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« The Biggest Loser
Episode Recap: Season 4 Premiere
With the oldest contestant ever losing the most weight ever in one week and the return of Jillian, I can already tell it’s is going to be one awesome season of The Biggest Loser. I’m not a huge fan of reality shows, but this is one where I can understand the fascination of watching people’s lives on television. I can’t wait to see these people go through life-changing experiences and see how much their bodies will transform in a few short months.
The secret Black Team is an interesting twist, although I wish they hadn’t given that away before the show even started. It would have been a lot more exciting hearing that after we had already met the contestants — we would have felt sorry for those being sent home. But since I assumed they’d go to Jillian’s secret team, which they mentioned at the beginning, the very long buildup of a mysterious person on a motorcycle was a bit unnecessary.
Maybe it’s a little unfair to pick favorites this early in the game, but I am all about loving Jerry. He’s not only the oldest person in BL history (62), he also proved he deserved to be there by being the first to reach Bob in the desert race and also made BL history by losing the most weight in one week. When it was only him and Kae left to weigh in and they had to lose 25 pounds together in order for the Blue Team to win, I thought there was no way since they were the smallest man and woman there. And then they ended up losing 51 pounds between them! It was really unbelievable seeing 12 people lose almost 200 pounds combined. And congrats to Phil and Neil, who dropped below 400 pounds.
Like I mentioned earlier, it was so great to see Jillian, back after being gone last season, and pushing the secret team through her psychotic boot camp. I’m really curious to see their insane weight loss results and, of course, how the other two teams will respond to her return. Bob and Kim were rock stars as usual, and it’s also fun having Alison Sweeney as the new host to provide a fresh look to the show. It’s pretty surprising I didn’t cry once in the entire two hours, because usually there’s always at least one out of the many emotional breakdowns every episode that get to me. Come on, admit it — you cry sometimes, too.
It’s not surprising that Amber was the first from the Red Team to be sent home, but I’m sure it had to sting a bit that she got four consecutive votes. She was the only one who needed help completing the first challenge, she told Kim she wanted to go home and she lost the least amount of weight. She clearly couldn’t handle the intensity, but it’s impressive that she continued to work hard and lost 65 pounds at home.
Next time we'll begin meeting the rest of the 17 contestants....
Can’t get enough of The Biggest Loser? Check out our Online Video Guide.
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Sep 12, 2007 4:36 AM
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The amount of weight these people lose in one week is insane. Thirty pounds in one week? I wonder what doctors think of that? I can't believe no one has had a heart attack going from sedentary to full throttle work outs.
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Sep 12, 2007 9:06 AM
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Yes, I admit I cried too. I also thingk they should have waited to tell us about Jillian and the black team. All in all, it was good beginning. I predict the red team captain (forgot the name) will turn into quite the hottie as he drops the weight. Thanks for the blog!!!!
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Sep 12, 2007 9:40 AM
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I'll admit I cried the whole first hour! And I agree roygbiv, Phil (Red Team Captain) is going to be hott in a few weeks!! I'm rooting for Jerry, who is a rock star!!
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Sep 12, 2007 11:04 AM
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Yea, the motorcycle entrance was a bit anti-climactic, thank you once again, Preview People, Ruiners of Surprises, but it was still damn cool seeing Jillian come back with such style. Now that I'm not peeved that she's gone, I can appreciate Kim's style a little more. Once I stopped blaming Martha for Rose's absence, I can enjoy her presence on Dr. Who. Same deal here.
I wasn't surprised either by the first vote-off of Amber. She didn't seem like a team player, and since it's too soon for the back-stabbing to commence, the weakest ones usually go first.
What I want to know is do any of the players receive any psychological counseling to get to the root of their weight-gains? As we've seen from Matt and Suzie, it's easier to get there than stay there. Paramedic, cheerleader coach, teachers, how can these professionals who seriously should know better let themselves get to the point where their lives are in danger because of food? Because eating is only a symptom. Not to get all "Dr. Phil" here, but incredibly fast weight loss without addressing the underlying causes most likely won't lead to long term success. Hence the yo-yo effect that most dieters experience.
But I do wish them all luck, and the show certainly has a positive effect on many viewers who are in the same boat. And while the table display of a weeks worth of their favorite foods was disgusting all piled together, I wasn't happy with perfectly good nutrition ending up in the garbage with so many hungry people in this country. Yes, there was quite a bit of crap, donuts and chips and such, but I saw a whole chicken that could have fed a family of four with no negative consequences. Rant over.
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Sep 12, 2007 11:11 AM
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TVAddict1959 - I also wondered about that rapid weight loss as well prior to this season. However, in going through a weight loss program at my gym, I can understand how they may be able to lose as much weight as they do.
I think Neil is the 25-year-old who weighed over 400 pounds. In order to maintain that weight, he has to consume about 5,600 calories a day. If Bob is cutting Neil's calories down to even 2,000 or 3,000 a day, which is a healthy amount to intake, Neil is going to lose weight. Adding those boot camp workouts on top of that, and Neil burns more calories.
I lost about 13 pounds in about a month - most of it was due to decreasing my caloric intake because I was only working out twice a week. I know now that in order to lose more, I need to still maintain the caloric intake from before, but up my number of workouts - sigh.
I noticed that a few people had something on their arms. I'm assuming those were heart monitors, but again, I'm assuming. However, I figure the doctors are watching pretty closely - or so they say with all that text at the end of the show.
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Sep 12, 2007 11:12 AM
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I only watched because Ali is the new hostess and I love her. She did a great job and she looked really beautiful.
I could not believe Amber is a paramedic. She was HUGE! Also surprised she got picked for a team. But doubtful she could have handled Jillian's regimen.
I was still shocked and happy when Jillian arrived even though I knew the secret. How cool to have her riding past the Loser bus and probably being ignored by the passengers. Wait till next week!
Did the black team have an inital weigh-in? Otherwise, how else will we know how much they lost? Does Ali know about Jillian?
Who have the previous winners had as their coaches? I know Jillian has done well.
Did one person only lose 1 pound???!!!
The people who are really big are going to lose a lot the first few weeks because they are seriously decreasing their caloric intake and they're exercising like 24/7. If I exercised all day, I'd lose a lot of weight.
I wonder where the Black Team is staying.
Congrats to Amber for losing 65 lbs. I hope she keeps it up.
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Sep 12, 2007 11:25 AM
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As someone who has spent most of his adult life battling weight problems, I feel for the people on this show and applaud their willingness to expose themselves before a national TV audience. Speaking of exposing, I wish they would let the men keep their shirts on for weigh-ins.
It is true, as others have written, that the underlying psychological problems need be addressed. Perhaps that could be an added feature in the future. Depression, low self esteem, abusive relationships are factors. Being professionals does not exempt these people. I have had stess tests for my heart administered by nurses every bit as large as some of these contestants.
Yes, it would have been nice if the surprise of Jillian and the Black Team was kept under wraps for the TV audience.
It was sad that the backstabbing already started among those not chosen for the two teams.
Kudos to Jerry. I am 60 and am glad a senior was added. His loss was amazing. So much for my excuses.
Amber rightly was sent home and good for her that she lost 65 pounds on her own. Someone had to go and she was the logical choice.
I look forward to a good season.
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Sep 12, 2007 11:40 AM
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Not only are they cutting calories and working out like fiends, but I can almost guarantee that they have cut out all sodium. Those 3 things combined will make for a very dramatic drop in weight the first week - mostly water weight. When I started Michael Thurman's diet I lost 8 lbs the first week and I am not anywhere near as heavy as those on the show.
For the person asking about the Black team weigh in, go to the BL NBC site and get the info there. The Black team only lost a total of 69 lbs. I think Jillian is strategizing.......
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Sep 12, 2007 12:27 PM
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I'm surprised that no one had any injuries, those work outs were pretty intense for that group. I can't wait to see how they look in a couple of months because I saw some pretty big man boobies last night.
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Sep 12, 2007 12:37 PM
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There was one guy who I think will need surgery once he has lost weight because he'll have a lot of excess skin. Last year's winner had skin removal surgery.
I guess they want to get to as true a weight as possible. Plus, revealing that much skin is a big fear for them.
I don't understand why the women don't take a shirt with them too and put it on when they've been weighed. That's what I'd do if I were them.
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Sep 12, 2007 1:00 PM
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Not to be mean, but is anyone else as happy as I am that Caroline Rhea isn't the host this season? Alli did a great job and happily, she doesn't have that shrieky obnoxious voice that Caroline does. I like the change a lot!
P.S. Note to NBC, ever think about doing a celebrity Biggest Loser? I could name some good candidates, but I guess maybe I shouldn't. 
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Sep 12, 2007 1:28 PM
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RobinOphelia,
I totally agree about Alli. Much better than Caroline.
VH1 has Celebrity Fit Club so NBC probably wouldn't do a celebrity version of BL.
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Sep 12, 2007 1:59 PM
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Yes, so happy Caroline is gone. Plus, when you're doing a show about weight loss, the host should be in shape. Caroline looked like she should be joining the contestants on their workouts. Anyone who has watched Ali on "Days of Our Lives" knows that she has battled with her weight so I think she's an appropriate and great choice for host.
Check out Ali's blog: http://blog.nbc.com/alison/2007/09/the_biggest_loser_first_week.php#more
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Sep 12, 2007 2:20 PM
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yikes, now i'm afraid to say what i was going to say. at first i was disappointed to see this allison person, cuz all i knew was she was on some soap. i agree that caroline didnt seem to be too happy to be there last season, but i think she's a funny comedian and i like her so i cut her some slack, plus it's gotta hurt to get fired so publicly. so i was all set to not like allison, but she totally won me over within minutes, she is really great. she seems so genuine, she seems to care about the players in a non-judgmental way and she seems to be really enjoying being host of the show. i'm a new allison fan (plus she has my sister's name so she gets automatic extra points).
i was also worried about people that big over-exerting themselves in the hot freaking desert, especially coming from sedentary lives.
i was annoyed and judgmental with amber, but then i read what someone here posted about her being overwhelmed, and it reminded me that BL is an incredibly intense situation and it's not right for everybody. and at least it motivated her to lose 65 pounds on her own at home---excellent job, amber!
i LOVE the black team twist, and was also super disappointed with them exposing it all so quickly. BAD decision, producers! they could have just hyped a MAJOR twist, enough people watch the show that that still would have pulled in new viewers, and kept us old fans too.
speaking of "old", i love jerry! WOW---first to reach a trainer, oldest ever, most weight lost ever!!! and a nice guy on top of that, his life could change in many other ways besides losing weight and getting healthy. he could be the fan favorite too.
i also agree with the fact that it would be sooo interesting to see the psychological work the Losers do, cuz that's 90% of the battle--if they dont do that, the weight wont stay off. seeing the psycholigical reasons for their weight gain, and watching them confront and conquer them, could help millions of americans even more. do this next season, producers! and if you arent providing the Losers with this service, ADD IT!
excellent idea about celebrity BL, i would love to see that.
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Sep 12, 2007 3:00 PM
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