Rob Ford Reality TV Show is Toronto Mayor's Mouthpiece: 'I Am Changing My Behavior'
Rob Ford's reality TV show, "Ford Nation" premiered Monday night to Canadian viewers on the country's Sun New Network, and the embattled mayor that admitted to smoking crack in office got to tell his side of the story without the pressure of journalists and reporters. The hour-long pre-taped show is hosted by the Toronto mayor and his brother, city councilor Doug Ford.
Rob Ford's reality TV show had a first episode that was essentially all about trying to change the perception of his last few embarrassing weeks in office. The mayor revealed that he drank too much, smoked crack cocaine in one of his "drunken stupors," knocked over city councilor Pam McConnell in a session and made a cringe-inducing remark about his sex life with his wife during a press conference.
"I understand people were embarrassed by actions I made in the past," Ford said on the show. "All I can do is assure you, assure you that I am changing my behavior."
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That includes hitting the gym to take some pounds off of his Chris Christie-like frame and working with a "team of medical professionals" that are "guiding [him] and helping [him] out," according to the New York Daily News. However, Ford has not and seemingly will never admit to being an addict.
"I'm dealing with it. … I'm seeking professional help. I'm not an alcoholic. I'm not a drug addict," the mayor told Fox News Sunday.
Another segment on the show had Ford supporter Ezra Levant, who hosts another Sun News show, name other powerful people who have used drugs or committed crimes in office.
Mayor Ford has refused to step down from office, so lawmakers in the city of 2.7 million voted Monday to strip him of much of his powers and slash his working budget by 60 percent. Still, Ford believes the people of Toronto will vote him back into power come October of next year.
"Everybody has skeletons in their closet," he said at the session. "Mine have been exposed. I can't speak for other councilors but if council wants to strip all my powers, do whatever they want to do. I disagree with it but they have their rights and I think it's wrong. I think it's illegal but the people are gonna have their say on October 27 (2014)."
Ford cannot legally be removed from office unless he stops coming to work or is convicted of a crime.
