Hayden Panettiere has a revealing interview in the current issue of People magazine. She talks frankly about being addicted to pills and alcohol and having to be hospitalized to treat both. Her first contact with drugs was at age 7, when she was filming a movie. In the world of soaps, she was on "One Life to Live" and "Guiding Light." On "Guiding Light," she played Lizzie, who suffered from leukemia. Her first acting gig was on a commercial when she was seven months old. It appears no one was concerned about her addiction as long as she was not "messy" on a set. The mother of one daughter knew she needed help. When parents ask me how to get their kid on a soap, I say, "don't." It is not natural for a kid to be working. Dwayne Hickman, brother of Darryl Hickman, who played Dobie Gillis on the TV show of the same name, hating acting as a child: "I always asked my mother why I had to work. She said I begged her to. What? I was 2 years old."

I always find it sad when a young actor is replaced. How do you fire a 7-year-old? How do you make them believe they did nothing wrong? Is it hard to send the kid to get candy or cake when you know there is none for the actor? And they have to work with adult actors. Full disclosure: At one time I dated an actor. As they say, an actor looks in your eyes to see his reflection. My guy was great, but he had that Peter Pan actor thing: They won't grow up; they do not want to grow up.

James Caan, 82, died this week. Caan's movie work was spectacular — from "The Godfather" to "Misery" to "Elf." He stared in over 100 TV shows. His work was riveting, Break away from QVC and watch any of these films. Heck, watch them all. In "Misery," he plays a a writer kept hostage by an off-the-track woman played by Kathy Bates. "Brian's Song" will have you in a puddle. Sadly, it is based on a true story. In "Elf," his scenes with Peter Dinklage are mind-blowing. Caan's son Scott has played Danny on "Hawaii Five-O" ("Book 'em, Danno") since the show rebooted.

It's soapbox time. I have said this before, but I do not understand why folks who seem to have it all destroy it all by making bad choices. Jerry Harris, who rose to fame for his work on the documentary "Cheer," which focused on cheerleaders, was sentenced to 12 years in prison. His crime? Sending porn and sexual offers to cheerleaders who were minors. On what planet did that sound like a good idea?

England's bombastic leader Boris Johnson stepped down this week. His crime: stupidity. He ordered everyone in the country to lock down due to COVID — but made himself the exception. Using his birthday as an excuse, he held over a dozen parties.

The big question: Why do people think they can get away with anything? Often, they do. It is like a sword waiting to fall, every day wondering, is this the day I get found out? Sounds cruel, but I am glad Johnson has toppled off his thrown. Perhaps like Humpty Dumpty, Donald Trump will go with him.

Nicki Minaj's husband is under house arrest. He did not comply with the terms of his probation. She married him three years ago. He was charged with rape when he was 16. After his release, he moved to another state. Sex offenders must register every time they move.

To find out more about Lynda Hirsch and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.