Here’s the problem with these rehab-on-TV shows: They are showing rehab. On TV. Um, most sobriety programs have “anonymous” in their names for a reason. Because anonymity is a key aspect of getting over addictions, which means television might make the process a bit tougher. VH1’s Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew becomes the latest semi-serious attempt to depict the process of overcoming addiction. And with its Sunday premiere, the series, like Celebrity Rehab before it, achieved the same odd combination of attacking important issues and allowing a salacious look at people who seem far worse off than most of us. It’s truly great for anyone in any public forum to treat masturbation, condom use, STDs, and the tricky connection between sex and emotion as serious subjects worthy of genuine, nonjudgmental discussion. But there’s no denying the more voyeuristic elements of this series: While not a “celebrity” reality show per se, every attempt was clearly made to satiate viewers with characters who have as sexy a public connection as possible — a pro surfer, a Playmate, a rock drummer who worked with Skid Row, a porn star, the gorgeous wife of a guy who won Rock Star: Supernova, and even the requisite reality crossover star, Celebrity Rehab grad/swimsuit model Amber Smith. And yes, all these pretty darn beautiful people are expected to live together while fighting their urge to sleep with other beautiful people, and these people who for the most part perform for a living are supposed to ignore the cameras while doing this. It’s the kind of show that can seamlessly move from painful admissions of repeated childhood sexual abuse to funny, camera-ready demonstrations of sexual frustration (when hyperactive surfer James Lovett hits the treadmill). Uncomfortable? Yes. Reprehensible? Maybe. Watchable? Absolutely.
What did you think, PopWatchers? Does Sex Rehab successfully walk the line between redeemable and egregious? Is this an acceptable way to fight addiction? Most important: Will you keep watching?
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Oh, I’ll absolutely watch this. VH1 has become just as bad as MTV in terms of straying away from its roots but unlike MTV, it puts out amazingly addictive shows to watch (Tool Academy, Tough Love, Celebrity Fit Club, etc.).
Dr Drew is a scumbag in doctor’s clothing.
I agree. I used to love him on Loveline, but now he seems to do whatever he has to in order to keep a show on the air.
As a doctor I agree… what he is doing is offensive and he is lowering his profession, but as a celebrity tv star he is a genius
i disagree. i think drew sincerely cares for his patients, and is trying to educate both them and the public on the issues they’re struggling with. the problem is that current methods for treating addiction are clearly ineffective, as few appear to succeed with them… this seems to be drew’s blind spot. the ability to think critically about whatever the current medical industry status quo happens to be…
i’ll keep watching. i’ve been in recovery for 20 years now and a counselor for 18, and believe or not this exposure and especially dr. drew help people get over the shame of coming into recovery.
Absolutely not! This is the worst kind of exploitation TV. No one should be demonized for having an addiction, but neither should they be cannonized or thrust into the spotlight as “celebrities.” Healing is painful and should be private. Shows like this are not art, they’re not public service, they’re not entertainment. Instead of watching the public debasement we should find someone in the real world who needs real help and lend them a hand, or just be a sympathetic ear. In matters of additction and personal redemption, it’s actions that count, not ratings points.
This is shameful. Reality TV has reached a new low. Whats next? Next thing you know, some show will have recovering pedophiles and kids from juvie living in the same house. Let the wackiness ensue!!
G, that is kind of a brilliant idea. I’d watch…
G, that is kind of a brilliant idea. I’d watch…
Sorry… forgot to say great post – can’t wait to read your next one!
Celebrity Rehab was ludicrous enough and lost all credibility by allowing addicts with just weeks of sobriety to leave the “Sober House” to go to Hollywood parties (that’s always a good idea when you’re giving up drugs and alcohol…go to a party where you’re surrounded by drugs and alcohol)…
but this has jumped the shark. Well, maybe one of the participants will actually jump a shark.
“Dr.” Drew should have his license revoked.
Man oh man. I saw it and I do have sympathy for the ones with a real problem, then there’s some I feel that just like sex, but like tv contracts too. Amber? I mean c’mon! She never came on to anyone in rehab, not a flirty moment, but now she has a sex addiction eh? Lol, I also noticed her mom still lives with her, so I suppose it’s a money thing. I’m just waiting for Jeff and Shifty to come back. I can see Shifty on the roof saying “I like sex too, let me in or I’ll jump!”
I’ll watch! I hope they do a lot of backsliding into orgies! This is why we are watching….yes??? Its not like “Intervention”, which treats addiction with a very severe gravitas and respect.
I dont watch any reality tv at all. But, Ive seen enough stories on Ew to know people will watch anything. How much is made up? How much is exagerated? How can anyone possibly get help while weight training to look hot for the camera? How many years has it been since VH1 showed videos?
I’ve always had a lot of respect for Dr. Drew and thought that he maintained his dignity and integrity on Celebrity Rehab. However, if he says he’s doing this new show for any reaso other than $$,he’s kidding himself.
Yes, I will watch. Amber is a joke, she always dresses sexy and seems to be living in a hotel room with her momma. WTF? And the guys, except the gay one, are not cute and truly gross. The Teen Queen has far deeper issues than sex addiction…. and I like
Dr. Drew, but who is the new chick?
Watching this show is enought to turn anyone off of sex.
Sex has been around for years and a tv show is NOT gonna stop anybody who wants to get some!
You’re an absolute idiot who doesn’t understand the context of the original content. And I like how you say “sex has been around for years” like it’s only been a few decades. Aw, hims is trying to sound smart. Don’t hurt yourself trying to breathe, there.
If you’ve never had the problem or have known someone with the problem, you would probably have a hard time relating. As one who has struggled with this issue for many years, I can say from experience that it’s no laughing matter. It really does destroy lives. It almost destroyed mine. I agree that even though this show might be perceived as somewhat exploitative, it might also end up helping more people that it would ever hurt. It’s a tough addiction to cop to, esp for men who are culturally rewarded for scoring.
Certainly this is another pseudo-celebrity reality show, and on some level no one is denying that. In a way, this show functions much like Loveline. On Loveline, even though a call may be “fake” or a joke, the situation presented may still be true for other listeners, and some genuine advice can be gleaned from it. On both shows much of it is sensationalized and even made up for the enjoyment of the general audience. However, I believe there is enough genuine content in here to compel people who need addiction therapy to pursue it, many of whom may not have otherwise done so.
And for the rest of us, it’s just another train wreck to watch.
I tuned in because of Drew Pinsky. Others may not agree, but I think he does a fairly decent job of walking the line between celebrity and legitimate care giving. I found it compelling, yet I also felt uncomfortably voyeuristic. I’ll probably watch at least once more, but I don’t really feel like I have the right to see these shattered souls; even though they are serving it up to the world.
It should be mentioned that Kendra Jade is not JUST the wife of the guy from “Rock Star Supernova”. She is an “adult film actress” who blackmailed Jerry Springer like 15 years ago based on a sex tape.
Next up: Reality House, in which a group of G-listers try to overcome their desperate, crippling need for attention. On TV.
how very meta
I used to watch VH1 all the time, but since all they seem to run is those dumb almost-celebrity-bad dating shows, I didnt even know this was on, or that it even existed
How is this any different from Oprah having Mackenzie Phillips on talking about how her father molesting her? Or the local news exploiting a crime victims family for ratings? Dateline did years of those To Catch a Predator shows. Yes, for ratings, but also to help those going through similar things. Reality shows may be scripted, but they also deal with real-life situations and very HUMAN behavior.
Who sings the theme song for the show?
I would like to know the name and artist of the song playing at the end of the first episode…
Carolina Liar – Show me what I’m looking for.
I’ll watch…..
I wish Jeff Conaway and Ms. Vickie would be on this series, too. Conaway was great on the original series.
This isn’t about SEX. This is about acting out through sex — using sex as a way to mask your real pain and feelings (just like alcoholics and drug addicts use their drug of choice). I was skeptical after the first episode, but after second — I admit there can be real work done here. People will be able to see themselves, see their problems and maybe, just maybe, actually gain some insight into their own behavior.
WTF????????????? PUT MORE MUSIC
VH-1
Well, I think that Pinsky’s goal is awareness…i mean…i had never heard of it…and certainly in this culture…this show is the least of our problems.
I first watched for the voyeuristic aspect. Then I realized my ex was and is a sex addict. I’m intelligent, well read, but never realized it until this show. Believe it or not, it has the power to educate.
I’m watching & addicted, much to my husband’s disgust. (He says reality TV, like soap operas, is feminine because it resists closure. He’d rather watch football.) Having said that, what I find disappointing about this show is how little they actually talk about sex. It would be so much more fun if they talked about partners, positions, what they were thinking & feeling at the time. Instead, we get petty arguments about who’s getting special morning orange juice and high-school mash notes. And too much focus on the girl in orange pancake makeup who’s generating the arguments and notes. Boring. Still, I’m watching.