Celebrity Rehab

I am fascinated by this show.

I was pretty much repulsed by the concept when I first heard of it.  It basically seemed like a new low.  Or sadly, at least a different low.  But then I heard that Dr. Drew Pinsky was running it, which more or less just confused me, until I read that his first response when being approached by it was, “No.  No way.  No way in hell.”

But he decided in time that it was worth it for him to explore it.

I respect Dr. Drew.  And his decision to do this show made me reconsider my initial reaction as well.  His selling point to himself was that by making a show like this, it may show the public how fucked up the world of drugs and addiction truly is.  And further how insanely brutal and complicated all aspects of recovery are.  Thus prevention by observation.

So I’ve been tuning in, and it’s nothing like anything I’ve seen on television.  It is totally raw and captures these people in the storm and dysfunction of their addiction.

For example, one of the Baldwin’s is on the show for cocaine addiction (Daniel).  He started the show with a more elevated stance, expressing that he was there more to help role model for others; to be a guide of sorts.  But by the third episode he begins isolating himself, getting agitated with staff and cameramen and then after a mildly disruptive party, he abruptly leaves, claiming the environment is threatening his sobriety and that the half naked swim suit party was somehow disrespecting his marriage.  However, a few hours later it is revealed that he had been sending camera phone shots of his dick to a fellow female rehabber.  That’s how fucked up and acting out these people are.

As I said, I am finding it extremely fascinating to watch.  Not in a train wreck sort of way, but observing human nature and more specifically the effects of addiction.  Egos are stripped so bare in this show and that is a rare, rare thing in life.  And unfathomable on a reality show.  But I guess when the volume is turned up loud enough on a situation, that is what occurs even if there are cameras there to capture it.

It’s an intense show.  Very tender, very sad, very volatile, very interesting.  Check it out if interested.

BN