The Biggest Loser

Both Phoebe & Jenni and Allan & Romi fell below the yellow line at the first weigh in. It must be gut wrenching (excuse the pun) to find yourselves below the yellow line despite all the weight you’ve managed to lose.  It’s an accomplishment in and of itself but someone has to go.

We’ve hardly gotten started and we’re already cutting a couple loose.  It will be interesting to see if the opportunity to re-enter the competition by winning the marathon is enough to drive the weight loss program outside of the competition.

At the vote:
The Red Team: Wayne & Geoff vote for Allan & Romi
The Green Team: Rick & Joe vote for Allan & Romi
The Blue Team: Shannon & Chris vote for Phoebe & Jenni
The Grey Team: Phil & David vote for Allan & Romi
The Yellow Team: Caitlyn & Daina vote for Allan & Romi

That’s enough votes for Allan & Romi to be eliminated. Allan gives the double bracelet to Caitlyn.

It’s challenge day for the Biggest Loser couples.  The prize up for grabs is immunity.

There are row boats buried in the sand which they must dig up then carry 200m to the otherside of the beach where they must untie some oars and then one of the couple needs to row 500m out to a pontoon to collect a flag before returning to the beach and racing back to the starting point.

Due to medical reasons, Geoff and Shannon are unable to compete.  Wayne and Chris can either compete without their partners or sit this one out.  They both decide to compete on their own as they don’t want to not lose weight and be penalised at the weigh in.

It’s an easy win for Rick and Joe who complete the challenge before anyone else even has another boat dug up. No one gives up though, despite the competition being over as far as the reward is concerned.

On returning to camp Biggest Loser, Trainers Michelle and Shannon ask them all to dress up as they’re going out for the rest of the day.  They head to a theatre where they are told that they’re going to be doing some public speaking in two hours.  Their audience, people who have applied for Biggest Loser in the past.  5 minutes of public speaking is one challenge that many don’t believe they signed up for.  But self confidence is a huge part of weight issues.

Lisa is fairly distraught at the idea of getting up in front of people to speak but she shares her story it’s as moving as everyone elses. As everyone completed the task, there will be no yellow line or elimination.

At the weigh in:
Rick weighs in at 149.6kg
Joe weights in at 161.2kg
14.6kg lost
4.49%

Shannon weighs in at 193.7kg
Chris weighs in at 116.6kg
10.7kg lost
3.33%

Lisa weighs in at 108.4
Jarna weighs in at 106.9
8.2kg lost
3.67%

Caitlin weighs in at 158.6kg
Daina weighs in at 92.8kg
9.3kg lost
3.57%

Elise weighs in at 93.0kg
Teneale weighs in at 84.6kg
8.4kg lost
4.52%

Phoebe weighs in at 104.6kg
Jenni weighs in at 117kg
9.7kg lost
4.19%

Phil weighs in at 129.3kg
David weighs in at 141.5kg
13.3kg lost
4.68%

Wayne weighs in at 139.5kg
7.6kg lost
5.17%

In four months time, the contestants of the fifth season of The Biggest Loser will be very different looking people.

It’s not hard to believe when host Hayley Lewis tells the couples that they will discover a part of themselves that they didn’t know existed yet.

Introducing the couples:

Geoff Ibbs and Wayne Bettany (The Coach & Player)
Brisbane
Wayne weighs in at 161.5kg
Geoff weighs in at 161.6kg

Allan Cook & Romi Cook (Husband & Wife)
Melbourne
Allan weighs in at: 155.8
Romi weighs in at: 99.3

Jenni Noble & Phoebe Noble (The Aunt & Niece)
Sydney
Phoebe weighs in at: 116.0
Jenni weighs in at: 130.6

Joe & Rick Medway (The Twin Brothers)
Caboolture
Rick weighs in at: 172.6
Joe weighs in at: 179.9

Jarna Craig & Lisa Hose (The Principal & Teacher’s Aide)
Perth
Lisa weighs in at: 121.9
Jarna weighs in at: 118.8

Elise & Teneale Cameron (The Twin Sisters)
Sydney
Elise weighs in at 104.6
Teneale weighs in at 97.4

David Dobbie & Phil Green (The Dads)
Gold Coast
Phil weighs in at: 146.9
David weighs in at: 165.6

Caitlin & Daina Bottrell
Melbourne
Daina weighs in at: 105.2
Caitlin weighs in at: 179.4

Chris Galea & Shannon Bourke (The Best Friends)
Melbourne
Shannon weighs in at: 214.3
Chris weighs in at: 128.9

After the weigh in, Shannon is the heaviest contestant this season while Caitlin is the heaviest woman ever on

In three months time, the biggest challenge will take place.  A full 42km marathon.  For eliminated couples, winning the marathon will be the one and only chance to get back into the competition.

The first challenge: A 4km run.
Joe & Rick: 37 minutes
David & Phil: 38 minutes
Jenni & Phoebe: 41 mins
Allan & Romi: 42 mins
Jarna & Lisa: 44 mins
Elise & Teneale: 45 mins
Caitlin & Daina: 1:11 mins
Geoff & Wayne: 1:16 mins
Chris & Shannon: 1:54mins

Allan & Romi find the double or nothing bracelet.  They give the Nothing bracelet to Shannon and the Double bracelet, Allan chooses to wear it himself.

First competitive weigh in:

Shannon: 200.5
Chris: 120.5
22.2kg 6.47%

Allan: 147.7
Romi: 94.0
13.4kg 5.25%

Jenni: 122.4
Phoebe: 108.9
15.3kg 6.2%

Jarna: 110.3
Lisa: 113.2
17.2kg 7.15%

Rick: 157.8
Joe: 167.6
27.1kg 7.69%

Teneale: 88.4
Elise: 97.6
16kg 7.92%

Wayne: 147.1
Geoff: 147.6
28.4kg 8.79%

David: 149.0
Phil: 135.1
28.4kg 9.09%

Caitlin: 164.2
Daina: 96.5
23.9kg 8.4%

Caitlin sets the record for the most weight lost in a single week by a female contestant.

David also sets a record for most weight lost and greatest percentage weight lost.

Below the yellow line:
Jenni & Phoebe
Allan & Romi

2010 could be the last year that the Biggest Loser is seen on Channel Ten with the network’s rights for the show expiring at the end of the year. Both Seven and Nine have expressed interest in the show and will be launching bids against Ten to pick up the rights for the weight loss reality competition show from 2011.

Elisabeth Murdoch’s Shine Group will make all future editions of the Biggest Loser. CEO of the Shine Group Mark Fennessy has confirmed that all three commercial networks are interested in screening the Biggest Loser from 2011. A new contract could most likely span a number of years and be a multi million dollar deal.

The latest series of the Biggest Loser – which airs on Ten from 6.30pm this Sunday Jan 31, then weekdays 7.30 thereafter was rocked by scandal with one of the contestants found to be possessing child pornography earlier this week. Ten have had to re-edit the show to remove the concerned contestant, leaving just nine couples instead of the original 10.

The Shine Group will also be producing a new quiz show to be screened nightly on SBS based on the overseas letters and numbers format. 100 episodes have been commissioned.

Shine has also announced that they will make at least 10 episodes of Junior Masterchef for Ten later in 2010. Contestants for the junior version of Masterchef will al be between the ages of 8 and 12.

Source: Daily Telegraph

The first week of ratings sees the return of some of 2009’s favourites on Ten, plus the premiere of the Good Wife on Sunday nights. Here is the summary of Ten’s programming for the week starting Feb 7, 2010.

The Biggest Loser.
Continues Sundays from Jan 31 at 6.30pm and weekdays 7.30pm from Feb 1.

Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation
Now in its new home, 7.30pm Sundays from Feb 7. The first ep for season 2 sees guests Basil Bush for the Baby Boomers, Shadow Treasurer the Hon Joe Hocky for gen X and actor Joelene Anderson from Ten’s Rush fior gen Y.

The Good Wife.
Featuring Emmy, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild award winner Julianna Marguiles, the Good Wife premieres on Ten at 8.30pm Sunday Feb 7. The show is a drama in which Julianna stars as a wife named Alicia and mother who boldly assumes full responsibility for her family and re-enters the work force after her husbands very public and political corruption scandal lands him in jail.

House
Is back, 9.30pm Sundays from Feb 7, episode 3 of season 6.

The Circle
Ten’s new morning chat show, replacing 9AM is called the Circle. Premieres on Tuesday Feb 9 at 10am.

Bondi Rescue
Is back! Series 5, episode 1 will be seen on Tuesday Feb 9 at 8pm.

NCIS
Finally – new episodes return to Tuesday nights. 8.30pm from Feb 9.

So You Think You Can Dance Australia
Its new regular weekly timeslot will be Wednesday 8pm from Feb 10.

Burn Notice
Michael’s new time is 10pm Wednesdays from Feb 10. Burn Notice returns with Season 3, episode 6.

Law and Order SVU
Back on Ten, at 8.30pm Thursdays from Feb 11. Season 11, ep 1.

Medium.
Thursdays 9.30pm from Feb 11.

Programming information from Ten, and subject to late changes.

[updated]

Finally the last days of summer programming are getting nearer, with Ten releasing their programming line up for Week 6, commencing Sunday January 31, 2010. Week 6 is actually the last week of summer non ratings but typically both Ten and Seven tend to start many shows a week early in an attempt to capture audiences first. Nine, on the other had, with the Winter Olympics looming on Feb 12 are not likely to air any of their key 2010 titles until after the Olympics, which finish on Feb 26.

Shows returning that week to Ten include The Biggest Loser (it is just me, or have they really been trying to make that look and sound like Masterchef? – there will even be a Biggest Loser Masterclass this year, most likely to air 7.30 Friday nights like the original Mastercehf Masterclass did), So You Think You Can Dance Australia (which is on for a massive six and a half hours that week), Good News Week, Burn Notice, House, Medium. Army Wives also returns, but in a very late night timeslot. The 7pm Project, as well as its late night repeat remain for that week.

Here is the program breakdown:

Sunday Jan 31:
6.00 Simpsons
6.30 Biggest Loser season premiere
7.30 So You Think You Can Dance Australia season premiere
9.00 House season premiere
11.00 Movie: Star Wars: The Phantom Menace

Mon – Fri from Feb 1
6.00 Simpsons
6.30 Neighbours
7.00 7pm Project

Monday Feb 1
7.30 Biggest Loser
8.30 Good News Week season premiere
10.00 Ross Noble’s Australian Road Trip premiere

Tuesday Feb 2
7.30 Biggest Loser
8.00 So You Think You Can Dance Australia
9.30 NCIS Rpt

Wednesday Feb 3
7.30 Biggest Loser
8.00 So You Think You Can Dance Australia
9.30 Burn Notice premiere

Thursday Feb 4
7.30 Biggest Loser
8.00 So You Think You Can Dance Australia
10.00 Medium season premiere

Friday Feb 5
7.30 Biggest Loser
9.00 NCIS Rpt, 2 eps
11.00 Outrageous Fortune

Saturday Feb 6
6.00 Simpsons
6.30 Movie. Star Wars: Attack of the Clones
9.35 movie: Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith

Late night on Ten includes Ten News with Sports Tonight, followed by the 7pm Project Late, followed by the Late Show with David Letterman. News starts at 11.00 Mon, 10.30 Tue, 10.30 Wed, 11.00 Thur and 11.30 Friday. Army Wives will air at 12.30am Tuesday night (Wed morning if you prefer it that way!).

Programming information: Tv Tonight.

Q. What is the theme song from The Biggest Loser Australia?

A. Lift by Australian Idol runner up Shannon Noll’s

Buy it from

Network Ten and FremantleMedia Australia are pleased to announce that legendary Australian swimmer Hayley Lewis is the new host of The Biggest Loser: Couples, which will air early 2010.

Hayley is a triple Olympian swimmer who first shot to fame as the much-loved 15-year-old who won an astonishing five gold medals at the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games. But it was following the birth of her first child in 1998 that Hayley became a spokesperson for Jenny Craig Weight Loss Centres to confront her own weight issues and encourage young mothers to do the same. She has since become a successful businesswoman and advocate of healthy lifestyle, having opened the Hayley Lewis Swim School in Brisbane, plus her own range of fitness equipment and is a much sought-after keynote speaker.

Hayley says of her new venture, “I’ve always been a devoted viewer of The Biggest Loser and have been so moved by people’s stories of battling weight issues in the past.

“To be offered the opportunity to be part of this show in such a capacity is just too exciting – I can’t wait to meet the next round of couples and experience first-hand their incredible transformations!”

Network Ten’s Chief Programming Officer, David Mott says of her appointment, “Hayley is a wonderful advocate for leading a healthy lifestyle and achieving your dreams.

“Her incredible sporting achievements and legendary determination alongside first-hand experience at tackling weight loss in the past is what stood her out as the perfect candidate to inspire our newly recruited Loser couples.”

The Biggest Loser remains one of TEN’s most successful programs. This year’s finale ranked in the top 10 most watched television shows of the year-to-date with 2.1 million viewers tuning in to watch grandfather Bob and his daughter-in-law Tiffany take the title.

The Biggest Loser is a FremantleMedia Australia production for Network Ten. Season 5 will go to air early 2010.

As just revealed by Ten News, the new host for the Biggest Loser is swimmer Heyley Lewis.

She will also appear on the 7pm Project tonight to discuss her new role. Ajay Rochester previously hosted the show for four seasons.

Heyley knocks out other possible hosts including Jackie O who was named the host by another website! Alison Braun was in the running as well as Magda Szubanski who had stated previously that she would not be interested in the role. Even former Masterchef host Sarah Wilson was considered.

The Biggest Loser returns to Ten in 2010 in February.

Sunday August 16 9.50pm

A big gun has been brought in this week to sort out the contestants. Tim Gunn (Project Runway), in fact.

The remaining seven contestants have made it through weeks of arduous exercise and now face a welcome gift in the form of a make-over. This is the first time most of the contestants have been able to wear regular sizes in years and they are shocked what they can fit in to. Tim Gunn is tasked with reworking their current wardrobe and fitting them with an outfit for them to strut down a catwalk in.

“I am so ecstatic about the opportunity of working with you and I have such unbridled admiration and respect for what you’re all going through, have been through and what you’ve achieved. I have to say you’re an inspiration to me and everyone whom you encounter” – Tim Gunn.

The transformation is extraordinary and the difference between their appearance when they entered Loser and now is unbelievable. Even Mr Gunn gets a little teary to see the emotional and physical change in the contestants.

Confident and proud, the contestants are thrilled with the results but even more elated when they discover there are a few surprises waiting for them.

It wouldn’t be Loser without a challenge and from the high of the make-over, the contestants now face a treadmill like they’ve never seen before.

Sunday July 26 9.45pm

Dangling from a harness, on a cable strung over a massive ravine, the contestants are forced to face their fear of heights in order to bring their team to victory. The most dangerous and extreme challenge faced on Loser so far will see both the Blue and Black team in a nerve-wracking and spectacular challenge.

Aside from the physical challenge this week, the contestants are also faced with a vending machine like no other. Should they take part in the temptation, the contestants could receive a cash prize, a 1 pound pass to put towards their weigh-in or be faced with eating calorie-filled snacks. Their random selection on the vending machine could either be extremely valuable or contribute heavily towards their calorie intake this week. This is the first temptation that all the contestants take part in – the risk, worth it.