Second entry: I happened upon the new show "Honey, We're Killing the Kids" (about dumb parents over-feeding their fat children) last night and foodie that I am, thought I'd look in. Boy, it was stupid. First of all, the parents (he average-sized, she hefty) were incredible idiots, allowing their three boys, 8, 10, and 12, to eat crap, watch T.V.constantly, and be unbearable brats. Did they really think that was a good way to raise children? What was dopiest were the obvious set-ups. Copied from "The Nanny," a fairly interesting show (if only that it illustrates the absolute refusal of parents to take any responsibility for anything, especially their childrens' behavior), "Honey..." has a nutritionist come and set down rules and regulations: no more sugary, fatty snacks, limited T.V., added physical activity. Any moron who wouldn't already know what's healthier for kids--hmm...let see, ice cream or oatmeal for breakfast?--should have been sterilized at birth.
Anyway, after a clearing out of the snack crap from the cupboard, the idiot mother decides it's best to have them out in plain sight so the kids "learn how to handle temptation." Of course, there's a hidden camera and the youngest kid is caught on tape lifting an illicit bag of cookies, evidence is found, he denies it, cries, and so on. Just a stupid theatrical set-up that wouldn't fool Georg...uh, never mind.
Also incredibly dumb: After the kiddies have lived on fast food, processed food, and junk food, their first dinner under the new regime is bok choy and tofu! I happen to like tofu, but I know plenty of healthy eaters who don't (and being grossly overweight, I don't think I qualify as a healthy eater). Well, naturally, the kids gasp and gag and spit the stuff out and all but vomit. Who in his right mind make such a radical change on the first day? There are thousands of healthy foods that could make up a dinner the brats would probably like, such as grilled chicken, fruit salad, oven "fried" potatoes, and so on.
Maybe the worse thing was the omission on this show of any nod to the influence of genes on weight. The mother is standing there, a good 80 or 90 pounds too fat, and there isn't even a suggestion that the genetic heritage she passed on to her sons--two of them anyway--has anything to do with their tendency to be lazy and run to fat. That's not to say they can't combat it, but it's a hell of a lot easier if you're born tall and thin.
Final verdict: The family, the situations, and the whole premise are about as boring as T.V. can get. Geez, I'd punish those kids for not keeping to the diet by making them watch this show.