It's Either Voyeurism or Celebrity Culture Gone Wrong. Either Way, It Sucks.

[liz_marcs]

Just when you thought the MTV/VH1 reality shows couldn't get any lower, behold, "Celebrity Rehab."

Jesus Christ on a Pogo Stick.

As short as the article is, the bit about Jeff Conaway (Taxi, Babylon 5) really broke my heart. I seem to recall reading that Conaway has been addicted to various substances off-and-on for years. Including religion, as it so happens. He was in his "born again" phase during his run on Babylon 5 and freely spoke about his past alcohol- and drug-abusing ways back then.

From the looks of things, he's firmly off the wagon and circling the drain.

Gah.

Dr. Drew, oh, how could you?

As for my opinion, I'll let Craig Ferguson speak for me. From February 2007:

Comments

[marenfic.livejournal.com]

I am appalled about this show, and that someone who works in mental health would exploit addicts on television for fame is disgusting. Dr. Drew is behaving incredibly unethically in my view. Detoxing is humiliating and ugly and awful enough in a medical facility without cameras-- it's absolutely disgusting to me that these people are going to have what little tiny shred of dignity that is allowed by privacy stripped away. And I'm sorry, I seriously question the legality of anyone signing a waiver and consent forms for this kind of care when they are under the influence.

I think this is crossing a line, big time.