The Shaq Is Back

Tonight ABC is premiering a new reality show called, "Shaq's Big Challenge".

Billed as family entertainment, the show follows 4 time NBA champion Shaquille O'Neal as he inspires and influences 6 overweight middle-school children struggling with obesity.

A National Epidemic

The show, Shaq's Big Challenge, was taped last winter in Shaq's resident state of Florida, where it is reported than more than 11% of the middle-school population is overweight. However national statistics (Provided by the AOA) state that more than 30% of children ages 6-11 are overweight and more than 15% ages 12-19. The dramatic rise is attributed to poor dietary habits and lack of physical exercise.

Well, things are about to change...

No More Fast Food, Soda or Potato Chips
The last time I had seen Shaq, he was appearing in a Bally's (or was it 24-hour fitness?) television commercial. Has Shaq been travelling the country teaching our youth the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and where was I? Believe me, if Shaq was my instructor, I would have spent more time in gym class (or been too intimidated by the 7 foot giant not to attend).

Admittedly though my first choice for this type of show would have been Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has phenomenal experience conducting fitness camps with youngsters around the country for the past 10 years, however the "Governator" is busy handling more pressing duties.

Shaq Attack!

I had met Shaq a few years back when I was working in broadcasting and he was quite charismatic, despite physical appearance and having self-imposed nicknames such as "Diesel, Daddy, Diesel, Mad Mountain, Big Aristotle, Big Kahuna, Superman, and yes even Wilt Chamberneezy" (Kobe Bryant's nickname for Shaq), it is amazing to see that he is a wonderful and caring person - especially with children.

For those that do not follow basketball, Shaq's illustrious career in the NBA as always the Center position has earned him the title of one the "50 Greatest Players in NBA History", 3 Rookie of the Year awards, 4 Championships, several MVP awards, and numerous NBA playoff and franchise records.

In addition, Shaq has had a simultaneous career in the Film industry (Steel, Blue Chips, Kazaam, Scary Movie 4, and Good Burger) - okay, so maybe it was not a career. Shaq has also had forays into the music industry and released 5 or 6 albums (I have one of them somewhere) and numerous appearances on the tracks of other artists. As well, uncountable appearances in video games (He is a video game) and television.

Had Enough?
Shaq's resume is filled to brim with amazing accomplishment - it is not a wonder that he is inspiring to many and I cannot think of anyone better to take on this mission.

Shaq's Big Challenge airs tonight on ABC.

The Big Shaq Diesel Show

You may have heard, we on the reality side of the tracks, have scored yet another celebrity to star in our wonderful creative world of so called reality. This time the promising hopeful is NBA star Shaquille O'Neal...

Shaq (Diesel, Daddy, Mad Mountain, Big Kahuna, Aristotle, Steel, Kazaam, Shaq Factor (Okay I made that one up but it's catchy, you heard it here first) - or, whatever moniker he is going by this time) is going to be the star of new reality weight loss show for kids (Elementary and high school).

Drop and Give Me 20
Although the show is a great idea in theory, I am not sure what level of impact Shaq is going to have on teens in high school - who don't really listen to anyone; well at least I didn't in high school and maybe that's why I am a television producer today (Ah, I digress).

The point is, will kids want to give up soda and chips for Shaq? After all, we are talking about 'vital' necessities and giving up junk food as a kid is mortally inconceivable, if not blasphemous - that's like asking a teenage girl to get off the phone (Or, at least that's what my parents used to say...). Think about this, prior to governator, Arnold Schwarzenegger had been travelling the country as an appointed chairman of the Council of Physical Fitness and Sports visiting kids in elementary schools. Indeed, Arnold is a commanding presence, but Shaq should be an intimidating drill sergeant - we'll see...

The show is currently in production in Florida (6 episodes) and will air this summer on ABC.