VH1: Not just for videos anymore

My latest guilty pleasures come via VH1, which is usually known for nonstop music videos (like MTV for the older folks). But in recent years they've added some reality shows that are actually quite entertaining.

As noted in previous posts, I'm digging Tool Academy. They aired a new episode today and I wasn't surprised at the guy who got booted. I never saw him becoming a non-tool at this stage in his life; he confessed to such during the group therapy session with the girlfriends, and that was a contributing factor in his being cut from the show. The remaining couples are actually rather good, and there are three that I can see going the distance--barring any craziness: Mega and Margo, Matsuflex and Jenna, and Shawn and Aida. Josh and Ashley may get it in, but they get kind of shaky sometimes.

Anyway...I find the show not only entertaining, but it's helping me face up to some stuff and finally put it to rest. I'm not sure if this speaks to arrested development on my part or on the part of the guys I've dated (I hesitate to use the term "men" as they've been that in chronological age, only), but I'll take revelation and resolution however I can get it.

My next favorite is Confessions of a Teen Idol. Hosted by Chachi himself (Scott Baio), I like following these guys whom I used to swoon over as a teenager (back when I was buying Tiger Beat and Right On! magazines). I admit to being more partial to the older guys in the house (Christopher Atkins, Billy Hufsey and Adrian Zmed), as well as Jamie Wright (one of the younger ones) because they seem to be more stable and accepting of their fall from previous glory and have adjusted the most to being an everyday person. I also like this show because it's not a typical reality show in that someone gets booted every week; it's about people really facing their demons and trying to work it out and work it through.

Another show that's interesting is Sober House. This show follows people from Dr. Drew's Celebrity Rehab as they now live in a sober house, which is a halfway house so that they can adjust to sobriety in an everyday setting before they get sent out into the world on their own, with only themselves to rely on. This show has a special poignance with me because both of my parents are addicts (my father is in recovery), and I experienced and observed many of the behaviors they talk about on the show.

I tune in once in a while to Rock Bus of Love with Bret Michaels. This show is the most...intriguing because it seems like every former porn star or stripper signed on for this show, in an attempt to get down with Bret Michaels (who has managed to parlay his fame as frontman for the group Poison into a solo career; then again, he always had singing talent. And I love his eyes!). I mean, I have never seen so much silicone in my life. Apparently, having at least a DD bra cup and a fondness for skimpy clothing was a prerequisite to get on the show. Then again, that seems to be the dress code for the rock music world, so hey...whatever works. It's like watching a car wreck: terrible, but you can't turn your eyes away.

On re-reading this entry before posting, it seems like VH1 is acting as a surrogate therapist. Any port in a storm!

Thanks for stopping by.