MTV, VH1 MINE REALITY’S PITFALLS

MTV and VH1 have proven experts at the reality game, but have they gone too far with their latest entries on the late Adam “DJ AM” Goldstein and down-and-out former TV star Willie Aames?

MTV’s controversial Gone Too Far series, hosted and created by DJ AM before his own death from a drug overdose, bows next Monday (10/12) at 10 p.m., the first of eight hour-long episodes chronicling young addicts between the ages of 20-25 offered a chance at recovery.

The DJ’s family has given consent and support for the airing, issuing the following statement: "After careful consideration we have decided to air the show. Adam felt strongly that by doing this series he could help other addicts who were at a crisis point to get sober. Adam was fully aware that if it were not for his own sobriety he never would have achieved the level of success and happiness he had found. Helping people in their recovery was a huge part of Adam’s life. It is our hope through airing this show that people will get to see the side of Adam that we knew and loved, not just the celebrity DJ, but the honest and caring person who gave so much of himself to help others. The decision to air the show has been difficult, but we do this with the profound belief that it will inspire others to seek help."

Each episode features Goldstein meeting with the addicts, friends and families to explore their willingness to change. As part of his own struggle to overcome substance abuse, his mission was to help as many people as he could.

Viewers seeking additional information on substance abuse and addiction issues can log on to SubstanceAbuse.MTV.com for resources from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America.

Meanwhile, VH1’s Broke and Famous: Willie Aames, premieres Nov. 5, chronicling the journey of the once-successful celebrity who is now unable to support himself, faced with losing his house, possessions and family after a series of bad financial choices as well as living beyond his means.

The show concentrates on the former star of TV shows Eight Is Enough and Charles in Charge and his efforts to turn his life around with tough, nononsense financial guru, life coach and best-selling author Sarano Kelly. A self-made man, he entered Vassar College at 16 years old and was earning $400K in commission as a stockbroker on Wall Street by the time he was 23. As a motivational speaker and life coach, Sarano has trained more than 250,000 people.

“Willie Aames is a well-known figure with a story that’s both compelling and, for many Americans, sadly relatable,” said VH1 EVP Orginal Programming and Production Jeff Olde. “Willie has the additional challenge of being a public figure, but we believe that viewers can connect with his efforts to transform his life.”

Aames recently appeared on VH1’s Celebrity Fit Club 2 and Celebrity Fit Club 6: Boot Camp.