The Big Critique My 600-Lb Life Fans Have About The Newer Seasons
"My 600-Lb life" has been saving countless lives since its debut in 2012. The show follows the lives and struggles of various morbidly obese individuals as they get help from Iranian-American surgeon Dr. Younan Nowzaradan, also known as Dr. Now, to improve their eating habits and lifestyles. The task is a tall one for many of the show's participants, as their problems run deeper than simple overeating. Often times, they must fight through past trauma, enabling friends or family, and their own physical hurdles and cravings to see the changes they need in their lives (via People). While not every participant has been victorious on their journeys, the show is still home to endless success stories that are nothing short of inspiring.
Nonetheless, fans have remained vocal of their opinions of the show, both good and bad. Commonly, much of the criticism is drawn by viewers regarding the treatment of its participants as well as the believability of the show's events. And while these have been points of conversation since the show's original airing, more recent problems regarding the show have started getting fans chatting.
Fans think the show is cutting things too short (and too long)
A comment by Reddit user r/Elly-sparks says, "So, remember the original 'My 600-Lb life' episodes where it filmed over 7 years? I mean, I don't think I need seven years but maybe three years?" While modern audiences may be used to see the show take place over a one-year span, the first season did so over seven years (via Huff Post). User r/bristleconepine27 responds, "Yeah, I agree, but that's why 'Where Are They Now?' exists. It's too expensive and time consuming ... I don't know if they were ever planning on making 'My 600-Lb life' into the show it is now ..." Indeed, the show, conceived by Dr. Now's son, Jonathan Nowzaradan, was meant to be a miniseries that focuses on four individuals. But due to the show's eventual demand, it moved to one year. The spin-off series, "Where Are They Now?" is used to follow up on the participants years later.
Other fans didn't have an issue with this, but did have a lot to say regarding the show's runtime itself. r/Evergleam498 comments, "I think 12 months is an appropriate amount of time, but the episodes are too long. They're only getting enough content for an hour of good TV, but instead we're getting boring 2 hour episodes." Beginning in Season 5, the show would take on two-hour runtimes that focused on only one participant.
Redditor r/rocksandlsd agrees. They mention how they were introduced through the show's "Super Size Me" episodes that combined episodes into a deserved two-hour runtime, feeling as though this is how the series should continue. Hopefully, "My 600-Lb life" can find a healthy middle ground that will keep everyone happy.