The Biggest Loser: Loved Ones Inspire Tears
Our Reality Remixer Kennedy checks in on the latest Biggest Loser:
Tear Jerk: Don’t ever watch a loved ones reality show with me, not unless you enjoy a sobbing heap who steals all the tissue and wails like a wounded elephant at each reunion. I thought Survivor always had the best loved-one shows, that was until I witnessed the power and magic of the hidden spouses behind the mirror after a makeover on The biggest Loser. Get ready to sniffle!
Let's Give Em Something To Cry About: The chublets got to get their shine on at the Days of our Lives set, and who would have thought?? Julie and Nicole are big Days fans from, well, back in the day and knew each and every character and storyline on the show. In addition to getting condescending lectures from all the thin, bulimic stars of the show (thanks for the tips, actors) they also got all gussied up and made over for a Prevention magazine cover shoot.
As each husky participant ran through the rigors of hair, make up and wardrobe their loved ones paced in the wings waiting to catch their first glimpse of the newly trimmed down campers. Each of our blue, red and black teamers stood and admired themselves in front of well-lit full length mirror and – schzzzzlip! The mirror magically moved to the side and one by one each couple dissolved into tears as they hugged their favorite person they hadn’t seen in 3 months. The family members were AMAZED by the gaunt faces and lean-ish physiques of the people they sent off with good hopes, and the campers themselves were blown away and taken aback by all the love they missed but didn’t realize how much until they took those people up in their strengthening arms.
Reunions: The sweetest reunion, for me at least, was teensy-tiny Kae who lost so much weight she didn’t resemble that moonfaced cherub from week one. She and her new husband Eric both squealed and sobbed and fell into each other’s arms like a pair that had been reunited after assuming the other had been shot in the war. You realize how important this show was for participant and loved one alike; one just wants to shake the depression and get her life back so she can look in the mirror and recognize herself, and the other wants the person he loves so much to live. Literally! Not in some carpe diem, seize the day sort of nonsense way, but to actually not die because whatever that person has done up to this point is killing her (and not softly).
Bye-Bye: Kae was destined to lose the second she lost her footing on the show, and with as dramatic of a weight loss as she’s had it’s almost impossible to sustain the necessary numbers each week to stay competitive. Unless you’re Neil and start at over 400 pounds you cannot lose weight in double digits week after week. Up until this last week Kae had lost an astonishing 69 pounds, and as her body fat dropped on her tiny frame all she could hope to muster was 2 or 3 pounds a week. Being a record breaking athlete, Kae had a target on her back from the first week, and her relentless work ethic and solid bond with trainer Bob was a force no other player could match. Even though she was joined below the yellow line by Nicole it was no contest, and in a near unanimous vote the most popular and inspiring person on the show was voted off. In an unprecedented live weigh in Kae shed even more weight and tipped the scales at a paltry 137, a whopping 88 pounds lighter and with 39% less body weight than when she started.
Talking To Kennedy: Kae dropped by the Reality Remix studios (you can catch the interview Tuesday, 11/27) and she looked remarkable. She was still haunted by Neil’s sandbagging when he gained an unnecessary 17 pounds which sent Jez home too soon, and her voice quieted with disappointment as she relived that difficult week that almost made her sick enough to quit. The most touching moment came from Kae recounting her reunion with Eric that filled her eyes with tears at the mere thought of seeing her husband that very first time. Kae had an amazing journey on the show, and when people bag on reality TV for being base and sensationalistic I just point to stories like Kae’s as proof that people can inspire others for the better as they change their lives for good.
Look for the stakes to get higher as the teams play for keeps, and it should start getting a little nasty if black doesn’t lose another member. My money’s on Isabeau and Nicole to put up weak numbers this week, and it looks like lone red rider B will hang in there at least a few more weeks with Min focusing all of her energy on him. I think Neil is going to win unless Jillian’s black team continues dominating with their voting block that might be powerful enough to send a couple of women to the finale so someone from the fairer sex can finally win the show. I still root for the black team in all the challenges; I can’t help it, I love misfits! These are the Bad News Bears of reality TV and so far they’ve knocked it out of the park.