Kirstie Alley weight gain. Do celebrities have an excuse?

Years ago, Kirstie Alley appeared on Oprah to show off her bikini body, but yesterday she was back on the program, this time much less confident about her figure. Kirstie Alley talked to Oprah about her lack of motivation, her weight gain, and her desire to lose 80 pounds by November. The former Jenny Craig spokeswoman admitted that seeing Valerie Bertinelli's sleek bikini body made her want to make a change.

How has Kirstie Alley, once a role model for weight loss, managed to gain so much weight? The exercise equipment that once helped her shed the pounds is no longer in her home because she chose to turn her gym into a dining room. Kirstie Alley told Oprah, "I thought, you know what I need? You know what I haven't had a lot of? I haven't had a lot of dinner parties and company."

Are we supposed to sympathize with Kirstie Alley and feel her pain? Keep in mind, this is not a regular person – she has the means and resources to lose weight. She is more educated than most of us when it comes to healthy eating and dieting. Not to mention, she can afford a personal trainer, a gym membership and healthy food. In addition to that, she has the time! She doesn't worry about chasing around kids, or getting locked into a 50 hour a week job.

Or am I being too harsh? Do you feel for Kirstie Alley? Or do you think her cry for help on Oprah is really about getting some free publicity and possibly a new Jenny Craig contract?