Apparently TLC's 'My 600-Lb. Life' Was Still Filming Last Week

  • TLC’s My 600-Lb. Life has finally stopped filming amidst concerns over the novel coronavirus.
  • The show was filming as recently as March 26th, according to an article from The Hollywood Reporter.
  • Cast members of My 600-Lb. Life are at higher risk of contracting the novel coronavirus due to their severe obesity.

Filming on plenty of reality shows has stopped for the moment due to novel coronavirus concerns. Both The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise are currently being held up, and Amazing Race has also stopped production. But My 600-Lb Life has kept on filming…until now.

The Hollywood Reporter reports that the show, which is created by Megalomedia, just stopped filming—days after other reality shows ceased production.

“The health and safety of Megalomedia’s show participants and employees is always our top priority, now more than ever. We continue to comply with all local, state, and federal guidelines that cover this unprecedented pandemic. My 600-lb Life is not filming with a single participant at this time,” a TLC publicist told THR. “The safety of our show talent, crews and employees is our top priority. Production on My 600-lb Life has stopped and will not resume until the crisis is resolved. It is our sincere wish that our talent, crews and their families are being safe and staying healthy during this unprecedented time.”

Before production was halted, sources told THR that the series was filming at different points in Texas, Florida, and Mississippi between March 20 and 26, and that staffers were worried about contracting coronavirus due to the number of crew members that are required to shoot the show. The show’s subjects are considered high risk for COVID-19, they pointed out, and the sources were worried that they were at an increased risk of contracting the virus due to filming.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) specifically says on its website that people of any age with severe obesity (defined as having a body mass index of 40 or above) may be at a higher-than-normal risk of contracting a severe case of the virus.

Sources showed THR texts from internal company group chats and a recent hot sheet (a summary of the day’s production) in which it’s mentioned that one subject’s hospital was on lockdown and was not letting the crew in to film due to COVID-19 concerns. That subject also refused to take a trip to Houston for the show due to novel coronavirus, although the cast member was advised not to mention the virus during filming. Another cast member said in the group chat that they were feeling anxious about the virus and going to a doctor’s appointment.

“These cast members have a compromised immune system already. They’re not OK. They’re not feeling comfortable,” the source told THR. “It’s super dangerous and none of us wants to be the person who gives it to the cast member.” But, the source said, “everyone’s scared to lose their jobs.”

Luckily, now, they don’t have to worry about it.

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