Feb 9 2007 12:44 AM ET

Is this how the cycle of TV addiction begins?

Categories: Richard Simmons

Rich_lI’ve always thought it would be a genius idea to mass-market a TV whose power is generated by an attached exercise bike. Want to know if Kate and Sawyer get off the island? Hit the pedal. Did Beauty and the Geek’s Megan really tackle a sheep wearing nothing but a bikini? Hit the pedal. It’s the perfect solution for getting lazy TV addicts like me out of a permanent state of recline on my couch (short of, you know, actually putting on sneakers and exercising). Fisher-Price clearly thought so as well, as they are launching just such a product to help battle childhood obesity: the Smart Cycle, a mini-stationary bike for 3 to 5 year olds that only lets the rider view the TV screen and play games when in motion.

To promote their shiny new product, the F-P folks decided to go with a child-like spokesmodel: 58-year-old oldies sweat-er Richard Simmons who, while not so new, was certainly quite shiny in his now trademark bejeweled tank and striped short shorts at the announcement at Toy Fair in New York City today. Taking about his own childhood obesity problem — the New Orleans native topped out at 268 pounds when the graduated from high school ("If it was fried, it was my friend") — Simmons (who also has the softest hands of any guy I’ve ever met) eagerly chatted up the product, and mentioned to me that he’s actually in the process of gearing up for his first Congressional hearing to promote a fitness bill he’s been discussing with Congressman Wamp of Tennessee. Richard Simmons in a suit? There better be some rhinestones on that sucker.

Comments (1-30) of 32 Add your comment

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  • Jane

    Richard Simmons? Can’t they create some exercise routines with some currently child-friendly shows. How about an Elmo workout? And as much as I hate those Wiggles, I could see them doing a routine on a stationary bike. How about making an interactive game, so the kid can feel like he’s riding his bike in a park? I’m sure that’s the next thing, but it sounds like a natural right now.

  • Kate

    I gotta admit I thought “This has to be some sort of spoof” featuring a kid on an exercise bike and Richard Simmons on the TV screen (And it very might well be) but I’m all for it, whoever endorses it. I grew up during the 80’s and early 90s, and let me tell you, my favorite thing was the Care Bears work out video they had. I agree with Jane, market the most popular kids show, whehter it be the Wiggles or (shudder) Dora the Explorer in an exercise video TV show. Then again, whatever happened to letting your kids outside to get some exercise?

  • furry_tom

    RE: quite shiny in his now trademark bejeweled tank
    Not to mention the gallon of baby oil he slathers on.

  • GoddessLu

    OK, with American Idol, Survivor, Ugly Betty, Grey’s Anatomy, Amazing Race, Dancing with the Stars and America’s Next Top Model all airing around the same time (last premiere is DWTS), I need one of these to save my butt from disaster! Where can I get one in industrial strength????

  • Stephanie Travitsky

    Hmm. Richard Simmons and an obesity preventing “Hotwheels”? Next Gary Glitter and Paula Poundstone will team up for a commerical on Foster Parenting.

  • Anonymous

    Where is the adult version? Great idea. Yes, we want our kids outside but not always possible. Look at the WII, it got us off the couch as a family.

  • SS

    Just to clarify some of the questions that have come up…the software for this product does NOT actually feature Richard Simmons. Apparently that was just photo-shopped into this picture. The actual games for this toy are all child-oriented learning games that feature kids’ favorite characters like Dora, Sponge Bob and Dinosaurs. Kids pedal through various stops within a fun environment and learn letters, numbers, shapes, colors, and much more, along the way.

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  • sam

    I grew up during the 80’s and early 90s,and let me tell you,my favorite thing was the Care Bears work out video they had.I agree with Jane, market the most popular kids show,whehter it be the Wiggles or Dora the Explorer in an exercise video TV show.
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    Tennessee Alcohol Addiction Treatment

  • Anonymous

    I could see them doing a routine on a stationary bike.How about making an interactive game,so the kid can feel like he’s riding his bike in a park? I’m sure that’s the next thing,but it sounds like a natural right now.
    sam
    Tennessee Alcohol Addiction Treatment

  • sam

    I could see them doing a routine on a stationary bike.How about making an interactive game,so the kid can feel like he’s riding his bike in a park? I’m sure that’s the next thing,but it sounds like a natural right now.
    sam
    http://www.alcoholaddiction.org/tennessee

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  • ella

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    I could see them doing a routine on a stationary bike.How about making an interactive game,so the kid can feel like he’s riding his bike in a park?
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  • Amy

    I guess is you’re moving, that’s better than just lying like a lump. We are now addicted to our Wii, it’s nice, but still TV and not real life. I’ve been addicted to TV since I was the age of this young’un in the pic. It’s hard to kick.http://fierceandnerdy.com/?p=4415

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