Blog by Sean Gehon, Thursday, March 22, 2007

Whether you’re willing to admit it or not, we all follow trends. Unfortunately, that excuse rarely flies with my mother. How often have we heard the phrase, “If everybody jumped off the Brooklyn Bridge, would you do it, too?” If you’re a member of young Hollywood, the answer is probably yes.

The latest trend to emerge in Hollywood comes to us from the likes of Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, Robbie Williams, and most recently Jesse Metcalfe. A thirty-day stay in a luxury rehabilitation centre. If you’re finding it hard to get press, or in Britney’s case good press, all you have to do is claim you have a problem and lock yourself in rehab. Sure, some celebrities legitimately have a problem with drugs and alcohol, but has rehab become a cry for attention instead of a cry for help?

Certainly rehabilitation has its purpose. With the recent downward spiral of Britney Spears, it was clear that she needed to check in (and to stay for longer than twenty-four hours). For quite some time I’ve found myself concerned with Britney’s partying antics and inability to mother her children. However, I choose to believe that after her stint in rehab, she’s finally on the road to recovery. That being said, I obviously support Britney’s decision to enter rehab. Jesse Metcalfe however, I find a little hard to believe.

Today Jesse Metcalfe’s publicist released a statement asking the media to give Jesse space as he enters rehab and to give him the chance to recover from an alcohol addiction. The most interesting part of the press release would have to be the mention of Jesse’s former acting gigs including Desperate Housewives and John Tucker Must Die. If this is an indication of a cry for attention, I’ve really started to lose respect for young Hollywood. I’m not sure Jesse Metcalfe or his publicist are aware, but he’s not that famous. I have yet to see photos of Jesse Metcalfe drunk out of his mind and partying every five minutes like Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, and Britney Spears. For an actor who hasn’t had any major acting work in recent memory, is this just a PR move?

People tend to like hearing about the failures of others. No matter who you are, you can’t help but enjoy seeing the downfall of someone of who you’re envious or jealous. Can we necessarily blame celebrities for turning their lives upside down to keep their names in the paper? I think we can. Fame doesn’t give you a license to lose all your morals and go out partying every night. If anything, becoming famous should make you more conscious of your surroundings, society, and what you do in public. Young Hollywood entertainers are the idols for the youth of today, so shouldn’t they take that responsibility more seriously?

This latest trend of celebrities checking into rehab is starting to get a little ridiculous. We’ve gone from legitimate claims of addiction (ala Courtney Love), to the outrageous, random, ‘hey I’m bored let’s go into rehab’ antics of young Hollywood. Addiction is a terrible disease and a growing problem in our society. I’m getting a sense that celebrities are starting to abuse it in order to promote themselves. Not only is this stupid, but it’s cruel, and disrespectful to those actually suffering from the disease. Perhaps some (or maybe all) of these stars have legitimate claims to the disease, but it’s all a little convenient.

Colour me a skeptic, or call me insensitive, but ever since the passing of Anna Nicole Smith people are starting to overreact. Sure rehab may be a good idea to helping cure you of your addictions, but it shouldn’t be the everybody’s doing it response. Take care of yourself, you’ve only got one life… why waste it by embarrassing yourself on the gossip pages of Star or TMZ.com.

Stay Healthy!

Sean (Do they have rehab for chocolate?) 

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