Not sure if this is the right forum, but…
What’s the deal with Dr. Drew Penske?
On one hand he seems like a really great doctor. (not that I really know, but he seems to know what he’s talking about)
On the other hand, he’d have to be an ego-maniac to be a ‘celeb’ doctor?
The two don’t seem to mesh.
Is he a good “nice” guy? Does anybody know about him other that what’s put out to the public?
He’s not a “celeb doctor” by my definition. He got started in the public eye by being the doctor on Love Line on KROQ-FM in Los Angeles. This was in the 80s, I remember. His co-hosts have changed, but most people have heard of him because the program got syndicated, and then MTV created a video/tv version. I’ve not heard of his promoting himself other than just being on the show. Has he written books and gone on tour, or inserted himelf into others’ situations, like Dr. Phil?
Well, many legitimate doctors write books and go on talking tours… I think if he has a real medical degree and actually practices medicine I’d consider him a real doctor, unlike doctor phil.
I think he’s still a little miffed about Costanza not working his file.
To start, it’s Dr. Drew Pinsky.
There are a few telling facts. First, he started hosting Loveline pro bono in the early 80’s, for years even after the show became popular and nationally syndicated he continued working without pay and under the alias Dr Drew in order to conceal his professional identity. He maintained a full-time position in a hospital and later a private practice which had nothing to do with celebrity. The guy for the first 15 years or so worked as a volunteer and shunned celebrity.
Later when the show achieved real fame he came to terms with his celebrity and started doing TV and radio work and earning from it. I think he’s since stepped away from his practice and has embraced the money and opportunity to use his notoriety in order to do public service announcements about health issues he finds worthwhile.
I’ve always thought he did a especially good job of walking the line between being professional and taking problems seriously without losing his sense of humor on some of the topics. I think he knows that Celeb rehab is largely a sham, and some of the people are there solely for the publicity, but that doesn’t seem to stop him addressing the serious issues with some of the patients and on the larger stage I think he appreciates how it acts as a 30 minute long PSA against doing drugs.
Moving thread from IMHO to Cafe Society and fixing title.
Thanks for the correction. I guess I could have looked that up first.
Well, like I said he always seemed like he was in it for the right reasons; and when I’d listen to him on Lovelines I was always amazed at how intuitive he was. It opened my eyes to how predictable certain behaviour is. i.e. situation A happens, then behaviour B is likely to happen. This is especially true with things like childhood sexual abuse and how it manifests itself into that child as they become an adult.
His credentials are impeccable- I think he’s just a real doctor who has been afforded some celebrity status and enjoys it- nothing wrong with that. On lovelines and even on the VH1 show he’s got now, he always seems respectful and professional when talking about the people who he was caring for or advising, and seemed geniunely concerned for their well being. Even if a lot of viewers take like me take the shows as a joke, he doesn’t seem to.
He always seemed very legit and knowledgable to me, he’d let Adam do the jokes and then step in as the voice of reason. But he was never too harsh or critical.
These celebs really do need help. If it came on earlier out death pools would all have a certain 2nd rate actor on them. (Conway)
Dr. Drew is the man. I used to watch Loveline all the time when I was like 12.
Me too, I remember sneaking my radio on in my bedroom when I was supposed to be sleeping back in junior high.
I always appreciated that he’d take questions and offer advice but he’d generally avoid scolding people (unless they really deserved it) and rarely passed off some holier than thou manifesto about how they should be living their lives.
Big ups to Dr. Drew in my book.
I always like Dr. Drew, but this Celebrity Rehab show seems like the lowest of the low. It has people with real problems (as in one guy looks like he is about to die) and other people that just want to be on TV (Baldwin). The show just seems so dirty and disgusting.
I didn’t even know he had a new show–should I check it out? I’ve always liked Dr. Drew a lot.
I don’t know that anybody would have anything bad to say about Dr. Drew- I’ve never heard anything negative about him. He’s everything you want in a doctor- knowledgeable and firm, yet gentle and comforting. For a long time I pictured our own Qadgop The Mercotan looking just like Dr. Pinsky, but sadly, he doesn’t. I still like to pretend he does, though.
I agree. I’ve got nothing but respect for Dr. Drew.
I used to think that Dr. Drew was a doctor the same way Dr. Pepper was a doctor, but as I’ve gotten older (and began working in the drug rehab filed myself), I’ve changed my tune. He’s the real deal.
As for his new Celebrity Rehab show, it’s pretty spot on, especially the individual and group therapy sessions. I’m sure some of the drama is hyped up, but none of it seems to involve Drew. I usually watch this show with a smile on my face because some of the things he’s said in therapy session has been exactly what I’ve said, too. He’s very person-centered and goal-oriented. He’s great.
Drew for pres 08? is it to late?
(edit) even better, Drew/Colbert 08
I saw an interview with him talking about the show and he seems to be taking it seriously.
I also liked how he pointed out that Dr Phil doesn’t actually have any credentials.
I respect Dr. Drew. On one radio interview he said he expected 50/50 on people who thought the show was great/horrible. But he said it ended up being about 90/10 (great/bad).
Here’s think link:
When I heard him on the radio , he was asked a lot of questions about the validity of the show, and he had some great answers. I’d give that a listen to hear what he is saying about his involvement about the show.