The Biggest Loser: Couples aired its live season finale last night and history (if you want to call it that) was made when a woman became the winner for the first time in the show's five seasons.
Ali Vincent, of the pink team, came out victorious when she topped fan favorite Roger Shultz during the final weigh-in, with a total weight loss percentage of 47.9% (234lbs to 122lbs) versus Roger's 45.2% (363lbs to 199lbs).
So congrats to Ali, good for her, she got her life back, blah blah blah. I complained about all the crying a few weeks ago, and you know what? I'm going to complain about this too. Ali shouldn't have even been in the finals.
I realize that reality shows get stale. The formulas become routine after only a few seasons and twists need to be added if the show plans on staying fresh. I get it. But in my opinion, this season on The Biggest Loser saw one of the most unfair twists possible. Allowing the return of two previously eliminated contestants. While I realize this has been done on other reality shows (such as Survivor), it had no place on TBL.
For those that missed it, a few weeks ago, the top male and female of the eliminated bunch were allowed to return. So Ali and Mark (one of the crying brothers) were back in the game because they had lost the most weight, percentage wise, since the start of the game. For Mark, I suppose it wasn't as big a deal. He had only been voted out the week before. So his return was based solely on work he had done at TBL Ranch.
Ali, on the other hand, was voted off early on in the game. She lost the majority of her weight on her own. The way I see it, the point of this show is to help (not necessarily reward) those who truly need assistance with losing weight. Clearly, Ali had the motivation to do it herself. It wasn't the possibility of returning, because, upon her initial exit, that possibility didn't exist. Granted, she worked her ass off and it ultimately paid off but mentally, she was fresh when she returned. She had worked out at her own pace, made progress, and hadn't been subjected to the stress of still working out on the Ranch. She was a step above everyone in that regard and it helped. She had no team affiliation, was purely in it for herself, and made that clear when she refused to wear anything but pink.
On the flip side, you had someone like Kelly who lost nearly as much weight as Ali, but fell short because percentage wise, Ali still killed her. But Kelly was a fan favorite. She never complained, flew under the radar, and made it to the finals only to square off against someone who had been universally disliked and voted off. How is that fair? To simply bring back past contestants reeks of a publicity stunt. It did nothing to serve the show, other than cause Jillian (the trainer) to wet herself in a fit of joy.
OK... I'm done ranting. I just really wish she hadn't won. While I liked Roger, Kelly was the only one who truly deserved it if you ask me. Two more thoughts...
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So Paul was "ill?" Couldn't make it to the finale? It sounds terrible, but he never seemed too into it. I wonder if he gained all his weight back and NBC refused to let him come on because of how bad it would look?
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I'm really glad Bernie won the eliminated contestants prize. He or his teammate Brittany were the only two worthy of it. Everyone else either cried too much or didn't work hard enough. Those two were solid right up until they got voted off.
The sixth season, which will focus on teams of families, is currently filming and will air in October. The seventh season, which will be couples again, is currently casting and will air in 2009.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
4-16-2008 @ 12:50PM
michael said...
your rant is a bit harsh i would say.
the point of the show is to kick start these people's return to healthy living. ali took what she learned on the ranch and applied it at home - something not everyone could do - and was rewarded a return.
also i think ali was in a better position to be voted back on the game given that she was voted out as part of a duo - who's to say if she played the game as an individual she wouldn't have made it to the end - not that i am blaming betty sue because i love her.
also this isn't the first time home players were brought back on - remember when the game started with contestants from each state. those not on the ranch were able to work out at home and had a chance to come back. i say its motivation for not getting on the ranch. again kick start your life!
i for one am proud of ali and of this show for inspiring many overweight people to get to the gym! can't wait for the next edition.
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4-16-2008 @ 1:07PM
starky22 said...
Kelly a fan favorite? According to who? Never complained? Are you kidding me? I for one was amazed that she lasted as long as she did, and I got tired of her whining. As for Ali being universally disliked, all I saw was someone who was very up front from the beginning about her goals. I guess honesty doesn't cut it. I'm delighted for Bernie winning the $100K (he brought the sexy back!), and am glad that the crying brothers or Dan (whose arrogance knew no bounds) didn't win anything. They were insufferable.
I will say I wasn't thrilled with all the tweaking TBL did with the show this year. It took the focus away from the main goal of the show, which is to get folks back to being fit and healthy.
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4-16-2008 @ 1:13PM
Christian said...
The best part of the episode was Mark weighing in. He saw the number coming up, began to cheer and then realized it wasn't enough. I almost wet myself laughing...
4-16-2008 @ 1:07PM
Christian said...
Heh, you should watch TBL Australia. It airs, like, daily and they are at 64 episodes now. They bring up some bizarre "twist" twice a week. If I weren't so much invested by this point I would stop watching because it is awful. They brought back contestants so often I can't recollect all of them. They (or Jillian&Bob) even brought back a guy called J.J. who didn't even want to be there anymore. And yesterday they brought back (almost) ALL of the eliminated contestants who will now perform for two spots in the final six. Compared to what is going on down-under I found this episode of TBL US relatively harmless ;-)
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4-16-2008 @ 1:43PM
Joyce said...
I can't stand Jillian -- what was wrong with the blonde trainer; she was far more likeable than this witch. As for Ali winning, everyone is right-on. She should not have been the winner -- Roger should have won it. Very disappointing -- and when is the Biggest Loser going to reunite past participants and winners to see how they're doing a few years down the road -- they did this last year, I believe. Anyway, I'm still hooked and will tolerate Jillian for another season, but then if she remains, the show will lose me as a fan.
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4-16-2008 @ 5:36PM
Adam said...
Don't like Jillian, hate strong women. All she wanted all season was for women to be treated equally, and every time she complained it was due to the women, Bernie included, being treated poorly. Jillian is a strong woman and a champion for equality. There is nothing to hate.
And Jonny Boy's last two rants really say either a-hole or comment-inciter. Not cool either way
4-16-2008 @ 1:43PM
Bebop said...
Where are you getting this info about Kelly? Ali deserved to win, I hated roger for his cockiness and I don't think he's a fan favorite. I think people voted for him over Mark because they were tired of seeing him cry so much.
It went to the right person. She applied what she learned at the ranch to successfully lose the most weight, which as you saw, a lot of other contestants who lasted longer than her on the show couldn't even do.
Also Bernie is hot. I'm glad he trounced the sobbing twins.
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4-16-2008 @ 1:44PM
RobynS8971 said...
I read Paul gained 12 pounds while recovering from pneumonia, reason for not coming probably was the weight gain, not the network reason of illness. Paul was never in it to lose the weight, he was in it to gain Kelly back, which was NEVER going to happen!
I'm glad Ali won, she worked her a## off. And her hips, thighs, love handles, bat wings, back fat, she is buff and deserving!
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4-16-2008 @ 2:47PM
Matt said...
Are you kidding!? She didn't deserve to be in the finals?! She lost the most weight for a woman ever on the show and went from drastically overweight to ~120lbs and STRONG! Nobody deserved to be in the finals more than her! So many people stop losing weight as soon as they go home (Roger) and she burned more. She obviously took what she learned and applied it. Anyone can lose weight when you've got Bob and Jilian barking at you but not everybody can do it that well when they're on their own. Sorry Jonathan, I usually like your stuff but you couldn't be more wrong in this case.
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4-16-2008 @ 2:48PM
I miss my stars! said...
Jonathan, did you even watch The Biggest Loser this season? Kelly was whining and crying way before the sobbing brothers took over. I thought Roger would win simply because he was the biggest from the start, but I am glad Ali won. She had the heart and drive and didn't snivel or pout. TBL gave her the kick start she needed.
And remember the most important fact, TBL is a television program and it operates on the Golden Rule. Those who have the Gold make the Rules.
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4-16-2008 @ 3:41PM
grumpyoldman said...
Paul has been in the hospital for three weeks. Jillian is absolutely one of the greatest human beings evah. The whole thing was skewed so Bob would have a winner, and he still failed. Take care of my bruddah!!!!
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4-16-2008 @ 4:12PM
JPN said...
A twist's a twist. But to say she went and did it on her own isn't fair...that's kinda the whole point, AND, she should've been at a disadvantage instead of an advantage - it's way easier to lose weight on the show, you don't have, you know, real life to get in the way.
Mark had just as much of a chance to win when he got to come back. And if you can vote someone off once, why not twice? If you're going to make up your own rules, might as well make em up all crazy.
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4-16-2008 @ 4:43PM
D said...
I think this rant is a little overboard. I can't believe that she did it on her own, and I think she should get MORE credit for doing it on her own, at home instead of in a controlled environment with controlled food, where you are forced to workout with trainers. The guys crying, and the arrogant Blue team crap got old, but Ali deserved it she worked her ass off! Kelly whined about not having allies, and losing challenges all the time, but she was the least polarizing. Ali won and deserved it.
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4-16-2008 @ 8:41PM
marah said...
they say that everyone does fasting programs as they end up about a week from the final weigh in - like... diuretics, eating only asparagus, etc. i read it in some biggest loser "tell all" once.
4-16-2008 @ 4:45PM
Ed U Kator said...
I agree Ali should not have won. She lost most of her weight at home. How do we know she followed the Biggest Loser diet and not some type of fasting program? I'm glad that Bernie won the Biggest Loser at home by beating Mark. Maybe next season they'll have all three trainers.
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4-16-2008 @ 8:36PM
chris said...
ARE YOU SERIOUS!!!
Roger a fan favorite?
Kelly a fan favorite?
Ali universally disliked?
who are you kidding? Ali deserved it the most by far. She dominated every single weigh-in!!!
Jillian is by far the best trainer this show has ever seen, and she has proven that over the last few seasons. Kim is horrible but I'm almost positive that all 3 trainers are back for the next season, Kim just didn't do this season because of prior commitments.'
Very happy the blue team was shut out of the prizes. Bernie and Brittany were the best team for sure!!!
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4-16-2008 @ 8:41PM
marah said...
i strongly feel like roger would have won if he had not had so much extra skin. i mean, i didn't see it, but you could tell what was under his shirt, and ali didn't appear to have any. i mean, that's 10 more lbs!
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4-16-2008 @ 8:41PM
jp said...
I guess it's time to start ignoring your posts...this rant and the one about BSG just seem to be about stirring up the pot. Did you even watch this show?
Do TV Squad bloggers get paid by the page view? If so, these two posts make sense.
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4-16-2008 @ 8:41PM
Kim said...
I'm happy for Ali, she lost the most weight out of all the contestants so even if she had stayed home she would have won the at-home prize.
As for Paul, someone who seems to know him posted on the TWOP forum that he's spent most of February in the hospital and had multiple surgeries.. something to do with his intestines and them removing parts of them I think. When they announced he wasn't well I immediately jumped to the conclusion that he'd just given up on the whole process and just didn't want to be there, but apparently not.
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4-17-2008 @ 10:25AM
Bash said...
Wow. This post is so bla it hurts.
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