Are VH1's Newest Reality Show Contestants "Money Hungry" Enough to Lose Weight?

VH1 has done it again. Capitalizing off what has become an epidemic-obesity-VH1 introduces a new reality show in which competitors bet on who can lose the most weight by the end of the show. Hosted by Dan Cortese, "Money Hungry" breaks contestants into teams; each team has invested $10,000 of its own money into the competition. The winner of the show will receive $100,000 for his/her efforts. Of course the extra benefit is that several pounds have been shed.

Just to illustrate how heavy these people are collectively - the van carrying them is unable to pull their weight up the driveway to the mansion. Once they reach their new digs and step inside, something uncanny happens. The interior looks amazingly familiar. Wait-isn't this the "Bad Girls Club" house featured on the Oxygen network? Substitute the racks of shoes for racks of snacks, and the transformation is complete.

Before the competition gets underway, the participants are offered one final meal. Of course in a house where all of the participants love to eat you can expect that the table will be filled with all sorts of delectable goodies. This certainly is the case. No meatball or turkey leg is left unturned. Watching the teams devour the entrées on the table is like stumbling across soft-core porn in late-night hours.

And speaking of porn, the show just wouldn't be complete without a wide shot of a drunken Philip taking a skinny-dip in the hot tub and pool. Adding to the fun is a contest of sorts to see how much weight certain pieces of household furniture can stand. Not exactly the rantings of single girls gone wild, but spirited antics nonetheless.

Now, here comes the fun part-the actual competition. The teams are sent upstairs and shown an entire gym full of workout equipment. Some of the housemates are eager to get started - especially after their initial weigh-in. But it is also during this time that we have the first emotional breakdown of the season. Yes, it is Philip - berating himself for having gotten to this size in the first place (queue sappy music.)

But wait! The fun doesn't stop there. You didn't think the first episode would be complete without "A Pair of Nuts" frolicking round the pool in pink thongs, did you? (Be still your dirty minds...) VH1's"Money Hungry" also brings us the requisite medical emergency: while working out vigorously, contestant Josh passes out - tumbling to the ground in distress. He is stunned and disappointed but wants to continue his work out.

The fundamentals for the show are pretty similar to others of this nature. The object of the game is to lose weight and win money. Along the way, expect typical reality TV show dramas, catfights, and hilarious spectacles. The first pair of hopefuls has already been sent packing, a mother-daughter team effectively named "Family-Sized." The race continues to see which team will lose the biggest percentage of body fat. The contestants are indeed hungry. Whether they are hungrier for turkey legs-or cash-remains to be seen.

SOURCES:

www.vh1.com
www.oxygen.com
www.realitytvworld.com
www.weightwatchers.com