Extreme Couponing
| Extreme Couponing | |
|---|---|
 Title card | |
| Genre | Reality |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 12 (12 aired) (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Running time | approx. 22 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | TLC |
| Release | April 6, 2011 – present |
Extreme Couponing is an American reality television series currently airing on cable network TLC.
History
Extreme Couponing is an activity that combines shopping skills with couponing in an attempt to save as much money as possible while accumulating the most groceries.[1] The concept of "Extreme Couponers" was first mentioned by The Wall Street Journal on March 8, 2010 in an article entitled "Hard Times Turn Coupon Clipping Into the Newest Extreme Sport".[2] On March 25, 2010, ABC Nightline followed up with its Season 31 premiere with a segment entitled "Extreme Couponing Competition: How Far Can $50 Go?"[3]
TLC's Extreme Couponing is a show about shoppers who make extensive and focused use of coupons to save money while accumulating large quantities of goods.[4] It was previewed in December 2010; after surpassing network expectations with more than 2 million viewers, it received a series order[5][6] and began regular airings in April 2011.[7]
New York Times columnist Virginia Heffernan described the show as "a deceptively simple look at the complex drama of American spending and the paradoxes of parsimony."[8] E! Online's critic Jennifer Arrow called it a "recessionista series" marked by "a lot of tawdry, exploitative 'reality'" and participants "just doing their crazy best to stretch dollars and provide a little more for their families."[9] Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly noted that the show "has elicited some extreme reactions", and called it "a canny example of two elements floating through the country right now," citing "a fascination with extreme behavior as it’s filtered through reality TV" and "the fact that a lot of people don’t have as much money as they used to."[10]
The show has come under fire by consumer bloggers and experts such as Jill Cataldo about potential coupon misuse on the show (such as the use of coupons for incorrect items).[11][12][13][14]
On June 6, 2011, TLC announced it ordered a second season of Extreme Couponing.[15] It will premiere on Wednesday, September 28, 2011.[16]
The television show and a difficult economy has led to an increase in the real world practice of extreme couponing. Many online websites offer tutorials and services necessary to extreme couponing. [1]. The practice of extreme couponing involves stockpiling of coupons, close scrutiny of grocery store sales, and even the use of coupon clipping services. Some see extreme couponing as a positive practice, while others question its effect on average couponers, the lines at store checkouts and other concerns. With its growth in popularity, the overall effect of extreme couponing remains to be seen.
Episode list
| № | # | Title | Original air date | Production code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "J'aime & Tiffany" | April 6, 2011 | 101 |
| 2 | 2 | "Rebecca & Jessica" | April 6, 2011 | 102 |
| 3 | 3 | "Tai and Tarin & Nathan" | April 13, 2011 | 103 |
| 4 | 4 | "Missy & Amy" | April 20, 2011 | 104 |
| 5 | 5 | "Desirae & Stephanie" | April 27, 2011 | 105 |
| 6 | 6 | "Chris & Antoinette" | May 4, 2011 | 106 |
| 7 | 7 | "Amber & Tammilee" | May 11, 2011 | 107 |
| 8 | 8 | "Chrystie & Treasure" | May 18, 2011 | 108 |
| 9 | 9 | "Amber & Amanda" | May 25, 2011 | 109 |
| 10 | 10 | "Kelly & Rebecca" | June 1, 2011 | 110 |
| 11 | 11 | "Joni & Angelique" | June 8, 2011 | 111 |
| 12 | 12 | "Scott & Jen" | June 15, 2011 | 112 |
External links
References
- ^ ExtremeCouponing.com, "Extreme Couponing Tips"
- ^ TIMOTHY W. MARTIN, ", March 8, 2010.
- ^ JOHN DONVAN and MAGGIE BURBANK, ", March 25, 2010.
- ^ Laura T. Coffee, "Extreme couponing! How to get $1,100 of merchandise for $40." msnbc.com, April 6, 2011.
- ^ James Hibbard, "'Extreme Couponing' exclusive: TLC special gets series order", Entertainment Weekly, January 6, 2011.
- ^ "Cable's oddball agenda", Associated Press at LaSalle (Ill.) NewsTribune, May 3, 2011.
- ^ Susan Salisbury, "Retailers fret over coupon craze", The Palm Beach Post, May 14, 2011.
- ^ Virginia Heffernan, "O Thou Great Redeemer(s)", The New York Times, May 1, 2011.
- ^ Jennifer Arrow, "Extreme Couponing Sneak Peek: Awww, Coupon Baby!", E! Online, May 3, 2011.
- ^ Ken Tucker, "'Extreme Couponing' review: Weird, selfish people, or thrifty smarties?" Entertainment Weekly, April 6, 2011.
- ^ Jill Cataldo, "Was coupon fraud shown on TLC's Extreme Couponing?", April 8, 2011.
- ^ Jill Cataldo, "The Darker Side of Extreme Couponing", Las Vegas Review-Journal, May 25, 2011.
- ^ Valerie Hoff, "Bloggers take issue with 'Extreme Couponing'", WXIA-TV, May 25, 2011.
- ^ Quentin Fottrell, "Extreme Couponing Star: I Was a Scapegoat", SmartMoney, May 11, 2011.
- ^ TLC, "'TLC ORDERS SECOND SEASON OF EXTREME COUPONING" TLC, June 6, 2011.
- ^ TLC, "'TLC UNVEILS FALL 2011 SCHEDULE" TLC, August 2, 2011.
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