The Biggest Loser--Couples: The Weight is Almost Over
OK, last night was pretty good again. Still way too long, hence very dragged-out scenes with the remaining four contestants reliving their "journeys" from fat to fit. But seeing the transformations is really quite incredible and there is little to do but applaud their determination and their progress. All four: Ali, Kelly, Mark, and Roger have reason to be so proud.
And everything about this episode was designed to make them fully face their transformations and embrace their new selves. Even the final challenge of the season--putting on a fat suit that replicated exactly their original size and shape and running a foot race--made them all feel they were leaving behind the worst of themselves forever. They all vowed never again to be the people they were when they arrived. And they all discussed their transformation not only from a weight loss and fitness standpoint, but equally important from the point of view of the emotional weight they dropped as well.
Side Note: Speaking of emotions, Mark acknowledged what we all have been observing for some time now--that his emotions are a bit out of control. In Mark's case, his weight was blocking his emotions (and tear ducts!) and having unlocked that part of him, he has been some sort of human geyser, overflowing with tears and emotions each week. We also suspect that Mark has a little guilt over his brother Jay falling on the sword for him last week. Even Mark's wife, remember, told him to "Snap out of it." Mark should have an interesting homecoming.
Back to the show.
As with every episode, there is some sort of gratuitous product placement. The gum was replaced last night by Rocco DiSpirito, who is clearly being groomed as some sort of Biggest Loser chef in residence. He returned to transform each of the contestants' former favorite meal item into a healthier version of that very meal. Everything from pepper steak to ice cream. This was useful and fun information and it teed up the new "Biggest Loser Meal Plan". There is even a home delivery option. Second product placement plug.
Back to last night. Mark, of course, won the challenge, racing up that hill for the last time carrying a flag that read...well..."Mark." His prize was that when he gets home, he'll be provided with the "Biggest Loser Meal Plan" home delivery so all of his meals will be carefully created for maximum health and weight control. He also got $10,000. This gives Mark a decided advantage for the finale...except for one little problem: he was below the yellow line and therefore marked for elimination.
In fact, in what could only be characterized as the final irony of this season, Ali and Kelly were the two contestants to make it into the finale. Ali won the weigh-in again--that's four in a row--and Kelly was second. Both Roger and Mark, feeling fairly cocky as always about their "numbers" were shocked to realize that they were both below the dreaded yellow line. Truth is, all of the contestants put up great numbers, and they worked all week without their trainers.
But here's the twist: instead of Kelly and Ali determining Mark and Roger's fate...we will! America will vote, online, at The Biggest Loser, and that vote will determine whether Mark or Roger joins Kelly and Ali in the season finale. The results will be announced live in the first five minutes of the season finale next week. For all that Blue Team bravado, all those shouts of "1, 2, 3 PRIDE!", all that conspiratorial plotting against "the girls", look who's lobbying for votes now!
The show ended, as they do every season at this time, with each contestant saying goodbye to their trainers, alone in the weigh-in room, face to face with a cardboard cut-out of themselves as they looked when they arrived on campus. Standing side by side with their former selves, it's hard not to jump up off the couch and yell, "1, 2, 3, PRIDE!"
Remember to vote online and tune in next Tuesday to see if Ali or Kelly can become the first female Biggest Loser in the history of the show.
(c) NBC Universal.
Related Topics:
Technorati Tags: Biggest Loser, NBC, weight loss, diet, fitness, nutrition, health, wellness
And everything about this episode was designed to make them fully face their transformations and embrace their new selves. Even the final challenge of the season--putting on a fat suit that replicated exactly their original size and shape and running a foot race--made them all feel they were leaving behind the worst of themselves forever. They all vowed never again to be the people they were when they arrived. And they all discussed their transformation not only from a weight loss and fitness standpoint, but equally important from the point of view of the emotional weight they dropped as well.Side Note: Speaking of emotions, Mark acknowledged what we all have been observing for some time now--that his emotions are a bit out of control. In Mark's case, his weight was blocking his emotions (and tear ducts!) and having unlocked that part of him, he has been some sort of human geyser, overflowing with tears and emotions each week. We also suspect that Mark has a little guilt over his brother Jay falling on the sword for him last week. Even Mark's wife, remember, told him to "Snap out of it." Mark should have an interesting homecoming.
Back to the show.
As with every episode, there is some sort of gratuitous product placement. The gum was replaced last night by Rocco DiSpirito, who is clearly being groomed as some sort of Biggest Loser chef in residence. He returned to transform each of the contestants' former favorite meal item into a healthier version of that very meal. Everything from pepper steak to ice cream. This was useful and fun information and it teed up the new "Biggest Loser Meal Plan". There is even a home delivery option. Second product placement plug.
Back to last night. Mark, of course, won the challenge, racing up that hill for the last time carrying a flag that read...well..."Mark." His prize was that when he gets home, he'll be provided with the "Biggest Loser Meal Plan" home delivery so all of his meals will be carefully created for maximum health and weight control. He also got $10,000. This gives Mark a decided advantage for the finale...except for one little problem: he was below the yellow line and therefore marked for elimination.
In fact, in what could only be characterized as the final irony of this season, Ali and Kelly were the two contestants to make it into the finale. Ali won the weigh-in again--that's four in a row--and Kelly was second. Both Roger and Mark, feeling fairly cocky as always about their "numbers" were shocked to realize that they were both below the dreaded yellow line. Truth is, all of the contestants put up great numbers, and they worked all week without their trainers.
But here's the twist: instead of Kelly and Ali determining Mark and Roger's fate...we will! America will vote, online, at The Biggest Loser, and that vote will determine whether Mark or Roger joins Kelly and Ali in the season finale. The results will be announced live in the first five minutes of the season finale next week. For all that Blue Team bravado, all those shouts of "1, 2, 3 PRIDE!", all that conspiratorial plotting against "the girls", look who's lobbying for votes now!
The show ended, as they do every season at this time, with each contestant saying goodbye to their trainers, alone in the weigh-in room, face to face with a cardboard cut-out of themselves as they looked when they arrived on campus. Standing side by side with their former selves, it's hard not to jump up off the couch and yell, "1, 2, 3, PRIDE!"Remember to vote online and tune in next Tuesday to see if Ali or Kelly can become the first female Biggest Loser in the history of the show.
(c) NBC Universal.
Related Topics:
Technorati Tags: Biggest Loser, NBC, weight loss, diet, fitness, nutrition, health, wellness

