The Biggest Loser (Australian TV series)

Infobox Television
show_name = The Biggest Loser


caption = 'The Biggest Loser' logo.
genre = Reality television
picture_format = 16:9 SDTV, HDTV
runtime = 30 mins (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
60 mins (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, special shows) (inc. commercials)
creator = NBC
starring = Jillian Michaels
Bob Harper
Michelle Bridges
Shannan Ponton
Steve Willis
opentheme = "Lift" by Shannon Noll
country = Australia
language = English
network = Network TEN
num_seasons = 3
num_episodes = 121
list_episodes = List of The Biggest Loser Australia episodes
related = The Biggest Loser
website = http://www.thebiggestloser.com.au/
location = Sydney, New South Wales
first_aired = 13 February, 2006
producer = Amanda Scott
executive_producer = Dave Broome
presenter = Ajay Rochester
imdb_id = 0818297
tv_com_id = 56677

"The Biggest Loser" is an Australian reality television show, based on the original American version of the same name. It is produced by Crackerjack Productions and screened on Network Ten. It is hosted by Ajay Rochester and first debuted on 13 February, 2006, followed by a second season on 4 February, 2007. The third season began airing on 3 February, 2008. On 24 June, 2008, it was announced on the official website that there will be a fourth season of the show.In 2009 the show will be called "hungry Hungry Hippos".

About the series

The series involves contestants who are overweight to varying degrees participating in a contest to lose the most percentage of weight, with teams and contestants voting out each other. Unlike the American version, weight loss is measured in kilograms instead of pounds, and while pounds are measured in whole numbers, kilograms are measured with decimal points.

Reprising their roles for season one from the American version of "The Biggest Loser" are personal trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels, who are responsible for training the contestants. Their roles were replaced (although they do appear) by two Australian trainers, Michelle Bridges and Shannan Ponton, in the second season.

The show is filmed in Terry Hills, one of the northern suburbs of Sydney. "The Walk", a new addition to this series is filmed at Bobbin Head in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Turramurra, New South Wales.

"The Biggest Loser" has been parodied since its debut in Australia. The Chaser created a sketch called "The Biggest Muslim". It was about a faux reality TV show in which contestants lost their Islamic faith [ [http://www.abc.net.au/tv/chaser/war/broadband/20070404_2100/story.jpgStill of "The Biggest Muslim" parody] by The Chaser] .

easons

eason 1 (2006)

This is an Australian version of the program first aired at 7.00pm each weeknight on Network Ten from 13 February, to the final episode on 27 April, 2006 where the first "Australia's Biggest Loser" was awarded AUD$200,000. The program featured the same personal trainers as the US version, Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels with Australian host AJ Rochester. Over 6,000 Australians applied to take part, only 12 contestants being chosen to compete, their starting weight ranging from 101kg (Fiona) to 197kg (David).

eason 2 (2007)

The second season of the Australian version first went to air on Sunday 4 February, 2007 on the Ten Network, the eventual winner being Chris Garling who lost 70.1kg and won AUD$200,000. It was introduced with personal trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels, who were then taken over by two new Australian trainers, Michelle Bridges and Shannan Ponton, with one extra surprise trainer, Ex-SAS "Commando" Steve Willis. The contestants starting weights range from 108kg (Mel) to 216kg (Damien), the heaviest competitor so far out of all versions of The Biggest Loser worldwide. The beginning of this series marked some controversy with a contestant quitting, two leaving on medical terms and the introduction of "The Walk" which gave individual immunity winners unprecedented power as to how the game is played. The latest twist in the game was revealed on 21 March, 2007, where it was revealed to the competitors and viewers that there was a secret weigh-in involving two "outsiders" on the first day. These outsiders (Chris and Kimberlie) had trained daily with the "Commando" whilst still living at home and going living their every day lives. Their entry into the house caused some upset, especially with newcomer Chris recording a big enough weight loss to see him enter the competition as the 3rd biggest loser, and eventually going on to become the season's winner.

eason 3 (2008)

The third season premiered on February 3, 2008 in a similar format as the previous two seasons, with the winner receiving AUD$200,000. The two Australian trainers from previous seasons return in addition to Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels, who trained a rival team in the United States. The starting weights ranged from 111kg (Carrianne) to 206kg (Garry).

Applications for the third season opened at the end of season 2. [ [http://www.thebiggestloser.com.au/default.aspx?page=67 The Biggest Loser Series 3 - Have you got what it takes?] - Application for series 3. URL accessed April 27 2007]

On May 1, university student Sam Rouen became the show's youngest Biggest Loser.

eason 4 (2009)

On June 24, 2008, it was announced on the official website that there will be a fourth season of the show. Applications are now open for the 2009 season of The Biggest Loser Australia: Couples.

Music

*The music used in the third season's promotional cinema, TV and radio advertising is "Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime" by Robyn Loau.
*The music used in the promotional advertising and the opening and end credits for all three seasons of the show is "Lift" by Shannon Noll.

oundtrack

The Official soundtrack for the TV series was released on 17 March, 2007 featuring various artists such as Kelly Clarkson, Fatboy Slim, Black Eyed Peas, and Shakira.

Track listing:
#Shannon Noll - Lift
#Black Eyed Peas - Pump It
#Rogue Traders - Way To Go!
#Kelly Clarkson - Walk Away
#BodyRockers - I Like the Way (You Move) (radio Edit)
#Britney Spears - Do Somethin'
#Pink - U + Ur Hand (clean)
#Charlotte Church - Crazy Chick
#The Killers - Somebody Told Me
#Gretchen Wilson - Redneck Woman
#Groove Armada - I See You Baby
#Pussycat Dolls - Don't Cha
#Shakira - Hips Don't Lie (featuring Wyclef Jean)
#Anastacia - Sick & Tired (jason Nevins Electrochill Remix Edit)
#INXS - Pretty Vegas
#Will Smith - Switch
#Fergie - London Bridge
#Planet Funk - The Switch
#Fatboy Slim - The Rockafeller Skank
#Christina Aguilera - Fighter

Book

"The Biggest Loser: Change Your Life" is a paperback book published by "Hardie Grant Trade" on March 1, 2007 [http://www.thebiggestloser.com.au/default.aspx?page=newsdetail&cid=38] and offers exercises, healthy diets and eating plans based on those used by the contestants. The book also includes motivational advice from the second season trainers, Shannon Ponton and Michelle Bridges, and suggestions from former season one contestants.

The book has three chapters: Ready, gives a summary of exercises and diets. Set, has over 60 healthy recipes and further detail about exercises. Go [http://www.taste.com.au/news+features/articles/330/the+biggest+loser+change+your+life] . The exercise plans covered include a two-week "KickStart Plan" and a three-month "LifeStyle Program" [http://www.panmacmillan.com.au/display_title.asp?ISBN=9781740665001&Author=n%20/%20a] .

*ISBN 1740 665 007
*ISBN 9781 740 665 001

ee also

*List of The Biggest Loser Australia episodes
*List of Australian television series

Notes and references

External links

* [http://www.thebiggestloser.com.au Official Network Ten Site: The Biggest Loser (Australia)]
* [http://www.biggestloserclub.com.au Official Biggest Loser Club] Hosts/Trainers
* [http://www.ajrochester.com/ Ajay Rochester's Official Site] , and [http://www.healthybodyclub.com.au Healthy Body Club] (Host)
* [http://www.trainerbob.tv Bob Harper Official Site] (US Trainer)
* [http://www.jillianmichaels.com Jillian Michaels Official Site] (US Trainer)
* [http://www.commandosteve.com Commando Steve's Official Site] (Surprise Trainer)