Reality shows such as “Celebrity Rehab” and “Jersey Shore” are so worried about sexually transmitted diseases, they pass out medication “like M&Ms” to cast members, say the shows’ producers.
In a round-table discussion of reality show execs published yesterday in The Hollywood Reporter, SallyAnn Salsano, creator of “Jersey Shore,” says STDs are a constant concern.
“I do a full medical [for cast members] but I also do a lot of STD stuff,” she says.
“The network [VH1] requires me to do stuff with my patients that has no relevance to anything,” Dr. Drew Pinsky, the host of “Celebrity Rehab,” says.
“Like everyone on the set has to take [herpes medication] Valtrex,” he said.
“We hand it out like M&Ms!” Salsano said. ” ‘Hey kids, it’s time for Valtrex!’ It’s like a herpes nest. They’re all in there mixing it up.”
And she is still sensitive to criticism of the show, she admits.
“I got a lot of heat when ‘Jersey Shore’ came out,” Salsano told the group.
“But you know what? You can be as mad as you want.
“I was raised on Long Island, my dad is a sanitation worker, he drives a triple black Cadillac. Right now he’s sitting in his recliner chair with a Yankees symbol.
“Those are my people!”