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There is one new show on television that seems to have caught my attention enough for me to commit to tuning in each week. Celebrity Rehab, a new reality program on VH1, consists of a cast of somewhat, in some way, "celebrities" who have entered the Pasadena Rehab Clinic for help with their varied addictions while the camera is rolling. Daniel Baldwin, while clearly searching for reasons to leave, complained to Dr Drew, the shows treating physician, about the cameras and their impact on his sobriety. My thoughts exactly.

While they are in a group setting, the Celebrity Rehab cast are encouraged to share their personal experiences on a variety of subjects. Do they? When they are having private conversations with Dr Drew, are they being completely honest and forthcoming? If not, and I am guessing they aren't, then how can they truly get the help they need? Joane Lauer, formerly China Doll, has yet to reveal why she is there and just what her addiction actually is.

At first glance, it appears these quasi-celebrities, whose fame isn't what it once was, are here purely to revive their careers. And what a golden idea the shows creator had. Britney, Lindsey, Paris, and so many others are making headlines whenever they check in or out of rehab. Finally, the eager public gets an inside look at just what happens when a celebrity checks in! Its an I-cannot-look-away kind of interest that our society seems to have in these sad and often tragic situations that makes even shows like Anderson Cooper cover Spears and others on CNN, a "news" network.

The difference here is that the show is what it is, and the title indicates what you will be watching. As inappropriate as it sounds, it is somewhat honest. I choose to tune in to CNN and other news networks for the NEWS, not the latest on the Britney Spears saga. After watching a few episodes, Celebrity Rehab keeps me coming back each Thursday evening for more. I am truly curious as to just how open they will be, and if this "cameras on at all times" rehabilitation setting will succeed. I have been surprised at just how seriously many of the cast are taking this, and how their relationships have developed. They seemed to have created a bond and a close family-like setting for one another. They offer unconditional support, sometimes hard to hear honesty, and affection that appears genuine.

While many of them do suffer serious addiction issues, a few still have me doubting their intentions for being there. Whatever their real reasons, many of them are revealing themselves to be fragile, broken, and vulnerable human beings who are in need of love, support, and professional help. They are becoming more interesting to watch and wonder what will happen within the Pasadena Rehab Clinic next. Like regular fictional television shows with a somewhat soap opera feel, I find it hard not to tune in to the next episode and see how it all plays out. Shows like Lost and Desperate Housewives have many viewers coming back to see how their most and least favorite characters will survive their fascinating lives. Celebrity Rehab offers much the same thing, only its a little bit closer to the real thing.

When the show ends, I will wonder if they have been able to succeed, if they stayed sober, and if the cameras made any difference in their rehabilitation process. I am quite sure VH1 will satisfy its viewers with a follow-up, reunion show to let us know how they're doing now.

Learn more about this author, Sharon Jenson.
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