Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2008 > October > 13 > Entry
10/13: Nikki McKibbon on Dr. Drew’s rehab show, Simon Cowell’s “Idol” payday
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Not much goin’ on in “Idol” land so I previewed the second season of “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew” on VH1, which debuts October 23 at 10 p.m. and features season one third-place finisher Nikki McKibbon. The concept: 21 days in a treatment facility with Dr. Drew Pinsky. The first season was interesting in many ways though it’s clear 21 days is barely a start for a lot of deeply drug-addicted people, celebrity or not.
“I screwed everything up, drinking and doing drugs” McKibbon said on the “Rehab” show. “I’m an alcoholic. I have a very severe drinking problem and I need help.” She is also trying to “kick a really bad coke addiction. I got down to 90 pounds, wasted away.”
She actually looks a little heavy now. “I’ve been drinking every day since my mom died,” she explained, noting her mom was also a druggie and died from it. “The coke kills the pain. On the other hand, you’re crazy from it.” (“She blames herself for her mom’s death,” Dr. Pinsky said.)
She told Dr. Pinsky that she had physical and emotional abuse as a kid. “She has emotional diagnoses,” Pinsky said. “There are many different layers.” He said it could take months to deal with her issues.
McKibbon, who was the relative rebel on the show and a single mom, never really had a career of any note that I can recall, at least nothing notable. She did do “Fear Factor” and “Battle of the Network Reality Stars.”
She follows Jessica Sierra, who was in the first season and continues to do rehab now.
McKibbon’s celebmates include Jeff Conaway (again!), Rodney King (yes, the man who got beat up by cops and said “Why can’t we all just get along?”), Amber Smith (model/actress), Tawny Kitaen (that gal on the hood of the car in a Whitesnake video), Gary Busey (he already had his own reality show!), Sean Stewart (son of Rod) and Steve Adler (Guns ‘n Roses). This is a bizarro way to get treatment —Â in front of TV cameras. But alas, this is entertainment first, rehab second. Oddly, Busey is there to “help” out the others, having been through rehab himself and saying he’s been sober 13 years.
-Nigel Lythgoe revealed Simon Cowell’s annual take from “Idol” alone now. He said it’s $36 million a year, a pittance compared to the $500 million plus in ad revenue the show generates each year. He notes that the salaries for Paula and Randy have never been revealed but his higher salary is a “bone of contention.” Then again, it’s fair to say he’s more valuable than either of those two so he should get far more cash. He also dubbed him a smart negotiator, refusing to sign anything longer than one year.
“He’s only ever negotiated by the year,” Lythgoe said. “And now he is getting something like $22,000 per minute.”
-MJ is noting that David Cook is now doing radio promotional interviews to promote his upcoming album. Nothing terribly revelatory but if you want more details, read it here.
Comments
By flats
October 13, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this
FIRST!!!!!WOOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!ANOTHER HUGE STORY!!!!!!!!!!!!GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!
By JTesla
October 13, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
Gary Busey is awesome.
Did Nikki McKibbon make the reality show rounds a few years ago? Fear Factor etc? Or am I thinking of somebody else.
By Nana
October 13, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
What a shame and pity that anyone would want to risk their lives for alcohol and drugs. No good comes either. I know that people do get hooked on drugs and for some, they really have a hard time trying to get sober and stay that way. For anyone who is so hooked on them, I admire them for taking the first step in getting sober and trying to get their life back on track. They are a walking testimony, if they succeed. This is just my thoughts and opinions only.
By flats
October 13, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
I agree Nana….they’re is a alot of drugs and dirty books out they’re.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
October 13, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
Nana, what upsets me are the people who take drugs because either they were prescribed (the prescription meds that are so strong), setting up the urge/craving/addiction. While it’s not the majority, it’s by far to me the saddest, of addictions, because you trust your doctor, right… but some are unscrupulous, or careless or negligent, and it’s no less difficult to kick a prescription addiction than a “street drug” addiction — i guess the only so-called positive would be that the ‘scrips are at least “clean” whereas the street drugs are laced with heaven only knows what.
have any of you caught Benjamin Bratt’s show “The Cleaner” … on one of the cable networks, usa, tnt, one of those… it’s heavy. in the truest sense of the word. based on a true story. It’s not a polished, glitzy show, it’s very gritty, showing a lot of the underbelly of the world of addiction (all kinds not just drugs and alcohol)
hmph, sorry Rodney, maybe I should be over on the Radio&TV Talk Blog, LOL!!!
see you guys later, time to go slave over a hot copier…
By Nana
October 13, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this
linny, you are so right about the prescribed drugs. They can be more so addictive than the street drugs. I have a co-worker that 3 yrs ago her only child committed suicide and she became so addictive to scribed drugs that she ended in jail for forgery of a prescription. She has gotten her life back in order and works everyday and she makes speeches at the courts in Cobb County and rehab centers. I say to her, “God Bless You”. She is one of my closest friends here at the office. This is just to say that even good people can become addictive. But correcting a wrong, makes the person an even greater person, IMP.
Just saying………….
Eli Stone starts back this week, for whose of you who watched it last season. I can’t wait.
By Nana
October 13, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this
Oops, I made a goof. I meant to say, In my opinion instead of IMP in my last post.
Sorry about that. I will try to do better in the future.
By flats
October 13, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
Nana…Watch that lady.you cant trust anyone these days!!!!
By Nana
October 13, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the warning flats, but she’s cool. She learned her lesson the hard way. Spending time in jail I’m sure was a hard wake up call for her. I wouldn’t want to spend time in one. No way, no how!!!!!
I’m about to call it a day and head to LaGrange to check on my dad. Everyone be safe and drive careful.
Don’t forget DWTS tonight.
By Harmony
October 13, 2008 10:12 PM | Link to this
I for one, will be glad when this election is over.
I want to vote for Matt Ryan and Warren Sapp for president.
By JTesla
October 13, 2008 10:22 PM | Link to this
Sorry Harmony, but my vote is going for Kim Kardashian for president. If anybody could get to the bottom of this economic mess, it would be her. She would use all the assets at her disposal to solve the country’s problems.
With that said, I will be as glad as you are. The local stuff up here is getting nasty.
By Nana
October 14, 2008 5:21 AM | Link to this
Good Morning Bloggersters. Hope ya’ll had a great evening.
DWTS: Who is going and who is staying? Any takers? My pick is Rocco will go. The best IMO last night was again, Brooke/Derek with Kim/Warren in a very close 2nd.
Time to hit the road, so be safe and drive careful.
BTW: Harmony I agree with your statement about the election. Wished it was already a done deal.
By flats
October 14, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this
GOOD MORNING EVERYONE!!!!!5 ays til the DAWGS BALLS stomp the dores on homecoming!!!!
By JTesla
October 14, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
Regarding Simon’s take from Idol: can they just give him Paula and Randy’s salary in addition to his own and call it good? I’m done with those two, maybe the best change for Idol will be the additional personality.
By flats
October 14, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
Right on JT…..did u watch amazing race the other night?
By JTesla
October 14, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
No flats, I don’t watch much reality TV. Did I miss something good?
By flats
October 14, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this
It was great JT.The guys aon they’re are smoken!!!!
By flats
October 14, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this
probally the best butts on television!
By JTesla
October 14, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
Flats, maybe I’m missing something here, “The guys” are “smoken”? I’ll pass, but I won’t judge you for watching it.
By harrietth
October 14, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this
Hey, flats, are the folks up your way all abuzz over Tommy Bowden’s ouster at Clemson? It shocked everyone around here, mainly because they thought it would happen later rather than now.
By Lara
October 14, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this
Good morning blogsters! Oh wait, it is not morning anymore…I am still playing catch up after being out of the office for 2 days. Memphis was great - and I had an AI sighting…well, not really. Saw an add at the Orpheum Theatre for Justin Guarinni and Kimberly Locke - they are going to host some Star Search type show… Happy Tuesday!!!
By flats
October 14, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
H…Huge buzz around here,i’m only 30 min from clemson.I think it was a good move on both sides.
JT..Just trying to fit in.