Monday, June 28, 2010

TV 102: HUGE

Starting June 28th (TONIGHT) at 8/7c. ABC Family is super-sizing with a show called HUGE.

HUGE is about FAT CAMP. Not to be confused with Ben Stiller's Heavy Weights comedy. See, its an issue many an actor has tackled over the years. And it's interesting that ABC Family would decide to do a show quite like this. Actually, it's long over due. A show that's not a part of the cookie cutter world, but a world many of us know.

STATISTICS:

* Approximately 19% of children (ages 6–11) and 17% of adolescents (ages 12–19) were overweight in 2000. An additional 15% of children and adolescents were at risk for overweight (based on BMI / body mass index measures).

*An estimated 70 percent of diabetes risk in the U.S. can be attributed to excess weight.

* Americans spend $33 billion annually on weight-loss products and services.

Not a bad reason to start a TV show drama about this problem we may all face in our life-time.

The show stars Niki Blonsky, who we all adored in the movie HAIRSPRAY. In HUGE, Niki plays Will, an overweight teen sent to weight-loss camp by her parents who own a chain of fitness centers. Despite this, Will is happy with who she is and her size. The show is already being touted as Ugly Betty meets Glee.

Amber (April in the book) is blond Haley Hasselhoff who is Will's roommate, has saved up all summer to go to fat camp and dreams of being her skinny self. Both are sure to clash. If you don't already know, Haley is the 17 year old daughter of Baywatch star, David Hasselhoff.

The show is full of funny, heartbreaking and provocative moments. The series follows the lives of seven teens and the staff at a weight-loss camp, as they look beneath the surface to discover their true selves and the truth about each other. Based on author Sasha Paley's young adult novel HUGE. The series is being developed by Winnie Holzman (Wicked, My So-Called Life and Once & Again) and daughter Savannah Dooley.

Raven Goodwin (Liz Lemon's Oprah) is part of the pack ready to go that extra mile to get in shape. Also newcomer Harvey Guillen and Ashley Holliday are in the cast. And Gina Torres adds good medicine to the show, as well.
Learn more at ABC Family.

Written by Ivy

3 comments:

  1. I am looking forward to checking this one out.

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  2. I'm just worried that instead of being real about it, they ARE going to make it all cookie-cutter. Like, "Oh, if you just believe in yourself, all your dreams will come true!" or "It doesn't matter how you look on the inside, as long as you're beautiful on the inside!" It doesn't work like that in real life. Ever.

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  3. I really liked the show. I had to see it twice. Niki is so cool.

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