I'm not talking about sports fans who don a little face paint, dress outrageously or go shirtless -- in freezing weather -- with painted bodies to ensure the camera zooms on them. No, that's child's play. 

I'm talking about Omarosa—who has been on 20 (twenty!) different reality shows, Nicole "Snooki” Polizzi -- who, by the way is neither Italian nor from New Jersey, Scott Disick, who has no apparent source of income but is still trying to keep up with those Kardashians, and finally Nadya Suleman, aka ‘Octomom’. 

 

Take Balloon Boy's dad. Who could forget how America -- no, the world -- sat mesmerized in front of television, shocked as the horror unfolded: A small boy, trapped in a runaway balloon as it streaked above the Colorado sky as we sat helpless on the edge of our seats, biting our knuckles in trepidation. 

Finally, mercifully, the balloon landed but adding to the shock, there was no child. We were horrified even more, thinking this little boy most likely fell out and died a horrific death, only to learn hours later that he was safely hiding in his own house attic AND that the father told him to do this. 

 

Yes, the Worst Father of the Year responsible for that stunt was Richard Heene. It wasn't long before he realized criminal charges would be forth coming for telling authorities his son, Falcon, was on board the balloon that he had launched from his backyard. Why did he do it? For the publicity, of course! He wanted a reality show. Seriously, Richard?

 

Before we could recover from Heene's shenanigans, into our living rooms waltzed the Salahis. Yes, Tareq and Michaele Salahi, a couple of aspiring reality wannabes, had the bright idea of crashing President Obama's first White House state dinner. 

What a great way to get attention! While the Salahis should have been watching the state dinner from their own living room, video footage showed the couple walking past journalists as if they were heads of state. 

 

They weren't satisfied with just attending the event. Oh, no! They also posed for photographs with Vice President Joe Biden and Rahm Emanuel. At one point the Salahi's were also in the same room as the President and Mrs. Obama. 

Although they had no business being there, and this easily breached national security, Michaele posted pictures of their misbehavior on her facebook page. To be honest, Mrs. Salahi's dress alone should have tipped the Secret Service that they were out of their element. 

 

The question again is, why did they do it? Well…..they wanted to be on a reality show of course! Aren't there better ways to go about getting attention? Apparently not! Because of her White House adventure, Mrs. Salahi was able to make it to Real Housewives of DC, (now canceled), and Celebrity Rehab…..which was a slight problem because she had ‘NO addiction issues’ and thus, no reason to be there. I guess fame addiction doesn’t count?

 

On the flipside, there are those who, through no fault of their own, find themselves in the spotlight. Once there, however, they take advantage of the situation. For instance, Joe the Plumber became the Republican face when John McCain used him as the face of "the ordinary man" in his run for the presidency. 

Joe was rapidly becoming a brand name. He quickly capitalized on his good fortune to the point of becoming a paid motivational speaker...until his credentials came into that all-too-bright spotlight. Joe the Plumber, turns out, was not even registered to operate as a plumber. His 15 minutes lasted about 7. He's not been heard from since, but 10 to 1 says he’s talking to some producer somewhere about…..a reality show!

 

There's another twist to this phenomenon, and that is the talented and famous individual who, for one reason or another, was removed from the spotlight, only to re-emerge again in a different form. Take Danny Bonaduce and Mackenzie Phillips. We loved them in The Partridge Family and One Day At A Time, but what about now? Do they still offer something besides their experiences in rehab? 

The same can be said for Todd Bridges from Diff'rent Strokes. Unfortunately, he, too had to do the rehab stint and now talks about it on any show that will have him. Sinbad is coming back to television; not as a comedian, but as a star in yet another reality show. Lastly, Scott Baio tweeted to his 30,000 followers that he could be seen on VH1's "Scott Baio is 45... and Single." That venture fizzled, but he hasn't given up just yet.

 

Marc Anthony admits to being addicted to fame. His take: "Fame is addictive. Money is addictive. Attention is addictive." He says he is sick of talking about his personal life now, and spends his time playing golf. 

Kid Rock made the comment that a drug problem is much better -- and safer -- than becoming a famous celebrity.  What a concept. Echoing these sentiments, even Tupac was quoted as saying, "Fame is a f*cking killer." I think that pretty much sums it up.

 

Are we, ourselves, to blame? I hate blaming the victim, really I do, but look at the popular shows that do not require an ounce of talent: Jersey Shore, Jerseylicious, Jersey Couture, (New Jersey), The Bachelor and the Bachelorette, (true love at its best/worst?), 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom (young moms behaving badly), Fear factor, The Real Housewives (how many cities now?) ... and on and on and on! 

The ones with the least amount of talent seem to garner the most publicity -- Snookie, The Situation and William Hung, for example. They are rich and famous for no reason except that they are on TV, and we watch them. What in the world does that say about us? Well, plenty, but that's for another day.

 

The fact is that for many, fame is an addiction every bit as powerful as heroin, cocaine or booze. Yes, it’s true. But the question is why? Two reasons. First behavioral reinforcement, because of all of the perks that accompany fame: What can be better than the red carpet or having the paparazzi there every time you step out of your house? 

Being constantly surrounded by "yes" men/women? Others clamoring for your attention, hanging on your every word and finally getting paid to do nothing in particular except to act like yourself? What’s not to like and what an ego boost. And if you have fame and then lose it, it can be devastating, leading many to do whatever it takes to get it back.

 

The second reason is based on brain chemistry and is even more powerful than all the trappings. Simply, a brain chemical called Dopamine is the pleasure reward chemical in the brain that has been found to be the key in all forms of addiction, from alcohol to drugs, sex to shopping, gambling to eating. This chemical is a feel good neurotransmitter that is released when we take a drink, do a drug or do something fun. 

 

The problem for the potential addict is that, according to one theory, the euphoria from taking a drink or performing a ‘fun’ behavior can be 10 times greater  than that of a non-addict. In other words the brain loves the feeling that comes with the activity so much that it wants to do the activity over and over and over to get more of that "feel good” brain chemical. If it doesn’t get it, it starts craving the feeling, and this is the cause for withdrawal. 

In other words fame addicts crave fame, for the brain chemical release that causes a rush. Just like a drug addict, it takes more and more fame to get the same high. When it’s not there, the person is miserable and craves more and will do anything to get that feeling back.

 

Is there a treatment for fame addiction? Absolutely, and just like other forms of addiction the treatment is abstinence AND a twelve step program similar to AA. This is a very slippery slope however, as many who have tasted fame feel they are truly talented and that if they just keep putting themselves out there they will be a star. 

When you point out all the negative consequences, they’ll point out that they aren’t quitters and will keep plugging away even after losing family, friends and their original career while pursuing their passion. Just like other addictions they often need to hit rock bottom before they will even recognize that they have a problem.

 

Hmmm….Anyone out there who has been touched by fame interested in getting treatment for your addiction? No? What if I told you the treatment will be a reality show, on TV, where we will address and treat your problem for all the world to see? Thought so; the line starts to the rear.