Dr. Drew Pinsky is pulling the plug on "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew" — in part because he's sick of being criticized over the fact that the patients on the show keep dying.
In a recent interview with radio program Zach Sang & the Gang, Pinsky called the criticism directed at him "ridiculous."
"I don't have plans to do ['Celebrity Rehab'] again, " Pinsky said. "I'm tired of taking all the heat. It's just ridiculous."
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A number of celebrities who've sought treatment on the series have subsequently died, such as Jeff Conaway, Rodney King, former "Real World" cast member Joey Kovar, Alice in Chains bassist Mike Starr and, most recently, country singer Mindy McCready.
The deaths have called into question the effectiveness of subjecting the recovery process to the reality-TV treatment, especially celebrity patients, who are as likely to crave media attention as much as the substances they're hooked on.
In the interview, Pinsky admits that the "Celebrity Rehab" experience can be stressful and intense — for him.
Also read: Reality Shows Under Scrutiny — Who's Accountable?
"It's very stressful … you know, it's very intense for me," Pinsky complained. "And to have people questioning my motives and taking aim at me because people get sick and die because they have a life-threatening disease, and I take the blame for that? Rodney King has a heart attack and I take blame for that?"
"Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew" ran for five seasons on VH1. For the sixth season, which premiered in September, the series was titled to "Rehab With Dr. Drew," with the focus moving toward non-famous recovering addicts.