Dr. Drew Quits 'Celebrity Rehab,' Says 'I'm Tired' For Getting Blamed
Dr. Drew Pinsky announced that he no longer wants Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew to continue.
In a radio interview with Zach Sang & The Gang this past week, he shared his thoughts on the status of the popular VH1 show. Celebrities such as Mindy McCready, Jeff Conaway, and Rodney King have appeared on the reality TV show that depicts celebrities battling various addictions.
Pinsky said he no longer wanted the show to continue for another season, after it has been on the air for six already.
"I don't have any plans to do it anymore," he said. "I am tired of taking all the heat, it is just ridiculous."
Pinsky was referring to the criticism he faces following the death of stars who have appeared on the show. Five of the show's stars have died, including King, Conaway and McCready. He felt unfairly blamed for their deaths.
"It's very stressful and very intense for me," he said. "And to have people questioning my motives and taking aim at me because people get sick and die, because they have a life threatening disease, then I have to take blame for that?"
Pinsky was particularly frustrated that King's death, which had nothing to do with drug addiction, was placed on him. He felt his entire career should be taken into consideration before judgments were made.
"Rodney King has a heart attack and I have to take blame for that? That's really what is happening these days," he said. "Treating addiction is treating addiction and we had a program that was second to none. We could handily anything - the sickest patients we would take. And we were good. We did it for 20 years. That's enough."
McCredy's suicide in February brought on renewed backlash that Dr. Drew and VH1 exploited the drug-addicted stars for ratings. Richard Marx, among others, blasted Dr. Drew on Twitter, saying he felt Pinksy needed to change his moniker.
"I think Dr. Drew Pinsky should change his name to Kevorkian. Same results," he tweeted.
Marx later apologized for the remark but stood by the sentiment.
"I went too far with the Kevorkian crack. It is, however, my opinion that what Dr. D does is exploitation, and his TV track record is not good."
