Biggest Loser 4: Leaving the Game On A High Note
Commentary and Scoreboard By Donna Emery
November 22, 2007
This week on the Biggest Loser, something happened that really shocked
me: I found myself actually liking Neil.
But it only lasted about 5 minutes.
The makeover episode is always one of my favorites, and this one was no
exception. The contestants looked fabulous after getting their new
looks. This time around they added an even better bonus: the chance to
see their loved ones. It was a joyously tearful moment for everyone.
Neil looked so tender and sweet. He was charming, kind and courtly. I
found myself questioning my previous assessment of him. I thought
maybe he was actually a nice guy who'd temporarily lost his temper, and
had only been cranky because he missed that sweet young girl.
As if.
My previous assessment of him bounced right back into focus -with a
vengeance - once it became apparent to Neil that Kae would be sent home.
He not only became downright vindictive toward the Black Team - who
were only trying to preserve their majority position. Sounds like exactly what Neil was trying to do a few weeks ago, but he acted as though they were horse thieves. His proclamation that everyone should now go after him - implying that he is now the Biggest Threat - is both inaccurate and arrogant. I am sure that everyone except Nicole would love to help Neil pack his bags for home - and, at this point, that's not because of which team he's on.
Neil is in no position to question anyone's motives or methods in this game. He's already shown he is willing to "go to any length" to preserve his own position and the Black team's eventual demise. So why should anyone else's similar desire lead Neil to such venomous words? I can only hope that someone heeds his invitation to "come get the Biggest Threat".
If Neil wins this game it will be difficult to feel good about it. He may yet earn the title of The Biggest Loser, but it won't be an inspiring victory. In a way this reminds me of the first season, when Ryan was so difficult to like, and won against Nice Guy Gary. If Neil makes the finals, it may be hard to beat him so I suppose I am hoping that he might have a bad week next week, in the "closest weigh in ever."
As the game winds down to its conclusion and we begin to imagine that we can predict the Final Four, it's hard not to have favorites. Although the Black Team was dealt a difficult hand in the beginning to the show and went on to receive disparaging treatment by the Neil Coalition in the Week of the Water, their attitude as a whole has not led to endear them to me.
For me, Bill and Julie are the exceptions. I wish Isabeau and Hollie all the luck in the world and pray they lose all the weight they can but their increasingly negative attitude is almost as off-putting as Neil's. But Bill and Julie have the positive attitude toward the competition that I personally like, as a fan of the show. Although I don't think Julie has a chance to win the game, I think there's a good chance that she may be in the finals - if the majority of contestants continue to practice the "threat elimination" strategy.
I hope that the ending weeks of this show are less about the Game and more about the wonderful changes these people are making in their lives, but that may be only me.
Here is how they stand in percentages lost, this week:
Bill
Current Ranking: 1 - Previous Ranking: 1
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.
What a nice guy! I've long forgotten his one pique of temper and am totally rooting for him to win. If he can hold on for just three more weeks, he may just win the whole thing. He has now lost 106 lbs, or 31.74%.
Neil
Current Ranking: 2 - Previous Ranking: 3
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.
It seems inevitable that he will make the finals and I do acknowledge his very impressive accomplishment. I saw his softer side this week, but he's still difficult to root for. So far he's lost
118 lbs, or 28.03%.
Bryan
Current Ranking: 3 - Previous Ranking: 5
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 love this guy, and I'd like to see him pull into the homestretch. His loyalty to Kim and his smile when he saw his wife were wonderful. He has now lost 76 lbs, or 21.97%
Nicole
Current Ranking: 4 - Previous Ranking: 4
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.
I am really beginning to like her and I do wish her well. I'd like to see her go into the finals. She has now lost 61 lbs, or 21.86%
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Isabeau
Current Ranking: 5 - Previous Ranking: 6
She's always wanted to be a professional singer. Someday this Tennessee gal would like to go rock climbing and sky diving.
She's holding on, but she needs to step it up if she wants to last until the end. She's now lost 64 lbs, or 21.48%.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hollie
Current Ranking: 6 - Previous Ranking: 7
She's a high school English teacher and cheerleading coach. She wants to be a positive role model for her cheerleaders.
Why doesn't she smile more often? Her photo shoot revealed that she's a lovely lady, but her face usually looks like she swallowed a lemon. Her total now is 51 lbs, or 20%.
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Julie
Current Ranking: 7 - Previous Ranking: 8
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 such a nice lady and has such a sense of humor. I'd love to see her increase her percentage, but it doesn't look like she's got a chance to win. For now she's lost 42 lbs, or 19.27%
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Kae
11th Elimination
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.
I guess it was inevitable that her wonderful results would slow down at this point in the game, but it was really a shame to see her go home. I was really inspired by seeing how she looks now and I know this lovely lady will continue to be an inspiration to anyone who knows her. Brava, Kae! While on the show, she lost 69 lbs, or 30.67%.
Amy
10th Elimination
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.
It's too bad she took the game so personally but I was glad to see her amazing progress in the transformation video. She looks great and I wish her much continued success. On the show she lost 55 lbs or 18.52%
Ryan
9th Elimination
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.
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David
8th Elimination
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 was sorry to see him go, but he seemed happy to be home. He's done well on his own, so maybe it's for the best. He lost 56 lbs, or 15.22%.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jez
7th Elimination
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 so sorry to see him go. His sweet spirit and sense of humor will be missed. I am glad that he has been successful in his weight loss efforts, and he looks great. Too bad that his trusting nature was not repaid in kind.
He lost 56 lbs, or 16.23%
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Phil
6th Elimination
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 took his elimination with a smile and went on to lose more than 100 lbs. He was the heart of the Red Team and his positive attitude was always inspiring. I think his team will regret sending him home. His 61 lb loss is 15.11%.
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!
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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