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S1E8 Tina

Season 1 Episode 8

Tina

Age: 30’s
Location:  Columbus, Ohio
Addicted to:  Gambling, Vicodin

What’s memorable: The immediate regret after gambling and buying pills, betting at the horse trackswith her toddler son following her around.

Official synopsis: Once a valedictorian, Tina is now a real-life desperate housewife. This mother of a three-year-old spends her days gambling her house and car payments while stoned on prescription pills. With most of her jewelry in pawn shops, and forced to take paycheck advances, Tina now writes insurance policies from home and spends her days at horse tracks and in Bingo halls. With her marriage, health and finances in complete crisis her husband Harley says that “this show may be the only thing left that can save our lives.”

Original Air Date: May 2005
Interventionist:  Candy

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  1. Cassidy

    I would love to hear how Tina is doing today?

    1. Tina Sopher

      I’m doing good. Harley and I divorced in 2007. The last affair he had on me, his current live in girlfriend, was the last affair I could take. How I wish I could give all the facts, the ups and downs through the years, and the truth intervention didn’t want anyone to see. I’m a little upset at some of the remarks people have made about my child, so my apologies. I just wanted to take a couple minutes to say thank you all the positive and encouraging post. A friend of mine just showed me this site and she was just as upset and hurt as I am. I’ll update more later. Thank you 🙂 🙁

      1. Dewey

        So glad you’re doing well. Things have changed so much. Now a days you can’t even get a rx for Vicodin even if u really need it.

        ????

      2. Kijafa James

        I always was cheering for you n your family! So proud of u

      3. Cindy

        So glad you are doing well Tina! Watching your story really touched my heart because I could see the potential you had inside and I was just sure there was more going on then was being told. Your little boy is such a doll. I know you are taking great care of him. Will keep you in my prayers. You deserve the best life has to offer.

      4. Debra

        He may have had affairs but who could really balme him?

      5. Tina Sopher

        Don’t believe half of what you read. This is Tina Sopher. I just want to clarify a couple of things. First of all I NEVER go to bars. Harley was ALWAYS a cheater. I was just stupid enough to stay. He convinced me these girls lied. I could say more about why I divorced Harley. It would be great it they did an update so people could hear the truth.
        So yes Harley and I divorced. I couldn’t take the cheating anymore. It was keeping me sick. He does have a son who’s either 10 or 11 now that he rarely sees. Just like Pooh Bear. Pooh Bear graduated high school and lives on his own now. Whoever said he was handsome. Thank you. He went through a lot that’s for sure. His dad left his other baby momma. Shocker. I’m happy about that. She was very very mean to my son. And she can run faster than me !! Anyways I’d love to put all the things people didn’t know, fact check all the stupid lies. But let’s just say Karma. You don’t mistreat people the way he did and live happily ever after. People make their own choices. It’s sad.
        To all the positive people and supporters? Thank you bunches.

      6. Stephanie

        Tina I wish all the best for you and your son and know you are in my prayers God bless you

      7. Chris

        Tina, if you happen to check these messages, I hope you’re doing well! Many of us understand what you’ve been through, and know that what was portrayed on the show was not an accurate reflection of what was going on in private. I’m so sorry for the pain you’ve experienced. You’ve been through so much, thank goodness you are strong and you’ve survived! Please be kind to yourself, and know that positive energy is being sent to you from many, many people out here!

  2. Michelle

    I would like to know how Tina is doing now? I have a gambling problem like hers and would like an update, thank you.

  3. Melissa

    I found Harley on fb but cant find tina. Looks like he is doing really well and just got engaged.

    1. Anna Lee

      That’s great for him! 🙂 Thanks for the update. How did you find him on Facebook without his last name?

      1. Kristin

        Harvey’s last name is Evans 🙂

  4. Jasmine

    I would love to get an update on Tina!

    1. Brent

      Tina Evans sopher is her name on Facebook, she lives in Columbus you can search her on Facebook. In her photos she looks very fresh faced and happy unlike the photo above so she must be doing better.

  5. Jasmine

    Harley: engaged and has a young son from his soon to be wife 🙂 seems to be very happy!

    Tina: single and is living with her now 15 (?) year old son pooh. She doesn’t seem to currently have a job but she does seem happy and has many supportive friends. By the looks of it she likes to go out to bars and have fun with friends.

    “Pooh”: He’s grown to such a handsome young man! He does seem somewhat of a trouble maker though, with his friends referring to drugs and alcohol every now and then, even at his young age.

    1. Marissa Robyn

      Hey Jasmine can you post the link to Tina’s fb and the stuff you found on Pooh?? I hope he isn’t going down the same path. I found Harley’s fb and he seems happy im happy for him. He tried his best to keep it together with Tina. He seemed like a great man. Pooh on the show back then was so little and cute. Can’t believe he’s 15 already wow! Wish the best to all of them.

      1. Alanna

        thank goodness, i feel so bad for harley watching this

      2. Tina Sopher

        Harley NEVER tried his best with me. I put up with A LOT from Harley. P.S. don’t let Facebook fool you.

      3. Christina

        Harley currently has two open cases in Franklin County, one for domestic violence and one for violating a protective order.

        I hope Tina is still doing well, we’re all rooting for you!

    2. Anthony

      Thank you for the update. I just watched this episode on Netflix and was very curious of the outcome. I really hope Tina was able to find peace and happiness. I seen first hand how prescription medication can absolutely destroy people’s lifes.

    3. Ingrid

      During the show I thought he was showing signs of acting out due to the things going on in the home. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him with some type of issue if he stayed with his mom instead of being with his father. If you remember he was doing a lot of hitting.

      1. Tina Sopher

        Ingrid, you along with a few others have pissed me off more than you can imagine. You’re ignorant. If you knew him, you’d be ashamed. As a mother, I’m going to go out of my character and send you a big FU !

    4. Tina Sopher

      My son is FAR from a trouble maker. I DO NOT go out to bars, but I was having fun with my friends at my house, FireWire, swimming. Didn’t know that was bad parenting. Do NOT refer to my son as a trouble maker. He is an A B student and doesn’t hang out with anyone of the kids that he used to, why? They smoke, drink and do drugs. He wants no part of that. He like pot leaves, big whoop. He posted them, big whoop.Once I found out his friends smoked pot I took him to children’s hospital and had him drug tested, negative, I then followed up with two more test, home bought, negative. Being proactive. Trouble maker? Please. He’s sweet, sensitive but doesn’t want to fit in with the bad crowd, can’t help they don’t like the fact they can’t use him.

      1. Kristie Hatfield

        I stumbled upon this episode the other day when I had the tv on while I was getting ready in the morning and was immediately captivated. I didn’t even realize they were doing Intervention back in 2005! Tina – please don’t let these comments get you down. We have ALL gone through our own trials and tribulations but most of us don’t have it documented on a syndicated TV show. You’re a brave woman and I’m sure the courts would’ve placed your son with his dad if you were unable to parent him. As a mom to two teens, I know the challenges of keeping them on the right track while at the same time allowing them to make mistakes and learn from them. It’s not easy. As women, we need to support each other rather than judge.

  6. Gregory Moore

    Just re-watched this episode recently and was reminded of how I consider this one of the best-produced of all the episodes. I wish the producers of the new incarnation of “Intervention” would look back at this episode, one of the first they ever did…and figure out what made this one so powerful. In the early days of the show, it just seemed the “character analyses” were more incisive and they provided more of a background into the lives, problems and addictions of the various subjects of the show–compared to how they do it now. I just can’t put my finger on what seems to be “missing” in the new episodes (2015). Personally, this particular episode and its very sympathetic subject, Tina, is really affecting on every level. Adorable child, check…sainted husband, big check. And, of course, Candy Finnegan, in one her first televised interventions, dead-on, right out of the gate. The only thing unsatisfying about this one is the fact that it didn’t seem that the intervention worked. I hope they all found happiness…especially Harley.

    1. Will

      Very well said.

    2. Tina Sopher

      Thank you Greg. One thing I’d like to point out is sainted husband. I don’t want to put the blame for any of my actions/choices on anyone. I would like to mention intervention did not want to exploit the beatings I took for years, all the cheating he did for years and all the enabling he did. I had learned he wanted to keep me sick. I would love to shed light on his so called new found happiness. He does have a sweet little boy. My son does not go to his house because of his girlfriend. They have a hate hate relationship. Harley does come around, we have shared parenting but he hasn’t went by that order for about four years now. As far as a happy relationship, don’t believe everything you see on Facebook. My son is absolutely wonderful. Thanks for your kind words.

      1. Gregory Moore

        Thank you, Tina. It’s good to be reminded that a family’s “entire story” cannot be encapsulated in one 45-minute TV episode. I thank you for responding and I apologize for buying-into the image presented by the show that your ex-husband was “sainted”–when clearly, that wasn’t the case. I wish you continued success and happiness and hope your life is now a happy one. In spite of everything the show portrayed, what came through strongest for me is your beautiful spirit and kind soul–and your sense of humor. Keep looking to the future and focus on the positive. It can work wonders. Best wishes always, Gregory

  7. Alicia

    I don’t think either of the above links are for the right person. All of those charges are for a woman named Tina Evans who happens to be black. The Tina from the show was white….

    1. Tina Sopher

      Thank you Alicia, you are very correct. 🙂

      1. mariadorval7

        the comment should be removed by the site. Did someone report it?
        Tina, I am so proud of you as a fellow woman and mother.
        You stepped up and did the right thing. You fell down, and got back up, and went forward.
        KUDOS to you! keep up the good work!!

  8. Leighton

    How is pooh 15 when he was a toddler (maybe 3?) in 2011, when the show was recorded? Do the math people..

    1. Dizzy

      This episode was filmed in 2005.

    2. Tina Sopher

      Pooh is now 15 years old 🙂

    1. Ash

      Well, she seems happy. One day at a time 😉

      1. Tina Sopher

        Thank you 🙂 God bless

  9. Tina Sopher

    Yes, do your research before you try to spread negative rumors. I have never ever ever been in jail. I’ve never lived in Cleveland. I had a speeding ticket 20 years ago. Get your facts straight please !

  10. Dewey

    Tina how’s ur handsome brother? So glad ur doing well

  11. Mack

    Tina, I recently watched your episode and hope you are happy and at peace! And only hope the very best for you and your endeavors~

  12. Jade

    Just watched a rerun of your episode. SO glad to hear you’re not among show subjects who’ve died. I hear you re ex-spouse who seems so saintly to everyone on the outside, but has many dark, hidden aspects, esp “keeping you sick”: My ex was like that & I finally left after 25 yrs of it.

    One day @ a time. Blessings to you & your son.

  13. Michael K

    Hope you are well Tina. Keep the head up.

  14. Allisa

    Would love to hear another update from Tina- wishing you & your son much happiness!

  15. chris ford

    i have similar addictions .. so glad to hear you’re doing ok

  16. Cathleen

    I think the husband is an asshole, you can tell by the way he said “when I met her she WAS beautiful and in shape”
    Her son seems very empathetic and her girlfriend seems very sincere. I hope she is doing well.

    1. Christina

      You are perceptive, it seems many viewers missed red flags when it came to the husband. In my life, I’ve known countless truly good people, and I have also learned that sometimes, people who appear to be saints are actually very well-practiced liars.

      Here is a link to Harley’s mugshot, he was arrested on December 22, 2020 for domestic violence, and again six days later for violating a protective order. Hopefully the link works, but if not, it’s public record in Franklin County, Ohio.

      https://ohio.arrests.org/Arrests/Harley_Evans_46505878/

      Intervention is a wonderful program, but it’s important to remember that it’s impossible to accurately summarize decades of complex human experiences in an hour.

      1. CC

        He doesn’t look healthy.

  17. Dahlia

    Much love to you Tina, so sorry about all you and your son went though. People are so cruel, on-and-offline. You are the best judge of your own character. Hope all stays well and even happier times await your family.

  18. Leslie

    I just watched her episode and followed the posted fb link to see how she’s doing. She is currently hospitalized with Covid. Tina, if you see this I’m praying for you. I’m sorry Harley was shown as a “good guy” on the show. I could see he wasn’t as good as he claimed and I’m glad you shared your side.

    1. Marley

      Saw that too Leslie, she’s an anti-vaxxer also…

  19. Lisa L

    Tina, I am so glad that you’re doing well. And I’m also so very sorry for what you had to go through with your ex-husband. Unfortunately I fully understand, but met my soulmate not long after my ex and I divorced and he passed away in 2017 from cancer. I’m seven years sober this August from alcohol, and I graduate even at 54 years of age from college in October. Earning my bachelors degree in substance-abuse counseling. Saying prayers for you and your son, and he’s got this. Let the haters say, it just shows that they do not have a life of their own. You’ve got enough strangers praying for you and know that you can and will succeed.

  20. Julie

    Tina I’ve watched your episode many times throughout the years. I was married to a Harley and I know about that keeping you sick to make his actions ok. I think of you often and hope you’re doing well. Your love for your son is evident in all of your posts. ♥️

  21. Kail

    I always thought Tina’s husband was sketchy. He pretended to not know where hundreds of thousands of dollars were going? Asking for Walmart receipts when she clearly didn’t buy THAT much stuff at the store? You’d notice $300 of groceries in your house vs $80. IDK it seemed like he had his own financial problems or something going on and was using her addiction as a scape goat.

    Side note I wonder why Intervention stopped featuring gambling addicts? I feel like the first few seasons had a disproportionate number vs the later seasons.

  22. RK

    Tina, I hope you’re still doing well. You always stood out as one of the most self-aware participants and seem like a really good person.