pdlinda

I agree with your assessment. I understand that the producers would NEVER interfere with any appearance "choice" made by an interviewee; however, on that basis, they should accept that sometimes the essence of the tragic circumstances of the story is diluted by such choices.

Thanks! Now I know....☺️

Please indulge my ignorance. I never heard of Jennifer Nettles.😊

As with all other aspects of their behavior (understanding that before a person is 600 lbs, he/she's 500 lbs, 400 lbs, 300lbs and 200lbs) compulsive eating is an ADDICTION! As with any other addiction, the person KNOWS what they're doing is not healthy and self-destructive, but cannot stop doing it. Compulsive eating addicts are the most complex to treat inasmuch as a person HAS TO EAT to live. It's not like other addictions where you can excise alcohol, street drugs, prescription drugs, gambling or shopping (among other things) from your life and survive. The food is ALWAYS around tempting you. Most of the participants on the show appear to come from highly dysfunctional families who inflicted major trauma on them (or parented them when they were going through major trauma). That is why, IMO, there are so very FEW success stories. When there IS a success (and there have been many OVER THE YEARS) it really should be considered a "miracle!" Success overcoming ANY addiction is worthy of celebration; however, with food, in particular (I'm an example) it's a day by day by day triumph choosing life over death with many factors allowing for Recovery. First and foremost, it's developing the strongest will imaginable to resist constant culinary temptations thrust upon you by well-meaning people and sticking to an eating plan/exercise routine that works for YOU. Stephanie shows NO SIGNS of being able to fight herself out of her miserable eating addiction. Her parents are certainly no help. Her children, the next generation of sufferers. SAD!

I was particularly struck by the young lady with the ombre blue hair (or maybe it was pink...don't recall) whose daughter also had that distinctive "look." Not sure farm life is conducive to such urban frivolities but noticed that the farmer seemed very "taken" by her. The farmers seemed out of their depth with the format of the show but I love to see life on a farm (watched the PBS show "America's Heartland" for years) so I intend to tune in again!

From what I saw, that would be a mutually agreed upon situation.

That may not have been the case when the show launched 11 yrs ago.....

I've watched YEARS of one of my favorite shows, AMERICA'S HEARTLAND. I also enjoy Magnolia Network's, "Ranch to Table." The family life is outstanding on these shows; HOWEVER, the physical energy and commitment to CONSTANT challenges that the farm families have to face is significant and I wonder how many of these "lovelies" plucked out of the general population by the show's producers are up for the challenge!

After last night's insult to my reasons for watching the show, I'm at the point of believing that the producers are using ANYBODY they can scrape up from whatever sources they use to cast for new episodes. As with last week's fiasco, it seems like there is almost a script the pounders use throughout the 2 hrs: the whining, the blaming, the delusional references to how hard they are "trying" and, MOST OF ALL, the almost SCRIPTED family approach to ENABLING their offspring to continue eating as they wish while ignoring the fact that this will lead to their child's inevitable demise. I understand that the "parents" of these crippled children, have many "issues" caused by THEIR life choices and the misery and trauma they created for their children. I also understand that, for whatever reason, the "parents" chose to continue assuaging this primary guilt by mistakenly keeping the disabled child dependent on them in every way possible. We all know that 95% out of 100 people who are morbidly obese will fail at losing the weight even gastric bypass surgery can assist in achieving. KEEPING that weight off is another subject entirely. I lost 100lbs 16 years ago and kept it off (no surgery) and I KNOW how I must manage my eating/exercise routines each and every day WITH NO EXCEPTIONS! I also know that I have many advantages these pounders didn't have in making the right choices (like the severity of childhood traumas they suffered). I'm beginning to believe that there are many years of archived shows that I have videotaped and kept and it's best for me to watch those success stories that were so inspiring to me, like Milla, Diana, Nikki, Doug, Chad, Christina and Cilla, to name a few instead of the new "trainwrecks" I'm viewing each week where the show almost becomes a "satirical" play on dysfunctional families. Finally, I believe that there are very few(if any) successful new participants for this show because there are MANY "weight loss surgery" opportunities for those really motivated to succeed THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY and, also that most insurance (including medicaid) will pay for it. The physical, emotional, financial and familial disruptions caused by having to go to HOUSTON to be treated by Dr. Now, is therefore, almost obliterated. Dr. Now should make a hasty retreat into retirement that he so richly deserves and should enjoy. His son's company that has had years of being richly compensated for producing the show, should move onto other projects. I'm done☺️

Anthony and Ashley are a relic of the historical time when the show ACTUALLY had appropriate participants who brought the viewers a plausible reason to watch and enjoy the show. NO MORE....now it's simply a clown show of mismatched media hounds who are simply interested in their "15 minutes of making fools of themselves."

I'll join you and in addition we can add "cute" "super cute" and "really cute to the list. UGH!!

I completely agree with your analysis. I fought my weight all my life until 16 yrs ago when I decided (AFTER my DIVORCE😊) that I was done with the "yo-yo dieting life" and agreed to treat myself better. I structured an eating/exercise plan that worked(s) for ME, lost 100 lbs (which it how HIGH my weight crept up through the years and having children) and KEPT it off! Nicole, Gina and Dom dress, eat and behave as if they are proud of their bodies and need no change. In my WILDEST DREAMS (regardless of what point in the overweight spectrum I happened to be at any given point) would I even THINK of walking around publicly in "short shorts" or tight-fitting garments that hugged my every lump and bump! I never heard the term "thick" to describe being overweight and I AGREE that every woman has the right to be whatever weight she chooses. However, when a term like "thick" is used by a "significant other" and the woman(en) become OFFENDED, that's where I draw the line regarding "understanding." Embrace your body and lifestyle (I don't see ANY attempt to restrict different types of "empty calories", snacks, high calorie meals and/or alcohol) but, as I learned and will never forget, accept that your appearance will reflect the lifestyle choices you make.

I think that the pool of "ready, willing and able" participants for this "show" shrinks with every passing season. I think they cast whomever they can get and it shows (more and more every season).

I also recall Nate (from last season) losing his apt when his "marriage" to Stacia exploded (easy to predict) soon after the cameras were off AND fire fighter, Gil, who ill-advisedly gave up his apt AND MOVED ALL HIS BELONGINGS into Myrla's home, only to be tossed aside by her several WEEKS later! I know that Nicole is in a BIG RUSH to get the "show on the road" with her fantasy wish for a long and happy "marriage" with Chris proclaiming his love for her by the hour; HOWEVER, Chris might want to think twice about relinquishing his present home on the assumption that his "marriage" to Nicole will outlast the show (or shortly thereafter).

I did not see her looks as being attractive. Her main appeal seemed to be her body, whom she offered it to and for how much! I had little to no sympathy for the psychiatrist as he had every reason and occasion to sever from this woman by withdrawing his lavish financial support and chose not to do so. Agreeing to confront her in a distant location away from his home was about as dumb as I could imagine. He may have been a highly credentialed professional; however, he HAD NO STREET SMARTS!!

There might be a financial incentive for them to hang around until the end. I know there have been other couples who split before the end of the season; HOWEVER, each of them might have had better financial profiles than dom and mac.

I think both Loren and Rebecca are the bio children of bryan and marlene. I think Marlene was just taking a "mean and malicious swipe" at Loren by her sarcastic comment that I took to mean the Loren is a "daddy's girl." I think that Marlene and Loren have a complicated relationship characterized by "competition" and I also believe that because Loren is so attractive and successful (as compared with her sister) that Marlene tends to favor Rebecca.

I thought I saw a pop-up on the screen stating that they could expect an electric bill in the neighborhood of $500 each month during the summertime. Having lived here for 30 yrs, I agree that's probably "in the ball park."

I think I recall the most vicious comments from the reviewer being about the quality of the menu items. I'm sure Guy had something to do with their selection but I doubt he did the cooking. Insofar as running his restaurant in NYC I can certainly understand that would present its share of challenges. I have seen him cook on his Sunday Ranch cooking show and his skills and repertoire are impressive!

True. And the restaurant had a very short life. It closed.

As an aside, I recall them floundering on their decision whether or not to have children, but I guess that, to this point, they decided against it. I ALWAYS believed that unless both parties are 100% committed to the task (challenges and benefits) of having children, it's always best NOT to have them. Every child deserves that level of care and loving attention.

As I was always taught by my parents, "BEING WITH NO ONE IS FAR BETTER THAN BEING WITH THE WRONG ONE." I've lived it. I am blissfully and successfully "alone" after being with "the wrong one" for many, miserable years!!

To Loren's credit, despite what seem to be deficits in behavior and actions of her outspoken parents and lackluster sister, she has achieved (in addition to managing her Tourette's) a healthy, loving relationship with her husband, being a hands-on mom with their 3 beautiful children, and having a career (as a social media influencer) that brings added revenue and personal satisfaction to her. She presents as a lovely, accomplished "go-getter" growing in confidence and awareness to achieve a level of success that is quite remarkable, in spite of (not because of) her "family" background. I'll leave the obvious attractiveness of Loren, Alex and the children, when compared to the rest of her immediate family, for others to comment upon, should anyone choose to do so.😉

I think you have a very compelling point! Glad it worked out that way because there are more than enough story lines with the three beautiful children under the age of 3 to keep the show running for quite awhiile! So at 32 she still lives home with mom and dad???

That's how it seems to me following Loren and Alex on Instagram.