DUI’s, drugs, probation, jail, and theft: these are just a few of the scandals that have tarnished the reputation of Lindsay Lohan in recent years. Despite the controversies and her run-ins with the law, Lohan has continued her acting career, and the majority of her recent works have become cinematic fiascos. In 2007, Lohan’s role in I Know Who Killed Me earned her two “Razzie” awards corroborating the film as one of the worst of the year. The 2012 Lifetime movie Liz and Dick, which honored the life of Lohan’s character, Elizabeth Taylor, was considered to be the young star’s next comeback; however, it too, received venomous reviews from loyal fans and critics. Anyone who has ever seen her earlier movies – classics such as The Parent Trap and Mean Girls – knows the immense talent that a young, vibrant, red-headed LiLo once had, and despite her obvious mistakes, Lohan has attempted to revive her career, unsuccessfully. Her most recent endeavour, the self-titled reality show Lindsay, which recently premiered on the Oprah Winfrey Network, has proven to be yet another failed project for the infamous star.
This eight week docu-series follows Lohan’s release from rehab and assimilation back into daily life, as she moves home to New York City. In the opening scene, Lohan has arrived at a studio to shoot her first interview – having left rehab just four days earlier – with the show’s executive producer, Oprah Winfrey. Before the pair films the interview, Oprah interrogates Lohan regarding her goal for the interview, which Oprah hopes is for Lindsay Lohan to show her true self. Their conversation felt awkward and tense, but it was interesting seeing Oprah’s benevolence disappear as she coerced Lindsay into being honest regarding her past of drug abuse and alcoholism.
Before arriving at her mother’s apartment in N.Y.C. in the series premiere, Lindsay is surrounded by what appears to be hundreds of boxes of belongings. Clothes, shoes, and jewelry consume every square inch of her new home. The only appealing aspect of this clip was when Lohan found, among the rubble, a “Fetch” t-shirt, memorabilia from her Mean Girls days. In general, however, Lindsay proves herself to be the same chaotic, moody, and destructive person she claims herself not to be anymore. Throughout the episode, Lindsay abandons her friend’s photoshoot, cancels a trip to the Cannes Film Festival, and complains about work. As a recovering drug and alcohol addict, Lindsay Lohan proves that she clearly has to work hard for sobriety.
The second episode seems to explore that topic more and when Oprah Winfrey herself stops by the Lohan home, she has some strong words for Lindsay. In two emotional interviews with Lindsay and her mother Dina, Winfrey gives her criticisms and positive reinforcement, explores Lindsay’s childhood sold to Hollywood, and utters a few swears – a behavior very uncharacteristic of the easygoing billionaire philanthropist.
Despite the show’s ratings, which have consistently dropped each week, Lindsay has proven to be one of the more successful programs on Oprah’s dwindling television network, although the show obtained 200,000 less viewers than Lindsay and Oprah’s initial interview on Oprah’s Next Chapter last August. Lindsay herself has done well promoting the show, making her first talk show appearances since her stint in rehab on Ellen, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and The Late Show with David Letterman.
Altogether, the show itself is not bad, in that the sequencing, cinematography, and interviews are well organized by Emmy-winning documentarian and director of Lindsay, Amy Rice. Rice adds a sense of raw, shameful vulnerability to the show – further adding to the pressure for Lohan to succeed. Her documentary skills are seen through cable news reports of Lohan’s arrests and the street interviews of the troubled star’s fans and haters. In these interviews, New Yorkers gave their opinions of Lohan and most of their words followed the same condescending tone. These days, the public’s opinion of Lohan can be best summarized by one city-goer’s quote: “I used to be a fan of her work. Not much recently. She kind of fell off the deep end.”
Lindsay has been, in most peoples’ minds, in the deep end for quite some time now. Her reality show stands as a warning of a life lost to the entertainment business as a child. Although she’s undergone multiple rehabilitation treatments and at first glance seems to be a functioning adult, this reality show truly exposes a painful life – a life that is far from luxurious. Her chances of proving herself to be a respectable, responsible actress are dwindling, and headlining a reality show on an unpopular network has not garnered Lohan much support as her personality and actions do not reflect someone who is truly dedicated to the process of recovery and prosperity, as seen in the show’s most recent episodes.
After lying to her life coach – AJ Johnson – about her recent drinking, Lohan realizes her mistakes, guilt, and incapability to maintain sobriety, but not before Johnson quits and Lohan halts production and filming of the reality show much to the dismay of the director and crew. Despite Lohan habitually repeating that she’s prepared to remain sober and revitalize her career, the recovering alcoholic is not ready. Lindsay, well-made as it may be, validates the inevitable truth that most already had assumed: Lindsay Lohan is not, and may never be again, a functioning, successful, working woman, as her past abuses and scandals have taken the ultimate toll on her life.
