Biggest Loser 4: The Black Team Shakes Up the Scoreboard!
By Donna Emery
September 20, 2007
This week on the Biggest Loser 4, the Black Team came back with a vengeance, and although they didn't knock out the first and second place contestants, they made some inroads into the scoreboard.
I'm enjoying the season, and though the gamesmanship - which I always dislike - has begun early on, this year, most of the contestants seem seriously motivated to lose weight and to support their teammates.
Jillian isn't kidding around with her team. When she says there's no room for weakness, it's plain that she means it literally. She put them through a workout that Marines might find difficult to accomplish, and most of them just sucked it up and did their best. The Black Team is a lean, mean fighting machine and they gave the Blue and Red Teams some serious competition. It should be interesting to see if they can keep up their momentum now that they are openly in the game.
Just like last year, the team dynamics seem different for each of the teams. Last year we had the Blue Team, led by "Mr. Feelgood" Bob. They treated each other like family for most of the season, and one of them won the contest. We also dealt with the Whiny Attitudes of the Red Team, led by "Workout Barbie" Kim. For most of the season, the Red Team fought against Kim's workout strategies, though in the end three of them made it to the Final Four. This year, Kim seems to have the same problem with her female contestants - though her guys seem to be giving it their all.
The Black Team is definitely out to settle a grudge. They came with their game faces on, and they are making the statement that the other teams were wrong to count them out. Most of this team seems fiercely determined to win - or at least give their absolute best effort while trying.
I am also enjoying the nutrition facts that the show offers this year. They are fun to read and I enjoyed guessing the answers.
So far, Alison is doing very well as the hostess. I like her better than Caroline and I think she acts as if she is really supportive to - and empathetic with - the contestants.
I always smile when the show makes a blatant product plug, but they don't seem as pushy about them this year. Even Kim's turkey tacos fit easily into the story.
The challenges this year are good and they show how motivated the teams are. I like the way that the show changed the venue to a Campus, rather than a Ranch. It gives the show a more serious atmosphere.
All in all, I am enjoying the season. I am looking forward to seeing who wins and how much weight all of them will lose.
Here are the rankings for this week:
Jerry
Current Ranking: 1 - Previous Ranking: 1
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.
He is still #1! Though he lost the race for the challenge, he has still lost more
percentage of weight than the others. His 41 pound loss adds up to 13.8%
Kae
Current Ranking: 2 - Previous Ranking: 2
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.
She did it again! She challenged herself to find her "inner soldier", and it looks like she
did. She's now lost 25 lbs, which is 11.1%
Bill
Current Ranking: 3 - Previous Ranking: None
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 was the Biggest Loser for the Black Team and his achievement showed the others that he's a force to be reckoned with. He's lost 33 lbs, or 9.88%
Isabeau
Current Ranking: 4 - Previous Ranking: None
She's always wanted to be a professional singer. Someday this Tennessee gal would like to go rock climbing and sky diving.
She lost more than the other Black Team gals and though she's quiet she put out lots of effort. She's now lost 25 lbs, or 8.39%
Phil
Current Ranking: 5 - Previous Ranking: 3
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.
The Red Team captain continues to lead his team in all aspects of the contest, which
is why the ladies were delusional to try to eliminate him at this time. He's now lost
31 lbs, which is 7.7%
Neil
Current Ranking: 6 - Previous Ranking: 5
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.
I really like this guy, and I think he'll do even better once Bob figures out a food plan that suits him better. He has now lost 32 lbs, and that makes a 7.6% loss.
Jim
Current Ranking: 7 - Previous Ranking: None
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.
Jim's doing fine, and he can easily step up his game now that he's measured up the competition. He has now lost 27 lbs, or 7.48%
Jez
Current Ranking: 8 - Previous Ranking: None
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 love this guy's personality and energy, and his smile is lovely. He's now managed to lose 25 lbs, which makes his percentage 7.25%.
Ryan
Current Ranking: 9 - 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.
His personality is beginning to emerge, and he could become a force to be reckoned with. He has lost 25 lbs, or 6.69%.
David
Current Ranking: 10 - Previous Ranking: 4
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 still like this guy's sweet personality, but I felt badly for him when Amy tried to mess with his head. He's now lost 24 lbs, and that's 6.42%.
Bryan
Current Ranking: 11 - Previous Ranking: 7
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.
He wasn't in any danger of getting voted off, but it must have felt good to be the team's Biggest Loser this week. He's now lost 21 lbs, or 6.34%
Patty
Current Ranking: 12 - Previous Ranking: 6
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.
Bob's support kept her motivated, and she worked hard this week. Though she slowed down a bit this week, she's still lost 15 lbs or 5.36%
Nicole
Current Ranking: 13 - 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 still quiet, but she's steadily losing weight. She's lost 14 lbs, which totals 5.02%.
Hollie
Current Ranking: 14 - Previous Ranking: None
She's a high school English teacher and cheerleading coach. She wants to be a positive role model for her cheerleaders.
She's a tough contender and she gives the contest her best shot, and so far she's lost
13 lbs, which is 5.01%
Amy
Current Ranking: 15 - Previous Ranking: 10
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.
I don't know how much her gameplaying influenced the men, but her two-faced strategizing made me a bit steamed. One minute she was crying to go home and the next she was stabbing a teammate in the back. She's lost the same amount as ousted Lezlye: 12 lbs. On her that amounts to 4.0%
Julie
Current Ranking: 16 - Previous Ranking: None
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 talks a lot, but so far she's lost the least. She seems motivated and dedicated, but with results like 5 lbs - which is 2.29% - she's vulnerable if the Black Team loses.
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!
The season remains an interesting challenge. Who knows what will happen next week, with all that food to indulge in?
The season is off to a good start and I am looking forward to see how the Black Team's arrival impacts on the competition. It's impossible to predict a winner this soon, but Jerry's certainly off to an impressive start.
I'm looking forward to see how the season unfolds.
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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