Reality television shows have long dominated the entertainment landscape; just turn on any random channel and you’re likely to see one centered on family, music, sports or some other scenario. As they continue to increase in popularity though, many lament that a lot of them (especially those that predominately feature African-Americans) are unflattering, shallow and devoid of any redemptive value. While there are lots of folks who would agree with this sentiment, one of them truly had purpose: “Celebrity Fit Club.”
The show, which aired on VH1 from 2005-2010, was a competition reality series that showcased celebrities who wanted to lose weight. “Judged” by a panel of health experts (most notably, Dr. Ian Smith), the stars, who were assigned to two teams, would participate in rigorous, bootcamp-like challenges, get counseled about their nutrition and lifestyle habits, and then get weighed during each episode to see if they were headed toward their target weight loss goals.
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Of course, with a reality show like “Celebrity Fit Club,” the famous faces were the initial draw—it made for good television to follow the fitness journeys—and the antics—of hip hop legends Biz Markie and Da Brat, funny ladies Kim Coles, Countess Vaughn and Jackee Harry, or sit on the edge of your seat waiting to see what R&B star Bobby Brown would say or do.
People have long had affinity for and feel connected to famous people, which is why a show like “Celebrity Fit Club” resonated. Now, when it seems more and more famous people are dying as a result of health complications (Prince, rapper Phife Dawg, Maurice White, et al), a relatable show like this could be yet another source of motivation and inspiration for others to get fit.
While “Celebrity Fit Club’s” main premise was to motivate and promote healthy living, not unlike other reality shows, it did have its fair share of drama; namely,“Moesha” star Shar Jackson competing during the same season as her ex-boyfriend Kevin Federline at a time when they were in the tabloid headlines was quite entertaining. But it was reality television, after all, and television will always be about the entertainment factor. Besides, the drama paled in comparison to what was typical fare for other shows.
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And while similar health-centric reality shows like NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” (where singer Ruben Studdard was a contestant) and ABC’s “Extreme Weight Loss” (debuted after “Celebrity Fit Club” ended) were certainly more popular, what made the VH1 show stand apart was that it featured an entire cast of people who were brave enough to show their insecurities and flaws, especially in a pressure-filled industry that reveres and rewards thinness and beauty. Let’s face it: Money and fame doesn’t exempt anyone from weight and health issues.
Here’s to hoping “Celebrity Fit Club” or something similarly-themed gets back on the air. With the immense popularity and winning combination of reality shows and social media, along with pervasive health issues like diabetes and hypertension continuing to plague the Black community, a show like this could be just what the doctor ordered.
LaShawn Williams is a freelance writer and editor from Chicago, Illinois. She is an arts and entertainment enthusiast who has a serious thing for stand-up comedy, music and dance. Follow her on Twitter: @MsWilliamsWorld.
