Reality TV Stars - New and Favorites - Show Recap

Monday, March 9, 2009

Reality TV Stars - New and Favorites:

Are you a reality TV junkie? Many people around the world are getting hooked on watching how others live their lives. On this episode of the Oprah Show, Oprah welcomed the stars of a favorite reality show and a few newcomers who have made a splash. Ruby Gettinger stars in the Style Network show Ruby that follows her as she tries to lose 300 pounds. Little People Just Married follows Jen and Bill in their first year of marriage and the struggles they face as little people. The Gosselin's also provided an update for the many fans of Jon & Kate Plus 8.

Weighing over 700 pounds at her heaviest, Ruby Gettinger, from Savannah stars in the reality TV show on the Style Network Ruby. The cameras follow Ruby on her quest to lose 300 pounds and more. Ruby's show made the biggest debut the Style Network has ever seen.

Why put your weight loss on national television? Ruby shared with Oprah that she knows that people are watching who can relate. Ruby is searching for the reason she weighed 700 pounds and is an example to people as she goes through her journey.

Weighing 365 pounds now, Ruby didn't want to take the easy way out for herself and have the expense of getting bypass surgery. Ruby still struggles even with her large amount of weight lost, but wants to know what she would look like at a healthy weight. Weighing 250 pounds or more as a teen and never being less than 350 pounds as adult, Ruby knows the ridicule and shame many women feel who are carrying extreme weight. Having a positive outlook and inspiring other women, Ruby isn't aiming at a number for a goal, but to be able to be healthy - run, cross her legs, the simple things.

Thinking that her weight was just about the food, Ruby didn't want to see a therapist because she was happy with her life and figured she just needed to eat less or make different food choices. When Ruby began seeing a therapist though, she realized that it doesn't have anything to do with the food, but about an internal hunger she has for something more, and the food can't take away that hunger.

Through clips of the show, viewers can see Ruby discuss her desire to soak in a bubble bath and be able to fit in the tub. Adding to her difficulty, Ruby also put bricks under her bed so that it couldn't break.

Not remembering anything before she was 13, Ruby is beginning to uncover that something must have happened to her, but she doesn't remember it.

Ruby can't forget her ex-boyfriend Denny who was shown in a clip returning to see her because of her weight loss. After 9 years together, Denny left Ruby, breaking her heart, because he couldn't be with someone who wasn't skinny, and Ruby didn't lose enough weight for him. The first 200 pounds Ruby lost was for Denny, but she is now losing the weight for herself. She took over 3 years to get over him because men don't come knocking at her door, but he is gone now.

One of Ruby's biggest fans, Kathy, was shown on a clip describing how she remembers being heavy from as early as 8. At 44, Kathy rarely leaves the house for the fear of people staring or making comments. Kathy became motivated watching Ruby live her life regardless of her weight, and Kathy wants the same thing.

Ruby surprised Kathy outside her home and took her to Main Street to walk and face her fears. When asked what her goals were, Kathy told Ruby that she wants to run - and someday fly. Ruby asked Kathy to try flying and face the shame to see her on Oprah - and she did!

TLC began a new reality show called Little People Just Married that follows Bill and Jen through their first year of marriage with unique struggles of being a little person couple. With clips of the couple's past, it was shared that as children they were treated like any other child and found a way to do things, just differently. With Jen as a successful pediatrician and Bill working at his sales and telemarketing firm, the couple is an example of how little people can do anything they want to.

Educating people is the biggest reason Bill and Jen chose to do the show.

After talking about their advice to parents of dwarfs (treat them like any other children) and how they get their clothes (custom made and neutral kids clothing), Bill and Jen were introduced to an 11 year-old girl named Samantha. Samantha, also a little person, shared with the couple how their show makes her happy and shows her that she can do anything. Samantha entered the stage to give Jen a hug and meet them in person.

Since the last time the Gosselin's were on the Oprah stage in February of 2008, there have been many changes in the home. The Gosselin twins, Cara and Mady, turned 8 and found interest in violin and skiing. The sextuplets, Aaden, Joel, Collin, Hannah, Leah and Alexis turned 4 and started preschool. With a new house and 2 new puppies, the Gosselin's are still living a life of loving chaos.

Via satellite from their new home, the family of 10 was ready for questions.

Oprah asked Kate what she thought of the octuplet story, and Kate stated that she wishes the best for them. With never enough sleep, time, arms or money, Kate expressed that the life with large multiples is tough. Sharing that it took an entire year to feel fully bonded with her babies, Kate expressed that Nadya Suleman will need lots of help and have to take each day a minute at a time if necessary.

With cameras always in their house, Kate shared how she deals with the lifestyle by setting up rules. Kate asks that the crew always take off their shoes, not pass the island in the kitchen, don't shoot on Sunday so they can attend church and stay out of the kid's bedrooms so that they can have a private space.

Viewers Jennifer and Kevin Skyped in to ask Kate about coping as they are expecting quadruplets with 2 older children as well. Kate shared that it is do-able to take care of 4 kids without constant help eventually, but to not plan to go back to work until after the first year.

Kate ended the show by stating that her children do well in the environment of filming a television show - normal to a child is their normal, says Kate, they just think everyone has cameras in their house. Jon and Kate appreciate the life and social skills their children are getting.