By Tina Warren
It’s no secret ABC Family has been hitting television with a string of provocative and tantalizingly entertaining new series. And from where we sit, it looks like they may be doing it again! According to The Hollywood Reporter, the networks new series, “Huge,” will launch in June and just may be the biggest thing this summer.
Following a trend of books-turned TV sensations, “Huge” is based on a novel written by Sasha Paley. Set at Wellness Canyon, a teen weight-loss camp, this boundary-pushing series will follow six teens attending and working at the camp (and some of them will look a little familiar).
Plucky Nikki Blonsky of “Hairspray” fame has signed to play Will, an overweight girl attending the weight-loss camp at the command of her wealthy, fitness conscious parents who coincidentally own a chain of fitness centers. Her character is opinionated, funny and outspoken — not a far reach from Tracy Turnblad.
Also headlining will be Hayley Hasselhoff, the daughter of "Baywatch" icon David Hasselhoff. She'll play Amber, a not quite over-weight teen who, although is the skinniest and “hottest” girl at the camp, is still conscientious about her weight. While attending camp, Amber clashes with Nikki’s character and becomes the object of affection for a college student working as an assistant fitness counselor (Zach Eckhouse).
“Huge” seems to have it all: conflict, romance and dimensional characters. But what else could we expect from something Winnie Holzman, best-known for creating “My So-Called Life” and her daughter Savannah Dooley are behind? Stay tuned for more news as we get closer to its summer premiere.
What do you think of a TV show centered around a weight loss camp? Have you read the book "Huge" already?
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