Celebrity Fit Club

This show is indeed part of VH1's successful "Celebreality" format, which has provided reality shows that been successful, although controversial in content (especially "Flavor of Love" and "I Love New York"). However, "Celebrity Fit Club" comes as a breath of fresh air to viewers who have grown tired of the "barron wasteland" some reality show brain candy has provided.

"Celebrity Fit Club" has to be one of the best reality shows on TV because the show isn't just about exploiting celebrities. It's a show that really inspires viewers to overcome obstacles and gives them hope that it can be done. The celebrity meltdowns are admittedly honey on the side, but what really makes the show is it's panel of experts.

The panel of experts are parallel to the judges on American Idol. Dr. Ian Smith plays the role of the "supportive brother" (a la Randy Jackson), providing encouragement to the contestants but also offering frank criticism with good intentions. While Dr. Linda Papadoupolos was on the show, she definitely provided the "loving mother" archetype (a la Paula Abdul) as the noticeably soft center of the expert team. Dr. Stacey Kaiser, who replaced Papadoupolos, was equally as intelligent but a bit less "loving" so to speak. She appeared to give more frank criticism than Papadoupolis, but then again, Kaiser had to deal with Dustin Diamond. And of course, Harvey Walden is great as the "abusive father" (a la Simon Cowell), but he's not limited to that archetype. If anything, Walden is tough but fair. He rarely gives complements until the very end of the series, but he's fun to watch all the way through. I just wouldn't want to be in his boot camp.

I heard one criticism of the show, stating that it teaches audiences that losing weight will be the only way to make yourself happy, and that it can be a dangerous message. As true as that theory may seem, this show promotes losing weight the safe way. Dr. Ian Smith encourages a balanced but livable diet that you don't necessarily have to be rich to partake in, and he strongly discourages plastic surgery or taking dangerous medications to achieve that goal. Those are important morals to extract from this show.

Admittedly, the occasional skirmishes on the show can be fun to watch sometimes, provided you see them less as a gimmick and more of a learning experience. When these skirmishes happen every week (as in the case of Dustin Diamond), they can get old fast. Even though the Dustin Diamond controversy attracted more viewers, I personally grew annoyed with him. I even thought Harvey Walden's rant against him was properly justified, and that Diamond should have been kicked off the show after that incident. Either way, I'm sure the more people who watched the show took away the primary positive message, and were probably as repulsed by Diamond's actions as the other celebrities and panelists. If just a few more reality shows had this sort of positive message, TV would be far more watchable.

This show is how do we say it?Interesting!The show has celebrities of different statuses.that all have one thing in common.They are over-weight.They are on a mission.A mission to be slim and 'attractive' again. Biz Mark E an ex-rapper now Dj is one of the first contestants. A comedian from the hit reality show 'A last comic standing'. An Tyler Steven Tyler's daughter and plus-sized model. Kim Coles a wonderful comedienne and actress best known for her roles on 'Living Single' ,'in living Color', and now her successful reality show 'Coming to the stage'. Judge Mabliene from a hit court show 'Divorce Court'. Daniel Baldwen all well known actor and Hollywood bad-boy. Joe Gannascoli an actor best known for his role in 'The Sapranos'. The show is great and entertaining so far.it beats there competitors like 'the biggest loser'.Because it is more interesting to see celebrities suffer and be used for comical/dramatic reasons.Rather than you average Jane/Joe.I will Absolutely recommend this show.

OK i just have one comment on this and every other "Celebreality" show on VH1. What happened to "Music First?" VH1 used to be one of my favorite networks because, unlike MTV, they actually talked about MUSIC!! But ever since the first season of "The Surreal Life" all they've done is churn out this pop culture crap. I'm tired of hearing about red carpet dress and hair disasters. COME ON!! You're supposed to be a music network...how about bringing back BTM and (god forbid) music videos at sometime other than 3:00 AM!! I guess to get that kind of thing you cant be a college student and make enough money to be able to afford digital cable. VH1 has become a joke network, along with MTV and Comedy Central.

VH1 you disappoint me...

Celebrity Fit Club is the best of the crappy "celebreality" series though.