Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew: Should You Check In?

Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew by Evans Ward/VH1

The when: VH1's latest "celebreality" series premieres Thursday, Jan. 10, at 10 pm/ET.

Why watch?: Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew documents the lives of eight stars seeking treatment to battle their addictions before it’s too late. Unlike the other "Where are they now?"-type shows that dominate the cable airways these days, the difference here is that nothing feels staged. The first show quickly gets down to the heart of the matter, revealing the very real demons these famous-ish faces are battling. While some know they need help, others are still in denial. Perhaps the most compelling reason to watch is to learn the personal history that contributed to each star's descent into addiction. In a very candid moment, one celeb admits he has it all and has been blessed with fame... shortly before getting high and admitting there are times when he doesn't care if he dies.

Who's who: The celebs that have chosen to commit themselves to this very real rehabilitation and recovery process range from film stars to athletes to recording artists. Among the mix you will find Grease's Jeff Conaway; Hollywood’s favorite family bad boy, Daniel Baldwin; former WWF star Chyna Doll; Crazytown frontman Seth "Shifty" Binzer; Family Matters alum Jaimee Foxworth; porn star Mary Carey; American Idol wannabe Jessica Sierra; and the multifaceted Brigitte Nielsen. Dr. Drew Pinsky, most notably from the radio and TV series Loveline, oversees the treatment programs.

What's next: The season kicks off with a meet-and-greet between Dr. Pinsky and the troubled celebs, but before long, one doped-up star suffers a medical crisis and ends up in the hospital.

Say what?!: Rumor around the campfire is that a ninth star surfaces to join the program later this season. We can only hope it's Britney Spears.

What do you say? With so many celebs failing to rehab at ultra-private treatment facilities, what are the chances that this very public take on the recovery process will yield better results? Will the added pressure of prying cameras motivate these stars to fight harder and sober up? "Celebreality" fans, tell us why you plan to commit to this show! — Erin Lulevitch

Use our Online Video Guide to get a sneak peek at the rude awakening that awaits these troubled stars.

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Posted by

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Jan 9, 2008 3:57 PM

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I've always liked Dr Drew going back to the Loveline days. He was always staightforward and never fell into the 'celebrity' aspect of being famous like Dr Phil. I'm not sure I'll watch but I wish everyone luck with their recovery.
Posted by Phonegirl Jan 10, 2008 5:04 AM Report Abuse

I believe his name is Pinsky, not Pinksy.

I for one will be watching this. I have been a huge fan of Dr. Drew since I was 13 years old, covertly listening to Loveline every night with my sister. He has shaped my entire philosophy about sex, relationships, substance abuse, and mental health. He is definitely a guy who uses his semi-celeb status to raise awareness, change attitudes and behaviors, and actually improve peoples' lives. I don't know how he has the energy to do what he does, but we need more people like him in the world.

Posted by avalon

Jan 10, 2008 10:33 AM

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I'm not that interested in any of the "celebrities" mentioned here, but I do love Dr. Drew! I too was a big fan of Loveline back in the day. I'll give the show a try.
Posted by findmebaby.com Jan 10, 2008 3:50 PM Report Abuse

I like Dr. Drew, but I was hoping he would have had the good sense to stay above this sort of thing. I don't care if any of those rich, pampered, albeit C-list celebrities of questionable talent recover from their addictions or not.
There are millions of people going through the same kinds of personal crises, but I guess none of them are as entertainment-worthy of having their rehab chronicled on TV.

Posted by GarryB

Jan 10, 2008 5:44 PM

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GaryB, I disagree. The point Dr. Drew is trying to make is that these are people too, not just celebs. Especially with the Britney Spears obsession, and recently Lindsay Lohan, I think what he is trying to do is foster an environment where we don't tear people down just because they're famous. They are suffering and need help. The same goes for all the non-famous people suffering from this disease, but I think the hope here is that people can watch this show and either break down their preconceived notions of addicts, or if they have a problem themselves, they can see that there is hope for them and that their lives can change.

Posted by avalon

Jan 11, 2008 11:23 AM

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