Biggest Loser 4: The Blue Team Just Keeps Getting Younger
By Donna Emery
October 5, 2007
This week on the Biggest Loser 4, the teams continued their fierce rivalry and the Red Team remained undefeated in the challenges.
I have to give credit to Kim. Though her team has had relatively poor results in the weight loss department - except for team captain, Phil, they have won every challenge. I don't see any clear reason why this is so, but it is interesting to ponder.
This week the message to the teams - which was powerfully reinforced when the Blue Team ended up in the elimination room, instead of the poorer-scoring Red Team - was voiced emphatically by Bob: "take your destiny into your own hands."
Say what you want about Jillian's bullying, and say what you want about Kim's lack of empathy for her team: Red knows how to win challenges, and Black knows how to stay intact through weigh-ins.
How long will this last? Only time will tell.
I think that the Blue Team has twice learned a costly lesson; you are the master of your own destiny. This week, there wasn't one of them who didn't regret their decision not to participate in the Challenge. For Patty, it spelled the end of her time on the show. Despite finally being able to repeat Bob's mantra "I'm worth it!" she was the one that the team sent home.
The numbers can't have been the reason. Nicole may have more weight to lose, but she has dropped weight at a consistently lower percentage. I think that their elimination of Jerry last week and Patty this week clearly shows that the younger players are banding together. This may seem like a good strategy, but just as they should have kept Jerry last week, they should have kept Patty this week. Both Jerry and Patty were bigger "losers" then Nicole. Another choice that could have been made is for Neil - whose attitude isn't helping the team stay positive - to go home. But Neil has racked up high weight loss, and has a good potential. As long as the teams remain intact, they should hold on to their big losers.
For this reason, they should have chosen Nicole. I like Nicole. She comes from my part of the country, so I am glad she's still in the contest. But as a game strategy, it would have made more sense to eliminate her.
Next week the Campus is shut down, and Alison hints that the game is changing in a yet-unseen way. We've seen teams train on unfriendly territory before. The Black Team is no stranger to training in tough circumstances, so they should be fine if they end up in another desert. As for their food, we've seen other seasons' teams order out and learn to love sushi. So, whatever happens next week I think we can trust the trainers to rise to the occasion.
The Black Team has a clear advantage next week, because they have trained in rough places before. But Blue and Red both have something to prove. Red had a very poor week, and it's possible that their weight loss may kick back in next week. So, it's anybody's game.
Here's how they stand in the rankings, this week:
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.
I was so happy to see her as the Biggest Loser of her team this week. She's staying strong and she's still #1. She's lost 34 lbs or 15.11%
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 almost lost 50 lbs, and he's still the leading loser on his team. His 49 lb loss gives him 14.67%
Jim
Current Ranking: 3 - Previous Ranking: 4
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.
He's moved right next to his twin in the lineup, and they are looking like a difficult pair to beat. He has lost 47 lbs, or 13.02%
Isabeau
Current Ranking: 4 - Previous Ranking: 3
She's always wanted to be a professional singer. Someday this Tennessee gal would like to go rock climbing and sky diving.
She's trying her best to stay on the top of her team and she's got a great shot at it. She's now lost 38 lbs or 12.75%
Phil
Current Ranking: 5 - 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 the only member of his team to make it to the Top 5. His efforts are commendable - and they may be responsible for his team's domination of the Challenges. His 45 lbs add up to 11.17%
Neil
Current Ranking: 6 - Previous Ranking: 7
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 wasn't quite as disagreeable this time, but his attitude could still be a bit more positive. He has lost 46 lbs or 10.93%
Jez
Current Ranking: 7 - Previous Ranking: 6
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 still love his positive attitude and the way he seems to give all the activities 100%. I'd like to see him stay around for a while. He has lost 37 lbs or 10.72%
Ryan
Current Ranking: 8 - Previous Ranking: 10
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's quiet and shy, but his results are steady. He has now lost 33 lbs or 8.82%
David
Current Ranking: 9 - Previous Ranking: 8
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.
Another sweet and shy guy who's doing his best and has now lost 31 lbs. That's 8.42%
Bryan
Current Ranking: 10 - Previous Ranking: 9
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.
Every time he smiles, it lights up the screen. He reminds me of Cuba Gooding, Jr. and has now lost 27 lbs or 7.8%
Nicole
Current Ranking: 11 - Previous Ranking: 13
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 like her but I hope that she can soon maximize her progress. She has lost 21 lbs or 7.53%
Hollie
Current Ranking: 12 - Previous Ranking: 12
She's a high school English teacher and cheerleading coach. She wants to be a positive role model for her cheerleaders.
She is trying hard, but her frustration is really beginning to show. I saw more scowls than smiles this week from her. She's now lost 19 lbs or 7.45%
Julie
Current Ranking: 13 - Previous Ranking: 15
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.
Her efforts are beginning to pay off, and she's still smiling. She has now lost 15 lbs or 6.88%
Amy
Current Ranking: 14 - 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.
Her attitude and efforts are both improving, but she's got the lowest percentage for now. Her 19 lbs add up to 6.4%
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's changes could mean a challenge for the Red and Blue Teams. Here's hoping that they're up to it because neither one of them can afford to lose any more members!
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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