Shaq's Big Challenge

ABC has announced that it will broadcast a new reality TV show this summer featuring Shaquille O’Neal. The show called “Shaq’s Big Challenge” will feature Shaq teaching a bunch of overweight kids how to lose weight and live healthy.

According to the show’s website, Shaq and his hand-picked “dream team” of experts embark on a crusade to help transform six obese middle school youngsters from Florida into healthy, fit kids - and along the way, demonstrate how other communities nationwide can help fight childhood obesity. He puts six obese youngsters through the most intense, emotional and rewarding time of their young lives.

This is a sad publicity stunt. If Shaq really wanted to make a difference in America he would set up a fat-camp to help former pro-athletes who’ve packed on the pounds post-retirement. I have no desire to continue watching HD coverage of Charles Barkley and Magic Johnson’s multiple chins swaying too and fro while they commentate the NBA playoffs. And seriously, what gives with Magic? Next to Jenny Craig, AIDS is the best weight loss system around.