I am a closeted television watcher; nothing short of a couch potato. Possibly a lovely genetic gift from my father who, if given the choice, would watch TV and fish for the rest of his days.
I am not proud of my television addiction. My hours spent in front of the tube often fill me with the same remorse that binge eaters feel after polishing off a gallon of ice cream. This guilt can be attributed to the program selections I make. I am rarely (although it has been known to happen) soaking up facts from the Discovery Channel, experiencing the world's cultures with Nat Geo, or traveling in time with the History Channel. Unfortunately, my fingers hit the remote and go straight to Vh1... mtv... and the worst of them all E! Ugh, typing it here has not relieved the guilt. These channels so often have nothing to offer. That is until my unlikely super hero of 3-3-10: Dr. Drew Pinsky.
Dr. Drew's contributions to vh1 and mtv include: 16 and Pregnant, Sex with Mom and Dad, Celebrity Rehab, Sober House, and Sex Rehab. While I am not an avid watcher any of these shows, save for Celebrity Rehab season 3, I have seen episodes of each.
Dr. Drew has advised people since 1984 on the radio show Loveline. In 2008 Dr. Drew expanded his audience by actively involving himself in television. The television programs I have listed are watched by young-adults everyday and for this I respect and appreciate Dr. Drew's influence. Particularly in his shows concerning drug addiction.
Having personally witnessed drug addiction and distribution ruin lives has ignited in me a fascination with the world of drug abuse. Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew does not sensationalize drug abuse but instead it features celebrities who have serious issues. This kind of exposure to addiction is valuable for anyone considering experimentation with drugs. Not everyone who does drugs ends up where Tom Sizemore or Mackenzie Phillips are but some of us a predisposed to be addicts. For those people it is crucial to see where drug abuse can lead.
I also argue the shows value for anyone who wonders whether their friend, mother, cousin, or brother is an addict. Often drug users display typical behaviors. These are seen and pointed out on the show. While the show has entertainment value it also serves as an educational tool.
Whatever encouraged these celebrities to broadcast their addiction to nation wide audiences becomes inconsequential in comparison to the impact their experiences have on those watching at home. So what if it was to get publicity? They get more than they bargained for in the one-on-one and group therapy sessions.
In honoring Dr. Drew I am also paying homage to honesty. Sugar-coating drug addiction is a disservice and a shame. Some of you are well aware that there is a very dark world out there full or very sick people. Shedding light on that world can help us combat drug addiction in the U.S.
As a side note, this blog was inspired by an episode of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew in which a loved one of an addict said, "You can live and you can live a long life. You don't have to live a fantastic, incredible, celebrity life. You want a boring, predictable life and you cannot believe how rich that is until you're in it."
Sadly, you have the TV thing coming from both angles. Let us not forget the Chuck Neville's. They can tune out and zone on TV like nobody's business.
ReplyDeleteI think Dr Drew does a lot of good for the community. He is a smart man and seems to be very humble about his celebrity. I hope he doesn't get screwed up by anything or anyone. He is such a visible person now and when that happens usually something bad comes along as well. I really do not hope this for him, it just worries me.