Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Weight-loss challenge relies on money as a motivator.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
In MONEY HUNGRY, 10 pairs of overweight people compete in a weight-loss challenge for a cash prize. (In an interesting twist, each twosome -- consisting of friends, co-workers, and relatives -- has put $10,000 of their own money into the prize pot.) They go through a series of weight-loss challenges under the guidance of experts such as Dr. Alwin Lewis and trainer Richard Cassiola; each duo must lose enough combined weight to avoid being eliminated after the weekly weigh-in. The final two teams in contention will get their $10,000 back, but only the team that loses the most body fat at the end of the competition walks away with the grand $100,000 prize.
Is It Any Good?
The series, which is hosted by Dan Cortese, features the over-the-top exercise routines and unrealistic weight-loss expectations we've come to expect from similar types of shows. And in this case, because the contestants are using their own money as a motivator for losing weight, they seem driven more by greed than by a genuine desire to shed some pounds.
Some of the more eccentric teams' antics -- like weird dancing and head shaving -- are funny, but they usually come accompanied by strong language, arguing, and drinking. Folks who like this sort of thing may find it entertaining, but overall the series fails to offer any real weight-loss inspiration.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the media typically depicts weight loss and those who are overweight. what it means to be overweight. Does this show depart from the usual treatment or not?
Do you think shows like this one really inspire people to lose weight and/or promote positive body image?
TV Details
- Premiere date : August 2, 2010
- Cast : Alwin Lewis , Dan Cortese , Richard Cassiola
- Network : VH1
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2022
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