Friday, November 6, 1998
Dr. Drew, Adam take sex advice show to next level
REVIEW: ‘Loveline’ program spawns book of ridiculous yet
entertaining questions
By Lonnie Harris
Daily Bruin Staff
Though a bit of an exaggeration, it seems that the tag line "The
World Famous KROQ" is not wholly inaccurate. While the L.A. radio
station was once merely an outlet for the latest in modern rock,
these days it appears to be a veritable litmus test for pop culture
trends. Without KROQ, we’d have no Carson Daly, no Chris Hardwick,
and certainly no "Loveline."
"Loveline" has been a KROQ mainstay for years now. (Older Bruins
may remember the days when it was hosted by a comic known as
Poorman, while others grew up with manic host Ricky Rachman.)
Recently the show was picked up by MTV, as a sort of late-night
answer to the Jerry Springer Show.
On the heels of this success, "Loveline" has spawned a book
 "The Dr. Drew and Adam Book," written by current host Adam
Carolla and the show’s resident physician, Dr. Drew Pinsky, as well
as some guy named Marshall Fine.
The book is little more than a series of transcripts from the
nightly program, written entirely in a question-and-answer format.
The first question this observation leads to is: what is the point
of selecting several questions from the show and putting in into a
text? The answer is: who knows? No one will accuse "The Dr. Drew
and Adam Book" of being great literature  it’s not even
really literature.
This is not to say that it isn’t an entertaining read. The
success of "Loveline" no doubt stems from the voyeuristic nature of
human beings. People watch "Loveline" for the same reason they
watch any talk show: because they want to watch human misery
unfold.
The Germans call it "schadenfreude," the ability of humans to
take pleasure in the downfall of others. And that’s really what
"Loveline" is all about. While the show doesn’t revel in its
exhibitionism, like Jerry Springer is prone to do, one gets the
feeling from the book that both Pinsky and Carolla know exactly
what they’re appealing to.
Therefore, they have infused their book with several gripping
anecdotes, stories and tragedies aired over the past few seasons of
the show. Questions are placed in categories, such as "Safe Sex,"
"Teen Pregnancy" and "Homosexuality." These questions are then
basically listed off in dialogue form, first giving the question
and following it by the responses of Pinsky, Carolla and whatever
celebrity guest happened to be on the show that night.
Though some sections in the book are informative  such as
when Pinsky informs us that any lesions or ulcers on the penis are
probably herpes (thanks for the tip!) — most are merely for
entertainment purposes ("My girlfriend’s best friend wants to give
me a blowjob. What should I do?")
Perhaps the biggest problem with reading "The Dr. Drew and Adam
Book" beginning to end is that it can’t help but be strikingly
repetitive. Unlike Carolla, a comedian with no medical or
psychiatric background, Pinsky’s main goal is to educate and inform
— to help people.
This gives his advice a very sober, mundane quality that rarely
provides the excitement or comedy inherent in an hour of Montel
Williams. Pinsky advises every caller to end their abusive
relationship, try to work out their minor problems with a spouse,
take care of their baby and get that unsightly wart tested. All of
this is very sound advice, and the callers would be well served to
follow it, but a gripping read it is not.
Few tips found in the book will come as a surprise to anyone
with an ounce of common sense. Most callers on "Loveline" don’t
exactly have a keen grasp of the obvious; questions like "Should I
see a doctor for this horrible rash on my genitals?" or "Is there a
risk to drinking blood?" don’t need a medical expert to answer
them, and the space provided for such nonsensical queries seems
wasted for readers with IQs above 50.
Certain to never find its way onto Oprah’s Book List, "The Dr.
Drew and Adam Book" won’t interest many people, except die-hard
fans of the show and those simultaneously having problems with body
piercings and estranged loved ones. Even as a piece of fluff
designed to titillate, it falls somewhat short. Jerry Springer’s
new tome "Ringleader" is almost certain to contain more sleaze per
page, leaving "The Dr. Drew and Adam Book" with no place but the
self-help section far in the back of Barnes and Noble.Dell
Publishing
A guide to life and love is by the hosts of MTV’s
"Loveline."
Comments, feedback, problems?
© 1998 ASUCLA Communications Board[Home]