The cultural dialog round weight reduction and weight-reduction plan looks as if it’s at all times altering. One minute, the whole lot is about physique positivity; the following minute, Ozempic is flying off the cabinets.
The Greatest Loser, a actuality TV weight reduction competitors, is a present that most likely would by no means be made right now — and a brand new docuseries on Netflix, Match for TV: The Actuality of The Greatest Loser, explains a few of the harmful habits occurring behind the scenes.
Watch With Us breaks down the explanations it is best to watch this new Netflix docuseries.
‘Match for TV’ Options Unique Interviews From ‘The Greatest Loser’ Contestants
In Match for TV, quite a few contestants from The Greatest Loser share their tales and experiences. Danny Cahill, the winner of season 8, speaks about how he misplaced 55.6 p.c of his physique weight — however has been unable to maintain it off through the years. Suzanne Mendonca, a contestant from season 2, revealed she was informed to achieve extra weight earlier than showing on the present, regardless of potential risks to her well being.
The main points shared by the contestants about their weight reduction regimens present that their well being and security weren’t thought of priorities. Tracey Yukich, a season 8 contestant, contracted rhabdomyolysis — a uncommon muscle harm the place muscle mass break down — as a result of she was so malnourished. Contestants reportedly ate a most of 800 energy per day, and season 7 forged member Joelle Gwynn recalled figuring out for “5, six, seven, generally even eight hours a day.”
Listening to firsthand from contestants in such an unfiltered manner permits viewers to grasp what being on the present was actually like. The sequence additionally follows up on the aftermath — displaying how few contestants have been capable of keep their weight reduction upon returning to regular life.
‘Match for TV’ Additionally Interviews Individuals Who Labored Behind the Scenes
Match for TV doesn’t simply deal with contestants. The docuseries additionally options interviews with producers, trainers and medical professionals who labored on the present.
Dr. Robert Huizenga, who appeared incessantly on the sequence, mentioned his recommendation was generally ignored by manufacturing. “There have been occasions that challenges have been accomplished that I didn’t see or hear about, which was the primary hang-up to creating it a a lot safer surroundings,” he defined. He additionally mentioned coach Jillian Michaels “by no means actually confirmed any curiosity in my recommendation.” (Michaels declined to seem within the docuseries however has since spoken out about a few of the claims made in Match for TV.)

Bob Harper, who coached contestants alongside Michaels, mentioned there have been components of the present he discovered “dumb,” just like the “Temptation Problem,” throughout which contestants have been allowed to eat tempting, unhealthy meals like donuts or cake. The counterintuitive half? As a substitute of being rewarded for resisting temptation, the one that consumed essentially the most energy in the course of the problem was declared the winner.
Govt producer JD Roth defended the section by saying, “What’s a temptation? A temptation is actual life. I can’t say 100% of the temptations we received proper. However I can say that life is stuffed with temptations.”
This unique info from the minds behind the present reveals quite a bit about what The Greatest Loser was supposed to be — and what it grew to become alongside the way in which.
‘Match for TV’ Is a Nuanced Overview of ‘The Greatest Loser’s’ Impression — and an Indicator of Future Netflix Content material
Match for TV is at the moment the most well-liked TV sequence on Netflix — a large hit that’s additionally generated viral social media dialogue. Due to the docuseries’ recognition, it appears seemingly Netflix would possibly create future sequence analyzing different actuality reveals.
The docuseries does a wonderful job of exploring a number of factors of view about The Greatest Loser — not simply those that felt offended or misled, but additionally individuals who imagine it genuinely modified their lives. The complexity of the sequence is what makes it efficient.
Watch Match for TV: The Actuality of The Greatest Loser on Netflix.