Posted on 05/12/2010 by David in The Biggest Loser
by David McAlpine
Last time on The Biggest Loser, it was makeover week for the contestants! With some new duds, new hairdos and a visit from loved ones at home, everyone was excited to get back to the competition. After O'Neal's departure the week before, it was a 3 on 3 game: Michael, Ashley and Daris vs. Sunshine and brothers Sam and Koli. Sam and Michael fell below the yellow line and the vote tied, but Sam was sent home because he lost a less percentage of weight than Michael.
Last night, everyone was still reeling from the tense elimination. Koli and Sunshine are pissed that Ashley and Daris voted for Sam (even though he clearly had the least to gain still on the ranch). Honestly, how can they say that and believe it? Yes, Michael has come far, but he has such a long way to go. He was the heaviest contestant this season while Sam has massive biceps and several female fans fawning over him. Are they really going to argue that?
Cue Ali to throw this week's twist at the contestants: there is no yellow line this week. Instead, there's just a looming red line that only one person will fall below. It's all about the weigh-in this week--no voting, no strategizing, it's just the person who loses the least percentage of weight that's headed home.
And, for some inspiration, NBC brings back two winners: Helen (from season 7) and Erik (from season 3). Helen still looked fantastic and very happy. Erik, however, did not, after gaining back a lot of the weight he had already lost just a few years ago. So, the lesson of the day was home management because, realistically, all five of these contestants would be on their way home in a matter of days and there would be no more ranch for support. Plus, Mike realized that he still has a very long way to go, which was a much sadder moment than I thought it would be.
Back in the training room, Koli and Daris go to verbal blows over the tension in the air. Koli is clearly determined to make the final four even if it kills him, while Daris is enjoying pushing his buttons. Michael starts to breakdown shortly thereafter, clearly upset that he's still a very big guy.
This week's first challenge was the viewers' choice, and they picked season 7's capstone challenge "Put Your Weight Back On." Each of the final five had to carry the amount of weight they had lost over 16 hills of sand; the first person to finish won $10,000 and a one-pound advantage. Daris finished effortlessly in first, and almost 10 minutes faster the winner in season 7 did it. But he didn't stop there, he went back and helped a struggling Mike, who was all but heaving his bags over each hill.
Then everyone got to go hiking with…Tony Romo? Since when was he a staple of the Biggest Loser enterprise? Back to the ranch, where each person and the trainers, along with a little backup from Dr. Huizenga, watch a montage of their first day on the ranch so they can see just how far they had come. After an intense last-chance workout with everything riding on that red line, the results were revealed at the weigh-in:
Daris: -10 (-5.37%) (with one-pound advantage)
Koli: -13 (-5.33%)
Michael: -12 (-3.59%)
Ashley: -7 (-2.94%)
Sunshine: -2 (-1.12%)
So just like that, the third member of the Yellow-Grey alliance is sent home. After getting home, she got to throw out the first pitch at a Minnesota Twins game and she's down a total of 113 pounds. By the finale, she wants to be down another 20--though she's already looking great!
Tune in next Tuesday to watch the contestants battle it out for the two automatic spots in the season finale--only at 8/7c on NBC!
(Photo courtesy of NBC)
Follow David on Twitter: @DavidMcAlpine
For more Biggest Loser links, visit SirLinksALot.net.
NBC's 'Making It' Season 3 Winner is Crowned
CNBC's 'Jay Leno's Garage' Season 6 Premieres Sept. 22
Bravo’s “Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles” Season 13 Premieres Sept. 2
NBC's 'American Ninja Warrior' Season 12 Premieres Sept. 7
Season Two of 'Backyard Envy' Premieres August 4 on Bravo