The Biggest Loser, Episode 1: He Ain't Heavy, He's my Brother

They return to the house tired and hungry. Trainer Bob tells us that all the exercise is beginning to get to them. Lisa totally loses it. She's worried that she ate too much chicken, and just plain freaks out. She wonders if anyone else wrote down what they ate. She doesn't know what to eat, and cries. Jillian tells them that the next three days are going to be hell. Because she feels that they have to burn 3000 calories each, she orders them to do two hours of cardio a night and not go to bed. When someone complains, Jillian asks, "How bad do you want it?" With one day to the weigh-in, they are pushing it to the max. This is brutal. Matt wants to quit. He's exhausted. The longest he ever worked out at home was an hour. This was a five-hour workout. Bob's tactics seem to be much less punishing, although he's not going easy on them. They are working out competitively! We watch as they all go through "crunch time."

Weigh-in day dawns and everyone is anxious. Team Red is wiped out from having worked out for five straight hours. They are scared, nervous, cranky, tired, and hungry. Lizzeth is scared of going home and scared of staying.

It's time to weigh in, and Caroline says that the Blue Team started off with a total weight of 1537 pounds, while the Red Team started off at 1535 pounds. It's time to put the "Eat More" and "Eat Less" diets to the test. Each team alternates a member, who stands on the giant scale. Their starting weight is indicated at the top of the screen and there is a nerve-wracking (and reality show induced) pause before the new weight appears. Here's the "tale of the tape!"

• Gary: From 227 to 215 (12 pounds) - He is motivated to go back to the gym.
• Lisa: From 236 to 225 (9 pounds) - Usually it takes her two months to lose 10 pounds!
• Maurice: From 436 to 423 (13 pounds) - He actually thinks he could have done better.
• Lizzeth: From 167 to 164 (3 pounds) - She's embarrassed and wants to cry.
• Kelly Mac: From 223 to 210 (13 pounds) - She is excited.
• Matt: From 310 to 288 (22 pounds) - As the actual biggest loser this week, he is astounded.

We are at the halfway mark, and it's Team Blue at -38 pounds, and Team Red at -30 pounds. We continue on.

• Dana: From 175 to 170 (5 pounds) - She is nervous about having lost so little.
• Dave: From 250 to 240 (10 pounds) - No comment
• Aaron: From 261 to 241 (20 pounds) - He is thrilled.
• Kelly: From 242 to 227 (15 pounds) - She cries.
• Andrea: From 215 to 209 (6 pounds) - No comment.

The Blue Team's total weight loss is 69 pounds. It all comes down to Ryan. To win, he must have lost 14 pounds. Does he do it? A dramatically placed commercial interrupts the flow but, in fact, he loses 19 pounds, thus ensuring a win for Team Red. Wow.

Ryan is thrilled, but Maurice can't believe it. Aaron says that this is what's so hard about this game. You build up a team and then you have to let someone go. Caroline gives them a few hours to decide who to eliminate, and their moods deteriorate. Lisa tells us that this is part of the game, and that they knew this. This is hard. Gary says this is an "emotion thing," and they begin the age-old process of trying to figure out who to eliminate. For Andrea, the determining factor is who wants to be there - who is most motivated. Kelly is psyched about having lost 13 pounds, says that she wants to stay; she needs to stay. We see some clips of them working out and Maurice, who watched his Dad die from being overweight, definitely wants to be there. Andrea is nervous but she feels that she has already stared her "life" change.

The elimination ceremony is held in the refrigerator room. Their votes appear to be under domed silver platters! Dana feels that she deserves to be there, and is proud of all of them. Andrea knows what she has to give, and can benefit her team. Caroline asks Kelly which player is not pulling their weight, and then announces, "Ladies and gentlemen, it is time to cut the fat." She goes around the table, asking each of them who they want to send home. Maurice votes Gary and Aaron, Dana. He doesn't think she has enough weight to lose! Andrea votes for Dana for the good of the team. Dana votes for Andrea. Gary casts the deciding vote, and Dana is eliminated. He's sorry. Caroline tells her she is not the biggest loser and casts her off the island - er, house. Sorry. Caroline tells them to stay focused and be strong.

Dana has "good thoughts" and respects their decision. She's going to stick to her diet and tells us that the next time we see her she is going to turn heads. We are shown her "today" picture and, since leaving the show, she has lost an additional 15 pounds and has a new boyfriend. She looks good.

So, what do I think? I know one thing, watching this show while sitting on my butt makes me feel really uncomfortable. I have this sudden urge to do pushups and sit-ups! Is it exploitative as some advocacy groups charge? Perhaps a little, but there is an element of inspiration to this show, and I think that, in the end, this may save it. We shall see. In the meantime, I need to decide whether I want to "eat more" or "eat less!"

Donna Reynolds is a self-proclaimed entertainment junkie and writes That's Entertainment, a daily column for syracuse.com highlighting events of local interest as well as her take on all things reality! She is also doing a weekly spot on a Syracuse radio station, commenting on the latest entertainment buzz. In addition, Donna does technical writing for a medical equipment company and is a part-time aquatic dance instructor. Whether you agree or disagree, Donna welcomes your comments and you can email her at dlrturtle@earthlink.net.

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