S08.E08: Carlton and Shantel's Story

[CrazyInAlabama]

I missed the hunky firemen!   I'm so sad.   At least they'll have them on the Supersized episode Friday night.       

The girlfriend (Monica?) must have been baby sitting or something, because she was in and out of the episode.    She was at the hospital for surgery day.  

[ninjakid]

I need to rewatch a couple of things. I thought that Monica was driving her own car. And the way the damage on the car looked to me, someone had to have run into her.  If I remember correctly, the impact was behind the front tire.

[CrazyInAlabama]

The damage was the driver's side front wheel well area, all the way back to the driver's door.    I couldn't figure out if Monica hit something, like the drive thru post, or if someone hit the minivan.   

I think Michael (Shantel's husband) either owned, or rented the minivan Monica was driving.  That's why Michael was so upset about the damage.     That was when Carlton threatened to drive back to Columbus.   But it was very odd the way everything happened.    Also, I noticed when they went to and from Dr. Now's office, the black van still had the unrepaired damage.   

Edited February 21, 2020 by CrazyInAlabama

[auntjess]

Maybe the producers paid to have the car made drivable.
I was surprised at how well they were doing so quickly, and good for them.
Shantel was so happy being out with her children.
But enough of this, grab the hose and meet me on the back porch.
Nicole is next up on my VCR!

 

[Leilani]

The two hours wasn't enough for these two, we didn't even get the full twelve months. I feel robbed TLC!

I want to see more interaction of cling-on Carlton with his home insecure love at first sight gal pal to see if she's an enabler or murderer and I want more of those cute kids and Shantel's successes and if they use a steamer  or iron for their clothes.

Edited February 21, 2020 by Leilani

[Tabbygirl521]

I generally liked this crew but was Irritated when Carton decided he was Up for making some money - so he could take Monica on a date like she deserves. Uh, how about you repair your BIL’s car?

[Caoimhe]

10 hours ago, Leilani said:

... if they use a steamer  or iron for their clothes.

Perhaps they used Michael's heat press?

[auntjess]

9 hours ago, Tabbygirl521 said:

I generally liked this crew but was Irritated when Carton decided he was Up for making some money - so he could take Monica on a date like she deserves. Uh, how about you repair your BIL’s car?

Absolutely! This shocked me, that he was so entitled, and clueless.

[calpurnia99]

18 hours ago, ams1001 said:

Has it been 6 months all season? I don't usually pay too much attention to the opening screens. That seems like not long enough to tell if they're really making progress.

I dont think so because he gave that one bitch a year and she did nothing.

[Morgalisa]

I love how Dr Now meets his patients in the parking garage and goes into the hospital to get a wheelchair for them. He even goes to get the jumbo scale for them. He seems devoted to his patients, even parental. Especially when he reams them out. 

I am always amazed that these people pack at the last minute by shoving their crap into garbage bags and bins and grocery bags and whatever is available. Then hit the road with no preparation for unforeseen expenses. I have moved a lot (military) and the lack of planning makes me crazy. I always leave one full day for cleaning the house after packing and loading. 

Was glad to see that Michael had his own business. I was concerned what income they had. Overall they did a great job and the kids were well behaved and loved.

I think Carlton's girlfriend came from a dysfunctional family situation and seemed quite fragile. She panicked when Carlton suggested she go back home. Carlton's depression seemed to deepen as the diet went on and not having food to cope. I hope he keeps on top of that or it can derail him.

I have a couple of friends/acquaintances that have that super close sibling bond. In each instance, there was childhood trauma that forged it. Older sister usually protecting younger sibling.

[Fig Newton]

Standing ovation for Carlton and Shantel. I really liked them and applaud their successes. They held themselves accountable and took action when their ways of dieting didn't work. I think Dr. Now really enjoyed them as well.

Why does Dr. Now always do the dirty work himself? Schlepping that scale to and fro. Is there not someone in the hospital that can assist him. He looked so  uncomfortable and more hunched over then I remember. 

And, I liked Michael. Yes, he is and enabler. But I still liked him.

Lola needs a bigger office space if she is going to treat bariatric patients. I would have trouble walking those little hallways. Although, this office space was different than last weeks where there was a teeeeeeeeeeeny tiny little waiting room and a teeeeeeeeeeeeeny tiny little office space.

 

 

[Pondlass1]

And when they both sat down on Lola’s sofa I expected it to crack under the weight.  

[IvySpice]

Good for them exceeding the goal on the first try! 130 pounds is amazing. Hopefully they stick with it after surgery. I guess I've gone soft, too, because I want to see everyone succeed.

[Twopper]

On 2/20/2020 at 4:20 PM, auntjess said:

I scrolled back, (I'm still watching it), and some hospital employees came out, but the firemen (Houston Fire on one) seemed to be coming back to their ambulance, and offered to help.
What happened to the girlfriend though, I missed that.

She showed up in the final few minutes;  they went out on a date and talked about getting jobs and going to college,  but not what they they were interested in doing or studying as far as I can recall.  Carlton is helping his BIL with a t-shirt business, and he used some of his first earnings to pay for the date.   It is possible Monica got a job in Houston.   I wish them well.

[Angry Moldovan]

Dr Now looks so gangsta in his black scrubs and stethoscope bling. I love the train wrecks but I also  love the success stories too

Edited February 22, 2020 by Angry Moldovan

[xls]

6 minutes ago, Angry Moldovan said:

Dr Now looks so gangsta in his black scrubs and stethoscope bling. I love the train wrecks but I also the success stories too

I get to wear the sexy black scrubs too!😎😷

[fonfereksglen]

Very strange watching Shantel alternating two different outfits during her opening monologue.  All while eating.

[mmecorday]

I guess I was too busy typing during the live chat to notice just how awful their living conditions are!

[fonfereksglen]

I stand by what I said during live chat about the escape under the shadow of darkness.   Not good.

 

 

[fonfereksglen]

Bonus scene ..  Shantel gets the room with two queen beds .... Carlton and the serial killer share a King bed.    🤔

[Caoimhe]

 Carlton’s three wishes would be to fly, to live forever, and world peace.  (No mention of the serial killer.)

His favorite sport is football.

If he could visit any city he would go to Tokyo.  (What’s with these 600 pounders and Japan?!)

His dream job is to be a paleontologist.

Shantel’s least favourite food is Brussels sprouts.  (I think they are pure heaven roasted with bacon and a touch of balsamic vinegar).

Her pre-surgery last supper would be BBQ chicken with mac and cheese, honey corn bread, and sweet peas.

Her dream job is to own a successful boutique.

She once rode a roller coaster eight times in a row.

Edited February 22, 2020 by ThereButFor
More stuff!

[magemaud]

1 hour ago, ThereButFor said:

Shantel’s least favourite food is Brussels sprouts.  (I think they are pure heaven roasted with bacon and a touch of balsamic vinegar).

Her pre-surgery last supper would be BBQ chicken with mac and cheese, honey corn bread, and sweet peas.

Her dream job is to own a successful boutique.

She once rode a roller coaster eight times in a row.

You forgot the food Shantel would never try is "pig feet." 

[magemaud]

Without re-watching, the way I remember the accident happening was the car was shown sitting in bumper to bumper traffic, then the camera shot was on Carlton rocking from side to side and he said, "He hit us!" Then they pulled over, Monica freaked out, and the damage to the car near the front tire was shown. I don't think it really was a hit and run, traffic was heavy, they weren't moving very fast and everything was probably filmed by a camera crew. What I think happened was everyone involved pulled over, exchanged insurance info, the police were called and then the other party went on their way. The other car's insurance is probably paying for the repair but all they had time to do was to make the car drive-able. We weren't shown any of this. 

The car Monica driving was Michael's car and they had rented a larger van for Michael, Shantel and the kids. Maybe I'm funny like this, but no way would I let someone I just met two days before drive my car from Ohio to Texas. Then again, I wouldn't volunteer to move to Texas with someone and their family who were virtual strangers. There's something VERY off about the Monica story. 

[mmecorday]

Quote

His dream job is to be a paleontologist.

He can start with excavating all the crap in his house.

[CrazyInAlabama]

My question about the accident is why Michael was so upset at Monica's driving, if it was the other driver's fault?   And the other driver's insurance would pay for the van damage?   

They were coming up to a traffic signal, but there was someone directing traffic, so I think people were squeezing into fewer lanes.  I think Monica left her driving lane, and started to pull into the lane to the left, but there was a car or truck already driving in that lane, and hitting the van wasn't the other driver's fault.   If what hit the van was a truck with a huge bumper, then I bet that other vehicle had zero damage.  

I wonder if Monica hit the camera crew vehicle?   That might explain why there wasn't another car or truck shown.   

Edited February 22, 2020 by CrazyInAlabama

[DC Gal in VA]

3 hours ago, magemaud said:

Without re-watching, the way I remember the accident happening was the car was shown sitting in bumper to bumper traffic, then the camera shot was on Carlton rocking from side to side and he said, "He hit us!" Then they pulled over, Monica freaked out, and the damage to the car near the front tire was shown. I don't think it really was a hit and run, traffic was heavy, they weren't moving very fast and everything was probably filmed by a camera crew. What I think happened was everyone involved pulled over, exchanged insurance info, the police were called and then the other party went on their way. The other car's insurance is probably paying for the repair but all they had time to do was to make the car drive-able. We weren't shown any of this. 

The car Monica driving was Michael's car and they had rented a larger van for Michael, Shantel and the kids. Maybe I'm funny like this, but no way would I let someone I just met two days before drive my car from Ohio to Texas. Then again, I wouldn't volunteer to move to Texas with someone and their family who were virtual strangers. There's something VERY off about the Monica story. 

Absolutely about the bolded part @magemaud and no you're not being funny about that. ITA about Monica. I would love to know the backstory of someone who becomes so enmeshed in the life of an online love AND their family AND obviously has so little going on in her life that she can just abandon it, moving to Ohio and then Texas. Very sketchy.

Also, while I am very happy about Carlton's success, with his traumatic family history and co-dependency with his sister, I hope that he isn't setting himself up for disaster with his relationship with Monica.

Edited February 22, 2020 by DC Gal in VA
Additional comments.

[umgoblue]

5 hours ago, ThereButFor said:

If he could visit any city he would go to Tokyo.  (What’s with these 600 pounders and Japan?!)

Shantel’s least favourite food is Brussels sprouts.  (I think they are pure heaven roasted with bacon and a touch of balsamic vinegar).

So full disclosure: I am hungry as I am reading these.

I thought you asked what's up with these 600 quarter pounders and thought that he wanted to eat 600 quarter pounders in Japan...Life Goals!🤣

Many people do the most horrific things to brussel sprouts (ex. boil them and the just eat them...yuck) and then say that they are nasty.  Brussel sprouts salad is divine, too, if made well.

Edited February 22, 2020 by umgoblue
Because autocorrect thought that I meant sprouts from the country of Brussels.

[Caoimhe]

2 hours ago, CrazyInAlabama said:

My question about the accident is why Michael was so upset at Monica's driving, if it was the other driver's fault?   And the other driver's insurance would pay for the van damage?    I think Monica left her driving lane, and started to pull into the lane to the left, but there was a car or truck already driving in that lane, and hitting the van wasn't the other driver's fault.  

Carlton was talking to her to her just before the crash, a horn blared and he said something like “you’re fine”.  I think you’re right and she was attempting to change lane / merge and she hit someone who was in that lane.

Edited to add:  Just watched with captions!

[CAR HORN BLARES]

Monica: I know, I know

Carlton: You’re doing perfect

[CAR HORN BLARES AGAIN]

Carlton: Oh [BLEEP]

Carlton: This ***** just hit us

Edited February 22, 2020 by ThereButFor

[Carboncat]

On ‎2‎/‎19‎/‎2020 at 7:35 PM, Tosia said:

Thanksgiving dinner.  The mother of all cheat days. 

Now they're praying ??????

No "Thank you, Jesus" for MickieD's???

 

I noticed they put all the courses,, including turkey, on the table in their cooking pans.  On a plastic tablecloth, which is problematic (they melt).

I appreciate the Thanksgiving sentiment, despite it being an excuse to overeat, and I appreciate that they have kept their temp rental house way cleaner than their moms' in Columbus, but still... it's Thanksgiving, why not bust out a real tablecloth and some serving dishes?

The whole scene seemed so sad.

[Carboncat]

On ‎2‎/‎19‎/‎2020 at 9:56 PM, umgoblue said:

But Ah lurve her!! 😂

Okay friend, can you tell me what actually happened?

ETA: So it wasn't just me and my deficient attention span tonight.  No one seems to know what happened re: accident.  I feel so much better.

Yeah, I missed it too, even in the re-watch.  And I was totally sober.  Whatever happened it couldn't have been that serious.

[Carboncat]

4 hours ago, magemaud said:

You forgot the food Shantel would never try is "pig feet." 

Oh, COME ON!  There is a food she wouldn't try?  Don't like them but even I have had pig feet..

It's like how she intones so self-awarefully how she is killing her future with food while shoveling in 5 cheeseburgers etc.  it's kind of like food porn, except fast food really isn't all that attractive.

[Carboncat]

On ‎2‎/‎20‎/‎2020 at 4:23 PM, Leilani said:

The two hours wasn't enough for these two, we didn't even get the full twelve months. I feel robbed TLC!

I want to see more interaction of cling-on Carlton with his home insecure love at first sight gal pal to see if she's an enabler or murderer and I want more of those cute kids and Shantel's successes and if they use a steamer  or iron for their clothes.

Yes, I agree, we don't get the sense recently of the "weight-loss journey" over a year with struggle and triumph (I know I keep going back to this), or else trainwreck snarkfest.

Instead we get a molasses-speed bathing and hygiene whine and the Stations of the Cross trip to Houston. Time they get to the hospital loading dock the episode's 2/3rds over.  I re-watched Thursday night, and still had to fF over parts.  And it seems like the bar for surgery is slipping.(I really liked a Pounder's Live-Chat reference to digging the bar out of the ground first!)  I believe Dr. Now used to insist his patients get under 400 to be safe for surgery.

Now 2 months weightloss is ok.

The scene in the park with Shantel and her kids was heartmelting.  They are adorable and obviously love each other.  But it was odd;  she's STILL 400 lbs, folks, and we get the wrap-up music.  What happens long-term for this (wholly obese and troubled) family.

and Monica? (Ditto).

The episode seems unfinished; can we root, or snark?

And the park scene seems to have been shot at dusk when to no one else was in the playground. Weird.

Edited February 22, 2020 by Carboncat
forgot something

[ams1001]

9 minutes ago, Carboncat said:

And the park scene seems to have been shot at dusk when to no one else was in the playground. Weird.

I would just assume anyone that might have been there wouldn't want their kids on camera and cleared out of the way.

[Carboncat]

Like I said, I re-watched this Thursday.  I loved Princess-Purrs-a-Lot's Family Affair intro--

Would they be people you'd love to burn?.....

…...No, they are all broke down.

Wednesday was too hectic to concentrate with husband arguing about the demos, and me drinking beer and taking smoke breaks.  Yes, I have my own bad habits.

The house was disgusting, Carlton's floor and squalid room, the filthy sheets.  I gag at the fetid smell over the tv.

What's up with the formerly abused Mom that she allows 9 people in her house and abets their disability? Big time guilt for sure.  The whole family needs therapy, and I don't mean Lola. Oh, the red bedroom walls, the co-sleeping, the filthy walls of the stairway, the TUPPERWARE etc.

And Monica agreed online to move to Houston.  What the hell is her story?  Walking into that house and smelling what she smelled and seeing what she saw?

Their affection seemed genuine, but I have to suspect that Pounders' speculations  are right:

She's homeless and/or troubled, and she will function as a mobility aide and babysitter in Houston.  I'll bet Mom and Cash are thrilled about the move.

The siblings are sympathetic to me, but the whole family dynamic is toxic.

I like Michael and he seems to love his wife and kids, but damn....

He's a feeder, and as big as a house himself.

Points that Shantel dresses, does her make-up and and hair, and wears (admittedly crushed-heel) shoes.  Which she takes off for weigh-in, of course.

Can you imagine the feet that's been on the scale (like Steven Assanti's)?  Keep the shoes on!

And what's up with Dr. Now wheeling in the scale for the hospital weigh-in himself?  What happened to his assistant (brother?).

Carlton might be well-meaning, but it's way premature to worry about "working".  With his BIL.  At home.  Dude, you're still 600 lbs.  You have at least 400 to go.

The "date" scene was stilted and fake.  It reminded me of Brandon and his "fiancée" date. I forget her name, but she was superficially similar:  white, blond, overweight, and hard to peg emotionally.  Loved Brandon.

[Carboncat]

On ‎2‎/‎21‎/‎2020 at 9:52 AM, Pondlass1 said:

And when they both sat down on Lola’s sofa I expected it to crack under the weight.  

 

On ‎2‎/‎21‎/‎2020 at 9:52 AM, Pondlass1 said:

And when they both sat down on Lola’s sofa I expected it to crack under the weight.  

Yes, when she said sit wherever is comfortable, they looked so uncomfortable squeezed into a loveseat.  Two 600 lb'rs.

She needs bigger furniture options, for sure.

[Carboncat]

On ‎2‎/‎21‎/‎2020 at 8:04 AM, Morgalisa said:

I love how Dr Now meets his patients in the parking garage and goes into the hospital to get a wheelchair for them. He even goes to get the jumbo scale for them. He seems devoted to his patients, even parental. Especially when he reams them out. 

I am always amazed that these people pack at the last minute by shoving their crap into garbage bags and bins and grocery bags and whatever is available. Then hit the road with no preparation for unforeseen expenses. I have moved a lot (military) and the lack of planning makes me crazy. I always leave one full day for cleaning the house after packing and loading. 

Was glad to see that Michael had his own business. I was concerned what income they had. Overall they did a great job and the kids were well behaved and loved.

I think Carlton's girlfriend came from a dysfunctional family situation and seemed quite fragile. She panicked when Carlton suggested she go back home. Carlton's depression seemed to deepen as the diet went on and not having food to cope. I hope he keeps on top of that or it can derail him.

I have a couple of friends/acquaintances that have that super close sibling bond. In each instance, there was childhood trauma that forged it. Older sister usually protecting younger sibling.

Very well put.   Carlton and Shantel are devoted (if overly) siblings.  Michael seems to dearly love his wife and kids.  What about mom?  I'm a mom of adult children, so yes, I'm judging.  She was abused by her husband, ok, but how did she sit by when her kids were 200lbs in grade school.  "Dad wouldn't let them have ice cream, so I plied them with food to show my love"?  I think not intervening or trying to seek help with your children's food obsession and appalling, weight gain is a kind of abuse.  The military put mom in a shelter, did they help her family with counselling?

I get it too:  Military families know how to pack efficiently (not last minute In bags).  They know how to make a bed(!) and how to clean. They either chose to ignore it or were incapable.  If so, they need serious help.

My favorite letter I got from littlesun (my boy) from Camp Pendleton boot camp told me how after everybody scrubbed the barracks for inspection, the drill instructor threw everything to the floor, broke stuff, and barked to clean it up.

Mommy payback!  Now you know how I felt!

That aside, this whole family is mired in food addiction and drowning in it.  It's not just about "getting the surgery".  I hope for the best for them all, but fear the worst.

 

[Carboncat]

On ‎2‎/‎19‎/‎2020 at 10:37 PM, umgoblue said:

While they were in the grocery store.  They were showing him packages of meat (another name for my rock band) asking his opinion on if they should buy it.

Wait...what?  On what grounds for the suit?  I know that anyone can sue for anything, but who is the crackpot lawyer who would take her case?

Is "Packages of Meat" really the name of your band?  Cool! from my boomer self. Good luck!

But why are they all super-processed, salt-infused slices?

I love them myself, but I'm not on a life-saving diet.

[magemaud]

2 hours ago, Carboncat said:

And the park scene seems to have been shot at dusk when to no one else was in the playground. Weird.

And Carlton and Monica practically had that restaurant to themselves for their date, although you could see some people in another room. 

[Carboncat]

On ‎2‎/‎19‎/‎2020 at 10:20 PM, DC Gal in VA said:

S

Thanks. ITA about letting her drive his very nice car (hee, guess it's a hooptie now!) but you raise an interesting issue: if she hadn't shown up, who would have driven the second car? Would they just try to squeeze all that meat into one vehicle? Inquiring minds......

Also, meaning no disrespect, but is Dr. Now's speech becoming more slurred/mumbly every week? It sounds like that to me. I hope he didn't have a mini-stroke or something else. He's my hero. 😍

I'm concerned too.  He reminds me so much of my paternal grandfather.  My family is from eastern Turkey, Marash is the city.  My grandfather escaped in 1915 by climbing to the roof of the house while the Turks knifed the rest of the family.  Long story short he ended up in Detroit.

Only guy who couldn't get a job with Ford.  He had a photography studio--prom pictures etc..

High-tailed it to Fresno, CA  (Help me out folks with snark here!) the promised land for Armenians in their 1935 Model A.

I'm dragging on but, my point is my white-haired grandpa who seemed slow and old, with and accent, lived a rakish life  killing, or so he said, a Turk at 15, was chauffeur to King of Jordan, was landscape artist, had ice cream store "Harry's"  i.e.  Habib's, in Fresno.

I thought he was foreign, and boring..... and to be honest when I was young I was really uncomfortable around all this... but he reminds me a lot of Dr. Nowzaradan. Really!

Same kind of nose and way of speaking.

Edited February 23, 2020 by Carboncat
added something

[umgoblue]

5 hours ago, Carboncat said:

Is "Packages of Meat" really the name of your band?  Cool! from my boomer self. Good luck!

But why are they all super-processed, salt-infused slices?

I love them myself, but I'm not on a life-saving diet.

Hahahaha...I like to come up with new band names (for a band that I DON'T have). 

I have always wanted to quit my day job and start a band.  But, unfortunately, you need to be able to play an instrument conducive to a band...and the talent.  My oboe doesn't quite cut it and when I decided to take drum lessons so I could realize my pipe dream, I also realized I was too old to master having three limbs doing different things simultaneously.  I need all hands (and feet) to come together for one note! 😂

 

[ams1001]

9 hours ago, umgoblue said:

I also realized I was too old to master having three limbs doing different things simultaneously.  I need all hands (and feet) to come together for one note! 😂

This is my problem with playing the piano. I took lessons for a few years as a kid, and for two semesters in college (which combined with another music class made for three credits) but was never very good, and I think it's that I can't quite get my hands to do different things at the same time. I want to be able to play well, but it just doesn't quite come together for any moderately complicated piece.

[PrincessPurrsALot]

On 2/20/2020 at 10:29 AM, KateHearts said:

i think Dr. Now’s linking their very similar weight drops to an ongoing unhealthy codependency was a little weird. 

They live together and were doing the same diet and were both successful.  yes, ultimately they need to be successful separately.  However, take the win!  They have to get to a point where they can live separately.  For that to happen, they need to get financially stable enough to do so which likely means Carlton getting a job.  So, baby steps, Dr. Now.  as long as their moving forward, it's good.

On 2/20/2020 at 8:55 PM, Tabbygirl521 said:

I generally liked this crew but was Irritated when Carton decided he was Up for making some money - so he could take Monica on a date like she deserves. Uh, how about you repair your BIL’s car?

That seemed like a show thing for me.  The show likes showing couples on dates or people in parks.  We got Shantel at the playground with the kids and Carlton on a date.  These are common enough events to warrant a bingo card entry.

21 hours ago, Carboncat said:

I noticed they put all the courses,, including turkey, on the table in their cooking pans.  On a plastic tablecloth, which is problematic (they melt).

I appreciate the Thanksgiving sentiment, despite it being an excuse to overeat, and I appreciate that they have kept their temp rental house way cleaner than their moms' in Columbus, but still... it's Thanksgiving, why not bust out a real tablecloth and some serving dishes?

The whole scene seemed so sad.

I guessed they didn't have large serving dishes.  They used a lot of disposable cookware for Thanksgiving. When they moved, they didn't bring much with them.  Since they lived with their mother, the cooking and serving ware likely stayed with her.

[Guest]

2 hours ago, PrincessPurrsALot said:

They used a lot of disposable cookware for Thanksgiving.

Hopefully, Carlton wasn't relieving himself in any of them before the meal.

[Twopper]

2 hours ago, PrincessPurrsALot said:

They live together and were doing the same diet and were both successful.  yes, ultimately they need to be successful separately.  However, take the win!  They have to get to a point where they can live separately.  For that to happen, they need to get financially stable enough to do so which likely means Carlton getting a job.  So, baby steps, Dr. Now.  as long as their moving forward, it's good.

The best thing about this show--actually, about this season--was how gleeful Dr Now seemed when  he saw that both of them had exceeded their weight loss goals.  He was over the moon. I could watch that over and over if I hadn't erased the dvr 

[fonfereksglen]

2 hours ago, PrincessPurrsALot said:

I guessed they didn't have large serving dishes.  They used a lot of disposable cookware for Thanksgiving. When they moved, they didn't bring much with them.  Since they lived with their mother, the cooking and serving ware likely stayed with her.

My thought was either they or production preordered a traditional prepared Thanksgiving meal for 10 or whatever large number available from a local grocery store.  Having done this in the past, what we saw is typical as far as serving containers and few reality show peeps use anything other than paper plates and plastic utensils.  The latter must be part of the contract.

Edited February 23, 2020 by fonfereksglen

[Carboncat]

3 hours ago, PrincessPurrsALot said:

They live together and were doing the same diet and were both successful.  yes, ultimately they need to be successful separately.  However, take the win!  They have to get to a point where they can live separately.  For that to happen, they need to get financially stable enough to do so which likely means Carlton getting a job.  So, baby steps, Dr. Now.  as long as their moving forward, it's good.

That seemed like a show thing for me.  The show likes showing couples on dates or people in parks.  We got Shantel at the playground with the kids and Carlton on a date.  These are common enough events to warrant a bingo card entry.

I guessed they didn't have large serving dishes.  They used a lot of disposable cookware for Thanksgiving. When they moved, they didn't bring much with them.  Since they lived with their mother, the cooking and serving ware likely stayed with her.

But even the 99 cent store has serving dishes.  Just saying, they didn't try too hard except to anticipate the forbidden calories.

[Carboncat]

16 hours ago, umgoblue said:

Hahahaha...I like to come up with new band names (for a band that I DON'T have). 

I have always wanted to quit my day job and start a band.  But, unfortunately, you need to be able to play an instrument conducive to a band...and the talent.  My oboe doesn't quite cut it and when I decided to take drum lessons so I could realize my pipe dream, I also realized I was too old to master having three limbs doing different things simultaneously.  I need all hands (and feet) to come together for one note! 😂

 

I played oboe too!  Started with flute.

[CrazyInAlabama]

I think they only brought clothing with them, and a few other items.    I don't know why Shantel was packing huge amounts of stuff in plastic bags, and containers (hopefully non-bathroom variety), because two vans couldn't possibly hold the three kids, the four adults, and all of that stuff.    I imagine the second seat of the van Monica and Carlton were in was stuffed with things too.    I bet that was why the entire caravan left so late at night, because they tried to pack too much into the vans, and simply couldn't.  

Of course there is the theory that Carlton, and Shantel, plus the others, left at night to avoid something.      

Edited February 24, 2020 by CrazyInAlabama

[Carboncat]

On ‎2‎/‎23‎/‎2020 at 1:39 PM, fonfereksglen said:

My thought was either they or production preordered a traditional prepared Thanksgiving meal for 10 or whatever large number available from a local grocery store.  Having done this in the past, what we saw is typical as far as serving containers and few reality show peeps use anything other than paper plates and plastic utensils.  The latter must be part of the contract.

That's a point.  The turkey looked picture-perfect, and no one drained it and stressed over drippings with ice-cube fat-skimmers trying to make gravy.  Also no stuffing evident.

My feeling is that this is very sad, these folks are far from home and lonely.  Plus Thanksgiving is a food holiday...not helpful at all.

[ShoePrincess]

On 2/22/2020 at 3:15 PM, Carboncat said:

I noticed they put all the courses,, including turkey, on the table in their cooking pans.  On a plastic tablecloth, which is problematic (they melt).

I appreciate the Thanksgiving sentiment, despite it being an excuse to overeat, and I appreciate that they have kept their temp rental house way cleaner than their moms' in Columbus, but still... it's Thanksgiving, why not bust out a real tablecloth and some serving dishes?

The whole scene seemed so sad.

I find most of the dining segments very sad. You seldom see the poundticipants sitting at a table or using real dishes and flatware. It’s either paper plates or wrappers or cardboard boxes while sitting on the sofa or sprawled out in the bed with a potty chair nearby. Nor do they seem to enjoy the actual food. The pleasure seems to come from quantity, not quality.