In today's widespread and ever−evolving world of reality television, it is a miracle that producers continue to come up with new and unique ideas. Oftentimes, the latest forays into reality television are tried and true concepts, or they are mashups of other shows that have garnered success before.
Enter "Shedding for the Wedding."
The CW's latest brainchild is essentially a combination of two other reality favorites, "The Biggest Loser" (NBC), a program where obese contestants compete to see who can lose the most weight, and "Bridalplasty" (E!), a disgusting display of bridal desperation where women compete to win their dream plastic surgeries along with their dream wedding.
"Shedding for the Wedding" combines perhaps the best aspects of these two shows, as couples compete against each other to get healthy, lose weight and in the end be rewarded with the wedding they have always wanted.
Hosted by Sara Rue, an actress and, appropriately, a spokeswoman for the Jenny Craig weight loss program, the show features nine couples facing off each week to try to lose more weight than their competitors. Celebrity trainers Nicky Holender and Jennifer Cohen whip the overweight lovebirds into shape with mountain runs and extensive beach calisthenics. The couples are under the guidance of nutritionist Ashley Koff, who attempts to tackle their weight issues at their source by supervising all their meals and ensuring that they make responsible food choices.
As for the other aspect of the show, celebrity wedding planner Brian Worley helps each couple along the path of planning their dream wedding. Each individual competition featured throughout the season has one facet of the wedding as a prize. In the premiere episode, couples competed in a dance−off where their heart rates had to constantly be above a certain level. The winners nabbed their dream dress and tuxedo. Further competitions will have everything from the rings to the cake as prizes.
Each week, the couple that collectively loses the least weight is eliminated from upcoming competitions. But the game doesn't end there. The eliminated couples are encouraged to keep up their workout and nutrition regimens at home because they will be called back to the show for the final episode. The couple that achieves the most weight loss at home wins their fantasy honeymoon, while the last remaining couple on the show wins their complete fantasy wedding, which will — of course — be televised for all of America to see.
Readers, I sense your skepticism. The persona of the average reality−show participant invites endless mockery and hatred from viewers (see any of the "Real Housewives" spinoffs, multiple contestants on "The Bachelor" or the current "Survivor: Redemption Island" season). Yet it is not the producers' intent to cast the participants of "Shedding for the Wedding" in a bad light. These are genuine, hardworking individuals who have, in one respect or another, let themselves go. Having found love, they are now willing to take on the challenge of transforming themselves, both physically and mentally, before they tie the knot.
That's not to say that all of the show's cast members are of the utmost caliber. The first couple eliminated from the show shared their story of how they met at a fraternity party in college and intend on throwing a "Greek Week"−themed wedding, replete with beer pong tables and all. Another of the couples met playing an online role−playing game, and their dream wedding venue would look exactly like the online fantasy world in which they met. One other team is made up of two nature lovers who hope to have an entirely biodegradable ceremony.
If you're looking for another trashy wedding−reality show featuring screaming she−devils in white gowns, you won't find it here. "Shedding for the Wedding" is a pleasant look at relatively likEable couples who are working to improve their lives, and viewers should be able to find inspiration in their endeavors. Tune in next week as the contestants sample wedding cakes as part of the competition: Which team will be able to restrain themselves the most?
