Dec 4, 2007
Advent Bossy. December 4.
Bossy has a little project she likes to call Intervention. Namely, watching every single episode that ever aired. Have you seen this A&E series? Each show profiles one person whose life is on the brink of personal disaster—be it through drink or drugs or other life-threatening compulsive disorders such as blogging anorexia.
Here’s the premise: the show’s producers are in cahoots with the subject’s friends and family, who are in the final planning stages of a surprise intervention. The show provides the know-how and treatment plan, the subject provides the dysfunction.
For the first half hour the A&E cameras follow the subject around capturing all manner of horrifying behavior while telling the subject they are there to document them for some other show about something unrelated.
In the next half hour the family gathers in a room with one of the show’s Intervention Specialists. The subject then wanders in where they are ambushed by friend and family letters meant to sway the subject to accept help that minute.
Bossy isn’t sure why the subject allows A&E to capture shockingly detailed photographic proof of their illicit behavior. Just like Bossy isn’t sure why the subject believes A&E is interviewing them for some unrelated show but certainly not for their hit series Intervention—but it could have a little something to do with the subject because, hello? Drunk and high. Anyway, these are just a few of the many mysteries surrounding the subject, not the least of which is why Bossy keeps using the word subject.
Last night marked the launch of the new season, which airs Monday at 9 p.m. EST. But check your program guide because there are bucket loads of episodes and they are rebroadcast in perpetuity.
I LOVE that show. It’ll (almost-ha) make you never EVER want to do drugs (again). I always wonder, too, how they never catch on? And how can they allow someone to film them snorting or shooting up?
I think bossy needs an intervention for her addition to Intervention.
There is just nothing like a little public humiliation to say we love you and care for you – and by the way we want you to get off the drugs.
Aha! much more fun than our cardboard ones……there again we have a chocolate behind every door!
Cheers
Ah, crap. I’m culturally illiterate. I don’t get A&E.
Maybe I could find episodes online somewhere? And show them to my toddlers as an early prevention measure?
One day on Howard Stern, Gary said, “You can’t have an intervention if the person isn’t willing to be in it!” And I was all, “Um, Bababooey, that’s the very definition of an intervention!”
That’s all I have to say about interventions.
Another reason not to trust anyone with a video camera. Except me, of course.
I love watching me some train wrecks!
I have such internal discord watching this show, becuase while I am completely fascinated, I also feel like this is exactly the type of thing that needs to be kept private. I don’t know how the producers do it, I don’t think I could.
Speaking of drugs and such, has anyone seen the anti-meth commercials that portray some young person saying, “I’m not gonna be like that guy . . .” and then that guy turns out to be them after doing meth. Oh dear lord those are horrifying.
UGH!! Last night I watched SOME of it back and forth as I am not nearly as sick individual as BOSSY.
The ENDING of this pathetic upchucker!! She was released from “anorexia camp” because she had LOST seven pounds after two months!!
She then allowed herself to be admitted to a hospital where they began to TUBE FEED her!! I have worked with “Tube feeders” before..the tube is NOT conducive to making good outfits–it clashes with EVERYTHING.
AWWCKKK…this is enough to make me want to crawl to the kitchen and start sucking down the chocolate chip cookie dough in the bowl. …Ok..I believe I will microwave it first.
now if only they could combine this show with that pathetic Extreme Home Makeover – they get you to accept that you’re an alcoholic/addict/asshole, then they build you a house while you’re in rehab. My god they would have to turn people away. Who wouldn’t take the hit, knowing you would get a new house out of it??
I don’t think you’re sick bossy – “its just good investigative journalism” – The Big Chill
I have to check it out-I have been hooked on Samantha Who? on Monday nights-sheesh, now I’ll be torn.
shut up! we watch the same shit bossy.
did you see last night? ack.
i was a mess.
How is it this show is in existance and I’ve never heard of it!? As an old psych major, Im fascinated with human behavoir in all its guises(even the total train wreck guise). Im going to have to add this one to the list of sh- uhhh stuff to watch. Lordy, my DVR is never going to be the same. Thanks Bossy!(I think).
I would much rather snort in front of TV cameras than have those bitchy Please Tell Us You Don’t Wear That In Public people undress me in front of a camera AND a 3 way mirror. That’t the intervention I would not forgive my friends for arranging. That, and Cheaters.
I used to both love and loathe that show when we had cable. It made me cry more than once, and I’m not usually a cryer, honestly (though my blog reads otherwise, I think).
I love that show. Stayed up half the night watching it.
Oh! I have watched this show a LOT. For other reasons though, my ex could have been “The Subject” in this show a few years back so I can totally relate to what is going on.
The reason “The Subject” allows the cameras to film them doing all sorts of horrible things they would never admit to anyone: They know its wrong and they WANT to stop, they just CAN’T. These are all people who are on the brink of dying, being committed or committing some heinous crime that will lock them away for life. They realize that they are in a horrible place and want change or just don’t care and accept it.
The reason I hardly ever can watch the show anymore: THEY RARELY CHANGE. That last minute or two where they update usually makes me cry like a baby. And it bothers me its so f-ing cavalier – like the above post where she ends up getting kicked out for losing weight.
I do find it compelling but mostly DEPRESSING. I can’t get over people just throwing their lives away.
I bet Bossy slows down traffic when there’s an accident with all her rubber necking.
I watch that show all the time. Funny thing is, addicts don’t think it gives me any street cred at all, so they think I’m just lecturing them when I tell ‘em not to do drugs…
Makes our own insanity a bit more sane when we see how screwed up others are, doesn’t it?!
See, I can’t do a show like that.
I KNOW people have trash – lots of trash – dysfunctional trash. What I don’t know is why anyone would force someone to reveal it online by way of deception.
Besides that’s what blogs are for.
heh heh
Did someone say hypocrit? I totally resemble that remark.
As the daughter of an alcoholic I can tell you why the subject allows the cameras to follow them: addicts are some of the most self-centered individuals in the world. And they are completely convinced that they don’t have a problem, so you must be interested in filming them for some other purpose.
It borders on exploitation, but damn does it make for good television.
IF ANY OF MY FAMILY ARE READING THIS I CAN TOTALLY QUIT PEANUT M&MS ANY TIME I WANT. NO NEED FOR AN INTERVENTION. I’M SERIOUS.
aacccckkkkk i can’t turn that show off once it’s on. it’s so awful and depressing.. but… compelling.
Hi Bossy,
I was tagge and if you would like to join in I am tagging you. I am sure you are much better at linking then my attempt!
http://the-travelers-journal.blogspot.com/
This show is like a wreck. You can’t stand to watch……yet you can’t look away either.
Addicts are seriously sick indiviuals. Unfortunately, they don’t have big bandages, big gaping wounds or a a big cast to let you know how sick they are. Their focus narrows to themselves and their wants regardless of the world around them. The addicts trap the people who love them with emotional blackmail, and by playing the blame game when it’s time to accept responsibility for the situation they created.
My dear beautiful sister gave up a nursing career, her child, her home, and her body and soul for heroin. I tried for years to help. On the way to rehab, she jumped out of the car and ran away. She couldn’t help it. The call of the drug is too strong. It took a long time to for us to figure out how bad she was and start living for ourselves again.
Strangely. I’m happy when I find out that she is in jail. She can get food, clothes, medical attention and no drugs. I know where she is and that she is safe. She refuses treatment and returns to her heroin after she is released. One day I’ll get a call from the authorities that they have found her body.
The great thing about this show is that it really does show how helpless the family and friends feel and how powerful addiction is.
I’m on it.
Well, I’m not ON the show, rather…I’m going to go check out my local schedule and watch it. Soon.
My ex-boyfriend was on that show!
NOT as an addict, but as the “concerned” boyfriend of an addict. Actually, he’s a psychopath who preys on women and the mother of the addict called him out on it! Ha-ha-ha!
I have looked for that episode (Michael & Randi, 2005) to be repeated, but I don’t think it ever has. I’m sure he threatened to sue the show or something.
Finally, someone busted him, on NATIONAL television. OMG, it was great!
If you’re the kind of person doing enough drugs that you get on Intervention, signing a release waiver for a TV show probably doesn’t seem like a big deal.
I love that show. It is available on demand and I can watch it whenever I want!
I’m sorry does Intervention fall under “Art” or “Entertainment”?
As for why the subject allows film crew to document their behavior? Um, they’re HIGH?
I agree with Mary Alice: Nothing says I love you like broadcasting on basic cable.
I saw one episode where a family and a guy’s girlfriend were trying to get the guy off dope, then we figure out that the dad himself is a boozer who refuses to quit! So ironic. After having the big cry, promising to quit, etc.–the kid skips town and leaves everyone hanging.
I’m pretty sure if I was on that show my family would be trying to stop me from eating potatoes. Or buying linen. One of the two.
What? I had this idea back in Feb ‘06 (but it was a celebrity version). Why do people steal?
http://www.thewebpen.net/blog/2006/02/intervention-the-san-francisco-treat.html
Hey! I just found your site from Foolery’s. For some sick, demented reason I love that show too. Did you see the one where it was some ex-famous musician’s kid? I can’t remember what the guy was famous for… maybe My Sherona? Anyway, it was an interesting trainwreck.
I could never bring myself to watch this show, just because my family experienced this in real life. Sometimes, television hits too close to home. What I do want to know is, what every happened to Find & Design? I loved that show.
Aw crap, another car crash reality show for Mrs Farty to get hooked on.
Dude – I can’t watch. I tried. It was too painful…
Ive been a closet fan of the show for awhile now….
The anorexia people make me kinda sick. Its far too upsetting to see such skinny SUBJECTS.
But, I can handle “the junkie” episodes just fine.
Unfortunately, my husband and I always happen to start watching these episodes together which means there will be no ‘luv’ in the house that night. Who can fool around after watching someone shooting heroin or drinking themselves into a stupor? It’s a bit too depressing (especially when the intervention/treatment fails) but we are drawn to it like moths to a flame.
I should be ashamed of myself for watching it since I was fortunate enough to have family members go through this lovely hell without even having to sign a waiver…
But, by golly, the show is kind of a drug in itself..
And where’s the ART in A & E anymore? Though I sure can see the entertainment…
Thought it was just me! They were having a marathon or something and I stood by the edge long enough to get sucked into the vortex. Is it wrong that sometimes I tape it and watch it with a glass of wine? Maybe.
I’ve seen that one a coupla times. We all have our Dirty Little Secret shows, though, and mine is Project Runway. That damn show is like eating peanuts – I just can’t stop! And I don’t own even ONE item of clothing that the people on the show would not recoil in horror at seeing, so why? Why the obsession? Must be the tacky draaama of it all. Go figure.
I don’t do non-fiction TV.
Isn’t this just another version of what the Jerry Springer show does?
I too watch..and my husband does too..with the strike underway I may be recording and watching more.
The one that made me SICK was a “normal” mom..could have been anyone..who had a hot hubby and 3 awesome kids..and she was SUCH a drunk/alcoholic that they had to have people babysit her so she wouldn’t drink the listerine.. she was finally arrested and “sober” she went off on the judge and had to do jailtime…the rehab worked for her and in the after shot it looked like she turned back time and got 10 years back on her life.
I have an addict cousin..who WAS the most beautiful girl in the world..she gave up her kids, hope for a career, her husband… all for drugs, hooking and jail. I love her and hug her and tell her to remember she is worth something.
This trainwreck of a show is a reminder of how lucky some of us are…and how to be tolerant..and also how it can strike ANY family.. Addiction isn’t a color or race..and living in the Meth capital of the world..OK off my soapbox…
I can’t watch even ten seconds of it without recoiling in horror and having the change the channel at the loss of dignity involved for everyone involved.
Geez, if you really love someone, yes – you force their hand, tough love, make them get help… but, on national television…
That’s just wrong.
I know – I am just a wet blanket.
I think Bossy needs to check out “A Shot At Love” on MTV. Now, this is quality programming!