The first thing I thought of when I learned the celebrity lineup on the next edition of VH-1's Celebrity Rehab was "wow, this could get ugly." The New York Post is reporting that the celebs involved in the second edition of the show include Jeff Conaway (who was on the first edition but decided to leave before it was over), Gary Busey, Rodney King, Sean Stewart (Rod's son), former American Idol contestant Nikki McKibben, Tawny Kitean, Amber Smith, and former Guns 'n Roses drummer Steven Adler.
This is really sad for all of the obvious celebrities-doing-reality shows reasons, but I'm also a little irritated by Dr. Drew Pinsky, who is the leader/executive producer of this show. Once upon a time I'm sure Pinsky simply wanted to help people, but now, although I'm sure he'd rather see these people cleaned up than going through addiction and other problems (obviously), there's more than a whiff of exploitation in the air. Like Dr. Phil, he could easily counsel these people away from the cameras. Why does everything (and everyone) have to be on television now?
Filming for the season began on Monday and the show will debut in October.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-10-2008 @ 5:20PM
GL said...
If Busey is involved, you know it'll get ugly.
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6-10-2008 @ 5:21PM
mike m said...
I don't have much problem with it, as you do Bob. Fact is, these are people who need help. I think it is actually fantastic that we get to see what they go through. As someone who knows, and is related to, many alcoholics and former drug users, as well as someone who knows, and is good friends with, many addiction counselors, I think this show adds something, not takes away from, in what our society has become a relativistic approach to addiction and drug use.
This show, in essence, even if it DOES exploit the problems these people face, which I contend it doesn't, puts on display just how badly dangerous drug and alcohol abuse is and can be. The viewers watching these shows may be stoners, druggies, and alcoholics themselves, as it does air on VH1(need I say more?), and may, just maybe, realize their own addiction or realize the danger they're putting themselves in.
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6-10-2008 @ 5:25PM
Michael said...
Why on a television show?
Dr. Drew answered that question while doing media for the first season. He said that the reason they decided to set this television show up is because it was a for
a) People with family members who are in rehab to actually see what its like on the inside.
b) Most of these "celebrities" wouldn't, or couldn't afford to go to rehab. They were much more willing to do a television show, that took the stress of the cost of rehab away, and put them on television.
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6-10-2008 @ 6:23PM
laura said...
If he can reach one person, which he did in the first one, in fact two people (bridgette and Mary Cary) its worth the exploitation in my opinion...who is amber smith?
You know who is going to be the problem?
Tawny.....hands down
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6-10-2008 @ 9:46PM
Carissa said...
I didn't watch the first one, but my friend used to call me every week to laugh his arse off at how funny the show was. You bet, the doc really wants to help people. How embarrassing.
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6-10-2008 @ 10:11PM
Karen said...
I don't mind it being on television, it is just what I saw on television made Dr. Drew look like a lousy therapist. I sure hope they are getting a LOT more out of it than they are showing on tv.
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6-11-2008 @ 12:18AM
Alicia said...
Oh I am sure that they are.
SHHH!! I was addicted to the first one, and will watch this one as well.... but is it bad to say I wanted a beer when watching it?
6-11-2008 @ 12:39AM
Greg said...
I'm actually working on this show. It's so strange, in that it's the first show I've worked on for multiple days and have NO idea what's going on with the cast.
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6-11-2008 @ 1:59AM
D-Bo said...
Busey ftw!
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6-11-2008 @ 7:41AM
Adam said...
Don't know who Amber Smith is either.
As for the biggest problem child, I know Tawny is a handful but she doesn't even rank on the Busey scale.
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6-11-2008 @ 8:39AM
mseve68 said...
I admit that I watched every episode of the previous season and I'm looking forward to the new season. Between Jeff Conway, Gary Busey and Tawny Kitean it's hard to say who will be the biggest problem child.
Did any one notice that there is another former American Idol contestant on the show?
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6-11-2008 @ 9:33AM
deebopalula said...
The sight of Jeff Conaway detoxing last year was so disturbing. Maybe they should go to high schools and show scenes from him in his glory days in "Grease" and "Taxi" and then show him shaking uncontrollably, slobbering all over himself, incoherant, a complete mess. He was brave to go through it so publicly, but I do question the motivation of a lot of these "stars". It's like they crave attention so much that they would even do this to get it. Isn't that an addiction in itself?
I hope they do a follow up on Jessica Sierra. I wonder if she'll still be there when Season 2 starts.
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6-11-2008 @ 10:09AM
The Pepto Pimp said...
Bob, I was in your camp until I finally watched the show last season. I thought it would be disgusting and exploitive. It is, but it has a heart of gold. Dr. Drew really is trying to help these people. And these people are often trying to help eachother. It's a VERY accurate depiction of the recovery process.
And one more thing, Busey, Kitean, Conway & King?!?! This is gonna rock!
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