Oh. The Biggest Loser is back. We even get 2 hour episodes like before. Until NBC finds something they like better.
The big change for this season is immediately apparent. After 13 seasons, Alison Sweeney has left the show. She has been replaced as host by Bob Harper, who has been the trainer every season this show has been on (plus three seasons of The Biggest Loser Australia).
The teams all have pre-existing relationships, aside from one bit of stunt casting. Erin Willett, The Voice Season 2 runner up, has been paired with the original Survivor winner, Richard Hatch. Hopefully they highlighted the part of his contract that mentions taxes.
We start off finding out why this season is called Temptation Nation. Bob offers them $5,000 to quit. Then he ups is to $10,000. Then $20,000. Lastly, $25k. No takers.
In case anybody cares, Jake Pavelka’s cousin is gone, leaving Dolvett Quince and Jennifer Widerstrom as the trainers. They will pick their own teams.
Jen: Luis & Roberto, Hope & Colby, Rob & Sarah, Lauren & Vicki
Dolvett: Steve & Jacky, Toy & Britney, Richard & Erin, Whitney & Felicia
Erin has lost weight before, but her path to losing 50 pounds at that point was bulimia.
This season they hook them up to monitors that display their calories burned and heart rate percentages. I assume this is a Fitbit ad but wasn’t paying attention to that part. I’m sure they’ll remind me. As everbody else goes close to 100%, Felicia hovers around her starting percentage of 62%.
It quickly becomes apparent Jen’s the nice trainer, while Dolvett reminds his team that he’s not their friend. And furthermore, he thinks Felicia is going to be the first to go.
Bob is a different kind of host. Alison seemed to just show up and deliver bad news, but Bob is there to have heart to heart talks. During the first group chat, Toy reveals the story about how her 13 month old son drowned, guilt she has carried with her since that is part of what she blames for her current weight.
At the first challenge, there is a ton of cash. They have to move all the money from an armored truck to a scale. One couple from each team will then climb to the top of the building and must make a decision. Richard & Erin and Luis & Roberto are the power couples. Dolvett’s team has a lead from the start. Roberto looks like he may catch up to Richard, but then he falls. Twice. Richard & Erin easily make it to the top first. Their choice is between $40,000 or an 8 pound advantage. I’d say take the cash, but it would put a giant target on them, although one probably exists already. They take the weigh in advantage.
This year, there are two scales, which Bob makes sound like a big deal. Unlike previous seasons, they will weigh in side by side with someone from the opposite team.
Erin: 228 pounds (-10, 4.20%)
Hope: 222 pounds (-10, 4.31%)
Lauren: 223 pounds (-11, 4.70%)
Jacky: 290 pounds (-14, 4.61%)
Felicia: 220 pounds (-14, 5.98%)
Vicki: 226 pounds (-11, 4.64%)
Richard: 301 pounds (-13, 4.14%)
Colby: 321 pounds (-18, 5.31%)
Whitney: 243 pounds (-10, 3.95%)
Sarah: 250 pounds (-17, 6.37%)
Rob: 306 pounds (-20, 6.13%)
Stephen: 298 pounds (-11, 3.56%)
Toy: 308 pounds (-8, 2.53%)
Luis: 285 pounds (-23, 7.47%)
Britney: 246 pounds (-7, 2.77%)
Roberto: 324 pounds (-24, 6.90%)
Despite the 8 pound weight disadvantage, Jen’s team easily wins the weigh in 5.85% to 4.28%. Partners Toy and Britney fall below the yellow line together.
Votes
Richard: Britney
Jacky: Toy
Felicia: Britney
Erin: Britney
Stephen: Britney
It seems they have gone right back to the voting room without a strategy session, but they are mostly thinking along the same lines. With 4 votes, Britney is not The Biggest Loser.
Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of The Biggest Loser Season 17 Episode 2, which airs Monday at 9/8c on NBC.