Carnie Wilson goes ‘Unstapled’ for reality series

LOS ANGELES — Carnie Wilson is opening up her life as a working mom in a new reality TV series.

"Carnie Wilson: Unstapled" is in production and set to debut in January on GSN, which also airs "The Newlywed Game" hosted by Wilson.

A singer-songwriter with the pop group Wilson Phillips and daughter of Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, the 41-year-old Wilson said she's comfortable being candid. Her 1999 obesity surgery was shown online.

"I've written two autobiographies and posed for Playboy. I think I've pretty much been out there," said Wilson. But, she added, "This is definitely the most exposed I've ever been."

The reality series, a departure for the network that typically airs new and old game shows, is the result of viewer response to Wilson, said Kelly Goode, GSN senior vice president for original programming and development.

"Carnie is incredibly funny and earthy. ... She's a personality the viewers have fallen in love with," Goode said.

Her dad may make an appearance on her reality show if his schedule permits, Wilson said. She's hoping they'll record together.

Wilson, who has a newborn, Luci, and a toddler, Lola, with husband Rob Bonfiglio, said viewers will see her trying to take off about 50 pounds of "baby weight."

Besides her TV shows and music career that includes solo releases, Wilson is a spokeswoman for liteandhope.com, a support site for those suffering from morbid obesity. The "Unstapled" in the reality show's title is a play on Wilson's gastric-bypass surgery, which can involve stomach stapling, a GSN spokeswoman said.

Wilson also makes a line of desserts for a Los Angeles area candy shop SweetHarts, owned by actress Melissa Joan Hart. Wilson said that's a "passion" as much as a business. She likes feeding people, she said.

It's important to her how she and her family are portrayed in the reality series, said Wilson, adding that she trusts GSN and the show's producer.