Today, there’s more than enough reality shows to binge-watch, whether you prefer to tune into a television network or online streaming service. The themes vary wildly too. To give you an idea, there’s a reality show that focuses on finding love. Meanwhile, another reality show gives us a closer look into the lives of miners searching for gold.
On the other hand, there are some reality shows that focus on improving your life and health. One of these is TLC’s “My 600-lb Life.” According to TLC, the show “follows medical journeys of morbidly obese people as they attempt to save their own lives.” In each episode, you will see participants go through both physical and emotional struggles that come with the process.
And in case you want to know more, here are some interesting tidbits about making the show:
13 The Show Is Pretty Much A Family Business With Dr. Younan Nowzaradan’s Son Running The Production Company Behind It
The production company behind “My 600-lb Life” is Megalomedia Inc. Based in Austin Texas, the company’s president is identified as Mr. Jonathan Nowzaradan, according to the Better Business Bureau. Jonathan is Dr. Nowzaradan’s son. It is unclear if he had any experience in the entertainment industry prior to working on the show.
12 Dr. Younan Nowzaradan Is Involved In Several Other Weight Loss Reality Shows
These shows include “Survival of the Half Ton Teen,” “Half Ton Teen,” “Shrinking the World’s Heaviest Man,” “Half Ton Dad,” and “My 600-lb Life: Where Are They Now?” Meanwhile, it is also interesting to note that Megalomedia Inc. is holding a casting for “weight loss programming” and “body transformation programming” at the moment, according to its website.
11 You Can Be On The Show Even If You Weigh Less Than 600 Pounds, Depending On Which Casting Guide You Follow
According to a post on the show’s Facebook casting page in November 2019, “The producers of 'My 600-LB Life' are searching for individuals weighing 600 pounds or more who are ready to make a life change.” Meanwhile, a 2020 casting call on AuditionsFree says, “The ideal candidate is male or female, over 18, weighs between 500-800 pounds…”
10 Some Of The Sets Can Easily Get Too Disgusting For The Film Crew
“One family was moving out of their apartment, and we were shooting the move. They were very very unsanitary. Instead of cleaning up their dog shit in the small 2 bedroom apartment, they would put plants on top of it,” a camera operator posted on Reddit. The crew used mentholatum oil “to withstand the stench.”
9 Cast Member Penny Saeger Didn’t Really Lose A Lot Of Weight
At least this was the case when it came to cast member Penny. According to an AMA post on Reddit by her niece, “She didn't lose weight, at least not as much as she should've. I think she had a total weight loss of 35 lbs.” In contrast, there are cast members who have lost a considerable amount of weight.
8 Robert Buchel Died Of A Heart Attack While Filming The Show
The show’s star, Buchel, died of a heart attack in November 2018. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Buchel passed away while filming the show. The cause of death was said to have been a heart attack. Prior to his death, his fiancé, Kathryn Lemanski recalled, “He told me, ‘I don’t think I’ll make it through the night…’”
7 Annjeanette Whaley Said She Was Placed On An 'Extreme Weight-Loss Diet' Which Led To Depression
In April, Whaley filed a lawsuit against the show. According to a report from The Sun, the suit claims, “The effects of Defendants’ manipulation of Plaintiff and her family for dramatic purposes, along with the ramifications of the extreme weight loss and Defendants’ demands on Plaintiff, took a tremendous psychological toll on Plaintiff.”
6 After Her Gastric Bypass Surgery, Susan Farmer Lost All The Feeling In Her Legs
Farmer underwent the procedure after weighing as much as 607 pounds. Following her gastric bypass surgery, however, she developed another condition. Dr. Nowzaradan explained, “A specialist saw Susan and she has been diagnosed with a condition called neuropathy. This condition is nerve damage that can be the result of being obese for a long time.”
5 Ashley Reyes Experienced Psychosomatic Symptoms After Her Gastric Bypass Surgery
When she came on the show, she weighed 668 pounds. And while she did succeed in losing a lot of weight, Reyes also suffered from psychosomatic symptoms. According to Us Weekly, it was “reflective, in her doctor’s words, of her emotional stresses.” Despite suffering from “excessive amounts of pain,” Reyes says she’s “glad I stuck with it.”
4 Donald Shelton Went Into A Comma After Losing Weight
After undergoing a gastric bypass surgery, Shelton lost an impressive 300 pounds. However, he suffered a fall and experienced problems walking. After checking into a hospital, Shelton suffered a coma. According to a report from Huff Post, Shelton contracted a viral infection. Fortunately, Shelton woke up again and was eventually discharged from the hospital.
