hen put his hands around her and Heather slammed into the car, while he ran into the house, revealed the insider. Locklear quickly fled, but not before grabbing Jack’s dog and putting it in the car.

According to Star’s source, the drama didn’t end there. The police arrived and after speaking to them both they realized the gash across Wagner’s face was caused in self defense. “Heather didn’t want to press charges, so she left.”

The former co-stars called off their engagement in November after being together since 2007, and it’s been downhill for Heather ever since.

To manage her anxiety, “She used her doctor-prescribed pills…[and] would have an occasional drink to calm her nerves,” but as RadarOnline.com previously reported, the mixture of drugs and alcohol concerned her family and caused worried sister Colleen to call 911.

[From Radar]

Good God, this is a hot mess. Heather is in a different position than most of the “starlets” who have similar hot-mess/drug problems though – Heather seems to have a lot of people around her who care about her well-being. I hope she’s listening to her family, and I hope she’s thinking about the messages she’s been sending to her daughter Ava, who is only 14 years old.

Photos courtesy of WENN.

Back in August, the tabloids started reporting that Heather Locklear and Jack Wagner were engaged. I believed it, and just days later, Heather confirmed it. Heather and Jack have known each other since Melrose Place, and their friendship became a romance years ago, after Heather’s marriage to Richie Sambora was over (circa 2006). Jack and Heather have always seemed like a surprisingly solid couple, and I was happy that they were planning on getting married. So, bad news! Heather and Jack called off their engagement! But! They’re not saying that Jack and Heather are over as a couple. Isn’t that usually what happens when an engagement is called off though?

Heather Locklear and Jack Wagner’s Melrose Place characters wed on TV almost a decade ago, but there is no real-life marriage in the works for the actors who played Amanda Woodward and Peter Burns.

“Jack and Heather are no longer engaged,” Locklear’s rep tells PEOPLE.

The longtime couple, who got engaged in August, had Locklear’s daughter Ava’s stamp of approval.

“Ava was so excited when we told her,” Locklear, 50, told PEOPLE shortly after the big announcement. “She hugged Jack, said congratulations, and she immediately wanted to see the ring. Then she ran and Facebooked her new stepbrother.”

The actress was previously married to rockers Tommy Lee (1986 to 1993) and Richie Sambora (1994 to 2006).

[From People]

Yeah, Heather has a teenage daughter and Jack has a teenage son, and Jack has previously discussed the difficult logistics of blending their families, but still… I thought they would be able to make it work. So what else could have been an issue? Maybe it’s because Heather has been overdoing the Botox and fillers lately? But Heather was at the premiere of Breaking Dawn two nights ago, and her face is looking much better these days (photos below). So what’s really going on here? Hmmm…

Here are the pics of Heather and her daughter Ava at the Breaking Dawn premiere. Ava is a pretty girl – I see her being “Miss Golden Globe” sometime soon. Heather really looks great too – bitch is 50! Amazing.

Photos courtesy of WENN.

Heather Locklear and Jack Wagner have been dating for over four years now, and a new round of engagement rumors started up just last month. Whether or not the two are actually planning upon walking down the aisle remains a mystery, but In Touch is elaborating upon the story with an interesting embellishment. Allegedly, Jack is enamored not only with Heather but also with reality television too. Also, perhaps he might have gathered a few dollar signs in his head after watching Kim Kardashian’s wedding, which has earned her an ungodly amount of money? That’s what The Enquirer seems to believe:

“The thought of letting cameras in her home … fills her with dread.”

Soap star Jack Wagner and wife-to-be Heather Locklear are in a bitter showdown over doing reality TV — and she’s angrily threatening to call off the wedding. “Jack is a big fan of reality TV and has noticed how celebrities have been cashing in by letting camera crews into their homes,” a friend of Heather’s told THE ENQUIRER.

‘He’s excited to jump on the reality bandwagon and asked Heather to star in a show following their joys and troubles in the run-up to their big day next summer.”

Jack, 51, believes that a reality show, which would also feature his two sons and Ava — Heather’s daughter with rocker Richie Sambora — has the makings of a ratings winner.

But Heather, 49, feels she is above reality TV and despises the idea of a film crew intruding into their daily life, disclosed the friend.

“She considers herself a serious actress, and the thought of letting lights and cameras into her home in the morning before she puts on her makeup really fills her with dread. Heather told Jack that she’ll pull the plug on the wedding if he persists with the idea.”

Another source noted that Heather’s life is back on track after her struggles with substance abuse, “and she doesn’t need a reality TV show creating more drama than necessary.

“She prefers to spend her time acting, being amother and playing golf with Jack rather than putting her entire life on display.”

[From Enquirer, print edition, September 12, 2011]

I really hope this isn’t true because I don’t want to believe that Jack would be stupid enough to jeopardize his relationship with Heather over a lame reality show. And I don’t blame her one bit for not wanting any part of it either. While Heather isn’t and never will be some Oscar-caliber actress, she’s always been very successful on television and has singlehandedly saved a number of shows merely by virtue of her presence. Jack needs to realize that he’s incredibly lucky to have landed her and just be happy with that. Several million other guys would love to be in his place, I’m sure.

Photos courtesy of WENN

Several days ago, Heather Locklear and her boyfriend of four years, Jack Wagner, made an appearance at a charity event in London. The photos of Heather exiting the event made headlines simply because she was wearing a little black dress that made her boobs look big. Now, people who have had a passing interest in Heather’s career may remember that she’s always had a surprisingly large rack for her slender frame. No matter! The internet was abuzz with boob job rumors. Eh, maybe they’re right, but I don’t see it. Her rack looks real to me, and I think they just got bigger because she gained some weight. Now, her face… that’s a different story. Back in March of this year, I said that she was overdoing the Botox and fillers. I stand by that, but I do think she looks a little deflated now, like she’s eased up on them somewhat.

Anyway, I kind of just wanted to use these photos, but there is news about Heather! In Touch Weekly claims – in this week’s issue – that Heather and Jack Wagner are engaged! It’s probably not true, though. Back in February, there was another round of engagement rumors, and Jack told E! News, “I think if you’ve been together as long as we’ve been together and you’re not married, it’s like, What’s going on? Is this Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell? The reality is she has a 13-year-old daughter and I have a 16-year-old son. To try to put two families together, everything has to be in place to do that. It’s more about…doing the right thing for the kids. That’s kind of what our focus is right now.” So I doubt anything has changed since then, but here’s hoping! I would love it if they got married. I love them together.

Photos courtesy of WENN & Fame.

Denise Richards is making the rounds to promote her memoir, The Real Girl Next Door, which she takes great pains to explain is not a Charlie Sheen-bashing book but, instead, will share their beautiful love story. She really could’ve spared us that detail, but Denise has also been very busy lately adopting a baby girl and holding a baby shower. Plus, she’s currently in the midst of her morning show tour. These photos are of Denise outside her visit to FOX studios, and it looks like someone got a wee bit carried away with the sparkly arm stuff. I love the color and swishiness of the dress, but Denise looks like she’s auditioning for a role as Breaking Dawn extra:

In addition, Denise also popped over to the “Today” show and chatted for awhile with Matt Lauer about her book:

On Her Relationship With Charlie Sheen: Well, everyone asks me why I married him, which I get into in the book. but — and the man I fell in love with is very compassionate, humble, has a wonderful heart, and the behavior that a lot of us saw in the last six months is not the person that I met and fell in love with. The details of our actual divorce are private between Charlie and I. I get into, in the book, more about how I felt. I think a lot of women and men who are going through divorce can relate to the feelings of being angry and scared and guilty and whatever. That’s what I wanted to touch on and hopefully be relatable to other people instead of the details of what actually happened.

On Shielding Her Daughters From The Warlock Phenom: As far as the media, I shield them completely but there’s a few things they would hear, you know, through other kids. And there was a point where I — the recent stuff of everything that we all saw on the shows and all of that I did not discuss. But I did have to have a conversation with them about addiction and got a book to read to them because I was just lying to them so much and covering up and telling lies. It was just getting too confuse confusing that I needed to sit down with them.

I think it’s too early. They’re so young. I think that they — the book is written for children, so I think they did comprehend some of it. As they get older, they’ll learn more as needed. But I told them enough that they needed right then. I think for them to make sense of some things that were going on.

On Rumors That She Broke Up Heather Locklear and Richie Sambora’s Marriage: It was extremely difficult. And if I did break up a marriage or have an affair I would — I’ve been through so much, I would admit it and take it on the chin and admit my mistakes. I could have handled that situation different. But the fact of the matter is he was divorced, I was divorced, and then, you know, we got together and that was what happened. I get into a little bit of that.

On Why She Wrote The Book: I went through so much. I couldn’t get a job. I was dealing with my mom dying who did die. I was going through a horrible divorce. All these awful headlines. And it was a very difficult time. And also with Richie, his father was diagnosed with cancer two weeks after my mom and they both had passed away shortly, you know, after that. So it was very hard. I want someone who is going through a decision, whether it’s divorce, lost their job, whatever it is, and you feel — I hit rock bottom. And to have hope that you can get to the other side and there is light at the end of the tunnel.

On Whether She’s Worried About Charlie: Of course. He’s the father of our daughters, and I still care very much for him and want him well. But he’s also a survivor and if anyone can pull themselves together, it’s Charlie.

[From Today]

I give major props to Denise for her continued attempts to maintain diplomatic relations with the likes of Mr. Deluded Tigerblood. It’s always difficult to put on friendly airs with an ex-spouse for the benefit of the children, and I can’t even imagine how awful it would be to do so when that ex just happens to be Charlie Sheen. One day, Sam and Lola will grow up and read about their father’s unhinged, drugged-up behavior, and they’ll realize that their mother was doing the correct thing by protecting them from the spectacle during their formative years. So Charlie isn’t and will never be truly “winning” in life or as a parent. Denise is the real winner here.

Here’s video from the “Today” appearance as well:

Photos courtesy of WENN

Less than two weeks ago, Ashlee Simpson and Colin Egglesfield were rather cruelly dumped from Melrose Place by producers. I don’t watch the show, but I’ve heard from multiple sources that Ashlee sucked big time, and was the weakest character and actress. In a report that seemed to originate in last week’s Star Magazine, it might seem that Ashlee was thrown off the show at the behest of Heather Locklear, who Star claimed: “For a sunshiny California girl, she sure has ice running through her veins.” Oh, yes. Because no one can deny a good catfight:

Heather Locklear doesn’t just play a bitch on TV! We hear the seasoned actress, who starred in the original Melrose Place, got into the mother of all catfights with actress-singer Ashlee Simpson on the set of the of The CW’s Melrose revival, as a rivalry ensued over who would be the show’s official “Queen Bee”. When the dust settled, Heather was the last the woman standing, Star Magazine claims in its Nov. 9 issue.

While producers insist Ashlee’s departure is storyline-dictated, production insiders tell Star the 25-year-old wife and mother was railroaded by an envious Heather, who was gunning for Ashlee from the moment she arrived on set for an “Amanda Returns” guest arc airing next month.

“Heather was jealous of Ashlee immediately,” says an insider. “She knew Ashlee was one of the bigger names on set, and she wanted her gone so she could make it her show. Heather is very political and calculating…”

On Oct. 22, The CW abruptly announced that Ashlee along with co-star Colin Egglesfield had been booted from the show. Producers are hoping Heather’s familiar face will be a show-saving draw for the critically-panned and ratings-challenged Melrose 2.0. Informants say that’s precisely why bosses had no problem ditching Ashlee — who will exit her role as Violet Foster — after 48-year-old Heather complained she’d been poking fun of her age to other members of the cast and crew.

“She was a thorn in Heather’s side from the beginning. Ashlee came off as insincere and a wannabe diva….Her lack of talent didn’t help her…She feels like a fool.”

Heather Locklear reprises her role as Amanda on The CW’s Melrose Place Nov. 17.

[From PopCrunch via Oh No They Didn’t]

I might believe this, but I’ve actually seen Heather interviewed many times, and she seems like a total professional – maybe not the nicest person ever, but not the kind of person to burn bridges or disrespect coworkers. GossipCop claims the report is bullsh-t too, but I’ve been wary of Gossip Cop since they seem stuck up Lindsay Lohan’s cracked-out ass. But one story I do believe is this one from the National Enquirer - they claim that Ashlee is “devastated” with her firing, and that her whole life is sort of falling apart:

Pals fear Ashlee Simpson-Wentz is teetering on the edge of an emotional breakdown after Melrose Place eviction. The rail-thin 25-year-old singer/actress is devastated after being axed from the cast of Melrose just two months into the season.

“Ashlee didn’t see it coming, and now she’s crushed,” divulged an insider. “She invested her heart and soul into the job. She feels like the rug has been pulled out from under her.”

The CW network abruptly announced on Oct. 22 that Ashlee’s character Violet was being booted – along with co-star Colin Egglesfield, who plays Auggie. At the same time, the network said it would order a full season of the show. Even before getting dropped by the show, Ashlee was going through a tough time.

“She is struggling to hold her marriage together, dealing with motherhood and practically starving herself to look good,” said the insider.

As The ENQUIRER previously reported Ashlee had been crash dieting and stressing about how she measures up to her gorgeous co-stars. The 5-foot-6 performer, who gave birth to son Bronx Mowgli in November 2008, is extremely thin, and she’s been substituting Red Bull energy drinks and nuts for meals, say those close to her.

“Ashlee’s friends are concerned that she’s headed for an emotional meltdown,” said the insider. “She was desperate to establish herself as a serious actress, but now she’s worried that she’s failing.”

The situation isn’t much better on the home front – Ashlee and rocker husband Pete Wentz, who married in May 2008, have hit a rough patch. The day Ashlee learned she was getting canned, Pete was partying at a charity event while his wife stayed at home, caring for their sick baby.

“Ashlee is jealous of the groupies who throw themselves at Pete, and Pete is frustrated with Ashlee’s obsession with her looks and her career,” added the insider.

[From The National Enquirer]

Don’t you see how this could be true? All of it? Ashlee thinks she’s the second coming of Josie Bissett (sigh… I miss Jane from the original Melrose Place), Ashlee diets herself into oblivion, her husband is too busy getting tattoos of dudes, and everything seems to be falling apart. It totally sucks for her, and yet… I feel nothing, really. I mean, I don’t hate Ashlee, but it is sort of funny. I guess it’s cracking me up a little because this Melrose Place gig wasn’t really that big of a deal, you know? But I could see how Ashlee would be totally devastated. Poor girl.

Photos below are courtesy of The CW

Earlier today Celebitchy had me watch the first ten minutes of the new Melrose Place, and I’m embarrassed to admit I sorta liked it. I watched the original back in the day, but that normally involved sneaking up to the rec room and keeping the volume so low I could only catch every third word, all in an attempt to evade my mother. Nine times out of ten she caught me and got pissed, but it was worth it for the drama. I did the same thing with 90210 and Silence of the Lambs when it was on TV. Sometimes you have to be willing to take the consequences for really trashy and/or cannibalistic television. And boy did I.

Anyway, it had to be genuinely entertaining for me to risk all that, and Melrose Place always delivered. I didn’t have high hopes for the new version but it was actually very good in that slick, entertaining way. They’re not totally trying to rehash the first version, it’s more like a jumping off point. Which doesn’t mean they won’t bring back old characters. And finally, (finally!) the original Melrose b*tch, Heather Locklear, has been confirmed to return to the new version.

As Us Weekly previously reported, Heather Locklear is returning to Melrose Place, it was announced Tuesday.

Locklear, 47, will reprise her role as scheming ad vixen Amanda Woodward on the new CW version of the show. She will make her debut appearance Nov. 17.

“We’re ecstatic to have the chance to bring Amanda Woodward back to Melrose Place,” executive producers Todd Slavkin & Darren Swimmer said in a statement. “Heather’s involvement in the show is something we’ve been working on for some time as we couldn’t imagine creating and producing this show without the iconic character’s inclusion.”

An insider told Us Weekly that Locklear saw a pilot of the show — which stars Ashlee Simpson-Wentz — and “was surprised at how much she like it.”

The source said the role is a “a great comeback” for the actress, who faced a DUI charged that was later dismissed and sought treatment for anxiety last year. Said the source: “She is in great spirits and good shape. This is a perfect time to show everyone how well she is doing.

Details are mum on Locklear’s role. She was last seen with Peter (played by real-life love Jack Wagner — who’s not expected to return) faking her own death on the 1999 finale.

Original cast members Josie Bissett, Thomas Calabro, Laura Leighton and Daphne Zuniga have also signed back on for the show.

[From Us Weekly]

I think Heather Locklear and I had the exact same reaction. I mean redoing this particular show just sounds like it’s going to be nothing but cheesy. Not that the first one was anything so epically wonderful, but it was fun in that trashy way. And it looks like the new version is the same thing, but fun in its own, 2009 trashy way. I think it’d be a mistake for them to focus too much on the original plots and characters – not enough time has gone by. But putting their own spin on it seems to be working.

From Us’ phrasing, it sounds like Heather had probably previously turned down the show not just because of money (she supposedly wanted $100,000 an episode) but worries about quality. She was definitely the most popular character and getting her back is the biggest score for the new show. I have complete confidence that if anyone can play Amanda Woodward as bitchily as ever, it’s Heather. And she’ll definitely add some legitimacy to the new Melrose too.

Of all the former cast members that could sign on for the “Melrose Place” remake, people seemed most excited about the possibility of Heather Locklear reprising her infamous role as super bitchy Amanda Woodward. However she ultimately passed on the project, leaving everyone wondering why. It’s not like her career is really blossoming right now – her last role was in “Flirting with Forty,” a made-for-TV-movie. You’d think she’d be chomping at the bit for a reoccurring role on a show that’s already getting so much attention, but apparently that’s not the case.

So what made Locklear pass? $100,000. Or rather, the lack of it.

Rumor has it Heather Locklear demanded too much moolah to land her a spot on the updated “Melrose Place,” but is it true?

Ka-ching! According to a report, Locklear wanted $100,000 per episode to reprise her role as bad girl Amanda Woodward, but the network wouldn’t pay her even half the dough she requested! Melrose Place does not intersect with Easy Street!

[From Extra]

The National Enquirer says that former co-star Lisa Rinna has been absolutely begging Heather to sign on to the show. Lisa’s desperate to be cast, and even went so far as to wear a sandwich board on Robertson Blvd in Los Angeles. It read, “HONK FOR LISA RINNA ON THE NEW MELROSE PLACE!” It got her some attention, but she still hasn’t been offered a spot on the show.

“Lisa thinks if Heather takes the part it will open the door for other former cast members,” a source says.

But as The Enquirer has reported, Heather turned down a deal to reprise her role as ad agency head Amanda Woodward. She expected a paycheck of at least $100,000 per episode and was disappointed with her proposed story lines, sources say.

“Lisa has phoned Heather at least a dozen times, trying to persuade her to overlook the salary and story line issues,” the source says.

“She keeps reminding Heather about all the good times the old cast had, and she’s trying to convince Heather it will be a great career move for her.

“But Heather vows she won’t budge unless the show’s execs meet her demands.

[From the National Enquirer, April 13, 2009, print ed.]

I’m sort of surprised Heather Locklear feels she can be so picky. It’s not as though the offers are rolling in, as far as I can tell. Or maybe they are, and she has been picky, and that’s why she’s only doing a few projects here and there.

It’s too bad Heather passed, because I think she’s really the only way the show will be successful. But to be fair, Lisa Rinna was asking her to overlook a lot. Money and bad plot lines? However Locklear would have gotten a lot of press for it, and Rinna was right – it would have helped Heather’s career. Something tells me there’s another TV movie in her near future.

Here’s Heather filming “Flirting with 40″ in Hawaii on May 1st. Images thanks to PR Photos.com.

Actress Heather Locklear was picked up on suspicion of Driving Under the Influence in September. The circumstances of the case were always a bit fishy – a known paparazzi who’d been following Heather around for months called the cops – and it was clear from the beginning that Heather would fight the charges. I would, too, if that mugshot got out. Anyway, Heather has pled to a lesser charge of reckless driving and the DUI charge has been dropped. Heather’s lawyer was none other than Blair Berk, who represented and worked out beneficial plea agreements for Mel “Sugartits” Gibson in his famous DUI debacle, as well as Heather’s ex-husband, Ritchie Sambora.

Heather Locklear just got her driving under the influence case dismissed, and she’s pled to a much lesser offense.

Heather pled no contest to reckless driving, a misdemeanor. She’ll be placed on three years informal probation, pay a $700 fine, and she must attend a 12-hour drug education course.

Heather was arrested last September after she was allegedly driving under the influence of prescription meds. The D.A. says Locklear’s blood tests showed prescription drugs were indeed in her system. No alcohol was involved.

Score one more for the unbeatable Blair Berk, who seems to work mini-miracles for some of these celebs who cross the legal line. Berk was in Santa Barbara court this AM for the plea. Locklear was not there.

[From TMZ]

Ah, to be rich and famous and never have to pay for your mistakes. That’s the life. Any regular person living in a normal town who was driving erratically with prescription drugs in their system probably would have served some jail time by now – but Hollywood has its own bizarre justice system that us little people aren’t supposed to understand. Anyway, I hope Heather has learned her lesson and doesn’t get behind the wheel while whacked out on pills ever again.