VH1 doubles down on Dr. Drew

Network renews 'Rehab,' greenlights 'Sex'

By JON WEISMAN

VH1 is doubling down on Dr. Drew, renewing his “Celebrity Rehab” show for a third season while greenlighting to series his spinoff about sexual addiction.

“Sex Rehab With Dr. Drew” received an eight-episode order to explore the oft-dismissed issue of sexual compulsion and its destructive effect on those who suffer from it.

In contrast to “Celebrity Rehab,” the participants in “Sex Rehab” will not be culled from the famous. VH1 is eyeing a fall launch.

The network is also bringing Tiffany “New York” Pollard back for another skein, “New York Goes to Work,” which features her learning a job skill that will be chosen by interactive viewer vote each week. Skein debuts May 4 at 10 p.m., leading into the second-season premiere of “Gotti’s Way 2.” Pollard previously starred in “I Love New York” and “New York Goes to Hollywood” for VH1.

Other series receiving renewals from VH1 are Brooke Hogan starrer “Brooke Knows Best” (season premiere scheduled for spring), “Tool Academy” (summer) and “I Want to Work for Diddy” (fall).

VH1 touts that it has debuted more new series with at least 1 million viewers than any cable network in 2009.

“Much of our momentum can be credited to many of the franchises and talent that we’re renewing today,” said Jeff Olde, VH1 exec VP of original programming and production.

Drew shares executive producer duties on both his programs with Howard Lapides. John Irwin and Bruce Toms exec produce the series for Irwin Entertainment, with Olde, Jill Holmes and Noah Pollack doing the same for VH1.

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http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118002720.html

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