Comedian George Lopez poses on the set of the George Lopez Show at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, Calif., Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2006JAE C. HONG/The Associated Press
It took a trip to Canada to make George Lopez swear off booze forever.
During his Thursday appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, the 52-year-old comedian finally provided details of his recent arrest for public intoxication at a casino in Windsor, Ont.
Lopez was forced to admit that the now-infamous photo of him passed out facedown on the floor wasn't part of the plan when he agreed to perform at the Caesars Windsor Hotel and Casino.
"I was on my way to my room, I just missed it by 35 floors," he joked to DeGeneres. "Guys were betting on whether I would get up."
Lopez was arrested for public intoxication, but no charges were filed. And apparently the Windsor Police were very nice about it.
"The authorities are much politer in Canada," said Lopez. "You know, 'Sir, wake up. Sir, you're under arrest.' Very polite."
Never one to skip a setup line, Lopez cracked: "They told me, 'Sir, this behaviour cannot continue. And if it does continue, we would be honoured if you would be mayor of Toronto."
The conversation took a serious turn when Lopez claimed the experience has made him to stop drinking for good.
"Since then, I have not have a drop of alcohol," he told DeGeneres. "That was a nice going-away party for that guy. I'm the new George."
But since he's a comedian by trade, Lopez closed off by feigning surprise at the volume of coverage generated by his arrest.
"You know how they always say whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas?" he said. "Whatever happens in Canada, everybody knows."