Watch Broke & Famous

Broke & Famous aired on VH1 in 2009 and aimed to showcase the glamorous lifestyles of various celebrities and how they lost it all through poor decisions and mismanagement of their finances. Throughout the series, viewers were taken behind the scenes of the lives of these former stars, from their rise to fame to their current struggles to make ends meet.

The show was hosted by two former celebrities themselves, MC Hammer and Corey Feldman, who had both experienced financial issues in the past. Each episode focused on one celebrity and delved into their personal story of how they went from being wealthy and famous to bankrupt.

Among the celebrities featured on Broke & Famous were MC Hammer himself, Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt from "The Hills," former heavyweight champion boxer Evander Holyfield, and "Growing Pains" actor Willie Aames. Each episode followed the same structure, with interviews with the celebrity themselves, as well as interviews with friends, family members, and financial advisors.

The aim of the show was to shine a light on the often-glittering lives of the rich and famous and expose the darker side of celebrity life. Viewers were given an inside look at the excessive spending, the pressure from agents and studios to maintain an image, and the addiction problems that some celebrities faced.

Broke & Famous tackled some of the biggest issues faced by former celebrities who were struggling financially, from mismanagement of their finances to legal battles and debt. The show also uncovered some of the hidden dangers of life in the public eye, such as how quickly fame can disappear and how difficult it is to rebuild a career once it’s gone.

One of the show's most poignant episodes followed the story of former heavyweight champion boxer Evander Holyfield, who had earned over $250 million in his career but had declared bankruptcy in 2008. Viewers learned of the many financial mistakes Holyfield had made, including owning over $200,000 in back child support, and the fact that he couldn't afford the upkeep on his 109-room mansion. Holyfield revealed that he was still fighting to get his finances back on track, and viewers were shown the struggles he was facing in trying to maintain his lifestyle.

Perhaps one of the most surprising aspects of Broke & Famous was how relatable the struggles of these former celebrities were. Many of them had made investments in real estate or businesses that had gone bust, or had been taken advantage of by unscrupulous business managers or financial advisors. Others struggled with addictions to drugs or alcohol that had caused them to make poor financial decisions, while still others had simply been living well beyond their means.

While the show certainly put its finger on a tough and relevant topic, one criticism of Broke & Famous was that it may have come across as overly voyeuristic at times. Some viewers felt that the show was exploiting the financial struggles of the celebrities rather than genuinely trying to help them. Despite this, many others praised the show for its candid and nuanced approach to a notoriously difficult topic.

In the end, Broke & Famous gave viewers a rare glimpse into the inner lives of celebrities, highlighting not only their luxurious lifestyles but also the harsh realities they often face when the fame and fortune inevitably fade. The lessons learned were not only about financial responsibility, but also about the importance of maintaining strong relationships, solid support systems, and good mental health.

Broke & Famous is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (10 episodes). The series first aired on November 5, 2009.