The Biggest Loser Season 11 Episode 17

In a rarity for this season, nobody said they wanted to go home in The Biggest Loser Season 11 Episode 16. If the previews are to be believed, that will be a short lived change, and somebody will be quitting tonight “for the first time ever.” I think they’re taking liberties with the term to quit. This whole season has been a frustrating pattern of people throwing weigh ins so that they can be sent home or raising their hand to volunteer to leave. I count Moses, Hannah, Justin, Kaylee, Marci, Marci again, Marci again, Jesse, Deni, Jay, Irene, Don, Larialmy, Dan, Don again, and Ana on the list of those who have gained weight on purpose and/or asked to be sent home, sometimes so their children could stay, sometimes so other people’s children could stay, sometimes just simply because “it’s too hard” (you’ll live). (Even the crew stopped working for two weeks this season.) Seriously, people, if you don’t want to be on the show, save a spot for somebody who does.

Leaving behind the ranting for a moment, we start off the show with a visit from Ali and Sam. Ali wrote a book and speaks about her experiences across the country. Sam is a personal trainer at The Biggest Loser Resort. They’re there to do some training and cooking.

Rulon says he’s within 15 pounds of his goal weight. Yeah, but wrestling build or not, he’s still over 300 pounds.

Next we head to the race track where Tara beat the boys pulling cars. Speaking of which, Tara started a foundation for childhood obesity, and she’s back today to relive the challenge. The winner will get their face on a box of Wheaties plus $5,000. Oh, and they also get VIP tickets to a NASCAR race. Tara knows her competition is the gold medalist. In the final stretch, Austin makes a run for it. As the finish line approaches, Tara’s looking to make it a photo finish. They’ll have to check the cameras to find out who won. If I had my choice, I’d go with Tara. And so it shall be. By mere inches, Tara wins the challenge.

Cara and Rulon start chatting at last chance training. He doesn’t care whether he’s eliminated or not.

After 4 months and 98 pounds lost, Irene is nonetheless reluctant to accept that she’s worth something.

Before the weigh in starts, Rulon has an announcement. This is his last time on the scale. He would like to leave for personal reasons. That’s it. No explanations. Really, dude? Good. Go then. He walks out. There are contestants who started this journey at lower than 301 pounds, but Rulon has convinced himself that he’s finished/healthy at that weight. He arrived at that conclusion because he’s almost at his competition weight. Whatever. Let’s just be glad the challenge victory/prize went to the right person.

So, with that out of the way, let’s move on to the weigh in and prepare for another elimination.

Irene: 154 pounds (-3, 1.91%) – over 100 pounds lost
Kaylee: 165 pounds (+2, 1.23%)
Austin: 243 pounds (-7, 2.80%)
Olivia: 162 pounds (-6, 3.57%)
Jay: 258 pounds (-7, 2.64%)
Hannah: 156 pounds (-5, 3.11%)

Having gained weight again, Kaylee finds herself below the yellow line alongside Irene. Irene’s a much bigger threat, but she has a tight alliance with Hannah and Olivia, which is all she needs to remain safe.

Votes
Hannah: Kaylee
Austin: Irene
Olivia: Kaylee

In the event of a tie, the person with the lowest percentage of weight loss is eliminated. With two votes, Kaylee is not The Biggest Loser. From her starting weight of 233 pounds, Kaylee is now down 68 pounds to 165 pounds, where she has decided to maintain her weight. Not having dated previously, she is now going out with Vance, who attempted to get on the ranch in the lame/ill-fated twist in week 13.

Two eliminations in an hour, and it didn’t feel rushed. Was that so hard? Up next: a new X Factor ripoff (which was a ripoff of Pop Idol). Yeah, I’ll watch. Can’t be any worse than this season of American Idol.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of The Biggest Loser Season 11 Episode 18, which airs Tuesday at 8/7c on NBC.