Money Hungry

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Weight-loss challenge relies on money as a motivator.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this weight-loss competition series uses money as the contestants' major motivator for losing weight -- factors related to long-term, healthy weight loss aren't the point here. The language can get pretty strong (words like “s--t,” “f--k,” and “c--t” are bleeped), and there's plenty of sexual innuendo, verbal arguments, and drinking (many participate, and at least one cast member gets drunk). And, like many weight-loss shows, the series sets very unrealistic goals when it comes losing large amounts of weight within a short period of time.

  • The show uses cash as the sole motivator for losing weight. There's no discussion about having a positive body image and/or healthy ways to lose weight.
  • Some of the contestants are committed to losing weight, while others appear to be more interested in being on a reality show. There's a good bit of interpersonal drama among them. The contestants are a fairly diverse group.
  • Contestants are often shown arguing, yelling, and screaming at each other.
  • In one episode, contestants are shown licking alcohol off of one another’s bodies. One contestant takes off his shorts in the pool (no visible nudity). Some of the men wear thongs when going into the pool. Constant references to "balls."
  • The word “bitch” is audible, while those like “s--t,” “f--k,”  and “c--t” are bleeped.
  • Not applicable.
  • The teams have to resist the temptation of raiding the house’s well-stocked liquor cabinet. Some of the competitors are occasionally shown drinking tequila shots, beer, wine, and champagne. On one occasion a contestant drinks to the point of throwing up.

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.


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What families can talk 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?


This review was written by Melissa Camacho
Educator
August 13, 2010
 
funny!
i think its funny but has some f and b words, and some drinking

Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 14 years old
August 23, 2010
 
funny with a mix of iffy stuff....
This show is pritty good. It's ful of entertainment every where you look....... But some of the content isnt the most appropreat for kids. Like there is some swearing and when people in the show have to chose someone to be up for alimination people go against one another, fight, and try to put there own friends up for alimination just so they can get the money. There is also some smoking. But if your teen is old enough they will find the competions between the competetors quit funny.

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This review was written by Melissa Camacho
TV rating:TV-14
Network:VH1
Cast:Alwin Lewis, Dan Cortese, Richard Cassiola
Genre:Reality TV

This review was written by Melissa Camacho
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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