One of the toughest trainers on television is looking for families who want to lose weight to be on her new show, "losing it with Jillian".
Producers hope to find at least one family in Bakersfield.
Fitness trainer Jillian Michaels explained in a press release, how being overweight affects every aspect of one's life.
"When your health is out of balance, everything else suffers: finances, relationships, work and family dynamics," she said. "I'm moving in with families across the country, getting down and dirty and rootin' out bad habits in every corner of their lives that are preventing them from health and happiness," Michaels said.
It may be a scary thought for some to imagine Michaels living under the same roof with a family for one week to whip them into shape the way she does the contestants on NBC's The Biggest Loser.
But that's what her new show "Losing It with Jillian" is all about.
Casting Director Jodi Thomas told 17 News they are looking for a Bakersfield family, ready for a change.
"We've got this first season. We've got to fill eight episodes," Thomas said.
They will be holding open casting calls in other cities such as Detroit, Chicago, and Nashville.
But they are hoping to find the majority in California.
"We're dying for a Bakersfield family," she said.
Producers chose to hold an open casting call at Memorial Hospital, after getting wind of a weight loss competition the hospital is invovled in: a local challenge called One Ton Gone.
Sean Kenny is the Wellness Coordinator at Memorial Hospital.
The challenge is a partnership between Memorial and Mercy Hospitals, along with Terrio Therapy and Fitness.
"It's a 10-week long program," Kenny said. The challenge is "to try to get the group to collectively lose one ton of weight."
The program was inspired by the Biggest Loser, and the challenge will have its own finale on Thursday, which is the same day as the casting call.
Chantel Tackett is a "One Ton Gone" contestant and has lost close to 25 pounds in 10 weeks.
She is inspired weekly, by the Biggest Loser.
"If they can get on TV, and stand on a scale in front of America, and say 'I need to lose weight', " she said. "Then i can do it too."
The open casting call is Thursday, Nov. 19, 1-5 p.m.
More information is available at www.nbc.com.
