This week our former Teen Idols learn that the truth definitely hurts, but it can also help you get back on the road to fame.

For Bill, the first week in the house has been a disorienting experience. There’s been a lot happening, and fast. The call sheet comes in; they’re to attend a mandatory focus group at a professional facility that day.

Bill orchestrated and ran focus groups as his day job for 15 years. Jamie, on the other hand, has no clue what a focus group is. Eric thinks they’ll sit on a stage, where an audience will ask questions, then “determine if we’re crazy.” If only. [click to continue…]

This week’s episode of Teen Idol kicks off with a red carpet event that turns out to be way more of a test than any cast member bargained for.

Jeremy Jackson arrives first at the house.

The former Baywatch star talks about his glory days as a child actor and growing up in every parent’s nightmare scenario — partying with adults, surrounded by sex and drugs. Years later he was arrested for manufacturing meth amphetamine and tells us that was the “turning point” of his life. He reached a point where he didn’t care anymore and “slammed the doors” of opportunity in his own face. He would be overjoyed to be famous again – that’s his motivation for being on the show.

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Confessions of a Teen Idol doesn’t hit VH1 till January 4, but you can watch two clips from the premiere of the reality show/support group of yesteryear’s heartthrobs right now. Check ‘em above and below!

VH1′s set to give heartthrobs of the ’80s and ’90s another chance at fame via Confessions of a Teen Idol. The reality show/support group is to be spearheaded by Scott Baio, and will premiere January 4 at 8/7c. Sneak peek the show right here. Full details below:

The eight-part series features Christopher Atkins (The Blue Lagoon), David Chokachi (Baywatch), Billy Hufsey (Fame), Jeremy Jackson (Baywatch), Eric Nies (MTV’s The Real World and The Grind), Jamie Walters (Beverly Hills 90210), and Adrian Zmed (TJ Hooker, Grease 2). Each hour-long episode provides a rare, never-before-seen look at fame and its consequences as the guys live together, forming a unique and exclusive support group.

“This is the world’s most unique men’s club. Even the producers are all guys who were famous as teenagers. They speak a different language and this show allows them to not only share their stories of past fame with each other, but forces them to really explore their hopes and fears about daring to want that fame back as grown men,” said Jeff Olde, Executive Vice President, Original Programming and Production, VH1. “This is not like any reality show you’ve ever seen before. It is not a competition and there are no eliminations. But there is refreshingly honest (and at times very dramatic) look at the addiction of fame and a real opportunity for each one of these guys to get that stardom back.”

Under the guidance of television icon Scott Baio, child star-turned-producer Jason Hervey and celebrity psychology expert Cooper Lawrence, these former heartthrobs will be given all of the tools and connections necessary to make a comeback or be faced with the reality that fame is a lot tougher the second time around. The guys will learn to let go of their past fame, reclaim control of their careers and look ahead to their futures.

“I really feel that it’s important for people to know what fame is like, and who can give better insight than two guys who have lived through the experience like Jason and myself? We’ve been there and know what it’s like to be in the guys’ shoes. We have both learned how to leave the teen idol days behind and move forward with life and our careers,” said Scott Baio, former teen idol and an executive producer for the series. “When we were developing the show, Jason and I knew that VH1 would be a perfect home for it, we have done shows with them in the past and I think this series will add a new, very real element to their programming and set the stage for future adaptations of this unique franchise.”

In the end these former teen idols will be armed with the skills, knowledge and confidence to re-launch their careers in the entertainment industry and chase after one more shot at fame.

We did a preliminary survey of the seven Idols to get an idea of where their heads are as we get ready for the series. Answers and more pictures of the guys follow:

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