10 Most Expensive TV Shows Ever

Ever wondered just how much it costs to make your favourite TV show? Well, turns out that it’s not just feature films that are spending millions to keep TV fans entertained & enthralled. As CGI reaches new frontiers in shows such as Game of Thrones it really is no wonder that the budgets are a little high (and could probably end third world hunger).

According to recently published data from Digital Spy here’s how the ten most expensive shows ever rank on record from the ‘smallest’ to the biggest episode budgets. You can expect to find your epic Sci Fi Fantasies alongside your humble sitcoms, prepare to have your minds blown.

1.    Frasier.

Who would have thought it? We all knew Frasier was a man of decadent tastes, but who knew he was that expensive?! By the time the series wrapped up in May 2004 the production cost of each episode was estimated to total to $5.2 million (£3.83 million). Turns out the cast weren’t all that cheap after 10 years of filming the show. Kelsey Grammar’s salary alone cost the production team $1.6 million per episode. Turns out there’s more to Frasier than meets the eye head on over to Uproxx to find out more fascinatingly ridiculous facts.

2.    Camelot

Back in 2011 Starz Cable Network treated historical fantasy drama fans to a wickedly adult take on the story of King Arthur. Turn’s out, it wasn’t all that cheap to make after the network reportedly spent up to $7 million per episode (£5.16 million). Whilst the production value may have not been enough to save the series fans still enjoyed the rather adult fantasy epic. Even if it did only air for ten episodes. Rotten Tomatoes didn’t have many nice things to say about the series either.

3.    Sense8

Sense8 is just one of Netflix’s highly funded series. Sadly, the investment in Sense8 may have been a little overly ambitious. Much to fans disappointment the series was cancelled after it became quite evident that the passionate cult following which amassed behind Sense8 wasn’t enough to foot the bill of the series. Each episode of Sense8 cost Netflix a staggering $9 million per episode (£6.64 million). Thankfully we still have Stranger Things & other delights curtesy of the forward thinking streaming service which are showing no signs of cutting back their budgets.

4.    Marco Polo

Variety reported the loss made by the ambitious historical drama Marco Polo was almost as eyewatering as the budget for the show. Coming in at roughly the same cost per episode as Sense8 at $9 million we’ve placed Marco Polo a tad higher on the list due to the overall cost of the production which left Netflix out of pocket by a devastating $200 million dollars (£147 million dollars.) I almost want to cry for them. After hearing of Weinstein’s involvement in the production, I feel a little better about it.

5.    Rome.

Whilst Rome was once one of the critic’s favourites that didn’t quite save the historical Drama after it was axed by HBO to save money. Fan’s of the TV show which cost $9 million (£6.64 million) per episode weren’t very pleased with HBO’s decision. Even after a decade has passed they’re still begging for the return, will they ever see it happen? Stay tuned I guess! Nerdist certainly won’t let sleeping dogs lie with this one.

6.    Game of Thrones

Yes, I can’t quite believe that Game of Thrones isn’t sitting pretty on number one on the list given the (now) high profile actors which make up the cast, the ridiculously fabulous CGI effects, multiple exotic filming locations and everything else that they throw in to make the TV series one of the greatest that has ever aired. Data estimated that when the 6th series was filmed each episode averaged at around $10 million dollars per episode (£7.38 million). Whilst they had to make some cut backs in season 7 (leaving Ghost out of the picture for the entire season because they couldn’t afford to photoshop him in) I feel a little sick imagining the size of the budget for season 8.

7.    Friends

It seems rather unlikely that Friends would beat Game of Thrones budget given the lack of CGI, cast size & lack of international filming locations. But it turns out, it cost a fair bit to film a few people sitting around in a coffee shop. By series 10 the cast had decided that that it would take $1 million dollars per episode EACH to keep them hanging around. Yes, that’s right $1 million dollars for 25 minutes of television which saw the budget per episode sky rocket to $10 million dollars (£7.38 million).

8.    The Get Down

Even though the Get Down isn’t all too well known, they still spent up to $11 million dollars (£8.11 million) on each episode! Sadly, for the streaming service Netflix this was yet another budgeting fail which saw them lose a fair amount of money after the musical extravaganza by Baz Luhrmann was cancelled after the first season. Baz Luhrmann told the Guardian that he will provably focus on film now instead.

9.    ER

Does anyone even still remember ER? Well, when George Clooney was treating audiences to his pensive diagnosis’ each episode was costing Warner Bros up to $13 million dollars (£9.59 million dollars). Given that ER ran from 1994 – 2009 the budget for the episodes are fairly phenomenal even by todays standards. Find out why Vox still dubs ER one of the hottest shows of 2018.

10.    The Crown

It should come as no surprise that since Netflix is throwing money all over the show that they would be the one to head up the list of the ten most expensive TV shows EVER made. The royal biopic is estimated to cost over $13 million dollars (£9.59 million) for each episode thanks to the 5-star cast and lavish production values. Thankfully for Netflix this one didn’t crash and burn.

I have no doubt that after season 8 of Game of Thrones airs and releases its budget it will grab itself the number one spot. Each of the final extended episodes are set to cost $15 million. However, with it’s shorter run with only six episodes the top spot may instead be bagged by the Hobbit which is predicted to break TV production budget records potentially costing upwards of $1 billion dollars. Yes. You heard that right. $1 BILLION DOLLARS.

Four ways to correct muscle imbalance

Muscle imbalance occurs when one group of muscles - for example, chest – is unequal strength or size in relation to the opposite group of muscles - for example, back. These differences in muscle function can diminish the results of your effort in the gym, but also create serious injuries. When one muscle is weak and the other is too active, your body reaches into poor posture - like rounded shoulders or excessively curved lower back - which also limits the mobility of the joints and cramps certain muscles.

Typically, muscle imbalances occur in areas of your body that should be moving, such as hips, shoulders, and the chest part of the spine - but they can occur almost anywhere. What does it look like when you have a muscle imbalance and how will you recognize it? Read on to find out the four most common muscular imbalances, quick check of the condition, and how to fix them.

Symptom: rounded shoulders

Test

Take a look at your upper body without clothes pictured from the profile - if you see any part of the upper part of your back, you have rounded shoulders. The problem is that we spend too much time behind the computer, and in the gym we insist on the chest, so our chest muscles strengthen and lower our shoulders forward.

Start strengthening the muscles of your back and stretch your chest. Do only one breast exercise per week during the month, and focus on the following exercises:

Balance yourself

Chest-supported dumbbell row

Place the adjustable bench on the short slope and lie with face down with the dumbbell in each hand. Start the movement by pulling the shoulder blades and row. Do not allow your elbows to pull away from your chest.

Wide-grip inverted row

With wider grip, hands will do less work, while neglected middle-back muscles will do more. Place the bar for a two-handed weight on a dead lift or Smit's device, swing from below and pull your chest to the bar. Pin your shoulder blades together and hold your body straight just like a plank.

Doorway pec stretch

Stand by the door with your hands above your head, make an angle of 90 degree with your elbows and hold the forearm on the door. Tilt forward and stretch your chest muscles.

Symptom: Sway back

If you have rounded shoulders, you're probably have sway back too. This requires a different group of corrective exercises compared to those for the rounded shoulders. In addition to previous exercises, you need to work on the return of flexibility and mobility of the chest part of the spine. Use these stretching exercises before the next training session.

Balance yourself

Cat-camel

Step into the four-legged position with your knees directly below your hips and arms straight under your shoulders. Now, push the center back as far as you can and make a bow like a cat when exhale. This pose in the yoga is called a kneeling cobra. Then lift your back up so that it look like a camel's hump.

Segmental T/S extension

Lie on your back. Place the foam roller below the middle part of the back. Put your hands behind your head, hold the buttocks on the ground and pull your body back over the roller, keeping the neck straight.

Symptom: Anterior pelvic tilt

Anterior pelvic tilt occurs when your pelvis leans forward causing an excessively curved back and rounded shoulders.

Test 1

When you wear a belt that fits well, where is the buckle centered? If it's pointing down and not straight ahead, you have anterior pelvic tilt.

Test 2

If your back hamstrings is always taut compared to the quads before, during, and after exercise, you probably have anterior pelvic tilt.

With a anterior pelvic tilt, your back hamstrings is taut because it always works to prevent the pelvis from leaning forward. This causes problems with the lower back and even stretches the rear logs. Instead, put the pelvis back into neutral alignment and release the back hamstrings, the gluteus will work properly, and the lower back will calm down.

Balance yourself

Hip flexor/Rectus femoris stretch

Kneel on one knee and place the back leg on the bench behind you. You will feel deep stretching through the front of the hips and the quads. Squeeze the gluteus of the hind leg and hold it for 30 seconds. Change legs.

Deadbugs

Lie on your back with your hands and knees in the air. Raise the butt from the ground, but so that your lower back remains on the ground. Touch the opposite hand and leg while holding the starting position. Change sides.

Symptom: Forward neck

When you go through the door, what passes first: head or chest? If it’s  your head, then the head and chin are probably set low, and your neck is pushing forward.

Having a head that moves forward causes neck problems: for each centimeter that your head moves forward, add another 5 kg that your neck needs to support. Instead, strengthen the neglected muscles deep in the neck with this simple exercise.

Balance yourself

Quadruped chin tucks

Take a four-legged position and pull your head down. Now, pull your neck out from below, keeping the same head position. Now lift your head and neck holding your chin deeply drawn.

Science Confirms: Babies who look like their fathers tend to be healthier

A new study reveals it's possible to predict potential problems with the health of children, based on what parent they looks like!

For the study, researchers from Binghamton University and Southern Illinois University focused on 715 families in which babies live with only their mother.   

Experts have found that girls and boys who resemble their dads are less likely to suffer from asthma. Also, children who resemble a male parent generally have less need to go to a doctor.

Research has also shown that fathers who do not live with their children and their mother spend on average 3 days a month more by visiting their heirs if there is physical similarity between them.

- They do it completely unconsciously, because they believe that due to physical similarity in children there are more of their genes. 'Fathers are an important part in raising a child, and it manifests itself in the health of the child, and this certainly affects the health of the little ones. We also found that children who are more like a father are generally healthier' - explains study author Solomon Polachek of the University of New York.

Science Explains: what happens to your body when you stop having sex

Although many think that this is just a myth, scientific research has shown that regular sexual interactions affect the state of health, and that men who do it regularly are healthier and happier. We have already written about the benefits of sex and things that will happen to you if you regularly exercise it, but this time we focused our attention on the other side.

That's why we present you things that will happen to you if you do not have a regular action with your better half.

1. You get out of shape

If you do not have sex for a long time, your body will drop out of the rhythm, which means you will last less in bed the next time and you will get tired faster. As with training, your body needs a constant challenge to make it stronger and stronger, and if you make a big break, then you get out of shape.

2. You risk getting prostate cancer

Regular ejaculation is required if you want to have a healthy prostate. If you have regular sexual intercourse, then you will not have problems, but if you have not done it for a long time then you are in trouble. Therefore, it is necessary to masturbate, to enable proper prostate function.

3. High blood pressure

Research has shown that those with regular sexual intercourse have far lower blood pressure than those who do not. It is therefore important that you try to have active sex life.

4. You will become more stressed

Sex is a great way to relieve stress, and if you have not been in action for a long time, then it means your body has accumulated a lot of stress and you will be tense and nervous.

5. Your immune system becomes more vulnerable

The orgasm is incredibly beneficial to our body because it improves and strengthens the immune system that protects us from various diseases. If your love life is currently bad, it means your health will be disturbed.

6. You will be less productive

If you feel that you are at work less productive and do not get the same results as before, it may be a sign that your love life is bad and that you need to deal with it. Research has shown that people who do not practice sex often have poor performance at work, because accumulated hormones have a negative effect on the body.

5 Exercises for Lower Back Pain Relief

Lower back pain is known to last for days, preventing normal functioning, and no medication can help.

This pain most commonly occur in people aged 20-40, affecting almost 60% of the population. The most common causes of pain in the lower part of the back are: back injury, excessive sitting, lack of physical activity, pressure on the nerves (herniated disc, osteoarthritis, distorted spine), compression fracture (the consequence of strong pressure on the sponge bone).

The good news is that by exercising, you can reduce, even completely remove back pain.

We suggest what exercises you can do at home to reduce pain, but first of all, it is better to consult with your doctor in order to avoid major injuries.

Many good tips like these can be found in Sciatica Healed video coaching sessions.

Related article: How to get rid of lower back fat (love handles) once and for all 
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Stretching "the buttocks - heel"

It stretches and mobilizes the spine

Starting position: Kneel at the elbows and knees, with knees parallel to the hips and arms parallel to the shoulders. Do not overwhelm the bow to the lower part of the back. Keep the neck stretched, pull the shoulders backwards and do not block the elbows.

Exercise: Slowly pull your butt backwards, keeping the natural spine curve until you sit on the heels. Stay stretched until you take one deep breathe and then return to the starting position.

Repeat: 8 to 10 times.

Tips:

     Avoid sitting on the heels if you have a problem with your knees.
     Ensure proper positioning with mirrors.
     Take it only to the extent you feel comfortable.

Lower-Back Twist

It stretches and mobilizes the spine.

Home position: Lie on your back. Place a small pillow or book under your head so that it is in the level with your body. Keep your knees bent and legs together. Keep the upper part of the body relaxed, and the chin is slightly drawn.

Exercise: Move your knees to one side and then to the pelvis, holding both shoulders on the floor. Stay stretched until you take one deep breathe and then return to the starting position.

Repeat: 8 to 10 times.

Tips:

     Take the movement only to the extent you feel comfortable.
     Place the pillow between the knees for extra comfort.

Stretching back

It stretches and moves the spine backwards.

Home position: Lie on your stomach and slide to your elbows, stretching your spine. Slide your shoulders back and stretch the neck in the level with your body.

Exercises: Holding the stretched neck, spin back back so that the burden is completely on the hands. You should feel a slight stretching in the muscles of the stomach when you swing back. Breathe deeply and stay for 5 to 10 seconds. Return to the starting position.

Repeat: 8 to 10 times.

Tips:

     Do not bend your neck backwards.
     Hold the hips firmly against the floor.

Deep stretching of the stomach muscles

Stretching deep muscles supporting the spine.

Home position: Lie on your back. Place a small and flat pillow or book under the head, so that it is in the level with the body. Curl your knees and spread your legs in the width of the hips. Keep the upper part of the body relaxed, and the chin is slightly drawn.

Exercise: As you exhale, tighten the muscles of the pelvis and lower abdominal muscles, as if you had an imaginary zipper along the stomach. Hold this gentle contraction and breathe out of your stomach, lasting 5 to 10 breaths, and then relax.

Repeat: 5 times.

Tips:

• This is a slow and gentle way to tighten the lower abdomen. Do not strain these muscles using more than 25% of your maximum power.

• Make sure you do not stretch your neck, shoulders or legs, as this is not recommended.

The Pelvic Tilt

It stretches and strengthens the lower part of the back.

Home position: Lie on your back. Place a small and flat pillow or book under the head, so that it is in the level with the body. Curl your knees and spread your legs in the width of the hips. Keep the upper part of the body relaxed, and the chin is slightly drawn.

Exercise: Gently affix the pelvis to the floor and tighten the abdominal muscles. Now pull the pelvis to the heels until you feel the slight bow in the lower part of the back, feeling pressure in the back muscles and then return to the starting position.

Repeat: 10 to 15 times, moving the pelvis forward - backward in a slow swing movement.

Tips:

     Do the exercise with deep muscles of the lower abdomen.
     Make sure you do not stretch your neck, shoulders or legs, as this is not advisable.

Modification of the exercise:

Put one hand on the lower stomach and the other under the pelvis, to feel the work of the appropriate muscles.

How to get rid of beer belly once and for all

To get rid fat from the stomach is definitely the hardest fitness task you can try. Men who do not care about diet and those who do not practice sports can have serious problems with weight, and the most critical part of the body is just a stomach.

If you drink regularly, you must have noticed that your stomach started to increase in relation to its normal size. You're probably on your way to earning a beer belly! One of the reasons for the development of beer belly is the regular use of alcohol, especially beer. As it contains high calorie levels, these calories tend to accumulate around the waist and abdomen, and thus the term "beer belly" has emerged. The beer belly most commonly occurs in men, as some male hormones tend to induce fat to accumulate around the stomach. Having such a huge stomach is uncomfortable, and most importantly, you are exposed to many cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, it is important to fight the beer belly at an early stage, although it is never too late.

So, what needs to be done to take a fat from the stomach for a short period of time.

First and foremost, you need to reduce the habit of drinking and limit them once or twice a week. Eat less calorie things to lose more pounds in less time. When you start with a diet, exercises are next on the line. The next step would be to perform basic fat burning exercises on your stomach to get that flat look.

We advise you to do these stomach exercises because they are the most convincingly the best for removing fat.

Related article: How to get rid of man boobs once and for all
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Exercises to get rid of beer belly

Running and fast walking

There is nothing like running or a quick walk to get rid the beer belly. This not only helps to lose the beer belly, but also regulates the entire body system. Running or fast walking can burn almost 900 calories per hour. If you start a day by jogging or by taking a quick walk, your metabolic activity will increase and help you quickly get rid of excessive fat in the stomach area, provided that you are consistent in it.

Driving a bicycle

When you get fat, your poor knees have to bear the burden, which can lead to different knee problems. Biking can help alleviate the problem with your knees, as well as the beer belly. Even a slow ride on the bike helps to burn more than 500 calories per hour. The faster you drive, the more calories you burn. You can also try driving along the hill; It is a great way to increase exercise intensity, loss of calories, and strengthen knee muscles.

Reverse Sit ups

This is a great but also demanding exercise that will have a big impact on the lower part of your stomach. Lay on the floor on your back, bend your legs slightly in your knees and lift them up. Now head down to the floor, hold a few seconds above the ground and return to the starting position. You will feel the effort in your stomach.

Hold on in plank

This is another important exercise that will do miracles to your stomach. All you have to do is stay in the top position of the plank, the longer you can. Endurance exercises will make it easier for you to move on daily basis, whether it's about day-to-day activities or a serious sport engagement. You will enhance the whole body, abdominal muscles, hips and buttocks, which are engaged throughout the exercise.

Stay in plank for 30 seconds.

Touch your toes

Leave this exercise for the end. Just try to tilt your fingers to your feet without bending your knees. Do 20 reps.

Other exercises for removing beer belly

If you combine the abovementioned exercises together with other underlying exercises such as abdominal, home-made bicycle, sitting abdominal, abusive abdominal, squatting, leg lift, stomach twisting, side swings, and so on, you will surely notice dramatic results in the removal of beer stomach. However, these nocturnal exercises will not help reduce the stomach, but it will definitely tighten and strengthen the abdominal muscles. Increase the number of repetitions gradually and this will help build your abdominal muscles better.

You can get rid a beer stomach just by applying a strict discipline as far as food and drink are concerned. Take effective exercises to eliminate beer belly and try to follow the exercise regimen religiously.