VH1 Announces New Competitive Weight Loss Series 'Money Hungry'

"Money Hungry" Premieres Monday, August 2 at 9PM ET/PT*

SANTA MONICA, Calif., July 21 -- With America's obesity epidemic at an all-time high, the struggle to shed pounds has become an obsession. But what many Americans are finding is that good health and good looks aren't motivation enough to put down the fries. So this summer, VH1 is giving viewers a never-before-seen comedic look at a weight loss competition using the greatest American motivator of all... MONEY! That's right, "Money Hungry," premiering Monday, August 2 at 9:00 PM* puts $10,000 of the contestants' own money on the line to encourage them to drop those unwanted pounds once and for all. Tune in to see the drama, laughs and tears as these overweight teams fight to lose their fat and not their money!

Hosted by Dan Cortese, VH1's new series "Money Hungry" will test 12 pairs of contestants to see which team can resist temptation and drop the most weight. But this isn't your average weight loss show. These contestants were hand picked for their larger than life personalities and they have come ready to do anything to take home the money.

The excitement and drama will be high as each team on "Money Hungry" will have to put up an entry fee of $10,000 of their own money to begin the competition. In a winner takes all fashion, the couple who sheds the most combined weight will walk away with $100,000. Still want that donut? Each week couples will face grueling challenges, supersized temptations and pressure filled weigh-ins on their quest for the $100,000 grand prize. Although the contestants will be given access to personal trainers, personalized meal plans and state of the art amenities, working out and dieting are only half the battle. Game play and strategy are a huge part of Money Hungry. Alliances will be formed, backs will be stabbed, and hearts will be broken during the fierce competition.

"Money Hungry" will feature the following teams of contestants:

Roll Models:

Shinto - Jersey City, NJ

Jamie - New York, NY

No Excuses:

Melissa - Sioux Falls, SD

Joshua - Phoenix, AZ

Rocker Moms:

Elizabeth - Fort Wayne, IN

Carrie - Dripping Springs, TX

Mission Slimpossible:

Mark - Staten Island, NY

Joseph - Staten Island, NY

Double Chocolate:

Tammy - St. Petersburg, FL

Georgette - Rahway, NJ

Flabulous:

Stephanie - Crete, IL

Phillip - Chicago, IL

Chicago Deep Dish:

Bridget - Chicago, IL

Marilu - Newport Beach, CA

Grading Curves:

Melissa - Chicago, IL

Tricia - Chicago, IL

Slenderellas:

Jaclyn - Maynard, MA

Kaitlin - Tampa, FL

Family Sized:

Katelyn - Houston, TX

Denise - Houston, TX

The Regulators:

Tupotu - Santa Rosa, CA

David - Windsor, CA

A Pair of Nuts:

Yamil - Hileah, FL

John - Miami, FL

Tune in to "Money Hungry" to see what happens when 12 pairs of contestants put their bodies to the test and their appetites on the backburner in an anything goes, winner takes all, weight-loss competition.

VH1's "Money Hungry" is created and executive produced by Cris Abrego (for 51 Minds Entertainment, LLC. an Endemol Company) and Ellen Rakieten (for Ellen Rakieten Entertainment). Ben Samek, Matt Odgers, and Rabih Gholam also executive produce for the series and for 51 Minds. Jeff Olde, Jill Holmes, and Kristen Kelly oversee the series for VH1.

About 51 Minds Entertainment

The founders, Cris Abrego and Mark Cronin, formed this influential production company after joining forces to create the pop culture reality show, The Surreal Life. Widely credited for creating the celebreality genre of reality programming, 51 Minds has amused and shocked viewers with its enormously popular television series. With such hits as Flavor of Love, Rock of Love, My Fair Brady, Gotti's Way, Real Chance of Love, and For the Love of Ray J, 51 Minds helped catapult VH1 to ratings success and still holds the record for the most watched programs on that channel. In April of 2008, the company was acquired by Endemol USA. Through this partnership, 51 Minds continues to run as a dynamic independent production company and has carried on producing hilarious and paramount shows within the 51 Minds' brand.

About Ellen Rakieten Entertainment:

Spending 20 years at Harpo Productions, Ellen Rakieten first started as producer of the "Oprah Winfrey Show" and then went on to found and run the company's first-ever development division as Executive Vice-President of Creative Development. Rakieten's keen eye for talent brought new faces to television with names that now resonate across the country including Dr. Phil McGraw, Nate Berkus, and Dr. Mehmet Oz. In 2010 Rakieten founded Ellen Rakieten Entertainment and served as co-creator and executive producer of "The Marriage Ref" alongside Jerry Seinfeld. She also executive produced "Losing It with Jillian" starring Jillian Michaels. Rakieten has also written a book, "Undateable: 311 Things Guys Do that Guarantee They Won't Be Dating or Having Sex", which was published in March 2010 and became a VH1 5-part series in May 2010.

About VH1

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 95 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile, VH1Games and extensive broadband video on VH1.com. Connect with VH1 at VH1.com.

* All times ET/PT