Work Out is a reality television series on Bravo. The show is centered around Jackie Warner, owner of a gym and spa in Beverly Hills, California. It features many of the trainers who work for Warner, aspects of the gym and its clients and Jackie's other fitness ventures, and also covers aspects of Warner's private life, such as her openly lesbian dating and romantic life. The third and last season of Work Out aired from April 15 to June 10, 2008.

[edit] Cast

[edit] Jackie Warner

In 2003 fitness expert Jackie Warner opened Sky Sport and Spa. On July 19, 2006, the Bravo network aired the first episode of Work Out (developed following Jackie's appearance on Jonathan Antin's Bravo reality series Blow Out). The show follows the day-to-day routine of Jackie and shows all of the drama that goes on behind the scenes in keeping a business afloat, while juggling her own personal life, as well as dealing with the personal issues of those who work for her as trainers.

^[1][2]

[edit] Trainers

• Doug Blasdell: One of three openly gay male trainers working for Jackie on the show; died January 22, 2007.^[3] (2006–2007)
• Jesse Brune (2006–2008)
• Gregg Butler (2007–2008)
• Rebecca Cardon (2006–2008)
• Erika Jacobson (2006–2008)
• Jesse "JD" Jordan (2008–2008)
• Agostina Laneri (2008–2008)
• Greg Plitt (2008–2008)
• Brian Peeler (2006–2008)
• Andre Riley (2006–2007)
• Renessa Williams (2008–2008)
• Jennifer "Zen" Gray (2006–2007)

[edit] Reaction to the series

[edit] Early reactions

Variety's initial response to the show included these comments:^[4]

" ... It is Mimi [Jackie's girlfriend in the show's first two seasons] who is this show's dragon lady, a stunningly twisted personality even for reality TV."

"In the pilot episode, Warner was a bit self-conscious and stiff. But as time goes on she learns to loosen up and live with the constant presence of the cameras, and her story and drama unfold more naturally as the show becomes increasingly riveting."

[edit] Controversial May 2008 episode

The May 6, 2008 episode of Season 3 of Work Out created much controversy: Jackie and her SkySport office manager Lisa were overheard in Jackie's office gossiping negatively about the physical appearance of trainer Brian Peeler's client. Brian and his client were both working out several feet away from the office. The client turned out to be well-known fitness model and breast cancer survivor Jamie Eason. Negative comments were made regarding Jamie's breast implants and were overheard by Eason's boyfriend, who was right outside Jackie's office, unbeknownst to Jackie. The actual footage was not shown by Bravo, but Jamie's boyfriend Rich Luzzi, as well as Jamie Eason herself, have stated that Jackie made most of the negative comments and Lisa only chimed in.^{[citation needed]} Lisa said later in her Bravo blog that Jackie was heard making negative comments by Jamie Eason's boyfriend.^[5]

Jackie denied making any comments herself, both in her on-the-air commentary and on her Bravo blog after the episode aired, and said the negative comments were made only by her assistant Lisa.^[6] When Brian Peeler tried to discuss the situation with her, Jackie refused to discuss it and fired Brian. This turn of events, when aired, caused a media maelstrom of protests, petitions, and calls to cancel Work Out due to perceived inappropriate workplace behavior by Jackie, her alleged attempts to deflect blame and to cover up her supposed part in the situation, and her lack of an apology. The episode aired on May 6, and by May 9 Gatorade, a major sponsor of the show, dropped its sponsorship and publicly criticized the comments about a breast cancer survivor made on the program.^[7]

[edit] References in popular culture

The Logo Network's The Big Gay Sketch Show, mentioned the show during a Project Runway parody, calling it Working Out with a mean-spirited lesbian.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Footnotes

1. ^ http://www.skysportspa.com/jackiewarner.html
2. ^ http://www.skysportspa.com/personaltraining.html
3. ^ Christopher Rocchio and Steve Rogers, "Bravo 'Work Out' trainer Doug Blasdell unexpectedly dies at age 44", Reality TV World, 24 January 2007. Accessed 9 June 2008.
4. ^ Work Out Review - TV Show Reviews - Analysis Of Work Out The TV Series
5. ^ BRAVOtv.com : Work Out : Season 3 : Blogs : lisa
6. ^ BRAVOtv.com : Work Out : Season 3 : Blogs : jackie
7. ^ Lesbian Fitness Guru Jackie Warner Needs a New Sponsor

[edit] External links

• Official Site
• Work Out on AfterEllen (review, interview, and recaps)