The Biggest Loser, Episode 6: The Incredible Shrinking Men… and Women!

I feel good tonight. This week’s show was pushed up an hour due to the Christmas tree lighting in Rockefeller Center, which I watched, of course. Reality alum, Clay Aiken and Jessica Simpson both performed on the show. Clay’s “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” was pleasant enough, but Jessica’s “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” was rather bizarre. She pronounced Claus, clows! Very strange indeed.

We open with a quick rundown of last week’s show, including the emotional reward that the Red team won where they had a chance to watch videos of their loved ones. But Team Blue prevailed at the weigh-in and Andrea lost the most weight. Dave was sent packing, much to the relief of everyone concerned.

Before the show begins, there is a brief clip of Matthew, who has lost 68 pounds since leaving the show. He’s still not smoking and his mother has quit as well. Win or lose, Matt’s a success story. Lizzeth is also doing well and looking great.

After eliminating Dave, Team Red files into the living room where the Blue team is waiting. Kelly Mac starts asking questions, accusing Ryan of plotting to get rid of the women. Gary finally lets loose and tells her to leave Ryan alone. Kelly is finding trouble where there is none. Give it a rest, lady. Certainly, tensions are elevated. What’s interesting is that the coffee table is laden with snack foods. No wonder they are tense.

Jillian is punishing Team Red by having them do 500 each of pushups, sit-ups, lunges and squats. They struggle, but manage to accomplish this feat, and Jillian is impressed and inspired by their growth. After a brief outburst, Lisa tells us that she is so proud of all of them for succeeding. Meanwhile,Team Blue is having breakfast. Kelly tries to reassure Gary that she is not “gunning” for him and says that Maurice is the one in jeopardy. He had the gall to eat two sausages for breakfast. For shame.

Mo tells us that he is not feeling well. His stomach is upset and he is aching all over. Trainer Bob arrives and tells the group that they are going to do a run. Mo says he can’t do it. Bob gets right on him, and Mo walks away. Bob tells him that he is choosing a path and not to ask him for anything. Mo slumps dejectedly back upstairs to his room, and the rest of the group hits the gym.

Good old Kelly Mac just has to get her nose into it and reassures Bob that he has a right to be upset. She spouts off a bunch of new-age mumbo jumbo, praising him for his goodness. He doesn’t react at first, but suddenly seems to have an awakening. He tells her that he feels as though he has failed Mo, and decides to go back and talk to him.

Mo is all pouty and feeling sorry for himself. He is still bugged about only having lost one pound at the weigh-in. Bob enters the room and apologizes. They have a heart to heart and Bob tells Mo that he will do anything to help him. “When you give to me, I will give everything to you.” Mo says that “communication is the key,” and the two hug.

Jillian has her team in the kitchen for a lesson in label reading. “When in doubt, read the ingredients,” she tells them. She makes a point to have Lisa read the label on a juice bottle. Although the label indicates 15 calories per serving, Jillian asks her to read the serving size. The 16 ounce bottle is actually two servings, not one. Education is an important part of the process in maintaining weight loss in the “real world.”

It’s time for the challenge. Caroline meets them at the beach in Malibu and tells them that they will be participating in mock lifeguard training program. The challenge involves running a course with medicine balls and life preservers. The reward? A complete makeover at Umberto’s in Beverly Hills. Plus, the winner gets to chose who sits out the weigh-in. Team Blue has to pick one player to sit out the game and, in a random draw, Kelly Mac’s name is picked. So, it’ll be Gary, Mo and Andrea for Team Blue.

The race begins. Gary is looking strong, but Mo is moving like a snail. Andrea is kicking some butt as well. As the race progresses, they are all huffing and puffing. Kelly is very frustrated watching, figuring she could have done better. Team Red pulls ahead. Ryan says he feels like David Hasselhof! Lisa finishes first and grabs the flag, securing a win for Team Red. And, of course, she cries.

Mo tells us that it wasn’t even close. Andrea says she is sick and tired of “losing f…ing challenges,” and Kelly tells us that it’s no secret that she will be voting Maurice off next. Kelly Mac would have done better, but how much better? I guess we’ll never know.

Team Red arrives at Umberto’s and are greeted by the “man” himself. They are all garbed in black “U” robes and the makeovers begin. They all get new cuts and Ryan has some highlights put in. It’s a nice, relaxing day, and a fine reward for a job well down. Meanwhile, Team Blue is working it out in the gym, resentful as is their wont!

Team Red returns, and Kelly Mac starts tossing barbs immediately. The other Kelly tells us that her team has gotten rid of the negative influences and she doesn’t appreciate this behavior. Kelly Mac makes a comment about Lisa having the “Rachel” haircut. This doesn’t go over well at all, and Lisa points out that the “Rachel” was from “like 1991.”