VH-1 Celebrity Rehab - Freeze-Frame Radio

Jeremy Riggs · Do I look a little pale to you?

VH-1 Celebrity Rehab

JD The Jazz Doctor · Grand Poobah

I have trouble joining any sort of pity party for rich/famous drug abusers.

poor you!

Jeremy Riggs · Do I look a little pale to you?

Ah come on JD, they're human beings above all else. I would think you of all people should appreciate that.

Yeah they're rich, but they have a completely different set of problems than you or I do. Money doesn't make those problems go away, in many ways it just compounds them.

A rich guy keeps rebuilding his mansion on the seashore and crying every time it get's blown away by a hurricane then yeah, boo hoo.

But these people have one life on this earth and it's being wasted in the grips of an addiction. If you haven't been addicted to something I don't think you can understand it. I've never been addicted to anything, but I definitely believe I have an addictive personality. I have no doubt if I tried crack for a few weeks I'd never come off of it.

They start when they're on top of the world and think nothing can touch them, but when things start going bad they're already hooked.

Woo Hoo · The Chosen Woo

We've been watching it. It really is sad.

Ruby · The Good Witch Of The South

I agree with JR on this one. I guess because I have so much personal experience with addiction- my bro, Zach's dad and now little E's. We all have sins, faults, addictions, dark secrets, whatever you want to call it. Some are different than others. But their's are so obvious because they are out there for the world to see. I am glad that mine are not so obvious, but there are times that the devil tempts me and I take it!

sgmorrell · Low in Fiber High in M-SG

I didn't see last nights episode yet, but the first episode was soooo SAD that it was very funny! Maybe Latka can join in and adress Jeff in a voice he'd understand! (Oh wait Latka is dead!)

JD The Jazz Doctor · Grand Poobah

Is it any different from the poor crack-head at the bus stop that we all despise?? confused

garougal · Cleverly Disguised As A Responsible Adult

I think it is sad, too, but mostly because these people have lost the power to create their own happiness, their own quality of life. It's sad to me to see a person who becomes the victim of their own environment without even realizing how much they enable their own helplessness. I've seen Jeff Conway in the spolight a few times in recent years combatting his addictions, and he seemed to feel so desperate and helpless. Jani Lane was that way, too, and severely depressed. I struggle to feel pity for them because I believe pity is an enabling state - I think we each have the ability to find our own strength to create change in our lives. However, I do empathize with their struggles.

MzHartz · Permanent Vacation

JD The Jazz Doctor wrote:

Is it any different from the poor crack-head at the bus stop that we all despise??

I think he could use rehab too!

JD The Jazz Doctor · Grand Poobah

I like that thought G-gal. Maybe that's what bothers me. The pity is enabling...my god, their on TV fighting their addictions....

Jeremy Riggs · Do I look a little pale to you?

JD The Jazz Doctor wrote:

Is it any different from the poor crack-head at the bus stop that we all despise??

I guess I'm different. I don't despise the poor crack-head. I still see them as a human being.

When the drugs lead them to crime (which is a problem the rich are not driven to) I want them dealt with in the legal system, but it doesn't make me despise them.

The drug dealers are the ones I despise.

garougal · Cleverly Disguised As A Responsible Adult

JD The Jazz Doctor wrote:

Is it any different from the poor crack-head at the bus stop that we all despise??

Not from the respect of humanism. I would hope for that person to find their strength and get help, too. I don't think I would despise that person either, unless that is the person who compromises my safety and well-being. I think it is easier for people to scorn or avoid that person you see on the corner because of fear...fear of what they can or might do to harm us or that which we hold valuable. It is all too real of a risk, and right before our eyes. The celebrities are removed from our lives, so the absence of fear from them and the way the media portrays them makes it easier for may people to feel empathy for them.

Jeremy Riggs · Do I look a little pale to you?

JD The Jazz Doctor wrote:

I like that thought G-gal. Maybe that's what bothers me. The pity is enabling...my god, their on TV fighting their addictions....

That's why I hate reality television. My first instinct is "oh how convenient, these people get on TV"

Now, for a few of them, I could see this as being just a publicity ploy. Particularly Daniel Baldwin who seems to have no current issues at the moment and is in rehab almost as a "booster" shot.

But if Conway thinks this is a good publicity stunt then he's CLEARLY not in control of his brain anymore.

Now I'm glad I watched, because I really feel I would be more sympathetic than ever before to someone who is addicted to a drug.

I agree, pity isn't a good thing, but I don't pity these people. I just realize not everyone has the exact same ability to control their impulses as I do and it hurts to watch another human being going through this.

Ruby · The Good Witch Of The South

JD The Jazz Doctor wrote:

Is it any different from the poor crack-head at the bus stop that we all despise??

No different at all, only I do not despise them. I pray for them and feel sorry that they can't see that there is a way out.

JD The Jazz Doctor · Grand Poobah

I think they should get their treatment privately, not make it into a tv show. Do they get their treatment for free if its a tv show? weirdface

garougal · Cleverly Disguised As A Responsible Adult

JD The Jazz Doctor wrote:

I like that thought G-gal. Maybe that's what bothers me. The pity is enabling...my god, their on TV fighting their addictions....

At least they have the advantage that so many people want to reach out to these celebrities and help them get through this...and often they have the money and resources available to them, too.

An hour or so ago I bumped into one of our VPs on her way to speak at a shelter in the area. This is the time of year that the numbers of shelters and the funding for them are far below what is needed to help the homeless. A great number of the people who seek shelter and support services there are battling addiction or running from abuse. She's going to try and raise funds, hoping she can inspire more contribution to help support these people. I hate seeing that shortage every January and February, when it reaches crisis proportions.

Jeremy Riggs · Do I look a little pale to you?

JD The Jazz Doctor wrote:

I think they should get their treatment privately, not make it into a tv show. Do they get their treatment for free if its a tv show?

I would suspect they do.

That's the point I was making in the beginning though. I normally DESPISE this type of stuff (reality shows), but I'm really grateful for this one.

I was telling Jennifer last night that i think when it's done they should put it on DVD and make kids watch it in school. Jeff is a cautionary tale if ever there was one.

It's funny. You put this same show on PBS and it would be "a groundbreaking look behind the psychology of addiction", but because it's on VH-1 it's just trashy reality TV.

I'm as bad as anyone at dismissing things out of hand. I'm too quick to judge most things. But I think a show like this serves a real purpose. I'd watch it even if it were on MSNBC and featured eight poor, inner-city crackheads. But just because these people are rich doesn't make it less important.

Ruby · The Good Witch Of The South

Yeah they should have to pay it, but this should be a public service. Others might see them and try to learn before they make the same mistakes . Or they may be able to relate and then want to get help, just like the celebrity.

Jeremy Riggs · Do I look a little pale to you?

One last note before I run out, I don't actually think anyone other than two of these people are "rich", atleast not anymore.

Even on the celebrity scale I'd say they're B-list at best.

JD The Jazz Doctor · Grand Poobah

I think I don't like the whole "lights camera action" "make-up, please", or "can we do that over, this time with more tears...." aspect that potentially, if not definately can occur in this situation. Is it about addiction or about me on tv about my addiction?

On a similar note, I am happy to read that that Doctor Phil is being reamed out about trying to make a tv show about helping britney spears. is it really about helping britney spears, or about dr phil being the one on tv to help britney spears?

Jeremy Riggs · Do I look a little pale to you?

You may well be the most cynical person I know JD.

Why do I get the feeling you were the kid in 2'nd grade running around telling all the other kids the easter bunny and Santa were fake?

I gotta admit though, the Dr. Phil one was suspicious. Although Britney's parents were the ones who called him, so I wondered if it wasn't the Mom's hope to get herself on his show to hawk her new book.

Well looky there, I gots a lil' cynicism in me too!

JD The Jazz Doctor · Grand Poobah

lol don't I sound like the conservative and you sound like the liberal in this instance?? smile

Jeremy Riggs · Do I look a little pale to you?

lil' bit

allycat · Cat Scratch Diva

I think maybe this is a case of if everyone in the US knows they have a problem....maybe it gives them another reason to stop??

I dont think its societies job to take care of the drug users....if they have money to pay for the drugs....stopping them should leave them with a surplus of money to pay for the rehab. I dont feel that I should have to pay more taxes to cover this expense when I make the right choices.

I do feel for these people..they need help...but they have to make that choice....and get the help.

Jeremy Riggs · Do I look a little pale to you?

I agree with that.

I feel very badly for these people who are addicted, be them rich or poor. But I don't feel our government needs to take my money and spend it on rehab.

If I want to one day donate money or volunteer my time to help these people than that's great. I think everyone needs a hand once in awhile, and I need to be more aware of that. But I would never support forced financial support of a drug addict by the taxpayer.

MzHartz · Permanent Vacation

Jeremy Riggs wrote:

I agree with that.

I feel very badly for these people who are addicted, be them rich or poor. But I don't feel our government needs to take my money and spend it on rehab.

If I want to one day donate money or volunteer my time to help these people than that's great. I think everyone needs a hand once in awhile, and I need to be more aware of that. But I would never support forced financial support of a drug addict by the taxpayer.

I can agree with that.

allycat · Cat Scratch Diva

I have a family friend that is in jail right now because of his addictions....I feel sorry for him...but he is going to stay there until he decides he wants help...not just bailed out of jail. Everyone that I know..that cares about him are in agreement....he has to do this for himself. Its his forced rock bottom. Its in his hands now...If all the families of addicts would do the same...it might make them stop sooner.

Sparky · Phat Cat EL Presidente

allycat wrote:
I have a family friend that is in jail right now because of his addictions....I feel sorry for him...but he is going to stay there until he decides he wants help...not just bailed out of jail. Everyone that I know..that cares about him are in agreement....he has to do this for himself. Its his forced rock bottom. Its in his hands now...If all the families of addicts would do the same...it might make them stop sooner.

He has been bailed out every other time so I hope this does the trick!

Woo Hoo · The Chosen Woo

that's what aggravates me about my sister. Her boy was put in jail for alcohol issues more than once and she keeps bailing him out! Keep his azz in there! He always finds trouble. It's not like it was a one time thing. And yes he has done drugs too. She needs to quit being his dang friend and be a mom!