PILOT REVIEW: Extreme Makeover - Weight Loss Edition

EXTREME MAKEOVER: WEIGHT LOSS EDITION

Featuring: Chris Powell
Created by: JD Roth, Todd A. Nelson, Adam Greener

Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition is a new summer show from ABC in the Extreme Makeover family. First, there was the original Extreme Makeover which made ugly ducklings into the beautiful swans. The more popular (and still running) Extreme Makeover: Home Edition has rebuilt or built homes for families in need. Now, we have the Weight Loss version which captures the same inspirational spirit as Home Edition. In the Ty Pennington role is personal trainer Chris Powell who rose to fame on The Oprah Winfrey Show when he helped a man lose 401 pounds in 26 months.

The pilot episode focused on Rachel, an elementary gym teacher and overachiever who has struggled badly with her weight. She was a likable person who was easy to root for as is often the case with this shows. Chris Powell definitely pushes them but is compassionate and understanding which is necessary. Of course, there has to be some drama and bumps along the way and that comes in the form of her family, who want to be supportive but don't always know how to be. It gets worse when her weight loss slows, upsetting Chris. The process included surgery to rid herself of the leftover fat after she lost weight. Not surprisingly, the transformation by the end was pretty incredible as Rachel lost 161 pounds.

This show is everything you would expect it to be and that should tell you if it's a show you'll be interested in. It's The Biggest Loser meets Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. The stories are inspirational if a tad sappy and the results are pretty extraordinary. Chris Powell is likable as the trainer and he does a good job. It's a reality summer show so that's about all you can ask for in that genre.