until we get the stadiums filled with gladiators...

this program is a sure sign of the apocalypse.

what's a believer to do? Laugh his ass off! That's what!!! If this schmuck can't make money off mealie Christian's, he deserves this! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

You saw this miserable situation from many perspectives. (And to make it clear, all reality shows are miserable situations.) You saw that Aames was far too egotistical with his money - and has stayed so as his money and fame disintegrated. But you also saw that VH1 was sadistically using Aames under the pretense of helping him achieve solvency.

And yes, steveinmidtown, Aames was stupid in getting involved in a kid's show written by the Christian right wing. He was used by them as thoroughly and cruelly as he was by VH1. It isn't true schadenfreude, though, because by appearing on this show Aames got a quick injection of the fame he was seeking from the Bible-betrayers.

There's honorable ways of trying to reclaim fame. Cher and Sonny Bono, after their first flush of fame as teenage singing idols, had to work hundreds of crappy gigs in county fairs, developing the comic personas that brought them back to fame as variety show hosts. To do that, they had to admit that they knew nothing and had to begin again at base principles.

If Aames finds some honor in being a carpenter, and some genuine skill and talent, that would be an honest comeback. He could even do some TV again as a do-it-yourself host who has gained practical wisdom. That would be morally better - and with better practical results - than trying to claim the spotlight just because he once had it, and putting on a superhero costume he couldn't fill on behalf of some TV preacher.

Thank you, Heather

I now know that I have absolutely no business ever again reading anything you write.

Spoiled formerly rich people getting yelled at? I love it.

Working with your hands, making something useful? Can't be. Living within your means? Don't say so.

OK, I'll be a financial planner.

Seriously. Get this shit out of here. I want, nay I need to hear more about vampires.

Have some compassion, this former child star tried to kill himself last Thanksgiving. You seemed to enjoy this poor man's misery and that is extremely distasteful. You might have your life figured out, but none of us can imagine the challenges faced by someone who became famous so young. I don't think I'll read anymore of your articles.

I can live without seeing anyone, child star or not, getting a financial beatdown when the people who deserve one are walking around free and clear and flush with cash. Show me a few high-flying Wall Street executives and corrupt politicians moving into studio apartments and working in carpentry shops -- better yet prison carpentry shops, and I will be sure to watch.

I had to look up Willie Aames to find out exactly who he is. He has quite a long list of TV credits to his name. Granted, "Eight is Enough" seems to be his one biggest claim to fame, but back in the 70s/80s he appeared on everything from the old soap "Edge of Night" to "Gunsmoke". Is it his own fault that he made bad investments - of course, but he is sure as hell not alone. Here in S. Florida some pretty savvy investors are driving over to West Palm Beach these days to hock their jewelery after being cleaned out by Bernie Madoff. So I say cut this guy a break. He may be down, but he may not be out.

Was this show based on Aames being broke or his being broke and a jerk? We all feel for the guy/gal who tries but gets taken by the system. Virtue slain by evil. When we encounter the Aames type, the big shot a-hole who has failed we feel better. If his "investments" had worked out and he was still rich and famous but still the same jerk-off he would be surrounded by fawning entertainment media and offers of who knows what. Some say the rich are different but that is not really true seems that we just see the rich differently. It says more about us then them.

Is he still a fundie and a minister? Reality shows seem to get the narcisisstic and unlikable and he seems to fit the bill. It's sad that he attempted suicide last year but that does not make him likable, decent or a candidate for canonization. I'm sure this is a typical trainwrcek that will attract popcorn eating rubber neckers and that's about the level where Aames seems to belong.

A few points off for not mentioning this wastrel previously trying to cash in on Jesus, and for omitting the histrionic, unwatchable "acting" on "Charles in Charge" that made Scott Baio seem like Richard Burton by comparison. As a second banana Aames had less talent than a plantain, and undoubtedly would taste worse fried. Still, more than workwomanlike, and a much better way to keep those toddlers fed. This is why I like to read ILTW. Solid.

for being entertained by the central humiliating/entertaining concept of the show! have you people watched television before?

Should be fed headfirst into wood chippers. Sorry, those are the Salon rules.

This sort of washed up celeb reality show is a nice way to razz the idiots who squander their money for doing something that does not cure cancer, end world hunger, or brings about world peace. Let them eat cake. (Or at least hit the in the face with one.)

I love Heather Havrilesky, and how she gets all deep about why we watch bad reality TV (seriously - the bit about how celebrity has gotten so watered down that the cost of attention has become increasingly intrusive? Genius). It is for this reason that I refuse to believe that she actually meant it when she claimed to enjoy seeing the self-pitying former child star get a verbal spanking.

That is all.