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Parents' Guide to

One Big Happy Family

By Anne Louise Bannon, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Strong family works together to solve their weight problem.

TV TLC Reality TV 2009
One Big Happy Family Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 10+

Based on 8 parent reviews

sweetpea74127
sweetpea74127 Adult
July 30, 2010
age 8+

Love, love, love, love it!!!!!!!!

I was overweight the majority of my childhood. Even though my parents were not overweight, I would have loved for them to workout and eat healthy with me during that period of my life. Tameka and Norris are very incouraging and nurturing parents. I love the fact that EVERYONE is involved in this life changing experience. As a family when something effects one person, it effects everyone in that family. There is strength in numbers and working on this challenge as a family will not only produce physical benefits, but it will also foster the importance of family, love, and support. I wish the Cole family all the best! May God bless them! :o)
francine406
francine406 Parent of 12-year-old
March 2, 2010
age 12+

Get Family Show

Love this show, the entire family is awesome so much love in that family. Norris and Tameka has done a wonderful job in raising two beautiful children.
See all 8 parent reviews

What's the Story?

The Coles family is big -- not in number, but in size. Dad Norris, mom Tameka, and teens Amber and Shayne each weigh over 300 pounds. They don't have access to a personal trainer or nutritionist, but they do have each other -- and ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY documents their attempts to work together to change their eating habits and other unhealthy patterns that have contributed to their weight problem.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (8 ):
Kids say (2 ):

There's only one reason why this show works -- the fact that the Coles really seem to care about each other. Norris and Tameka are good parents, even if they have let the weight thing get out of hand. Aside from that, they're caring, supportive, and firm with their kids -- and they're willing to accept their part of the responsibility for the whole family's weight issues.

No reallity show is ever perfectly real, but One Big Happy Family seems a lot more real than many others. That's because it's more of a documentary than a gimicky competition or game show -- and the people are doing their best to reverse a lifetime of bad habits rather than score a talent deal.  It's clearly going to be rocky, but if anyone has a chance, the Coles' do ... and you can't help cheering them on.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the realities of reality TV. Do you think everything captured by the cameras actually happened that way naturally? Are the people we see on screen really that way when the cameras aren't on?

  • What lessons can be learned from this show? Can you apply the information the Coles family uses to your own life? Do you consider them good role models?

  • Why do you think the Coled family chose to participate in the series? Would you ever like to do something similar?

TV Details

  • Premiere date: December 29, 2009
  • Network: TLC
  • Genre: Reality TV
  • TV rating: TV-PG
  • Last updated: June 20, 2023

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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