BURBANK, Calif. - September 21, 2006 - Season three of NBC's hit reality show "The Biggest Loser" narrowed down the competion from 50 to 14 contestants on the season premiere episode on September 20 (8-10 p.m. ET).

Thirty-six contestants left the ranch to compete at home after going through an initial fitness and nutrition boot camp, leaving 14 to continue on with the competition at the Biggest Loser Ranch. One man and one woman from the 36 state contestants who lose the largest percentage of weight will then rejoin the game at the ranch in a later episode for the chance to win the grand prize of $250,000. Each of the 36 contestants will have access to www.thebiggestloserclub.com, a 24-Hour Fitness gym, "The Biggest Loser:" The Workout DVD and book while making their lifestyle change at home. The show's medical team will also monitor the contestants on a regular basis.

The 14 finalists are:
Melinda Suttle, 32, Huntsville, Alabama
Kai Hibbard, 27, Eagle River, Alaska
Brian Starkey, 33, Valley Village, California
Mark "Wylie" Wylie, 40 Miami Beach Florida
Pam Smith, 25, Martinsville, Indiana
Amy Hildreth, 27, Baltimore, Maryland
Nelson "Nellie Potter, 35, Lawrence, Massachusetts
Jennifer Eisenbarth, 32, Shakopee Minnesota
Marty Wolff, 25, Kansas City, Missouri
Erik Chopin, 36, West Islip, New York
Bobby Moore, 31, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Tiffany Hernandez, 27, Kingsville, Texas
Heather Hansen, 36, West Bountiful, Utah
Ken Coleman, 43, Tacoma, Washington

Viewers can get more information and follow the progress of the state contestants each week on NBC.com.

The first reality series in which everybody "loses," "The Biggest Loser," hosted by Caroline Rhea ("Sabrina the Teenage Witch"), challenges and encourages overweight participants to undergo physical makeovers, without any kind of surgery, in a safe and recommended manner through comprehensive diet and exercise as they compete for a grand prize of $250,000. The series has become a worldwide hit airing in over 65 territories and 20 countries. It has also produced a New York Times best-selling book, #1 selling fitness DVD and a burgeoning online lifestyle club www.thebiggestloserclub.com.

"The Biggest Loser" is a production of Reveille LLC, 25/7 Productions and 3 Ball Productions. Ben Silverman (NBC's "The Office," "Ugly Betty"), Dave Broome ("Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope," "StarTomorrow"), JD Roth ("Unanimous," "Beauty and the Geek"), Todd A. Nelson ("Unanimous," "Beauty and the Geek") and Mark Koops ("Blow Out," "The Restaurant") are the executive producers