Intervention (TV series)

TV series

Intervention

Title screen of seasons 1-15

Genre| Documentary
Created by| Sam Mettler
Starring| Jeff VanVonderen
Candy Finnigan
Others; see "Interventionists" section
Composers| Scott Klass
"Five Steps" (closing song)
Performed by The Davenports
Craig Marks (Theme & Incidental music, 2005 – 2013)
Dominic Messenger (Incidental music, 2006 – 2007)
"Breathe Me" (2008 season preview song)
Performed by Sia
Country of origin| United States
Canada
Original language| English
No. of seasons| 25
No. of episodes| 355 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers|

* Gary R. Benz
* Michael Branton

Production location| United States
Camera setup| Multi-Camera
Handheld HDV cameras
Running time| 43 minutes
Production company| GRB Entertainment
Original release
Network| A&E
Release| March 6, 2005 (2005-03-06) –
present

Intervention is an American documentary series that premiered on March 6, 2005, on A&E. It follows one or two participants, who are dependent on or addicted to drugs and/or alcohol. They are documented in anticipation of an intervention meeting by family or friends. During the intervention meeting, loved ones give the addict an ultimatum: go to an inpatient drug rehabilitation program immediately, or else risk losing contact, income, or other privileges. The show follows up on the recovery progress for future episodes or for web shorts.[citation needed]

On May 24, 2013, A&E announced it had concluded the series, with remaining episodes to begin airing in June 2013.[1] The final episode in the lineup aired on July 18, 2013, and concluded with reflections from past addicts and thanks from the producers to the interventionists, family members, treatment centers, and addicts. On August 5, 2014, however, LMN announced the revival of the series with a new season premiering in 2015.[2]

A&E revealed the return of the show on January 13, 2015,[3] and aired both a special behind-the-scenes episode showing the filming process and updates from former addicts. Season 25 premiered on April 22, 2024.

## Overview

[edit]

The show follows one or two participants who have either substance dependence or addiction, and occasionally, eating disorders. It is a documentary of their addiction, including graphic substance abuse and its effect upon their lives, until a surprise intervention event is conducted with a professional interventionist. It is intercut with interviews with relatives and friends. In the intervention, the addict is given an ultimatum: either undergo a 90-day, fully covered treatment plan at a rehabilitation facility or risk losing contact, income or privileges from their relatives and friends.[citation needed]

In situations where the individuals in the addict's close circle have become codependent or otherwise traumatized by the addict's behavior, the interventionist usually recommends that the entire family seek counseling to enable them to move on. Medical detoxification is available when drug withdrawal is dangerous.[citation needed]

## Interventionists

[edit]

The role of the Interventionist on the show is to persuade the addict to consent to the treatment being offered.[4] If the patient agrees to recovery, some of the Interventionists will accompany the addict to the treatment facility or provide a nurse. They will advise each addict on which center they are assigned to base on their addiction, which is typically in a different state than where they reside.[5] Many Interventionists have appeared on the show since its start in 2005.

Ken Seeley is an Interventionist, certified in CCMI-M, CIP, CTP, CADC, CAS. He is a recovering addict himself devoting his life to helping others and has his own recovery treatment facility in Palm Springs, CA. Seeley has made many appearances on the show since 2005.[6] Jeff VanVonderen is a Certified Intervention Professional, also gives motivational speeches across the country, and has been highlighted in several publications. VanVonderen has appeared on several episodes of the show starting in 2005.[7] Candy Finnigan is an Interventionist, Certified Master Addiction Counselor III. and Board Registered Interventionist II. and received several certificates in drug addiction. Finnigan is a recovering addict herself and has written a book called "When Enough is Enough" about how others can offer support for someone with an addiction.[8]

Sylvia Parsons, Interventionist, certified in MS, LCAS, CSAC, QSAP, QMHP with a Master of Science Addiction Counseling. She is a professional therapist with her own counseling facility. Parsons is a recovering addict herself and has been sober from 2006 to the present.[9] Michael Gonzales is an Interventionist and certified CIP, CTP, Cpi., Full Member of AIS. He has dedicated his life to helping families and addicts on healing from addiction. In the past, Gonzales has spent time in jail and recovered from addiction.[10] Heather Hayes is another Interventionist certified in M.Ed., LPC, CIP and a Master's Level, Licensed Counselor. She has been featured on other broadcast networks, public speaking engagements around the world and has written several documents about addiction. Hayes helped many addicts on the 2018 broadcast of the show.[11]

James "Jim" Reidy is an Interventionist who has spent over a decade of his life battling his own addiction. He has devoted his life to helping others in their recovery for addiction, traveling to many states, and working with their support system.[12] Leticia Murphy is in Interventionist, certified in M.A., LMFT, LCADC. She has her own business in Las Vegas, Nevada where she sees clients for various mental health issues.[13] Donna Chavous is an Interventionist, who chose this path after being addicted for many years and seeing others die from it. She started helping addicts on the show in 2010.[14] Vance Johnson is an Interventionist and Recovery Ambassador on the show as well as the states. He is a former athlete and addict that has recovered and is helping others in their healing journey.[15]

## Celebrity subjects

[edit]

Most episodes feature average people, with a few entertainment professionals.

* Vanessa Marquez, a supporting actress on the first three seasons of ER, appeared in season 1, episode 2 due to a compulsive shopping disorder.
* Travis Meeks, lead singer of the Alternative rock band Days of the New, appeared in season 1, episode 5, focusing on his methamphetamine addiction.
* Antwahn Nance, a 6'10" former NBA power forward for the Los Angeles Clippers, was featured in season 2, episode 8, as he ended up homeless due to his crack cocaine addiction.
* Chuckie Negron, the son of Three Dog Night vocalist Chuck Negron, was featured in season 2, episode 10, with heroin addiction.
* Tressa Thompson, a women's shot put champion, was featured in season 4, episode 7, as her Olympic dreams were ended by her methamphetamine drug abuse.
* Aaron Brink, a porn star and once moderately successful mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, featured in season 6, episode 8, lost both of his careers due to his methamphetamine addiction.
* Rocky Lockridge, a two-time Super Featherweight boxing champion, was featured in season 7, episode 13, due to his homelessness and drug addiction. He later died, in 2019, due to complications after suffering a stroke. [1]
* Linda Li, an actress who played a Taresian woman in the Star Trek: Voyager episode "Favorite Son" as well as appearing as an extra in TV shows and movies, was featured in season 7, episode 1, where she battles an addiction to Actiq, a transmucosal Fentanyl lozenge on a stick or "perc-a-pop".
* David Sax Jr., the son of former Major League Baseball player Dave Sax and nephew of former Major League Baseball player Steve Sax, was shown in season 14, episode 12, battling an addiction to methamphetamine and alcohol.
* Amber Rose, a model, musician, and social media phenomenon, is featured in season 24, episode 6. She travels back to South Philadelphia, to help her childhood best friend Tina, who is heavily addicted to fentanyl and crack cocaine.[16][17][18]

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## Episodes

[edit]

Main article: List of Intervention episodes

Season| Episodes| Originally released

|
|

First released| Last released
1| 14| March 6, 2005| August 21, 2005
2| 21| October 30, 2005| December 17, 2006
3| 15| March 16, 2007| September 7, 2007
4| 10| December 3, 2007| March 17, 2008
5| 17| June 23, 2008| November 30, 2008
6| 14| December 15, 2008| March 23, 2009
7| 17| May 25, 2009| October 19, 2009
8| 18| November 23, 2009| May 10, 2010
9| 9| June 28, 2010| August 22, 2010
10| 13| December 13, 2010| March 21, 2011
11| 12| June 20, 2011| September 12, 2011
12| 13| January 2, 2012| April 2, 2012
13| 21| August 13, 2012| February 4, 2013
14| 12| June 13, 2013| December 30, 2014
15| 29| January 6, 2015| August 30, 2015
16| 33| March 6, 2016| January 3, 2017
17| 8| July 31, 2017| September 18, 2017
18| 9| January 2, 2018| February 27, 2018
19| 8| June 5, 2018| May 21, 2019
20| 6| August 6, 2019| September 10, 2019
21| 8| July 20, 2020| September 14, 2020
22| 20| March 15, 2021| September 27, 2021
23| 8| October 18, 2021| December 6, 2021
24| 6| June 13, 2022| July 25, 2022
25| 18| April 22, 2024| August 26, 2024

## Reception

[edit]

The show received the 2009 Emmy award for Outstanding Reality Program and the 2010 Emmy award for outstanding picture of reality editing.[19]

### Criticism

[edit]

Matthew Gilbert of The Boston Globe, a critic of the show, argues that the program is exploitative and showcases individuals as they self-destruct. He also argues that the confrontation within the intervention is milked to show only the most dramatic moments and that the final results of the intervention and subsequent rehabilitation are glossed-over.[20]

Melanie McFarland, another television critic, also laments that the show does little to educate on successful intervention and instead deceives the subjects of each episode in order to film them at their lowest point.[citation needed]

## Legacy

[edit]

During early 2011, A&E aired the series Relapse, which ran for five episodes. Each episode focuses on sober coaches' work with long-time addicts who have been unable to get clean after repeated attempts at treatment. Coach Seth Jaffe became an interventionist on the main series.[citation needed]

Several spin-off series were launched. On September 9, 2011, Intervention Canada debuted on Slice Network. On December 28, 2012, Teen Trouble debuted on Lifetime which is executive produced by Bryn Freedman, a former Intervention producer.[21] On March 8, 2016, Intervention: Codependent premiered on LMN.[22]

## In popular culture

[edit]

On April 16, 2010, the video "Best Cry Ever" was posted on YouTube, featuring a clip from Season 7 episode "Rocky". The clip centers around a dramatic scene in which former professional boxer Rocky Lockridge is crying in a distinctive way. It has become an Internet phenomenon. A Saturday Night Live sketch features an Intervention parody with guest host Jon Hamm crying in a similar fashion.[citation needed]

The South Park episode "Crippled Summer" parodied Intervention with the character Towelie.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Hibberd, James (May 24, 2013). "'Intervention' cancelled". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 24, 2013.
2. ^ Bibel, Sara (August 5, 2014). "Lifetime Move Network Greenlights New Season of 'Intervention'". TV by the Numbers (Press release). Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
3. ^ "A&E's Emmy-Award winning and critically-acclaimed docuseries, 'Intervention', returns to the network..." A&E (Press release). January 13, 2015. Archived from the original on January 30, 2015. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
4. ^ Westreich M.D.; Leventhal, Laurence; Eric (2011). Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Substance Abuse: Intervention with the addicted Person. American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc. p. 153\. ISBN 9781585623907.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
5. ^ "A&E Intervention TV Series, Find Help, Treatment facilities".
6. ^ "A&E Intervention TV Series Bibliography of Interventionist Ken Seeley".
7. ^ "A&E Intervention TV Series Bibliography of Interventionist Jeff VanVonderen".
8. ^ "A&E Intervention TV Series Bibliography of Interventionist Candy Finnigan".
9. ^ "A&E Intervention TV Series, Bibliography of Interventionist Sylvia Parsons".
10. ^ "A&E Intervention TV Series Bibliography of Interventionist Michael Gonzalez".
11. ^ "A&E Intervention TV Series Bibliography of Interventionist Heather Hayes".
12. ^ "A&E Intervention TV Series Bibliography of Interventionist Jim Reidy".
13. ^ "A&E Intervention TV Series, Bibliography of Interventionist Leticia Murphy".
14. ^ "A&E Intervention TV Series, Bibliography of Interventionist Donna Chavous".
15. ^ "A&E Intervention TV Series Bibliography of Interventionist Vance Johnson".
16. ^ "Amber Rose Travels to Her Hometown in Search of Her Childhood Best Friend on 'Intervention' (Exclusive)". www.yahoo.com. July 22, 2022.
17. ^ "Anyone that has family members or friends battling addiction knows that money can not help. They have to want to get help on their own. I have tried for many years with no luck 😔 so I reached out to professionals to help me get my best friend…. SISTER! (since kindergarten) the help she needs to get her life back. TONIGHT season finale of Intervention 9/8c on @aetv". instagram.com.
18. ^ "Amber Rose Searches for Her Childhood Best Friend in 'Intervention' Finale Sneak Peek (Exclusive)". etonline.com. July 22, 2022.
19. ^ "Intervention Awards and Nominations". Intervention (TV Series 2005-Present). Retrieved October 15, 2023.
20. ^ Gilbert, Matthew (March 5, 2005). "Vile 'Intervention' pulls a fast one". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on March 9, 2005. Retrieved June 1, 2007.
21. ^ Patten, Dominic (November 14, 2012). "Staff Writer". Lifetime Orders Teen Trouble. Deadline. Archived from the original on November 17, 2012. Retrieved December 25, 2012.
22. ^ "Intervention Release Date". Intervention: Codespendent TV. Melissa Camacho. Retrieved October 15, 2023.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Intervention at IMDb

* v
* t
* e

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality Program

* American High (2001)
* The Osbournes (2002)
* Queer Eye for the Straight Guy (2004)
* Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (2005)
* Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (2006)
* Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List (2007)
* Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List (2008)
* Intervention (2009)
* Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution (2010)
* Deadliest Catch (2011)
* Undercover Boss (2012)
* Undercover Boss (2013)

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A&E programming

Current and upcoming

| Current|

* 60 Days In (since 2016)
* Biography: WWE Legends (since 2021)
* Cold Case Files (1999–2006, 2017; since 2021)
* The First 48 (since 2004)
* Hoarders (since 2009)
* Intervention (since 2005)
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* WWE Rivals (since 2022)
* WWE LFG (since 2025)

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Former

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1990s debuts|

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2000s debuts|

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2010s debuts|

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* The First 48: Missing Persons (2011–13)
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2020s debuts|

* Nature Gone Wild (2021)

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