The folks at Entertainment Weekly are talking about a new addition to ABC’s “Extreme Makeover” family. First they carved people up like turkeys, put them on crash diets, and then whirled them past stylists, hair dressers, and makeup artists. Then they booted families out of their homes, demolished them, and rebuilt something quick and grand complete with lots of theme rooms. Now the franchise is slowing down and follow the overweight for a full year.
Each hour-long episode will follow one participant over 365 days. A film crew will record the challenges of shedding more than 100 pounds. Participants will be in their home environment trying to make the changes as they go about their daily lives. It will be their regular routine except for that film crew tagging along behind. ABC is pleased enough with the early results they have already ordered a second season before the show’s March 2011 debut.
I like this idea. It’s ABC’s answer to “The Biggest Loser” but hopefully with a much higher dose of reality. Losing weight sucks. Losing a lot of weight really sucks. Losing weight at home with all the same temptations and obligations really, really sucks. I’m sure there will be triumph and heartache. I’m a wuss so I’m sure I’ll be tearing up, but I’m glad a show like this is coming out.
I look forward to hearing the participants speak as they work through their struggles and I hope it provides a lot of advice on journaling, food portions, exercise, and the like. I want it to be inspiring, gritty, and real.
I don’t have my head in the clouds though. I’m willing to bet that ABC was inspired since “The Biggest Loser” is likely the most profitable show for NBC. The Peacock pays their stars fairly well, but everything else is relatively cheap. Their primetime advertising is huge revenue to be sure, but I’m willing to bet they make more on their online membership website and all the books and DVDs available for sale now. I’m sure ABC is hoping for similar action over time.
If you’d like to know more, check out Why the Fitness Industry Isn’t in Love with The Biggest Loser.
What do you think? Would you watch a show that followed one person for a year as they try to lose 100+ pounds? What do you want the show to highlight?
Thanks,
Lisa
Twitter
To answer your question: It depends, but probably not.
First- I do not watch the Biggest Loser. I don’t like this huge focus on “weight loss”. I’m not saying that a morbidly obese person shouldn’t lose weight- but what is considered a “healthy” weight is rather broad. The point of eating right and exercising should be getting healthy and being fit, and any weight lost (or even gained) is just collateral.
Having said that, yes, there are *some* people who are morbidly obese and who need to lose weight. If it was a really good show, put together well, with a focus on eating right and exercising and BEING HEALTHY, maybe. But if it was totally focused on superficial reasons to lose weight and be skinny- not a chance.
Melinda I’m willing to bet it’ll be focused on morbidly obese people who genuinely are having health issues. it just goes with the whole genre of their brand. They are experts at the tearjerker scenes and someone just trying to look good at their high school reunion wouldn’t be worthy of a year long treatment (I’m just guessing here, pretending to be the producer).
I’ll at least watch the first show or two and see what happens …
L–
I blog regularly about all weight loss reality programs (Biggest Loser, Thintervention, Money Hungry, Too fat for 15, etc.) and thank you for bringing this how to my attention! I don’t normally watch Extreme Home Makeover because it makes me bawl my head off. So now I will be on the lookout for this new version- let’s see what they’ll do with it.
Alison :)
Alison it’s going to be interesting, I seem to be doing a lot of blogging on fitness reality shows too for AOL. Very nice to meet you, we’re quite the sub-niche ;-) L–
It’s been in the works awhile. I wrote about it last year when the working title was “Obese.” It’s from JD Roth’s 3Ball Productions (they also produce “The Biggest Loser”).
Here’s what I wrote last year:
http://www.examiner.com/weight-loss-in-national/abc-picks-up-weight-loss-reality-show-from-producer-of-the-biggest-loser
Gail, that’s really interesting. It’s a Biggest Loser production? That makes me feel a lot less positive about the show … or is this the producer’s chance to redeem themself after all the crappy things they do to people on BL? heh
Thank goodness. I cannot stand The Biggest Loser. I have created a small group personal training for plus size women and some LOVE the show because it’s inspirational.
What they are taking in a subconscious message that I have to haul my butt and the rest of me up hills while sprinting and nothing less, lift 20 pound dumbbells over my head, and succeed in doing military push-ups.
…and that’s in my first session of working out!
Forget thinking about exercise progression and enjoying the process.
I am Jillian’s nemesis…lol
I consider myself her antithesis too :-)
I’m very excited about seeing this program. I happen to be frineds with one of the participant and have been keeping up with her on facebook. I’m excited about what this show has done for her and all the others shown. I can’t wait to see it, and I know I will probably cry :’)
Thanks Stacia for stopping by, I love the idea of taking the time to watch someone lose weight in their “home” environment with all the pressures that can pop up. A lot more realistic. :-)
Hi and please forgive me if this question has been asked already , I dont have a minute to read all the comments but I do have time to ask this out of total desperation involving the Extreme Makeover Weight loss Addition does anyone know if or how I may be able to become a candidate for the program ?? I am at 305 lbs and have severe hormonal problems such as excessive facial hair and hygiene issues that are very hard to maintain due to my excessive weight , my insurance turned me down for gastric bypass , I was declined disability and have a lawyer currently fighting my case , but I am in need of this for several reasons !!I hate looking in the mirror it makes me very sad !! Please if anyone has any information that could help me please email me at [email protected] I would appreciate it from the bottom of my heart , I want to be the best me I can be !!!I applaud anyone and everyone who fight the obesity demons !!!
Gina, I don’t know the process, but I believe they do have a link on the show’s home page on NBC.com. Good luck! L–
Melinda- I hear you. Normally I hate weight loss shows too. BUT you should check this one out. its amazing and handles the topic with love and respect. And I really like how they emphasize each character’s journey. They really try to help them succeed in life – not just lose the weight for drama and spectacle.
Seriously check it out. My family watches every Monday at 10!!
I love the show. I quit watching biggest loser because of the extreme non caring attitude of the trainers. I used to be obese, but thank God I found out how to quit eating emotionally – good and bad emotions. I would love to see more solutions, how they did the exercise and start dealing and really talking about the emotions that makes us eat – period. It is a very uplifting show and hope it continues to help others.
Thanks for stopping by Bonita, I agree, it’s basically what I wish the Biggest Loser was … hope they keep it up … L–
i love this show, i have been researching on how to be a client. i am in toronto ontario canada and desperately need the help. how do i go about being a client?
Joanna I don’t even think they look outside the US for contestants … and I’m sure you have the resources near you … just look around for local people and I’m sure you’ll find a slew.
I SAW THE FIRST SHOW AND I LOVE THE WAY THEY KEPT THE PEOPLE AT HOME IN THEIR ENVIROMENT I FEEL IT MAKES IT EASIER FOR THEM; AND THEY LOOSE WEIGHT BETTER. I AM OVER WEIGHT AND I WOULD LOVE TO GO ON THE SHOW AND IT NOT FOR A CLASS REUNION BUT FOR MY HEALTH ; MY BEING OVER WEIGHT CONTRIBUTES TO ME BEING UNHEALHTY. I HAVE STARTED EXCERCISING AND TRYING TO EAT RIGHT, I HAVE ALSO TRIED OTHER WAYS THAT DID NOT WORK FOR ME OR I JUST GAVE UP SO I THINK HAVING A ONE ON ONE TRAINER IS A LOT BETTER THAN JILLIAN SCREAMING AT YOU I COULD NOT TAKE THAT TO ME THAT IS NOT MOTIVATION.
Well not totally in their environment. Three months of your trainer living with you, and a tricked out home gym instead of a living room … so it’s not entirely the same as before. But yes, I see what you mean. Good luck with your weight loss journey. L–