Celebrity Rehab 1 & 2 star Jeff Conaway recently fell down a stairway in his Los Angeles home. Early reports that he suffered from a resulting brain hemorrhage and broken neck have been recanted, but it has been confirmed that the fall broke his hip. His girlfriend and Rehab staple Vikki Lizzi suggested that things were looking bleak: “Jeff thinks these are his final days. The story is very complicated, which is why I have to tell it.” VH1’s resident voice of reason, Dr. Drew, however, painted a less fatalistic portrait of Jeff’s condition on his Twitter. “Jeff Conaway’s family has asked me to thank people for the prayers and well wishes. Jeff is awake and stable awaiting surgery on his hip,” reads Drew’s tweet. [E! Online]

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This weekend, TMZ reported two unfortunate items on Celebrity Rehab alumnae. Season 2’s Tawny Kitean was arrested Saturday for suspicion of driving under the influence, while Season 1’s Jaimee Foxworth recently was granted a restraining order against boyfriend Michael Shaw, who is accused of having dragged her through glass at one point, among things. While this move seems to be a step in the right direction for Jaimee (she told TMZ that she “strongly encourages all women to leave unhealthy relationships before it is too late”), Tawny’s situation isn’t so rosy. I’m no doctor, but having talked to Dr. Drew throughout both Rehab seasons, I do know that rehabilitation is an ongoing process that’s partially characterized by such setbacks. If Tawny indeed drove under the influence (she was released after posting $2,500 bail), here’s hoping it turns out to be just a speed bump on her long road to recovery.

If you like VH1 programming, well, get ready for more of it. Many of our successful series, including Tool Academy and I Want To Work for Diddy, have been renewed for additional seasons and are set to return to air shortly. Peep the press release for full details (including your chance to try out for the second season of I Want To Work for Diddy):

On the heels of another viewership milestone, VH1 has ordered additional seasons for six hit series including: I Want To Work For Diddy (season 2), Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew (season 3), Brooke Knows Best (season 2), Gotti’s Way (season 2), and Tool Academy (season 2).

In addition, VH1’s own Tiffany “New York” Pollard is set to star in a new show on the channel with New York Goes To Work, where she will have to learn a new job skill each week.  VH1 has also greenlit a spin-off of Celebrity Rehab that will venture into the rarely talked about world of sexual addiction in Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew.

The renewals and greenlights arrive as the number of successful VH1 series continue to grow. Rock Of Love Bus with Bret Michaels and I Love Money 2 drew huge audiences in first quarter, averaging at least 1 million total viewers in their premiere episodes. New VH1 shows Tool Academy, VH1 Tough Love, For The Love of Ray J and Sober House all averaged at least 1 million total viewers as well in their premiere episodes throughout this past first quarter. Based on that definition, VH1 has debuted more new hit series than any other cable network so far this year.

“VH1 is riding high on its most successful wave of original hit programming yet.  We launched more new hit series than any other cable network in the first quarter of 2009,” said Jeff Olde, Executive Vice President, Original Programming & Production, VH1. “Much of our momentum can be credited to many of the franchises and talent that we’re renewing today.  These upcoming projects will continue to set the mark for reality television while connecting with some of the most loyal viewers in all of television.”

VH1 series renewals and new projects include:

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This is just a quick heads-up to let you know that Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew is set to return for a third season. Premiere date and cast have yet to be determined, but when they are, this blog will deliver the news.

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The second season of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew is over, but the Rehabbers’ lives are just beginning. VH1 will document their continued effort to stay sober in a new spin-off, Celebrity Rehab Presents Sober House, premiering Thursday, Jan. 15 at 10/9c. Full press release below:

At the end of the first season of VH1’s Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew, each cast member was given the opportunity to spend three months living in a sober house as they transitioned from a rehab facility to the real world and many of them quietly took advantage of the opportunity. The cast from season two are also being given that same opportunity…and this time it will be filmed.

Celebrity Rehab Presents Sober House is an eight-episode, one hour series that is set to premiere on Thursday, January 15 at 10pm. Moving into the Sober House will be Rodney King, Nikki McKibbin, Steven Adler and Amber Smith from Season 2 of Celebrity Rehab, Seth “Shifty” Binzer and Mary Carey from Season 1 and comedian Andy Dick who will join the show a few episodes in.

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As the second season of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew comes to a close, so does our commentary from Dr. Drew (for now, at least). Below, Drew comments on the episode’s major points — Jeff’s departure, Nikki’s uncertainty, Gary’s ostensible regression — and gives his final thoughts on all of this season’s patients.

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Our scene-specific blog commentary on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew continues. Below, the doctor talks about the main points of the episode, among them: Seth’s rooftop crack smoking, Steven’s outburst, Jeff’s kicking fit, the group’s sober-living prospect and a doctor’s call of duty intersecting with a patient’s call of nature…if you know what we mean.

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When Seth “Shifty” Binzer returns to rehab and smokes crack on the roof, the sobriety of the patients and even the staff is put to the test.  Watch this sneak peek of episode 8 of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew 2.

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Our scene-specific blog commentary on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew continues. Below, the doctor talks about the main points of the episode, among them: Jeff’s future, Steven’s refusal to serve at the mission, Amber’s breakdown at that same mission and the crack-smoking return of Seth “Shifty” Binzer.

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Our scene-specific blog commentary on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew continues. Below, the doctor talks about the main points of the episode, among them: Friends & Family weekend, Amber’s checkered past and a breakthrough with Gary that didn’t make it to air.

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Our scene-specific blog commentary on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew continues. Below, the doctor talks about the main points of the episode, among them: Jeff’s “recovery,” Amber’s anger and the intense meeting with Steven’s mom.

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