The Biggest Loser, Episode 3: Whine, Women, and Song

A lot has happened in the two weeks since the last episode of The Biggest Loser, but it's time to get back to the unreal world of reality TV and get our priorities back in order! Tonight's show starts out with a review of the premise of this series, and a few clips of the contestants working out and telling us just how much they want to be on this show. Lisa, Maurice, Kelly Mac - all of them are desperate to succeed in their quest to be the "Biggest Loser."

The Red team has dominated both weeks, but, last time, all of them seemed to have hit a plateau, and Matt actually gained three pounds. Tempers flared, that's for sure, and Lizzeth was eliminated. Ten "wannabe losers" remain, but we are reminded once again that there can be only one "Biggest Loser."

The show begins the morning after the last elimination. Gary tells us that he is okay with the elimination, but Kelly misses Lizzeth already. Kelly Mac is glad that the teams are even at five and five. Jillian and Bob, the trainers, arrive, and Jillian thinks that they are in a state of "over-training." She tells us that they need to increase their caloric intake. Their bodies have "pulled the emergency brake" and shut down. She tells them to eat fruit and protein in the morning, and a protein salad for lunch. They will be able to eat low-calorie versions of foods that they like. While some of the participants are happy about this change, others are skeptical.

Meanwhile, the Blue team will stay the course, because Bob feels that his plan is still working. They will keep doing what they are doing, but more of it. Gary is having problems with his knee and Kelly Mac tells us that basically everything on her body hurts. Bob understands that if a person is injured, it can hurt them when it comes time for the weigh-in.

We flip back over to the Red team, and watch as Matt does some weight work while lying across a resist-a-ball. David is getting discouraged and Gary tells us that he would love to see his wife. In a set-up for the first challenge, David walks into the house and finds a phone and a box. There is a sign on the box that reads, "Eat This And..." (move to sign on the phone) "Get a Two Minute Call."

Inside the box is a huge cinnamon bun. They are all torn. If they eat the bun, then they get a phone call. After two weeks, they are all desperate to call home. They talk through this decision, trying to calculate the calorie count of this tempting pastry. While they are all wrestling with this decision, there is a knock at the door. Gary opens the door and finds a basket that contains a sign reading, "You have 15 minutes to make your decision. Your phone call has been upped to 10 minutes." They want the bun and they want to call home, and yet, although this is difficult, they are all standing tough against temptation.

There is yet another knock at the door and another basket. David opens the basket and reads the note. "Congratulations! You resisted temptation. Everyone receives a 5 minute phone call." Each of them takes a turn on the phone, and there are lots of tears all around. Aaron tells us that it is very hard for him to be there without his family. Ryan says that his wife is his biggest fan and cheerleader, and that just talking to her for five minutes was such a treat. When Gary reaches his wife, they both cry. This is tearing me up.

After the emotional phone calls home, Jillian takes her team outside and challenges them to run up a hill through a vineyard. It is a really tough course, and, while they all struggle, no one gives up. She encourages them to "explode" up the mountain. They all make it up the hill, but going down is tough too. Lisa is kicking butt! Ryan shows us a cut on his leg and tells us that Jillian comes in at night and gets them with her fangs. All in all, the group does great running this trail and, justifiably, they are pretty darn proud of themselves.

The Red team returns to the house where they discover a huge poster in the kitchen that reads, "Coming Soon! Oversized Pop Stars." The Blue team joins them, and they all decipher the instructions for this challenge. Each team has to create a song about being overweight and perform it in front of an audience. Diva that he is, Matt is pumped about it and agrees to lead his group. The groups get together to plan their individual numbers. Gary demonstrates some of his dance moves and, let me tell you, they aren't pretty!

We don't get to see a whole lot of their rehearsals, and in no time at all they arrive at the theatre at Universal Studios. They all demonstrate the appropriate amount of awe, and then Caroline tells them that the audience will decide who wins. The group that wins will have a gourmet diet meal prepared by the "Calorie Commando," a noted gourmet diet chef. The losers will be eating at home as well as sacrificing their trainer until the next weigh-in.

Blue team is up first. Maurice, decked out in a fedora, takes the lead for the "Blue Crew," and tears it up!

They call me Mo, but Maurice is my name
I'm overweight, but I'm to blame.
Mickey Ds and Burger King
All added pounds to my frame
Now I'm eating right
And working my ass off
And the pounds are coming right off
Showing America, it can be done
Losing weight is healthy and fun!

Move over Busta, Maurice is in the house! They all get into it and really put on a show. Andrea says that she felt liberated, and Maurice says he was "shakin' what his Mama gave him." The Red team sure has a challenge on their hands. Will they be up to it?

Caroline introduces the Red team. Matt is decked out ala Elton John in a red sequined shirt and matching feather boa. They start out in a posed dance formation, and Matt leads off with a rap of his own. Then the rest of has an opportunity for self-expression! The highlight is Ryan's break dance. I'd give it to Team Red based on their choreography and Matt's perfection!

The audience agrees and gives them a standing ovation. Then, Caroline asks them to vote. The audience members all have hand-held voting boxes and cast their votes. Of course, before we find out who wins, there is a commercial break.

When we return from the break, Caroline tells us that, with 77% of the votes, the winner is (insert dramatic pause here) the Red team. Jillian gives them a thumbs-up. Bob tries to console his team, telling them that, even though he won't be with them, he knows that they can do it on their own. He tells them that they are "in this together," and that this "weigh-in is huge." They must win this weigh-in. Gary cries, but Maurice guarantees that they will win and encourages Bob to go home and get some sleep. Bob has become very attached to this group and, naturally, takes their success or failure very personally.

Meanwhile, the Red team enjoys a four-course meal, prepared by Juan Carlos Cruz, the "Calorie Commando." He tells them that he knows exactly where they are coming from since he's been there himself. He shows them a picture taken when he was 70 pounds heavier. They start with a tuna tartare and it just gets better. As they toast each other, the group acknowledges Kelly and Lisa's contributions to the song. This team is bonding and it's nice to see them getting along so well.

Blue team is determined to work out just as hard as they do when Bob is with them. Kelly, Mo, and Andrea get in some serous treadmill time, and Aaron does the workout that he and Bob did the day before. They have a light meal and go to bed, feeling very positive about the upcoming weigh-in.

In the morning, the Red team has some catching up to do. Jillian has no mercy. She has them work with partners, and, if one person complains, they both have to do extra repetitions. Matt is scared that he will gain again. He tells Jillian that, all his life, the minute he sees that he has gained weight, he heads right to the fridge. He doesn't like to weigh himself. She explains that weight loss is a process of adaptation and equalizing. "It's never a straight path," she says. She tries to explain this to Matt and points out that, in two weeks, he's lost nineteen pounds, after all. She wants him to acknowledge this and let it go. Jillian is surprisingly gentle with Matt, and this seems to work, at least for the moment.

We break for commercial. I suspect that there will be some impressive numbers this week. I can see it in their faces. But the scale tells the story and will ultimately determine the winning team. One thing that neither trainer has mentioned is that they are building muscle, and muscle weighs more than fat. Just thought I'd point that out.

Dramatic music signals the build-up to the weigh-in. Gary thinks that, because of his knee, he should be the one to go if his team loses. Kelly Mac says the money is not what it's about for her, and Ryan says he already feels healthier. Aaron is nervous and scared, and doesn't want to send anyone home from Team Blue.

They arrive at the room with the giant scale, and Caroline reminds them about their progress so far. The groups are ready and Lisa is first to step to the scale. She has lost 12 pounds. She is thrilled and Maurice is shocked. Gary is next, and has lost seven pounds. He feels great and Caroline notes that he has lost a total of 21 pounds. Kelly is down 10 pounds, and then it is Aaron's turn. He's dropped another seven pounds, bringing his total loss to 35 pounds.

David has lost seven pounds and Andrea six. The tally so far - Red team has lost a total of 29 pounds and Blue team 23. Ryan steps up and his weight has dropped to 294 for a loss of 14 pounds. He tells us that this is the first time he has been below 300 pounds in years. Now he is shooting for 200! Kelly Mac is disappointed with her loss of five pounds, calling herself a failure. Matt is next and very worried. He steps up to the scale, and his previous weight of 291 is displayed on the giant screen. But, of course, we must endure yet another commercial.

Back from the break, Caroline reminds us what's at stake. The numbers on the scale flash dramatically and stop at 274 pounds. Matt has lost 17 pounds. Maurice is shocked again, and Gary calls it a devastating blow. The Red team has lost 60 pounds and Maurice is up next. He says he busted his butt this week. He takes off his shirt, hoping to shave an ounce or two. He's down to 415 pounds but his eight-pound loss is not enough to save his team. He tells us that he doesn't know how much harder he can work. Caroline sends them off to decide who will be eliminated.

Kelly Mac starts packing as soon as she gets back to the house. She thinks that, because she lost the least, she will be the one to go. Andrea is the strategist and figures that, since Aaron has already lost 35 pounds and is halfway to his goal, he should be the one to go. In some great clips of them working out, we listen to each of them talk about how much they want to be there. There is a lot of dialog going on. Aaron encourages the guys to adjust and they all decide to vote for Kelly. But Gary has second thoughts about this, and tells her that he isn't going to vote her off.

Aaron wants to pray to ask for strength to do what they have to do. But no one seems to be in the mood to pray so he just straight-out asks God for help. And then there is another commercial.

Blue team marches down the stairs with their platters to convene in the refrigerator room for the results of their votes. Kelly says that she thinks she deserves to stay because she is strong and determined. Maurice feels that his team members can trust him. Caroline tells them that, "It's time to cut the fat."

Aaron votes Andrea, and she votes Aaron. She tells us that she voted based on the entire picture of the team. Gary says he loves this person, but votes Andrea, as he shakes his head sadly. Kelly tells the group that this is not going the way she expected and says she chose Aaron because she thought he would vote for her.

Maurice has the deciding vote and says that his vote was based on potential. The person he voted for is the one he feels is the most ready to go into the real world and continue his weight loss. He votes for Aaron. Aaron says he is worried for them. As his refrigerator light goes off, Caroline tells them that she is confused by their choice. I don't think they really understand the implications of this emotional and silly action.

In closing, Aaron tells us that the next time we see him, we will see a skinny, healthy, happy person. Sure enough, we see a photo of him now, and he has lost another 27 pounds and is down to 198. This is one great looking guy!

In clips from next week's episode, it appears that Bob is very, very unhappy with their decision and is working them harder than ever. Their decision to eliminate Aaron may well have doomed their chances as a team. But, they still have Maurice, and, I am betting that he will really start to work harder after this. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

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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