Shaq's Big Challenge: ABC
"Maybe Shaq’s bigger challenge should have been finding a way to help at-risk youths that’s far less exploitive and cruel." (Baltimore Sun) "Here’s one way to get your earphone-wearing, video-game-playing, junk-food-eating kids off the couch and into a healthier lifestyle: Give ‘em a Shaq Attack." (Miami Herald)"But ultimately, "Shaq’s Big Challenge" is far less about Shaq than it is about these kids and the epidemic they embody…Now, if only the ABC show’s Web site wouldn’t feature an ad for Dove ice cream." (Washington Post) "Maybe if we don’t know the cause of the obesity epidemic, this, at least, is the beginning of a solution." (New York Times) "The fact that such a thing is not in place is beyond disgusting - it’s a national disgrace and a country-wide crime." (New York Post) "As a practical matter, “Shaq’s Big Challenge” doesn’t offer much advice for obese kids (or adults, for that matter) lacking the benefit of private trainers, nutritionists and doctors, though to its credit, the show quickly dismisses surgery or drugs as options." (Variety) "Maybe the only satisfactory way to judge "Shaq’s Big Challenge" is after it ends. Did O’Neal reach his goals? They matter more than ratings or reviews."(Orlando Sentinel)"Ultimately, O’Neal and his "team" hope to help spur a health revolution for the youngsters, their community and for viewers." (Arizona Republic) "
Compiled by Bryon Rudd
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marilyn commented:
I don't watch reality shows but did watch Shaq's Challenge since I've been a big fan of his since his days at LSU. I enjoyed each episode and last night's finale was the best. You could see the pride in Shaq's eyes when the kids were meeting with the Gov. of Fla. It takes someone like Shaq with his personality to bring the childhood obesity problem to the public and I must say "Great Job" to him and ABC. My employer has a childhood obesity program at our fitness center and it is well attended and a worthwhile program. We do fundraising to give scholarships to some of the needy children who want to enter the program but can't afford it. I wish there would have been something like that when I was growing up, I was always a "fat kid" and have struggled with weight all my life. Shaq - you're my hero!
marissa lytle commented:
hi there im marissa lytle and i weigh 210 and i need to know how to get on the shaqs big challange because i am really tired of people makeing fun of me and i need your help my email is swim_dodobrain@hotmail.com
Dubby commented:
Well Mike, you just keep on blogging away kind Sir. The fact of the matter is that kids are becoming more and more lazy as time goes on. Parents are just sitting them in front of the TV or running threw McDonalds because well they aren't taking responsibility. What is the matter with a little discipline growing up, I received some discipline....turned out ok. As for giving them something they like to do........Well let me ask you a question, How many people reading this actually love what they do for a living? I'm sure the majority could see theirselves doing something else as an occupation. Doesn't matter though does it? You still get up and got to work because if you didn't well then you couldn't get alot done? My point is that when you get older you have to do things that you don't really want to do or enjoy doing it. So why as a kid are we sugarcoating how life really is by catering to their likes or dislikes. All that does is skew their perception of how society and the world works. It also teaches them to quit when things aren't going well. For every action there will always be a reaction.
mike commented:
I think this show is criminal. You are beating the crap out of this kids. Their fat parents are watching, the muscle head doctor is violating every exercise protocal in the book, you have a stupid sadistic trainer yelling at them and you have tyler florenc who has gained at least 40 lbs in the last 5 years teaching them how to eat. What a joke and how sad for these kids.
Donna commented:
I don't think these kids need that trainer either. They do need someone to instruct them and have an organized class to exercise (like the gym classes some of us grew up in) and do a variety of things - make it fun for them to get exercise so they'll want to do it. I grew up playing tag and running relays in my backyard, riding bikes, playing baseball, jumping rope, etc. Why can't some of these activities be part of their exercise program. I also liked another comment that was made about a group exercise like karate. I don't think they need to be humiliated and yelled at like they're in boot camp. Their self-esteem is low enough. I do think you can't just turn them loose to go it alone. They need to be accountable to someone and be supervised in their exercise program. The parents should be more accountable for whatever they eat. The kids aren't the ones who buy the food after all!
I have also been wondering why gym is not a mandatory class in schools anymore? What brilliant idiot made that happen? The school official commented that they don't have the time or money to make it happen. I grew up taking gym, music and art -- yet I still got a great education. What are they doing all those hours at school?
SandiWisc commented:
Shaq has a good basic idea.. I really enjoyed the first episode. I really disliked last nights show. That trainer that is working with the kids is the WRONG idea. He made me nervous just watching! These kids are put down and verbally abused daily.. I found nothing supportive or encouraging with the trainers approach. There are only 6 kids in this... why not have some one on one time with each one, using the treadmill, walking or running, and some more moderate exercises. the trainer made the comment that he didn't care if the kids "hated" working out with him... how is this going to help the kids set lifestyle changes to include exercise in their lives??? How about getting them in some group exercise like karate? I really thought it was unfair that the trainer showed up at the childs house after he had played softball... he was out exercising and he was told that wasn't good enough.. if the shows continue as it was last night, i will no longer be watching.
boricua11es commented:
Shaq I think its a really good thing what you are doing if not you then who I may be a kid myself with obesity but knowing that you Shaq are one of the motivaters for child obesity really puts a smile on my face and I know that it will motivate me to try and lose wheight.