DEAR STACY: I would like to know what former "Scandal" star Columbus Short is up to, what with his all his arrests and reported substance abuse problems. I'm sorry to see such a talented performer go into a downward spiral. — Wayne E., New Port Richey, Florida

DEAR WAYNE: Short is starring as the drug lord in the currently shooting film adaptation of Teri Woods' "True To The Game." He also has a villainous role in "The Wannabes" in the pipeline. Arrested by bounty hunters at his own album release party this past summer, the "Stomp the Yard" and "Cadillac Records" star was reported to have cleared up his "financial misunderstanding" with the bail bondsman responsible for putting him into custody after a couple of days in jail. That followed a number of other brushes with the law. As you'll recall, Short lost his "Scandal" role after a 2014 domestic violence incident. Shonda Rhimes admitted on Larry Wilmore's show that she'd killed off a character because she didn't like the actor; many think she was referring to Short. Others speculate it was Patrick Dempsey. But she's not saying.

DEAR STACY: I'm getting sick from hearing about all the side effects of all these blankety-blank drugs advertised on TV. Why must I listen to lists of horrible results — turning yellow, feeling suicidal, having an erection that won't stop — when I have no interest in taking the drug? Can't we get them to quit this? Stop the madness! — Gwen G., Pasadena, California

DEAR GWEN: Blame the government. The Food and Drug Administration requires pharmaceutical companies to name all the side effects listed in the drug's prescribing information if the ad mentions both the brand name and what it's used for. They get a pass if the ad mentions only the brand name or only that there's a medication for a condition without naming the drug. Convoluted, yes? I know. I don't make the rules, just report them. You won't see these ads go away. For every dollar spent on ads for drugs, a reported four dollars are spent on them in retail sales. And one study showed that new drugs advertised directly to consumers are prescribed nine times more than their nonadvertised counterparts. And of course, they help support the TV industry in a big way; according to Nielsen, there are, on average, 80 drug commercials every hour of every day on television.

DEAR STACY: Please settle a trivial question. Did Elvis Presley ever act on a TV show? — 4pmtaylor

DEAR 4pmtaylor: No. "The King" reserved his acting for the big screen.

DEAR STACY: Whatever happened to Veatrice, the black female security guard on "The Jimmy Kimmel Show" years ago? — J.D., Warren, Ohio

DEAR J.D.: Veatrice Rice died of cancer in 2009. The nurse-turned-security guard, who was very popular and got lots of laughs in sketches like "Black Sarah Palin," left her husband of seven years, John, and two sons.

Photo credit: Christian Schnettelker