Posts Tagged ‘The Biggest Loser’

This season of The Biggest Loser marks another change in the format. Last time it was families, the time before that they tackled the town of Ararat. This time, it’s… people who aren’t grossly obese, just quite obese. Or even just overweight! It’s time to Transform some lives!

At least, that’s the stated goal this time around. Old-hand Shannan Ponton and new trainer Libby Babet take 16 overweight Australians for 8 weeks of intensive training and not eating so damn much. Shannan’s said we should imagine six packs on blokes and women in bikinis on the finale stage. We’ll see, won’t we?

Jake, the diabetic with an insulin pump installed we saw on the ads? He wants to get his health and diabetes under control lest he not be around much longer.

Steph’s postponed her wedding. Needs to go from a size 18 to a size 10 to fit in her wedding dress. Lynton needs to lose weight to keep his pilot licence. Nikki’s never been confident enough to get in a bikini.

The contestants are all being boated across Sydney Harbour to… Cockatoo Island, maybe? There’s a big fancy building with the new (ugly) Biggest Loser logo out front. So they go in!

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Gosh, that’s crept up on me. Wasn’t expecting the show until April. Or was that wishful thinking?

In any event, it’s official! The Biggest Loser: Transformed will start Tuesday March 14 at 7.30pm on Channel 10. Shannan’s excited by sixpacks and bikini bodies!

Yes, this is a timeslot we’d usually see I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here in at the moment. With the jungle camp still containing 11 people I can’t see that it will be over within two weeks, so… They trying to hitch a ride on that show’s popularity? Guess we’ll see.

The official website has started its own transformation from the showcase for last season to the new one. Shannan and Fiona have both received updated profiles, along with new trainer Libby Babet getting her own blurb. All three profiles are, of course, already up here, with Shannan and Fiona’s previous ones archived for posterity. And to laugh at them just repasting Fiona on a new background…

The official site has also added a profile for Psychologist Glenn Mackintosh. The show has had professionals behind the scenes before, but his profile suggests that maybe there’ll be regular sessions aired on the show? Talking about mental health is important and the show might be looking to push it into the spotlight. Stay tuned?

Other than that, the header’s been updated, the FAQ’s been tidied up and the typing exercises begin today. It all begins again… SOON!

The new series with the new idea and the new trainer is nearly here!

Channel 10 has finally started advertising the return of The Biggest Loser Australia, particularly during I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here (which has a few who could do with a stint on Loser!) and it is, of course, “Coming Soon”.

Probably right after I’m A Celebrity, then? And probably followed by the next series of Masterchef…

If you’d like to watch the First Look trailer for yourself you’ll have to go to the official site. The more you tighten your grip, the more eyeballs slip through your fingers…

The ad asks if we’re the very best version of ourselves. We’re all capable, says Shannan, but we make excuses, says new trainer Libby Babet. It’s never too late to change!

Like the show! The show has changed! It’s something they’ve never done before, Libby exclaims. Shannan says this is the show he’s always wanted to make.

Now, contestants? Transformers? Whatever.

Nikki – Full-Time Mum, wants to get into her dream bikini and feel beautiful and comfortable.

Simmo – Sales Manager, doesn’t date anymore because of his weight.

Jenny – Paramedic, wants to get fitter and healthier, and motivate her children to do the same

Lynton – Pilot Instructor, if he wants to keep flying he has to pass his physical and he doesn’t think he will in his current shape

Steph – Teacher, wants to feel fantastic in her wedding dress

Seems to be a few faces we don’t get to meet just yet as well, so expect some other stories to emerge as we get closer.

As per the shift to “Transformations” there aren’t any really grotesquely obese people this year. Simmo and Lynton seem the largest, but would have been middle of the road at most in previous series. Clearly need to lose weight, but not urgently so.

Still up in the air on whether there’ll be challenges, but Libby revealed in an Instagram post that she leads the new Orange Team. The post has since been edited so maybe she was not meant to reveal that just yet…

Are we ready for a new season?

Interesting news! It turns out the rumours were true and trainer Michelle Bridges will not be part of the next season of The Biggest Loser Australia. And Commando Steve is also not coming back. Officially, they chose not to return, and with a shiny new baby to care for, who could blame them?

Fortunately, Shannan Ponton is returning, and this time he’ll have a brand new opponent/partner – Libby Babet!

Who? The lady on Shannan’s back!

When she’s not riding around on Shannan, Libby is the founder of BUF Girls, “fun, themed fitness experiences you’ll get excited about!” She’s also the founder of AGOGA Bondi, where people “train like an athlete”. And co-founder of Chief Bar, which I thought must be a bar for drinking the alcoholic beverages, but is actually an all-natural protein bar.

She seems to keep herself busy, that’s for sure.

The new subheader for the show, Transformed, also represents a shift towards “more relatable, every day Australians” taking part. Rather than the usual parade of very morbidly obese contestants, the show will focus on people who are “on the slide” towards morbid obesity. The examples given being Mums who’ve been focused on the kids and ex-athletes who’ve started packing it on.

They’re also promising an increased emphasis on nutrition, which was fun for a while the last time they tried it…

And, of course, Fiona Falkiner is returning to host the show again. She did a great job last time, and I’m not just saying that because I am deeply in love with her. I swear.

Applications for the new season are now open at www.thebiggestlosertransformed.com.au, good luck if you throw your name in the hat!

News on a potential new season… kinda?

The perennial shit talkers at Woman’s Day claimed all four trainers – Michelle Bridges, Shannan Ponton, Tiffiny Hall and Commando Steve – have all been let go from the series.

In response, Bridges yesterday posted a fun beach photo of herself, Willis and their eight-month- old son Axel on Instagram with the caption: “Ummmm … whatever …” followed by the eggplant emoji and three “speak no evil” monkeys.

“Best emoji to describe my thoughts,” she wrote.

It’s not a denial. Michelle in particular is unlikely to care as her success outside of the show has been impressive, but the others have also done pretty well out of their time on the show.

The real question is whether the show could continue without at least Michelle or Shannan. Would anyone even want it to keep going without them?

Nothing from Princess Fiona Falkiner on this rumour. It definitely wouldn’t be worth going on without her!

[Source: The Western Australian]