The Biggest Loser

A University of Auckland study has examined the thoughts of reality TV audiences in relation to the shows they consume.

The new book from Katherine Sender, Professor in Film TV and Media Studies at the university, is the first of its kind to look at makeover reality TV from the audience’s perspective.

“Audiences are extremely savvy when it comes to reality television. They know that producers cast candidates who will perform for the cameras, and that shows are scripted to some extent, and certainly edited, for maximum drama. Continue reading »

8:30pm – Wednesday, January 16 on FOUR

A former professional wrestler, a grandmother-of-55 and ‘Santa Claus’ are among the contestants who will take part in the new season of The Biggest Loser, returning to our screens on Wednesday, January 16 th at 8:30pm on FOUR. Entering its 13 th season, this year will see another 20 contestants arrive at the ranch in the hopes of getting healthy and regaining their lives.

However, this season – which is themed “No Excuses” – will feature a major twist when the contestants, who will arrive in pairs, learn they will be separated and actually be competing against each other in the race to secure the $250,000 prize and title of “The Biggest Loser”. “They thought they were coming in as a team but no, you’re definitely on your own. No excuses… You should see their faces. It should be fun to watch,” The Biggest Loser trainer, Dolvett Quince explains.

“Eighteen of the 20 contestants will have arrived at the ranch knowing each other while one pair will be made up of strangers,” he adds.

So how will the contestants react to the series’ latest twist? Find out when The Biggest Loser premieres its 13 th season on Wednesday, January 16 th at 8:30pm on FOUR.

Beverly Hills Cop: the TV show?

American network CBS has ordered a pilot of a TV version of Beverly Hills Cop, which will follow Aaron Foley, the son of Axel Foley, who Eddie Murphy played in the films. Aaron Foley will also be a policeman, who is trying to step out from his father’s shadow. Eddie Murphy will appear in the pilot.

Jillian Michaels returning to The Biggest Loser

Jillian Michaels, the tough-as-nails trainer who left The Biggest Loser after 10 seasons, will return for season 14 of the show, which tackles childhood obesity. Continue reading »

8:30pm – Wednesday, August 1 on FOUR

Returning to our screens with two new trainers – tennis pro Anna Kournikova and fitness expert Dolvett Quince -The Biggest Loser enters its 12 th season on Wednesday, August 1 st at 8:30pm on FOUR. This season of The Biggest Loser, dubbed “Battle of the Ages”, will see Anna Kournikova and Dolvett Quincewil join Bob Harper in changing the lives of 15 overweight contestants.

In the lead up to this week’s unmissable premiere, Anna Kournikova said that joining The Biggest Loser as a trainer was a “total role-reversal” for her, following her years of tennis training.

“It is definitely a very different experience,” Kournikova explains. “I was always the one being told what to do and followed instructions to the T.”

“This was the total role-reversal where I just told people what to do based on what I have learned [through my career] from the best nutritionists, sport psychologists, coaches, trainers and all those things.”

The tennis star says that she had chased the chance to be on The Biggest Loser because she wanted to share the knowledge she had learned through her tennis career with the contestants.

“For me the biggest draw was that I had all this knowledge and I live and breathe sports, nutrition, well-being and helping people – for me that was the perfect combination,” she says. The Biggest Loser’s new season will feature a “Battle of the Ages” theme which will see the contestants split into groups depending on their ages, with one group under the age of 30, another ranging from ages 30-49 and the final group over 50 years old.

Players will choose between Dolvett Quince, Bob Harper or Anna Kournikova as their trainer based upon the order in which they finish the first task.

Make sure not to miss this when The Biggest Loser returns to our screens on Wednesday, August 1 st at 8:30pm on FOUR.

8:30pm – Wednesday, May 16 on FOUR

This week’s The Biggest Loser will see the nine remaining contestants leaving the familiar surroundings of the ranch for an adventure in New Zealand! The Biggest Loser screens on Wednesday, May 16 th at 8:30pm on FOUR.

The two-episode New Zealand special kicks off this week as the players and their trainers – Bob, Jillian and Cara – leave Los Angeles bound for Auckland.

In the first episode, viewers will see the contestants taking in the sights of Auckland and using some of its most famous landmarks in their weight loss journey, starting with the Sky Tower. The players have to climb 51 flights of stairs to reach the top, only to be told they have to sky jump back to the ground.

Other highlights from this week’s challenge include a 5k race “through water, up huge sand dunes and across the beach” and a water-based segment which involves chartering an America’s Cup yacht and sailing around Auckland Harbour.

In the second episode, screening on Wednesday, May 23 rd at 8:30pm on FOUR, the remaining contestants will travel to Queenstown, where they learn that the competition is going back to singles and are surprised by a “special guest who makes a grand and unforgettable entrance”. Fans will also see the contestants attempting a river boarding challenge, while other activities include bungee jumping, canyon swinging and rock climbing.

Make sure not to miss all this action when The Biggest Loser hits our shores on Wednesday, May 16 th at 8:30pm on FOUR.

8:30pm – Wednesday, February 8 on FOUR

The Biggest Loser returns to the couples format for its 11th season, which kicks off on Wednesday, February 8th at 8:30pm on FOUR.

“The contestants are amazing this season; they are really sweet, wonderful people and there are a lot of amazing stories to share,” series host Alison Sweeney reveals about the players hoping to walk away with the Biggest Loser title this season.

“We have Rulon Gardner who is an Olympic gold medallist,” Sweeney continues. “We have a woman named Sarah who is struggling to have a baby and her obesity is really causing problems for her in trying to become a mother.”

As well as this, the series 11th season sees a contestant who was previously told that she was too large to appear on the series.

“Courtney auditioned for the show for several seasons and was told she was too big to make it on so ended up losing almost 100lbs by herself to be thin enough to be on the show,” Sweeney explains, adding: “We meet a lot of wonderful people you will get to know and be inspired by them this season.”

But there’s also a new twist in the game this season – the introduction of the two mystery trainers that the contestants can opt to train with in exchange for four weeks of immunity.

“Right off the bat we walk the contestants in and they are introduced to their first challenge and part of that will be choosing their trainers,” Sweeney explains.

“They can have Bob and Jillian or they can have these unknown trainers. You go with what you know or take the risk and go with the unknown.”

“There are advantages to each and it’s really interesting to see how hard people work to get that choice and what choice they end up making.”

“It certainly was throwing them into the deep end and I think it will be really compelling for the audience.”

Make sure not to miss this when The Biggest Loser returns to our screens on Wednesday, February 8th at 8:30pm on FOUR.

7:30pm – Wednesday, September 28 on FOUR

After seven long months, one person is named the ultimate loser – aka the winner – on the season 10 finale of The Biggest Loser, screening on Wednesday, September 28th at 7:30pm on 3.

After months of hard work, it’s time for the 10th Biggest Loser to be crowned in this week’s season finale. Last week’s weigh-in put Frado and Patrick safely in the top two, leaving Elizabeth and Ada to depend on U.S. viewer votes to land the spot as the third finalist.

The finale will also see eliminated contestants return for one last weigh-in and to compete for the at-home prize of $100,000!

So who will prove to be the Biggest Loser on the day? Find out when The Biggest Loser concludes its 10th season on Wednesday, September 28th at 7:30pm on 3.

7:30pm – Wednesday, September 7 on FOUR

This week’s The Biggest Loser takes a little break from a competition with a Where Are They Now? special, screening on Wednesday, September 7 th at 7:30pm on FOUR. The Where Are They Now? special sees more than 40 contestants from previous seasons showing how they look now and sharing what they’ve been doing with their lives since being on the show.

The special will follow contestants who continue to take on considerable challenges, from running marathons to competing in triathlons, including the Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and those pursuing incredible dreams, like season five’s Dan Evans, now a country music singer.

Former players, some of whom will be surprised by visits from trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels, will also share major milestones, from getting married to having children.

And viewers will get to come along to the wedding of one unforgettable contestant! Make sure not to miss all this when The Biggest Loser’s Where Are They Now? special screens on Wednesday, September 7 th at 7:30pm on FOUR.

7:30pm – Wednesday, August 31 on FOUR

This week’s unmissable The Biggest Loser makeover episode sees the remaining contestants finally shed their stinky workout gear to unveil their polished new looks. The Biggest Loser continues its latest season on Wednesday, August 31 st at 7:30pm on FOUR. “They’ve been sweating away for months,” says The Biggest Loser host Alison Sweeney. “It’s [this week's makeover episode] the first opportunity for them to think about how far they’ve come – and to enjoy it.” For some contestants, reaching this milestone is nearly as big a goal as making it to the series’ finale.

“I’m a girl – I like makeovers! I knew that at a minimum I had to get to this week,” says contestant, Ada Wong. Now she’s getting wish when she and the other contestants are whisked off to Ken Paves’ salon, where the stylist will give her long locks slenderising layers.

“Having a lot of hair makes everybody look wider,” says Paves. “This cut will elongate her neck and lifts her face up and away from her shoulders.”

This new look should make, whose initial motivation to go on the show was to gain her family’s approval, happy.

“I felt like if I finally lost all the weight, my parents would be proud of me,” says Ada. “Now that focus has completely shifted, and I realise that I’m doing this for me. I only need to worry about making myself proud.”

“I think she can win,” adds host Alison Sweeney. “She has the determination. She has the right attitude.” And now, she will have the foxy look to go with them!”

Make sure not to miss Ada’s transformation when all The Biggest Loser remaining contestants change their look in this week’s makeover episode, screening on Wednesday, August 31 st at 7:30pm on FOUR.

7:30pm – Wednesday, July 13 on FOUR

Tennis pro Anna Kournikova is heading to The Biggest Loser when the series continues its latest season on Wednesday, July 13 th at 7:30pm on FOUR. This week will see Kournikova lead the 15 contestants through a fat-burning Cardio Tennis workout, encouraging them to keep moving and keep their heart rate up. “Tennis is something that your whole body gets a huge workout from,” Kournikova explains about the challenge. “We’re going to be doing Cardio Tennis. This is not about becoming great, amazing tennis players. It’s about getting a great workout, about burning tons of calories – about high, high energy.”

“Tennis overall is a lot of cardio; your heart rate has to be up,” Kournikova continues. “The key is to move, move, move, have fun and have a great attitude about it.”

Kournikova suggested Cardio Tennis to the show’s producers, in conjunction with her scheduled appearance on the series. She had been familiar with the popular Cardio Tennis program and thought it would be a perfect tool for contestants to use to get in shape.

Find out whether she was right when The Biggest Loser screens on Wednesday, July 13 th at 7:30pm on FOUR.