Anybody watching "Intervention" on A&E?

heyjupiter678 · #1 03-20-2005, 09:49 PM

http://www.aetv.com/intervention/

If you don't know, it's a reality show that features people who have serious addictions. They think they're being filmed for a documentary about their addiction, but in reality they're getting ready to be confronted by their family and friends with an intervention. I'm so hooked. The guy last week who was addicted to gambling has to be the most obnoxious bastard ever. The way he treated his parents . . . I don't know how they put up with him as long as they did.

Here's the synopsis of tonight's episode:

Sunday, March 20 10:00PM ET/PT

The family calls in interventionist Jeff VanVonderen to help Jerrie, 29, who is addicted to the painkiller Vicodin. She has been forging physician signatures on prescriptions and scouring the waterfront for drug dealers. Friends try to help Tamela, 24, a bright artist who was molested as a child and now cuts herself with razorblades. They call in interventionist Candy Finnigan in hopes that Tamela will recognize her great potential and go to treatment.

Anyway, it's a really good show. Definitely worth a look.

dissention · #2 03-20-2005, 09:53 PM

Sorry, Mikki, but I read about it last week and was absolutely repulsed...

Did you happen to catch that Court TV original movie last month called "The Exonerated" about the six death row inmates who were exonerated and let free? it was AMAZING. Susan Sarandon was especially good as a woman who was on death row for supposedly helping murder two people. Delroy Lindo and Danny Glover were great, too.

amber · #3 03-20-2005, 09:53 PM

that does sound addictive, i'd probably watch if I had cable.

heyjupiter678 · #4 03-20-2005, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissention

Sorry, Mikki, but I read about it last week and was absolutely repulsed...

Yeah, I guess it's not for everybody. I think it's very interesting, though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissention

Did you happen to catch that Court TV original movie last month called "The Exonerated" about the six death row inmates who were exonerated and let free? it was AMAZING. Susan Sarandon was especially good as a woman who was on death row for supposedly helping murder two people. Delroy Lindo and Danny Glover were great, too.

No, I saw the commercials and planned on watching, but ended up missing it.

It sounded amazing, though. Do you think it'll be on dvd?

wondergirl9847 · #5 03-21-2005, 03:27 PM

I missed part of it last night, and had to turn it because I couldn't watch her cut herself.

I'm glad she got the help she needed, but that other lady didn't seem like she was ready and I think she failed rehab.

I missed Family Plots last night too. Grr!!

GateandGarden · #6 03-21-2005, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissention

Sorry, Mikki, but I read about it last week and was absolutely repulsed...

I felt the same way when I saw the previews. I can't believe the personal issues and events we broadcast to the world these days. When will the reality TV craze end? It's so tasteless to me. Why aren't sitcoms and drama series good enough for people anymore?

CreepingDeath · #7 03-21-2005, 04:09 PM

I watched last night for the first time. I usually don't like 'reality' shows, but one of my friends had it on.. Anyway- Tamela, the girl who would cut herself was really heartbreaking to watch. I hope everything turns out OK for her. Her father grated on my nerves quite a bit. IMO he could have been alot more supportive, and not just spewing the Bible at her.

heyjupiter678 · #8 03-21-2005, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GateandGarden

I felt the same way when I saw the previews. I can't believe the personal issues and events we broadcast to the world these days. When will the reality TV craze end? It's so tasteless to me.

Well, imo, the personal issues and events broadcast in this show can be important, because maybe a teenager who cuts him/herself saw the episode last night and it made him/her decide to finally get some help. It could also shine a light on certain addictions that people may not know much about. Maybe someone will recognize certain behavior in an addict that their loved one has been displaying for months and it makes them decide to seek help for that person.

I don't know. I think it's a good show that shouldn't be lumped in with all the other ****ty reality shows. And I don't feel bad for watching it.

heyjupiter678 · #9 03-21-2005, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wondergirl9847

I missed part of it last night, and had to turn it because I couldn't watch her cut herself.

I'm glad she got the help she needed, but that other lady didn't seem like she was ready and I think she failed rehab.

I agree. I couldn't watch the girl cut herself either, but I just turned my head. It was terrible.

heyjupiter678 · #10 03-21-2005, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CreepingDeath

I watched last night for the first time. I usually don't like 'reality' shows, but I one of my friends had it on. Anyway- Tamela, the girl who would cut herself was really heartbreaking to watch. I hope everything turns out OK for her. Her father grated on my nerves quite a bit. IMO he could have been alot more supportive, and not just spewing the Bible at her.

Seriously. I was like "this can't be helping her self-esteem." I'm glad her mom said the things she did at the end, though. It was great to see that rehab was working and that Tamela hadn't cut herself in over 200 days.

GateandGarden · #11 03-21-2005, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heyjupiter678

Well, imo, the personal issues and events broadcast in this show can be important, because maybe a teenager who cuts him/herself saw the episode last night and it made him/her decide to finally get some help. It could also shine a light on certain addictions that people may not know much about. Maybe someone will recognize certain behavior in an addict that their loved one has been displaying for months and it makes them decide to seek help for that person.

I don't know. I think it's a good show that shouldn't be lumped in with all the other ****ty reality shows. And I don't feel bad for watching it.

I'm not trying to make you feel bad! Please don't think that!

I think it would be great if someone got something positive from that show and was able to take the initiative to give up an addiction because of it, but I feel like more of the people who watch it might be doing so to laugh at people and how their personal lives are broadcasted for the world to see. And I feel like some people are watching to say to themselves At least my life doesn't suck that much and I don't have all those problems. Couldn't they make a TV show with actors with the same general idea except it wouldn't be exposing people's personal lives? Maybe that wouldn't have the same positive effects, I don't know.

Mad4stevie · #12 03-21-2005, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heyjupiter678

Maybe someone will recognize certain behavior in an addict that their loved one has been displaying for months and it makes them decide to seek help for that person.

I don't know. I think it's a good show that shouldn't be lumped in with all the other ****ty reality shows. And I don't feel bad for watching it.

This is why I think the show may be beneficial. Personally, I have dealt with a loved one who is struggling with sobriety, and it is encouraging to me to see that there is hope and that people can recover with appropriate help and support. Addiction devestates the lives of not only the addict, but also the people that love them.

skcin · #13 03-22-2005, 09:22 AM

I caught some of it, not realizing what the show was about. It pissed me off. Working with that population in tha past has unfortunately made me pretty cynical. I try to sympathise, but sometimes I just can't.

I did feel bad for the cutter as far as how her issues were ignored (especially by her father) for her whole life - "Yeah, Tamela was sexually abused for years, but we've moved passed that..." Oh really?

Ass.

I have a close friend who became addicted to pain pills & left her husband & kids after cheating on him, neglecting her babies & putting them thousands of dollars into debt. She ruined all of their lives, so I have a really hard time feeling bad for anyone in that situation. I know, it's an addiction, they didn't choose to become addicts initially, but I can't help but get angry.

bikerchic · #14 03-22-2005, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skcin

I know, it's an addiction, they didn't choose to become addicts initially, but I can't help but get angry.

But they did choose to take that first hit, drag, pill, snort or whatever....they did have a choice. I'm with you Paula, and makes me angry and sick.

SuzeQuze · #15 03-22-2005, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikerchic

But they did choose to take that first hit, drag, pill, snort or whatever....they did have a choice. I'm with you Paula, and makes me angry and sick.

Well, with pills, they may be prescribed for pain and then spiral out of control. This happened to a friend of mine. But she got clean just in time before doing serious damage to her family. However, as a former cocaine addict she should never have been prescribed this medication. Either she was in denial or really wanted to feel high again. I don't know. But over 10 years being clean and she fell off.

Some people are just wired to be this way. They can overcome it but it is very difficult. Also, I suspect that most of these people are clinically depressed and they finally find something that makes them feel good and it makes them crazy. I wish this were addressed more, get off the self medication but get some real treatment. For some reason people think they are being stronger by not seeking treatment while I believe the opposite to be true. If you're getting really high, you know a real low is coming. It's just the way it is. But that can be avoided by getting help.