Biggest Loser 4: A Birthday He'll Never Forget
By Donna Emery
October 11, 2007
This week on the Biggest Loser, the games people play on this show were more evident than ever, and another team chose to send home one of its most productive members.
If you read my commentaries regularly, you already know I don't enjoy the games and backstabbing that often dominates the latter part of each episode. I know this is a game, and that the stakes are high. I also know that if you are going to win this game, it ultimately means that you have to be a complicit part of every previous elimination.
But it always seems to go against the spirit of the game to see people making choices not by who deserves to stay or go; but by who is the biggest threat to them. It almost seems like this years' contestants are trying hard to find the Manipulation Survivor rather than someone whose weight loss is exemplary.
I know that a straight contest would be boring - though not as boring as the producers obviously think it would be. I also know that survival in a game like this means putting yourself first - no matter what. It's just a shame. The show has so many positive outcomes, and it changes so many lives for the better. Yet, each week we invariably see someone figure out what game to play, in order to survive. They should be concentrating on exercise, or on learning more about healthy diet or recipes.
It's natural for their trainers to push their teams to be the best. It's also natural for them to demand every member to give 100%. This year, I see the rivalry between trainers much more clearly. In previous years, the trainers seemed more team-oriented and less out to prove that they are the best.
The contest will eventually go to the person with the highest weight loss percentage. Unfortunately, this year there is a greater potential that someone from the rejected players list - like Jim, who's already lost 123 lbs - may go on to win the consolation prize AND beat the "winner." Time will tell.
I have to say that I really don't understand the logic in many of this season's weigh-ins. I thought that the Blue Team made a big mistake in sending home Jerry and Patty, but the Black Team's choice of Jim defies logic. Although Jim and Bill are both heavier than the others and therefore would have been a threat to the remaining members of the Black Team, if the team wanted to eliminate the bigger threat they should have eliminated Bill. As for the twins' choice of Isabeau, that makes no sense either - unless they too were looking to eliminate the biggest female threat.
As much as I like Julie, she would have been the obvious choice for Black to send home. At this stage of the game, the Black Team still needs those who can contribute big weight losses to the game. Julie has not lost at a rate that is consistent with the rest of the team.
Whatever the Black Alliance's reasons for choosing Jim, it unfortunately resulted in him being sent home on his birthday - and, therefore resulting in brother Bill losing his closest ally on his birthday.
I still love this show and am inspired by it weekly. I still find contestants that I root for and contestants that I wish would go home. It's hard to pick a favorite yet this season, but many of them are cheer worthy. I hope that someone deserving ends up with the grand prize.
For now, this is how they stand in percentage lost:
Kae
Current Ranking: 1 - Previous Ranking: 1
She's a former soldier who wants to be fit when she visits her
family in Korea. The 27-year old from New Jersey is also looking forward
to looking slimmer for her high school reunion.
This lady is so inspiring. Week after week, she turns in impressive numbers and consistent results. She has now lost 41 lbs, which is 18.22%
Bill
Current Ranking: 2 - Previous Ranking: 2
His dad died of a heart attack, and Bill doesn't want history to repeat itself. This 40-year old from New York with a self-described "big personality" is competing against his twin brother.
He's certain to be unhappy at losing his brother, but perhaps this is the inspiration he needed to keep up his own exemplary efforts. His 55 lb loss adds up to 16.47%
Isabeau
Current Ranking: 3 - Previous Ranking: 4
She's always wanted to be a professional singer. Someday this Tennessee gal would like to go rock climbing and sky diving.
Why did they want to send her home? I like this lady's attitude and it's hard to argue with her results. She has lost 46 lbs, or 15.44%
Phil
Current Ranking: 4 - Previous Ranking: 5
He's a former firefighter who wants to be more active. The
27-year old dad from Ohio wants to be able to spend more time with his
daughter.
He's lost the largest number of pounds, and his efforts during the challenge were consistent until this week, when he couldn't stay on the raft. He's now lost 57 lbs, or 14.14%
Neil
Current Ranking: 5 - Previous Ranking: 6
He misses the time when he was more active in sports. The
25-year old from Massechusetts wants to get slimmer so that he can feel more
confident about marrying his sweetheart.
He still needs an attitude check but his efforts are consistent and he could easily take over the lead. His loss of 56 lbs results in 13.3% lost.
Jez
Current Ranking: 6 - Previous Ranking: 7
He's a children's worker who hasn't let his weight stop him from participating in sports. This Kansan wants to be more healthy so that he can give more energy into working with the kids.
I was as disappointed in his tantrum as Jillian. Even though he was on vacation, he was on a Biggest Loser vacation and should have known better! His 43 lb loss adds up to 12.46%
Ryan
Current Ranking: 7 - Previous Ranking: 8
He's an attorney who's always been an overacheiver. The 29-year
old from New York wants to be the first member of his family to
conquer obesity.
He remains a quiet, intense man who is doing his best and losing weight. He has also lost
43 lbs, which is 11.5%.
Bryan
Current Ranking: 8 - Previous Ranking: 10
He's a popular high school music teacher. This 28-year old
from Georgia made it to the Los Angeles semi-finals of American Idol and
now wants to be the winner of this contest.
I was glad that his chest pain is only stress. He's still doing well and has now lost 38 lbs for 10.98%
David
Current Ranking: 9 - Previous Ranking: 9
He's a proud father of 4 from Tennessee. The shy Southern
31-year old gentleman wants to resume teaching his kids to enjoy horseback
riding.
I hope his fight with Kim doesn't stand in his way. He's done well so far, with his loss of 40 lbs or 10.87%
Hollie
Current Ranking: 10 - Previous Ranking: 12
She's a high school English teacher and cheerleading coach. She wants to be a positive role model for her cheerleaders.
Her consistent efforts have helped her rise a bit in the standings. Let's hope her attitude improves, too. She has now lost 27 lbs or 10.59%
Amy
Current Ranking: 11 - Previous Ranking: 14
She's a kindergarten teacher who wants to learn more about being
healthy. The 28-year old from New York wants to impress her husband,
who works as a model.
She certainly seemed more upbeat this episode, but she's going to have to do better if she really hopes to win. She has lost 29 lbs, which is 9.76%
Nicole
Current Ranking: 12 - Previous Ranking: 11
Her outgoing personality makes her a natural as a radio DJ.
But this 26-year old from Pennsylvania is now ready to take control of
her health.
She's nice and she's friendly, but her efforts have kept her near the bottom of the bunch. She has lost 27 lbs and that's 9.68%
Julie
Current Ranking: 13 - Previous Ranking: 13
She's struggled with her weight for her whole life. Now, this Florida lady wants to shed the weight that she gained when she had her son.
She's so nice and she's always funny. But she remains the person with the lowest percentage. I hope her efforts will soon pay off. She has now lost 19 lbs or 8.72%
Jim
5th Elimination
He's Bill's twin brother, and their father's death was equally a motivation for him. He's looking forward to being more fit and healthy.
It was a shame to see him go home - especially on his birthday. I think that the Black Team will come to regret this. His loss of 54 lbs was 14.96%.
Patty
4th Elimination
She got scared when her doctor told her about her abnormal lab
results. Now the 34-year old from California is determined to prolong
her life and be there for her kids.
I love this lady and I'm sorry to see her go. She was putting forth a good effort, and she looks like she's done a great job on her own. Her 25 lb loss adds up to 8.93%
Jerry
3rd Elimination
This former Golden Glove champion is not letting his age slow
him down. The 62-year old grandpa from Illinois wants to ride in a
cross-country bike race with his wife of 40 years.
What a shame that they sent him home! I enjoyed seeing him in action and he really did inspire his team. What a great transformation he made. This week, his weight loss totaled 43 lbs, or 14. 48%
Lezlye
2nd Elimination
She's been through a lot already when she survived Hurricane
Katrina. Now the 34-year old from Louisiana wants to begin going out
again and meeting other people.
She wasn't my favorite contestant, but it's a shame that she went home when Amy seemed to punch her own ticket with her "I Quit" attitude. I was glad to see that she's gone on to lose more weight, but for this week she totaled 12 lbs, or 4.7%
Amber
1st Elimination
She's a paramedic who sees and feels the effects of being
overweight every day.
Though she was eliminated this week, the 30-year old
from Texas is doing her best to turn her life around. Here's hoping
she does!
Next week, the teams go to the beach. I think we all know they won't be just lying in the sand. I wonder who will go home next!
Donna is a nurse and teacher, and a mother of 5. She lives in Pennsylvania and is admittedly addicted to many reality shows. You can reach her at mrsed4ever@yahoo.com.
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