I’m watching both of these shows in their entirety and I don’t know why they’ve historically gotten so much backlash. One reviewer called TBL “a dumpster fire of a TV show” and others seem to think M6L is downright abusive. However, I can’t find anything particularly bad in either.

Although it’s true that in TBL the contestants are losing an egregious amount of weight each week, it’s likely (actually almost certain) that most of this is water weight and it would have been more dangerous to instead not lose the weight. The intense exercise scenes seem pretty typical for anybody who’s serious about athletics. Finally, the famous “damaged metabolism” study that shut down TBL turned out to be debunked due to “damaged metabolism” being a boring, normal adaptation under high physical activity.

And although there are tons of bare naked shower scenes in M6L, everyone knew that going in and they agreed anyway. Some also complain how the stars don’t receive enough support for things like therapy and other cost centers. I would say that would actually have been a great thing to add, but it would be impractical at scale and have a high chance of bankrupting the production with how much healthcare costs, resulting in a net loss of benefit for those who need the surgery.

So, what’s your viewpoint here?

  • @corroded
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    763 months ago

    I remember when TV channels like TLC used to air educational content (The Learning Channel was actually an appropriate name). It has since morphed into a channel that airs “lets gawk at these people who aren’t like us” content. It’s no longer educational.

    • ThePowerOfGeek
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      English
      253 months ago

      So now they are The Leering Channel.

    • @SgtAStrawberry
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      4
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      3 months ago

      I was SO surprised to find that out about TLC. I have only ever associated them with shows like say yes to the dress, cake boss and toddlers and tiaras.

      What typ of shows did they used to air?

      • @Paragone
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        53 months ago

        You remember Connections, with James Burke?

        John Romer/Roemer, whatever, his docu-series on Egypt?

        That kind of thing.

        • @SgtAStrawberry
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          13 months ago

          Connections was only like 20 years before my time, so not really.

          I did however see that they made some form of re boot last year, so I will try to check that out it sounds fun.

          • @braxy29
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            43 months ago

            haven’t seen the reboot, but i remember the original connections and it was fantastic.

      • @[email protected]
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        fedilink
        33 months ago

        Get this: The History Channel used to show documentaries about history. Everything is turning to shit. Capitalism rocks.

        • @vsg
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          13 months ago

          deleted by creator