The Biggest Loser returns tonight, and let me say, it is BIG. Each year, the show claims they have the biggest contestant in Biggest Loser history. This year, there is a contestant that weighs in at over 500 pounds. Personally, I think that the ones who have the chance to win are the middle of the road contestants (weight-wise) but I count on Jillian and Bob to change all of their lives.
As with every Biggest Loser screener, I don’t know who gets voted off (so don’t worry, no big spoilers). The show starts off with the teams meeting Ali. It is a Couples edition, but there are cousins, brothers, spouses and parent/children teams. Before their first challenge (which involves a lot of stationary bike riding and sweating), the teams are told that the first place finisher earns immunity, and the last two teams to finish are going to be sent home before even meeting the trainers. I was a bit shocked by this twist, but it’s not Biggest Loser if it’s not filled with ridiculous game changers.
After the challenge (and the “elimination”), the contestants meet the trainers. I am very excited to share that Bob and Jillian are training the teams together again. I loved this change last season. I always thought that Bob and Jillian having separate teams added an unnecessary element of competition to the show. The contestants have enough pressure on them to lose weight and compete with each other, that adding a trainer competition to the mix seems pointless. I am sure this means that half way through the season again some crazy contestant ala Tracy from Season 8 will split up the teams and make everyone unhappy, but for now, I will enjoy this training-together bliss.
I wasn’t sure about NBC’s decision to have the Biggest Loser return so soon after the previous season finale, but I love the show. It is a big success, so I suppose that is what’s behind their decision, but I will take any excuse to see those trainers kick some butt. I loved this season premiere. I thought the pairs were interesting and unique, and their weight loss journeys are sure to be fantastic to watch. I really enjoyed last season when the pairs were picked at the ranch, and none of them were related. That said, relationship pairs bring a whole new level of emotional strife, and I like watching them challenge and push each other in ways that strangers couldn’t. And looking at the contestants, there are a lot of parent/child pairs which will be fascinating so see the enabler and the result of the enabling and how each pair comes to terms with it.
I look forward to an amazing season, and I can’t wait to see more.
Here’s a look at the contestants:
- Twin Brothers: James and John, 30
- Cousins: Sam, 24 and Koli, 29 (if you remember Filipe and Sione, these contestants were inspired by them, and are also Tongan)
- Husband/Wife: Lance, 38 and Melissa, 39
- Mother/Daughter: Patti, 55 and Stephanie, 29
- Mother/Daughter: Cherita, 50 and Vicky, 22
- Mother/Daughter: Miggy, 48 and Migdalia, 28
- Mother/Son: Cheryl, 50 and Daris, 25
- Father/Son: O’Neal, 51 and SunShine, 24 (despite the names, I enjoy this pair a lot)
- Father/Daughter: Darrell, 46 and Andrea, 24
- Mother/Daughter: Sherry, 51 and Ashley, 27
- Mother/Son: Maria, 51 and Michael, 30
And here is a video preview of tonight’s premiere:
Vodpod videos no longer available.Be sure to tune in tonight at 8 pm on NBC for the Biggest Loser Season 9 premiere!
The TV Chick 