How It's Used

“NBC, which once championed shows like 'Cheers,' 'Seinfeld' and 'Frasier,' was reduced last year to churning out multiple editions of 'The Apprentice.' But it has not yet reached the 12th step of its programming improvement: this season it is doubling down on the Trump card with two 'Apprentice' series, one led by Donald Trump, the other by Martha Stewart.”

—Alessandra Stanley, “Earl’s Real Name is Second Chance and Redemption,” The New York Times, September 20, 2005.

“In popular culture, the tension between behavior and disease translates into a confusion between comedy and tragedy. Is a sex addict like Will Ferrell's character in 'Blades of Glory'—who even trolls for partners at his 12-step program—just a self-indulgent horn-dog? (The joke about sex addicts hooking up at group meetings also turns up in 'Choke,' an episode of 'Cheers,' and an episode of 'Nip/Tuck.') Or is he more like a cancer patient, with no control over how or why he is afflicted?”

—Daniel Engber, “Sex Dramedy,” Slate, September 29, 2008.

“The themes of dependency and recovery that Kym brings home in her overnight bag are familiar, even banal. Every unhappy family may be unique, but every addict is fundamentally the same, and if 'Rachel Getting Married' had surrendered its story completely to Kym, it would have risked becoming as drab and familiar as a made-for-television 12-step homily.”

—A.O. Scott, “Out of Rehab, Wreaking Havoc,” The New York Times, October 3, 2008.

Also Known As (AKA)

12-step program

Links

Related on eAlmanac
AA (Alcoholics Anonymous)
Bill W.

Beyond eAlmanac
Wikipedia article on Twelve Step Programs