News on Season 14 Biggest Loser

Jillian Michaels Returns

It will be a long Fall without Biggest Loser. So far, no TV show seems that interesting to me. I just don't warm up to sit-coms.

The BL staff have been busy re-working the show and NBC is  praying that people will forget the disaster that was season 13.

News is out that Jillian Michaels is back for season 14. A new addition to the show will be weight loss for teens. I suspect that Jillian may have a leading role in working with the teens.

News is that the teens will not be eliminated from the show and won't be weighed in.

I buy into the no elimination part of the deal. But no weigh in, hmmm? I understand the shame and low self-esteem angle on teen obesity, but what about accountability and achievement recognition?

Bob Harper and Dolvett Quince will be part of the trainer crew as well. It won't take much to surpass Season 13, but it will take some major changes to keep the show going long term. We'll see what Biggest Loser Season 14 brings.

BL Trainer Updates

In case BL fans aren't aware, NBC has postponed Season 14 premiere until the beginning of 2013. I think the postponement is a good long term move after the Season 13 disaster. I'll miss BL in the Fall, but it will take a while to get rid of the negative vibes.

So, what's a reality show TV trainer (including former trainers) to do without regular employment?

Dolvett Quince 

Dolvett Quince's New Reality Gig

Dolvett already has a successful personal training business and lots of recognition from his Biggest Loser role. While BL is on hiatus, he'll stay in the reality spotlight as a contestant on the new NBC show Stars Earn Stripes.

My quick read on the show plot is that it features various below A- list stars competing in military style challenges for charity.

I'll give it a look and report back.









Bob Harper 

Bob shooting for Guest Host Spot with Kelly Ripa

Bob's been busy as well. I just learned that he has a new book, Skinny Rules (affiliate link). The book appears to be doing well on the New York Times list. He's done a major revamp of his website, BobHarper.com, into an online fitness club.

I have a great deal of respect for Bob's experience and technique, but I was beginning to think that it was time for him to leave BL. Maybe, his new efforts will freshen up his skills and make him more interesting.

Bob is also interested in a guest host spot with Kelly Ripa on Live with Kelly. Good luck Bob! I'll DVR that show if it happens.

Exercise is Boring Show Recap

Exercise may be boring, but this past week was anything but boring for me. I was very busy and tired. I'd probably get busted for making excuses for not posting.

Mixing it up with new exercise options

I've posted in the past on the need to mix up exercise choices to stay motivated. The first part of the show has the teams trying new exercise. Dolvett's team heads off for Zumba. Buddy is surprisingly good for a goofy, white guy.



Bob takes his team mountain biking, and we're treated to a beautiful panorama of southern California at the top.

Challenges 

We get two interesting, engaging challenges this week. A truck loading challenge for food donation to the winning player's town + one lb advantage at weigh. Mark wins the loading challenge. The challenge twist was that every player's town will receive some food. We get to see everyone working together in harmony at the end to finish the challenge.

The second challenge was shopping and cooking challenge. After timed grocery store shopping, players prepare a meal for surprise judges from season 12 BL.

Surprise season 12 judges Vinny, Antone, and Becky

"Wrassler Kim" gets a surprise win in the competition. Chris is called out by Antone for her poor showing.

Elimination 

Megan and Mark fall below the yellow line, and Megan is sent home.

Show recap Nov 29th

Makeover Week 

Makeover week started out with the ever favorite weighted race challenge. I love the physical challenges! John continues to show dominance in challenges and weight loss. He is the person to beat on the ranch.

The makeovers themselves were kind of a letdown. I was prepared to be dazzled with all the hype, but only Becky really had a major change in her look. Her wedding ring moment with her husband was very touching.


Plastic People 


I continue with conflict on John. Is he is a game-player and manipulator or is he a confused, wounded person? He just doesn't come off as real to me. Everything he says including his talk about commitment to change with Dolvett just doesn't ring totally true. In the end, I am coming down that he is a wounded person who has been unable to be real with others. I am hopeful that his time at the Ranch will move him to a better place where he can remain and grow.

Anna isn't real. Nothing in her talk with Sunny seemed genuine or inspired. There is no warmth or personal connection. Again, glad she is going.

Weigh-in

I was surprised a bit that Sunny and Antone fell below the line. I had expected a closer competition. I was even more surprised that the voting members kept Antone - the stronger competitor! This is shaping up to be a great finale.

Next Week

Marathon is next week. I am excited to see old contestants compete. I am wondering how they will get down to three contestants for the finale. Maybe, there will be a red line to automatically eliminate the lowest player combined with a yellow line for viewers to select between the remaining two lowest weight losers.

Excitement to come!

Show recap November 15th

Pentathlon

Contestants competed in five events with a loose Olympic theme. Two of the three events were non-physical challenges which evened up the competition. I especially liked the nutrition knowledge quiz which is vital for lifelong weight management success.

Apollo Ono made a short appearance at the final running event to support and encourage the contestants. How amazing to see the progress in contestants' endurance and performance.

Trainers




There wasn't much time spent with the trainers this week except for Dolvett Quince's segment with John. It was a intense and really added a very personal story to a trainer that I have found very likeable. I hope that he continues with the show.

Elimination 

Bonnie finished last in the competition and received a 1 lb penalty. This penalty placed her lowest in the weight loss. She chose to leave the show rather than force a vote between her and Becky.  I had a change of heart on her in the last few weeks and find her very likeable.