NBC hyped up the previews of the 11th season to draw in viewers, with two new "unknown" trainers being the biggest
After writing recaps of the 9th season (which you can see here), I decided I wanted to take a break. Knowing what the Biggest Loser has in store for us this season (and knowing I'd have opinions about it), I decided to get back into it.
So... here we go!
Of course, I have to start this off with one complaint. It wouldn't be a ME blog without one ;)
At the beginning of the episode, it was announced that Bob and Jillian have been leading the torture fest at the Biggest Loser ranch for 10 seasons now and it was time for two more to join in the fun. Not true. Jillian left during season 3 (which resulted in the most boring season ever with that blonde whats-her-name taking her place). No reasons were given.
Not a big deal but that was kind of misleading. Just sayin'
Anyway...the producers have promised us a crazy ride this season, starting with a "stellar" cast and ending with two brand new trainers. The contestants to keep your eye on this season are: the biggest man to be on the show to date (percentage-wise), the biggest woman ever who had to lose 100 pounds at home to even qualify for the show, and a former gold medalist at the 2000 Olympics. Now - back to the girl who lost 100 pounds at home: Courtney. If she can lose 100 pounds at home in a year, she could certainly lose the rest on her own. I'm still wondering how she got a spot on the show.
First impressions are crucial, right? My first take on the twin brothers (Dan and Don) was mediocre. The first one said "I'm 54 years old" and the second one said "and I'm also 54 years old" or something to that extent. Uh.. Duh?
On to the other contestants. I don't know why but something about this year just makes me think of previous contestants. For example, Ken & Austin reminded me of the father/son duo Ron & Mike. Maybe it was just the brown shirts Ken/Austin were wearing. Deni & Sarah reminded me of Ashley and her mom from season 9. Again, maybe it's because both teams were pink.
Remember I mentioned the biggest man? Arthur weighed in at 507, which isn't as much as Mike who weighed in at 524 or something, but Mike was over 6' tall while Arthur is 5'8. Arthur was weighed in with his dad which brought the duo to an astounding combined weight of 800. They're the ones that the contestants will need to watch out for - they've got lots to lose and if they do it right, they'll end up being big threats.
With this next duo, I mentioned to J that I thought they could be Tongan. Could it be? A third set of Tongan teams in just 3 or 4 seasons? Nah. That's just too crazy. Sure enough, Moses confirmed that they were Tongan and started rattling on about how Sam/Koli & Filipe/Sione did so well and that they'll "no doubt" follow in their footsteps and be the next Biggest Losers. Um OK.
If there's just a few things I've come to learn about the Tongans it would be these two things: 1) they've got the biggest egos on the planet and 2) they are very determined beings and won't let anything get in their way. Do I foresee drama with Moses and Kaylee this season? Maybe.
I guess the Tongans can be likable but honestly, the only one I've ever really liked was Sione. They do turn out to be good-looking people once they lose the weight though. I keep wondering about the sudden frequent appearance of Tongans on the show. It's a well-known fact by now that the village is overrun with obese people because it's in their culture to party and eat all the time. I guess NBC took it upon themselves to try to save the whole village...
Before Filipe/Sione and Sam/Koli, I had never heard of the Tongans and wouldn't have been able to tell them apart from any other native islanders. Well, thanks to NBC I'm a bit more educated in that area now.
Now on to the trainers. It's no secret now that Jillian is leaving. You can see a news article here. I'm just glad Bob is staying. I liked him better anyways. It's still not clear why two new trainers were brought on. Possibly it was to gauge the viewer's responses and see which one would be the best candidate to replace Jillian. Or maybe both will stay and we'll have to suffer through another season with three trainers again. We'll find out soon enough.
So - the contestants had to run a 5k. The top finishers would be able to choose whether they wanted to work out with Bob and Jillian or choose the unknown trainers and be guaranteed a 4 week immunity. Immunity is the ultimate prize that the Biggest Loser gives out, and this year, 4 weeks worth were given out at once. This is huge. If it was me, I'd choose what I know works and that is Bob and Jillian. I would probably lose a lot more in 4 weeks with Bob and Jillian than with the unknowns. Also, if I had a fluffy pillow with 4 weeks immunity embroidered on it, I might just be too tempted to sit my fat butt on it. Come time to join the Bob-and-Jillian followers on the ranch, I might find I'm too far behind in the game and be thrown out during week 5. Um yeah, no thanks.
Highlight of the episode:
Jillian announced that she will not scream at anybody this season. If she tells someone to do something, do it. Not because she's screaming but because she says so. Riiiiiight. I love love loved Bob's reaction to that. "It's like asking the grass not to grow, *giggle* fish not to swim, *giggle* lion not to roar." Ya hit the nail right on the head there, Bob! *giggle*
Another rant coming on here. What's up with keeping the identities of the new trainers a secret? Still? Gee!
At the weigh in, the players with the unknowns did well. Moses and Kaylee (the Tongans, remember?) chose the unknowns and that fluffy pink pillow. Moses lost 41 pounds - a record thus far. OK - I'm a little impressed. One team had lost 59 pounds together. Not too shabby.
The players on the ranch also did well. One lost 31 and all the others have lost at least 15 pounds each with the exception of Jesse. The older half of the blue team, whom I predicted would be a big threat, didn't do so hot. At least his son, Arthur, lost enough (31) to keep them around another week.
I'm already looking forward to next week, minus the mystery of the "unknown" trainers.
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