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.