DELL'S STEVEN

Dude, You're Almost in Jail

What a bummer. Known by the general public as the 'Dell Dude,' actor
Benjamin Curtis was arrested Sunday for criminal possession of
marijuana. The New York University's Tisch School of the Arts drama
student was found on Manhattan's Lower East Side purchasing what
criminal courts classify as a "use amount" without the intent to sell.

The year 2000 brought the Y2K scare, but Curtis also hit the scene as
Dell Computer Corporation's new marketing man in its highly successful
advertising campaign.

People everywhere found themselves considering purchasing Dell
computers soon after his friendly surfer boy next door, 'Steven,' hit
the scene.

As 'Steven,' Curtis convinces his friends' parents and random people
to purchase Dell computers. He's obviously done a heck of job.

Who wouldn't want to buy a computer from this cutie? Dell is known for
its customer service and warranty plans, but why not get hot young
boys to promote its stuff? Although Curtis is not currently in
production for another commercial, will his new record cause consumers
to stop going online to get the latest Dell hardware?

At Curtis' arraignment Monday, Criminal Court Judge Ellen Coin advised
Curtis that his case will be dismissed, and his record expunged, if he
avoids arrest during the next year.

Just because his case is dismissed for good behavior for the next year
does not wash his image clean.

But this may not bother his fans. The kid has fan clubs on the Web
where passersby can sign his guestbook, assuming that Curtis will
actually go to the Web site and read what one of his adoring fans has
written. Some sites even sell Dell dude paraphernalia.

We all know kids are like sponges. Whatever they hear they soak in and
try to emulate. Will all of those anti-drug campaigns be counteracted
by this recent celebrity's tiptoe off the role model's beaten path?
Will you now be able to call up Dell for your quick fix? Instead of
just supplying the world with computers, will Dell have a drug hotline
for those wishing for a little extra in their 'hardware?'

Who really cares if he was going to sell the pot? The problem is that
this 22-year-old isn't just some random college student anymore. He
has been thrust into the spotlight, and is now a household name. He's
even got his own catch phrase.

Controversy often breeds hysteria in Hollywood, so although this isn't
necessarily the best light for Curtis to be seen in, at least he's
getting some more time in the spotlight.

Even if he isn't currently making new commercials for Dell, he has at
least one thing to be grateful for.

Dude! You're lucky you're not going to jail.