Hrm.

It seems some Celebrity Rehab critics are calling for the VH1 show to be shut down.

Drew Grant over at Salon claims that although Dr. Drew Pinksy means well, the show puts entertainment above recovery.

Although this claim comes in the wake of Mike Starr’s death, Grant assures us the passing of the former Alice In Chains bassist has nothing to do with why he believes Celebrity Rehab should come to an end.

(Mike Starr appeared on the ninth season of Celebrity Rehab and then later on Sober House, which documented his transition from rehab back into everyday life.)

More than a lesson in managing mental health, it’s also a lesson in managing life’s problems. Overcoming roadblocks. Taking control of one’s life.

But, before we get into all that:

Anyone watch A&E’s new show Breakout Kings last Sunday?

Plan to watch it tonight?

I admit, the only reason I tuned in was because – at some point – Prison Break‘s T-Bag is supposed to join the Breakout Kings cast (not sure if it’s permanent or just an episode or two – we’ll see).

Pretty unsurprising, given that Nick Santora and Matt Olmstead – the masterminds behind Prison Break – created Breakout Kings, but, I digress.

Long story short, Theodore Bagwell did not grace us with his presence last week, but while I was watching the show anyway, a line from one of the regular characters – Loyd Lowery (played by Jimmi Simpson) – caught my attention.

Let’s put it after a jump, in case of spoilers…

The folks over at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) had the opportunity to both get a sneak peek at the new Jodie Foster movie, The Beaver, and talk with the Academy Award-winning actress about the upcoming film.

The Beaver, which Foster both directs and stars in with Mel Gibson (not something everyone is happy about) is described as a comedy-drama that explores one man’s life with depression and how his mental illness impacts his family.

Foster talks with Katrina Gay, NAMI’s Communications Director, about why she was drawn to undertake The Beaver, and explains:

Depression is a part of all of our lives. Everyone has experience with it either in their own families or with friends. I had a lot of personal connection to this topic.

For the full piece, head on over to Ruminating Spirit: Jodie Foster on Depression, Healing and the Human Condition. Also, The Hollywood Reporter has the film’s official trailer.

Image Source: Franz Richter via Wikipedia

Disney star Demi Lovato was released from (“released from” – I really hate that phrase – it’s not like she was incarcerated or something) from rehab back in January, and although she’s been spotted out and about and sources have spoken with the press about her recovery, she hasn’t spoken publicly about it herself – until now.

Cambio has obtained an exclusive video of Lovato talking about her time in rehab, how much she appreciates her fans, and how fan support helped her make it through.

Although she doesn’t speak about the specific reasons she checked into rehab, she does say:

The journey that I’ve been on has been very, very difficult over the past few months. I was dealing with issues that I know not only girls just my age, but of all ages are dealing with. People that are probably watching this video right now are dealing with the issues that I had to, and I hope to one day raise awareness of everything so that I can help people, too, just like you guys helped me through this rough time.

Hmm, might we have another celebrity advocate on our hands? I suppose only time will tell.

In the meantime, head on over to Cambio to check out Lovato’s video.

Image Source: Wikipedia

UPDATE (March 20, 2011): According to TMZ, Starr’s memorial is actually taking place today at Seattle’s Space Needle (not the Seattle Center, as recently reported).

UPDATE (March 14, 2011) BLABBERMOUTH.NET reports the public memorial for Mike Starr “will be held on Sunday, March 20 between 4:00 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. at ‘The Fountain’ (Seattle Center) in Seattle, Washington.”

UPDATE (March 12, 2011): As the folks over at Spinner remind us, toxicology reports could take up to two months. However, this voicemail, courtesy of TMZ, shows Starr was looking for drugs before his death.

UPDATE (March 11, 2011) Memorial Matters now features an online memorial for Mike Starr. Thanks to Jennifer Smith (below) for the heads up.

UPDATE (March 9, 2011) According to Spin, Mike Starr’s cause of death has yet to be disclosed, but members of Alice In Chains have released a statement viewable over at Roadrunner Records’ Blabbermouth blog.

Former Alice In Chains bassist Mike Starr was found dead this afternoon. The 44-year-old rocker was in Salt Lake City, Utah at the time of his passing.

Starr, who was arrested last month for felony possession of Xanax and Opana pain pills, appeared on the ninth season of Celebrity Rehab and then later on Sober House, which documented his transition from rehab back into everyday life.

So far, authorities haven’t released any reports about the official cause of death, though it seems the music world – and those who new Starr – suspect drug overdose. In addition to Nikki Sixx’s tweet above, Dr. Drew tweeted he was devastated to hear about “Mike Starr succumbing to his illness.”

Let’s get this out of the way upfront: This is not a post about Charlie Sheen.

Okay, maybe it is – in a way.

But more than a post about Charlie Sheen, it’s a post about Americans. Or, maybe, the human race as a whole (as I’m not sure how far the aftershocks of this Sheen Quake are being felt.)

And more than a post, it’s a question:

Just what exactly is Charlie Sheen winning at?

Life? Popularity? Who can gain the most Twitter followers the fastest? (Sheen, by the way, he holds the record for reaching 1 million followers faster than any other Twitter user – a feat that prompted Ad.ly to sign a deal with him.)

Certainly not who can get the most blonde live-in girlfriends. I mean, Heff kind of won that a long time ago.

So what’s the deal?

When his new movie Unknown hit the big screen a couple of weeks ago, Liam Neeson helped rake in $26.5 million.

When his new Esquire interview hits stands this month, he’ll pull at readers’ hearts.

The Oscar- and Golden Globe-nominated actor – whose notable films also include Batman Begins, The A-Team, and The Chronicles of Narnia empire – sat down with Esquire‘s Tom Chiarella to discuss growing up in a box, surviving a motorcycle accident, his “damned good” dog, and of course, the tragic death of his wife, Natasha Richardson, in 2009

It hits you in the middle of the night – well, it hits me in the middle of the night. I’m out walking. I’m feeling quite content. And it’s like suddenly, boom. It’s like you’ve just done that in your chest.

And isn’t that how it goes? Tragedy. Shock. Death. We learn to cope and go about everyday life as best we can – maybe we even learn to embrace the absence and recognize it for what is – but some day, or some night, it hits us. The pain and loss and shock of it all.

Don’t think you’ll get around to picking up a copy of March’s issue? Check out the feature online: The Hard Luck and Beautiful Life of Liam Neeson.

Image Source: Wikipedia

Whatever happened to Body of Proof, that new ABC drama Dana Delany was supposed to star in?

Well, March is in officially in full swing – which means the show’s premiere is right around the corner.

On March 29, Body of Proof will air on ABC at 10 p.m., the date and time slot currently held by Detroit 1-8-7.

(1-8-7 fans shouldn’t panic just yet, though – that’s the same date the show wraps up its 18-episode season, so, all’s going according to plan.)

Head over to Dana Delany On Eating Disorders, Botox, And Self-Image to pass the time!

Image Source: Dana Delany via Wikipedia