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October 25, 2006
Breaking Bonaduce Recap - Season 2, Episode 1: Countdown to Meltdown

Breaking Bonaduce is back! Assume the position...

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If you missed last season of Breaking Bonaduce, you missed a lot. As comedian Brian Posehn puts it in footage from VH1's Big in '05 Awards shown in this BB episode, the first season of BB was "a trainwreck, landing on top of a car crash, mixed with a baby on fire." So, you know, that's a lot. Among Season 1's best lessons, according to Danny, was, "vodka, Vicotin and steroids don't make a good cocktail." Bet you had no idea. See? Reality TV can be entertaining and educational.

Considering how crazy Season 1 was, straightforward, blow-by-blow recaps of each Breaking Bonaduce episode won't suffice. We need something to make sense of the chaos. That's where the Breaking Bonaduce Meltdown Meter comes in.

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Each week, we'll rate each of Danny's potential meltdowns on this severity scale. Level 1 signifies mere agitation, while Level 4 is a complete and total meltdown, a psychological mushroom cloud that poses danger not just to Danny but to others. Come, watch his quantitative unraveling. It'll be fun!

This brings us to the first of such incidents:

Danny_level1_100 Potential Meltdown 1: Danny loses at the Big in '05 Awards

This one wouldn't be worth mentioning at all, were it not for what could have happened (remember, we're counting potential meltdowns). We see footage of Danny at VH1's Big in '05 Awards -- he walks the red carpet, poses for pictures, talks about past drug use in interviews, informs fans of his seven months of sobriety...you know, all that red carpet stuff. He's there (at least in part) because he's been nominated in the Big Reality Star of '05 category. However, he loses out to Bo Bice. In response, he takes to the stage...

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...making more of a mark than Bo Bice ever could (seriously, though -- what did Bo Bice do again? Was he the guy who slept on the couch throughout Being Bobby Brown?). Danny didn't win the trophy, but he did win the attention of the audience, and that's award enough.

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A hug from hunky Bo doesn't hurt either.

Danny_level2_100_1 Potential Meltdown 2: Promo shooting in Mexico

Danny hits Mexico City to promote the international broadcast of the first season of Breaking Bonaduce. He's told in the car ride to a press junction that in Spanish-speaking countries, the show will be called Destrozando a Bonaduce, which translates to "Destroying Bonoduce." "Nice. I like that," says Danny. Don't we all?

At the press conference, we see a montage of sound bites from Danny that would make show producers and journalists weep (but, most likely, for different reasons). "I think the average Mexican viewer would think the same thing the average American viewer would think and that is, What the hell is wrong with that guy?" Ah, the universal language of self-destruction. It breaks more boundaries than love and music, people. A close runner up to that pearl of insight is: "What is the point of the show? To pay my rent and feed my children." Honesty is the best policy...for good TV.

This is all fine and fun and wouldn't even register a blip on the potential meltdown meter, were it not for the promo activity that comes next: a photo shoot. The idea is to film Danny on top of the city to illustrate how close to destruction he comes. He gamely drinks from a bottle of fake alcohol:

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And then goes even further to illustrate that brink of destruction...

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...by walking along the brink of the building.

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The photographer sums it all up:

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Now tell us something we don't know. Regardless, if he'd decided to get fake drunk from the fake alcohol, things could have been messy. That alone nets him a Level 2 on the meter.

Danny_level2_100_2 Potential Meltdown 3: Danny watches himself

Danny says repeatedly that he's never watched the show before, but he's forced to when he attends a Spanish-language dubbing session. Any of Season 1's episodes would have been reason enough for him to spontaneously shrivel in embarrassment, but there's something about him having to relive the time that his wife Gretchen had male strippers at her 40th birthday party that really gets him going. His response at the time was to walk out in traffic and get in a stranger's car. Very Martin Lawrence-esque, no? (Note to Danny: the excuse of dehydration is as close to a Get-Out-of-Jail-Free card as our society affords.)

Anyway, Danny watches the episode and, being human, has a very physical reaction.

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That pretty much sums up, oh, the entire viewing audience's response.

Incensed (Level 2 style), but in control, Danny tells the actor responsible for "playing" Danny in the Spanish dubbing of the show, that yeah, he's over the top, but he's ultimately right -- Gretchen shouldn't have strippers at her party.

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The actor doing his voice (they're communicating via a translator, btw), is all...

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Awww! Danny made a new, Spanish-language doppelganger friend.

Danny_level3_100_1 Potential Meltdown 4: Danny vs. the bottle

This potential meltdown is something of a slow burn -- at first it seemed like not much of a meltdown at all.

We see Danny sitting in his hotel room in Mexico, staring at the bottle of vodka that was stocked in his room's mini-bar.

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No big deal, he's faced worst, right? Wrong! It's a huge deal, as we learn during Danny and Gretchen's first meeting with relationship counselor Dr. Garry B. Corgiat.

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Danny tells Dr. Garry that the bottle's very presence put him into a sweat and that he called Gretchen for strength. She said she'd call him back and it seems as though Danny's getting to the fact that she didn't, but before he can get there Dr. Garry interrupts with a question. Why couldn't Danny have called his AA sponsor, or someone else for support? This sends Danny reeling and squabbling with Dr. Garry. At one point, Danny comes close to threatening physical violence ("...you better get up and be bigger than me..."). For that, this potential meltdown earns Level 3 status. Well, that and the fact that he gets so upset, he doesn't even need to be Photoshopped red...

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He does quite well on his own, thank you very much.

Preview episode 2 and witness Danny in his uncensored glory in exclusive extras only on VSPOT!


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Comments
Michelle

I can't believe VH1 would air this show. This man was fortunate enough to fall into acting at a young age and become famous even as he grew up unattractive and untalented. Then he goes on to marry a beautiful woman and have children and all he is capable of doing is hurting himself and more importantly, his family. The only thing this man really cares about is himself. His addictions are tiresome, his actions are pathetic , his wife should have left him long ago and married someone who her children could actually look up to and be a good decent role model for a father. He had everything going for him and he chooses to throw it all away, for what??? He is a vile, disgusting, pathetic man who needs to help himself before others can help him

Jason

I have to disagree with Michelle about the airing of this show. While it is difficult to watch, I think that it has a place on VH1. There are hundreds of other channels that viewers can watch instead.

The reason that I think these shows are important is that reality is not a bed of roses. People generally assume that we should only be shown the "good" side of a celebrity's life. Personally, I want to see the total (real) picture.

mla

"Palabra, homey."? - Rich, you had me at hola.

Melissa from Eagle Butte, South Dakota

Danny has a bad ego problem. He treats his wife like she is suppose to subserveant woman. he loves his wife, but he loves himself even more. I think I would have committed suicide long ago if I were married to him. Gretchen, much Props to you Sweety! How can you put up with Danny?
Danny, I grew up watching you, is this the real you?
Melissa from South Dakota

Lisa

The above comment makes me sad. Can we say judgemental. I was so compelled after watching the latest show I had to write something. I have never done a blog, written in regarding a tv show but I felt I had to. My heart goes out to Danny. He has a good heart and loves his family, yes he has issues but who doesn't. People who judege should turn the channel. He wants help and is trying, until you walk in those shoes, don't judge.

Debbie


Danny Bonaduce need some serious in house treatment. This man loves no one but himself. How could he treat his family like trash. He has a beautiful wife who loves him dearly, 2 kids that love and need their daddy to be sober and a roll model. At least they have a level headed strong loving mother to keep them on track. Danny you need to get off you pity wagon and be a man not a self centered selfish pathetic looser. Grow up or move on.

Debbie

Susan

Love the recap - you managed to find the humor in a fairly humorless show. Good job!

Shayne

I must seriously disagree with some of the above comments. While I do agree that addiction is selfish and self-centered, I highly doubt that Mr. Bonaduce loves himself. In fact, I can say with almost total confidence that the man hates himself. Drug & alcohol addiction is slow suicide and it takes you into a deep dark hole that you can't lift yourself out of. Mr. Bonaduce must have so much pain in his soul that he can't face it and has to check out & numb himself from feeling it. Instead of judging him for his wrong choices, maybe we could learn something to pass along to our children and teach them how destructive drugs & alcohol are. If you've never had to deal with addiction, you are so very lucky. But you shouldn't judge someone who is dealing with it. Addiction doesn't discriminate - man, woman, black, white, rich, poor, gay, straight, adult or child.

Rachel

Danny Bonaduce has a couple of things going for him that I still don't have alot of after 10 years of sobriety and that is to get up in front of the whole world and leave himself wide open for us to see every little demon that treads his mind, body and soul. That's got to take some courage. Throwing himself out there catapults him into, might we say, a forced healing. He has no choice but to face himself, face his demons and face his weak points, now. He has put himself on the spot. Now, if only he could recognize how rare an individual he is, that he really is a trail blazer, who is on to something powerful. Other addicts could take a lesson from him, but he doen't know this yet.

Norma

Danny when I watch your program I usually end up crying.Why? Because I can't believe the things you say or do to your family and also yourself.I believe you really love your wife and two kids.I had a father who drank a lot ,too. So,I know what your daughter is going through. I'm 35 years old now and I'm glad my mom left my dad it was for the best of all of us. I don't want your daughter to go through what I went through. I really hope you get help!!!! Your daugther really loves you, Danny. I've watched a lot of the episodes.I know you don't know me but I care you and your family.So,"PLEASE GET HELP"!!!! Before you destroy your life and famiy...

Leellen

Danny's father was abusive and created all of these behaviors in Danny. His wife knows this and chooses to stay with him so she needs to be his wife in all ways and not keep him in the guest room. She is adding to his misery by staying married to him and not being his wife.

LaDonna

Danny, you are a grown man in a spoiled child stars body. Gretchen is your "WIFE". I know you have to love her, I would love someone that let me treat them however i wanted in a raging tantrum of drugs and alcohol. I'm really not trying to come down on you but I was married to a "crack addict" who stole not only our clothes, christmas, and cars to rent out, he stole me and my children hearts and souls, and the better i treated him the more I tried nothing seemed to work. I felt, i'm sure like Gretchen, that she has failed somehow and she is drained of the love she once felt for you and now she feels sorry for you and wants to be there but how can she when you promise her the world and gives it to her for a few months just enough to start feeling for you again and the take it away when something does not go your way, and somehow turn it to where it's her fault that you relapsed. STOP!!!!!! before it's to late. sadley my husband died last year of cancer and all of our hearts were sad but there was almost a peace knowing that he could nolonger destruct and crush everyone that truley loved him, and we knew he was in a better place where he couldnt hurt or be hurt anymore. I don't wish that for you , but do you want Gretchen, Isabell and Donte to feel that way about you when you go??????????? Sorry if I mispelled any names.

Laura

I feel sorry for people that don't know the depth and horror of what the disease of drug addiction (chemical dependency) is truly about. I don't blame you - how could you know unless you have lived it.

Danny, I applaud you for putting yourself out there and for showing people what it is like to be locked inside yourself while the evil of addiction takes over your body, mind and soul.

My son is in long term recovery and I have seen him turn from a sweet, caring boy into a raging, twisted person that I barely recognized. 2 rehabs, 6 treatments centers and $55,000 later, he is clean and sober. Would I do it again? Absolutely! I wouldn't wish this horrible disease on anyone.

Now I educated others on this disease and it IS a disease and recognize as such by the AMA.

I continue to pray for Danny and his beautiful family - because this truly is a one day at a time disease.

Truly yours,
Laura

BUDDLEDEFUDD

I FEEL SORRY PEOPLE WHO FEEL SORRY FOR DANNY BONADUCE WHO FEEL SORRY FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ON REHAB WHO FEEL SORRY FOR PEOPLE ON DRUGS WHO FEEL SORRY FOR PEOPLE ON SUBSTANCE WHO FEEL SORRY FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE CELEBRITIES WHO FEEL SORRY FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T FEEL SORRY FOR NO ONE WHO FEELS SORRY FOR ALL PEOPLE WHO FEEL SORRY FOR EVERYONE WHO FEELS SORRY FOR ANYONE? I DON'T WANT TO KNOW IF ANYONE IS LIKE DANNY OUT THERE WHO HAS A PROBLEM TO SHARE HAS A PROBLEM LIKE A 98 YEAR OLD WHO NEEDS TO RETIRE FROM HIS JOB AND GO TO UTAH!

peggywm

buddledefudd, you sound so stupid! Danny Bonaduce's been through a lot like a lot of other people in the same situations in life! Don't criticize, emphasize you stupid butt+=-_*&^%$#@~`!!!!!!!!!

Marc

This show is stupid. Bonaduce should just give up. He is trying to be this out of control tough guy something he is not. He is a washed up kid star who cant act and lousy talk host. You can tell alot is put on. Come on any woman would of left his butt behind for all the garbage he put his wif through. Just the disrespect he has toward his wife and family. Typical story of child star. I laugh because it makes it seem that they had it so bad when they made their money. Their career and where it is now because of not the main series but themselves. He suppose to be so into martial arts and smokes and drinks. I dont know what teacher taught him but I was taught to respect themselves physically and mentally. Treating others with respects and not to fight but to avoid fighting and anger. Just a trumped up baby or show. If you think he is really the way that is on the show I have a bridge to sell you. Just trying to reboot his career. Lesson 101 in entertainment. The trend is reality and that is what he thought would resurrect his career. Sucker born a minute if you believe this typical garbage or soap opera.

Mary jane

I don't think it is all Danny, Seriously! Everyone knows it takes two to make a marriage work, and some of the things she did to him(to make him mad) wasn't right. Why did she stay with him this long if she doesn't like how he is?? I think it's for the money. If he wasn't a star and was someone else the night they met, I bet she wouldn't have insisted they marry before having sex. She got him, now take care of him like a normal wife or get the hell out. BUT oh, make another show and get that money first honey. You go Danny, you have alot of people that love you the way you are. people should change because THEY want to, not for someone else. But Danny, you are changing for her and your kids and she should see that. Hang in there Danny. Your a good man. MJ

dahonestruth

Both Danny and his wife were at fault for the marital problems and chemical abuse. I was hooked on this show, but it sure made me angry to see Danny acting in each episode as if he could beat up everyone in the world. My brother acts like that. Big and bad, muscles, temper, etc. Well guys, that's why guns were made. For people with an over-abundance of testosterone. Anyway, glad to see that he's straightening himself out and calming down. There's hope for my brother, ya think?

KEISHA

PLEASE DONT GIVE THIS MAN ANOTHER SHOW IT WAS JUST DEPRESSING TO SEE WHAT HIS WIFE WENT THROUGH...HOPEFULLY SHE LEFT HIM AND GETTIN ON WITH A BETTER LIFE...DID SHE LEAVE HIM DOES ANYONE KNOW?

WhisperOfDreams

I agree with you dahonestruth.This was just the most horrific thing I have ever watched. The drugy will never stop. His wife needs help and get out for good. His poor children. He is worse then Brittney..why didn't cps go after him. His wife was not protecting them from this she is just as bad. MTV do not ever give him air time.Please we plead with you!!!!!

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