On the show, Griffin gives insight into his personal life, which is both intriguing and disturbing. The show is called 'Going for Broke' for a reason, because Eddie just might actually get there.
Here are some reasons that Eddie Griffin might actually become the broke celebrity that he is trying to become:
1) He spends like a damn fool. One of the easiest traps for an entertainer to fall into is the "infinite money trap." That's when the person thinks that they've got an endless supply of cash, giving them ability to spend whatever they want on whatever they want. Apparently Eddie may have fallen into this trap, since his Bentley was being repossessed in an early episode of the show. Eddie's conversation with his accountant was also revealing, as the words "all the accounts are empty" seemed to strike him hard. With all the success that Eddie Griffin has had, it is difficult to imagine that he would be completely broke. But the truth is that this kind of thing happens all the time.
2) Can you say "8 kids and four baby's mamas"? Eddie's mother was right when she mentioned that any new potential "baby mamas" were looking to "get on the Eddie Griffin financial plan." What Eddie also seems to forget is that even if you are well-to-do, child support is a horrible financial burden. There are ways to be involved in the lives of children without giving up all your money in order to do so.
Eddie Griffin Photos
DOUBLE TAKE Eddie Griffin as Freddy Tiffany and Orlando Jones as Daryl Chase
Touchstone Pictures
DOUBLE TAKE Eddie Griffin as Freddy Tiffany and Orlando Jones as Daryl Chase
Touchstone Pictures
DOUBLE TAKE Garcelle Beauvais as Chloe, Eddie Griffin as Freddy Tiffany and Orlando Jones as Daryl Chase
Touchstone Pictures
DEUCE BIGALOW: MALE GIGOLOW Rob Schneider as Deuce Bigalow and Eddie Griffin as T.J. Hicks
Touchstone Pictures
Comedian and actor Eddie Griffin leaves the Jackson family home in Encino, California, July 1, 2009. The family of Michael Jackson ruled out holding a poignant funeral at the star's Neverland estate as the details of the tragic pop icon's will were made public for the first time. AFP PHOTO / Paul J. Richards (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
NORBITKatt Williams and Eddie Griffin
Dreamworks
NORBITKatt Williams, Eddie Griffin and Eddie Murphy as Norbit
Dreamworks
HOLLYWOOD - NOVEMBER 13: Actor Eddie Griffin arrives at the VH1 Classic Rock Autism Celebrity Bowl Off charity event, held at the Lucky Strikes Lanes bowling alley on November 13, 2008 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Tullberg/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Eddie Griffin
Getty Images
HOLLYWOOD - NOVEMBER 13: Actor Eddie Griffin arrives at the VH1 Classic Rock Autism Celebrity Bowl Off charity event, held at the Lucky Strikes Lanes bowling alley on November 13, 2008 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Tullberg/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Eddie Griffin
Getty Images
NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - OCTOBER 06: Comedian Eddie Griffin attends "From Stand-up to Sitcom" presented by the Academy Of Television Arts & Sciences at the Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre on October 6, 2008 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Eddie Griffin
Getty Images
3) He seems to put himself into bad situations. The first episode I saw showed scenes of Eddie going to a plastic surgeon after having a champagne glass smashed against his face by a "fan." I've honestly got a few fans, but I don't think any of them would want to slam a glass against my face. Maybe he should change the word "fan" to "hater," "enemy," or "potential threat." Either way, Eddie seemed to feel that his life was somehow cursed with bad energy. Instead, he might take a second to realize that his personal choices might be the reasons he is being put into such peculiar situations.
When it comes to Eddie Griffin and his new show, the bottom line is this: If you think that Eddie is now doing fine because he has a new VH1 show, think again. The networks don't pay the entertainers much to do these shows, and the shows don't usually last for a very long time. Also, unless you're Bill Gates, you can't presume that you've got a seemingly endless supply of disposable income. The fact that Eddie didn't know he was out of money implies that he probably doesn't keep a budget, which is one of the first paths toward financial ruin. Given that one of Eddie's predecessors, Red Foxx, died deeply in debt to the IRS, one would hope that Eddie doesn't endure that same fate. Eddie's my man, and funny as hell, but he's really got to get it together.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Professor at Syracuse University, a leading black speaker and author of the forthcoming book, "Black American Money." To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. 
Comments: (34)
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By: D. on 10/09/2009 11:27AM
I've watched a few episodes of the show, and it is quite sad. These entertainers also feel that they are obligated to take of everyone else-mother & father I get that. But extended family-you're on your own! In one episode Eddie's accountant told him he had 4.3 million coming in- but 4.7 million going out. This should be a wake-up call for him-if not others.
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By: Jocelyn on 10/10/2009 4:02PM
I agree with u D. I get the fact that when black Celebrity's have money they want to help other family members,but at the same time there is a limit to what u can give, and what amazes me is there is no shame in their game being taken care of by someone else,In one episode I watched, Eddie told his nephew that he would have to get a job to kinda pull his weight because financially he could'nt really keep doing it,The nephew had the nerve to say he was offended that his uncle would ask him to get a job...Ok! Right then and there his ass would have been paying for his own studio time and let him see how far he would have gotten.There's a difference in helping people out until they can help themselves,but it's another thing to take care of grown ass people who seem to just be there for the financial gain.
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By: Shannon on 10/09/2009 12:51PM
Okay, so now I know the show is real!! I watched the episode where his Bentley was repossessed and certain parts seemed "fake". People say that you should leave below your means, if you make 50,000 live as if you make 30,000. Some find it hard to do, but I believe one should do this. Maybe Eddie should take this advice!! I hope it gets together as well!!
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By: Marce on 10/09/2009 1:19PM
I take issue with the author's description of child support as a "horrible financial burden." However, I think those words accurately describe how men feel about child support. Supporting one's child is not a "horrible" financial "burden." To the contrary, to provide money for the day to day needs of a child to ensure that he/she becomes a healthy, successful, and productive adult is something that every parent should strive to do. Yes, rearing children can be costly. But, I would hope that no parent describes supporting their child as a "horrible" financial "burden."
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By: carla ford on 10/10/2009 12:34PM
@ Marce,
I agree the author used a poor choice of words.Especially when he stated "there are ways to be involved in the lives of children without giving up all your money to do so". Well if the man has chosen to act recklessly by impregnating multiple women without the benefit of marriage, this is what happens. Yes there are parents that use money as a replacement for spending time with their children, however a parents involvement in their child's life doesnt replace the money needed to raise that child; pay up Eddie.
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By: Tre on 10/11/2009 7:23AM
I agree with you 100%. The hard part is raising kids, not writing a check every month. Anybody can do that. I've even overheard a male say, "she has baggage" when referring my kids as he was walking past my car. What a POS he is and will always be with that mentality.
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By: Lois x Brundage Vance on 10/11/2009 10:16AM
I can understand why someone might think child support is a "Financial Burden". When a man is taking care of his child in his own right it is not a burden. But, when the ex wife, girlfriend or courts demand and put a stipulation on how much of the man's hard earned income should be paid, then it does become a financial burden, because you are forced to pay more than necessary for the needs of the child to satisfy the mother's & attorney's greed. It is no longer about financially providing for your child, it's about being taken for whatever the child's mother & attorney can get you to pay to make their lives better. Name me any case where the Judge was fair to a man even though he earned a lot of money. I don't think we can find one because it is no longer about the child anymore, it's about how much money does the father earn. Lots of times they mother, attorney and judge don't even grant the father equal custody, Which in my belief is what should happen when there are two parents. Why is the mother always deemed fit but the father is not. But as long as they were together the father was a wonderful parent, now he can't get a break.
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By: ann on 10/09/2009 2:32PM
Let's get this straight Eddie Griffin is not at all funny. He only did one or two movies and is spending money like he's crazy no wonder he's going for broke, I almost feel embarrassed for him when i watch the show.
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By: markybabe15 on 10/22/2009 2:55AM
B**** PLZ!!!!! The man is funny...i bet you think funny farting...n all that sarcastic shit...Get a F****** life in leave him along...he is going to be straight...oh yea this is probably the only good thing on vh1
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By: Morbidlyamused on 10/09/2009 7:13PM
As often is the case, a fool and his money are soon departed.
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