Dr. Drew Pinsky hasn't permanently checked out of "Celebrity Rehab" -- the show is currently on hold ... but TMZ has learned, VH1 is keeping Drew on deck for a possible reboot.
As we first reported -- VH1 is taking a break from "Celebrity Rehab" while producers ponder a new show centered around struggling celebrity couples. In the meantime, Dr. Drew is busy with two other TV shows -- a daytime program on CW and another show on HLN.
Howard Lapides -- Dr. Drew's longtime manager and producing partner -- tells us, Drew's exit from "Rehab" is merely a "timing issue."
Howard adds, Drew's still in talks about rejoining the show -- "No doors are closed."
Dr. Drew Pinsky is officially checking out of VH1's "Celebrity Rehab" ... but VH1 wants to keep rehab alive, so it's developing another show without the good doc.
Sources connected to the show tell us ... the new show will not focus on celebrity addicts, but rather troubled celebrity couples looking to fix their relationship through a therapy program ... on national television.
We're told producers are noodling over names and one of the frontrunners is "Relationship Rehab."
As for VH1's Dr. Drew 2.0 -- the negotiations are under wraps.
Jeff Conaway died from multiple causes, from Aortic valve problems to pneumonia ... this according to the L.A. County Coroner. And, the Coroner says, his death at 60 was an accident.
One year after Eric Roberts completed a stint in "Celebrity Rehab" for weed "dependency," the actor is back on the pro-pot bandwagon ... releasing a new video in the hopes of legalizing the green stuff.
Back before he sought treatment last year, Eric's wife Eliza explained how the actor "quit drugs and alcohol in 1995" but still had an "interest in weed."
At the time, Eliza said, "He uses marijuana as a medication. He has a prescription ... however, a dependency is a dependency and he doesn't want to be dependent on it anymore."
Now, in a new video for TellDC.com, Eric is making the argument that if booze is legal, weed should be too ... saying, "Alcohol has destroyed whole civilizations whereas pot has only made a few hippies happy."
He adds, "Pot remains illegal because no one has figured out how to make it profitable for the government yet ... it's political, not protective."
The GOOD News: "Celebrity Rehab" star Kari Ann Peniche is PREGNANT!! The BAD News: Her husband is unsure if he's the father ... and has filed for a divorce.
TMZ has obtained the divorce papers, in which Justin Williams states that Kari Ann is pregnant -- and wants a judge to order genetic testing to determine if "this is a child of the marriage." The docs were filed in L.A. County Superior Court by Williams' lawyer Marlo Van Oorschot.
Kari Ann has been treated for sex addiction in the past -- even appearing on "Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew" back in 2009.
The couple has only been married for a few months -- they tied the knot back in February.
Shifty Shellshock's estranged wife has filed for divorce, TMZ has learned -- and she's demanding full custody of their 7-year-old son ... claiming the "Celebrity Rehab" alum is a crappy caretaker.
Melissa Binzer filed the divorce docs in L.A. County Superior Court recently -- citing irreconcilable differences.
But here's the interesting part -- they share a 7-year-old son, who has type 1 diabetes. Melissa claims Shifty has no idea how to take care of a diabetic child, so she's demanding full legal and physical custody.
On top of that, Melissa claims Shifty has struggled with drug and alcohol addictions for a long time, and she fears he "would not create a suitable environment" for their son.
Melissa and Shifty -- real name Seth Binzer -- got married in 2002, but have been separated for nearly six years.
Despite widespread reports, "Grease" star Jeff Conawaydid NOT die from a drug overdose -- but rather his body gave out after long-term prescription drug abuse ... this according toDr. Drew.
Drew -- who treated Conaway on "Celebrity Rehab" -- tells us there is no evidence showing Jeff died from an overdose ... saying, "This was aspiration with overwhelming pneumonia and sepsis."
Drew tells us Jeff's condition was inevitable because the actor had been a serious pill popper for years and the constant substance abuse wore down his body.
Drew explains, "Jeff is another pharmaceutical death from the overutilization of prescription drugs. Please continue to pray for friends and family. They appreciate your support.”
John Travoltahas released a statement on the passing of his former "Grease" co-star Jeff Conaway-- saying he was a "wonderful and decent man and we will miss him."
Travolta adds, "My heartfelt thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this very difficult time.”
"Grease" star Jeff Conaway has died today ... several weeks after he was found unconscious in his L.A. area home ... TMZ has confirmed with the actor's family.
Conaway -- a notorious substance abuser -- had reportedly fallen into a coma after suffering an overdose earlier this month ... and doctors were not able to revive him.
Jeff's inner struggles became public when he appeared on "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew" in 2008 and admitted to being addicted to cocaine, alcohol and painkillers.
Conaway -- who played Kenickie during the 1978 film "Grease" -- was 60 years old.
"Starship Troopers" actor Jake Buseytells TMZ ... he plans to check himself in to a rehab facility for substance abuse issues next week after being hospitalized for alcohol poisoning.
Gary's 39-year-old son was on the boardwalk in Venice Beach yesterday ... when he explained how he woke up in an L.A. hospital this week after having "a little too much fun" with booze.
Jake says he's determined to get himself on a "straight path to clean living" -- and will take rehab seriously ... though he did not specify where or how long he will be seeking treatment.
Jeff Conaway's on-again, off-again girlfriend Vikki Lizzi believes the actors' family had NO RIGHT to ban her from visiting Jeff in the hospital after he fell into a coma earlier this month ... and now she's begging a judge to rip up the restraining order.
Vikki's best friend, Aubry Fisher, tells us the family members who blocked Vikki on Jeff's behalf last week don't have his best interests in mind because they refused to help him conquer his addictions in the past.
Conaway has been in a comatose state for weeks -- after he reportedly overdosed in his L.A. area home earlier this month.
Aubry says Vikki's lawyers are going to court today to try and lift the restraining order so that she can be by Jeff's side, adding, "Vikki just wants to take care of him, she would never hurt him in any way."
Dr. Drew Pinsky hasn't permanently checked out of "Celebrity Rehab" -- the show is currently on hold ... but TMZ has learned, VH1 is keeping Drew on deck for a possible reboot.
