The Biggest Loser (Australian TV series)
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| The Biggest Loser | |
| Genre | Reality television |
|---|---|
| Created by | NBC |
| Presented by | Ajay Rochester (2006-2009) Jackie O (since 2010) |
| Starring | Jillian Michaels (2006–2008) Bob Harper (2006–2008) Michelle Bridges (since 2007) Shannan Ponton (since 2007) Steve Willis (since 2007) Emma "Emazon" Hutton (since 2009) |
| Opening theme | "Lift" by Shannon Noll |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 4 |
| No. of episodes | 269 (List of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Dave Broome |
| Producer(s) | Amanda Scott |
| Location(s) | Sydney, New South Wales |
| Running time | 30 mins (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) 60 mins (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, special shows) (inc. commercials) |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | Network TEN |
| Picture format | 16:9 SDTV, HDTV |
| Original airing | 13 February 2006 |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows | The Biggest Loser |
| External links | |
| Official website | |
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 was hosted by Ajay Rochester from 2006-2009, radio host Jackie O will be her replacement after Ajay's Centrelink fraud which saw her being dropped by her manager.[1] The show first debuted on 13 February 2006, followed by a second season on 4 February 2007. The third season began airing on 3 February 2008. A fourth season, which featured couples competing as teams, began airing on February 1, 2009.
Contents |
[edit] 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 tenths of kilograms instead of pounds.
Personal trainers Michelle Bridges and Shannan Ponton are responsible for training the contestants and helping them to lose weight. They have been the main trainers since Season 2 (in Season 1 the original American trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels were used, and in Seasons 2 and 3 they appeared as guests).
Seasons one to three of the show were filmed in Terrey Hills, one of the northern suburbs of Sydney. The Walk was filmed at Bobbin Head in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Turramurra, New South Wales.
Season 4 began filming at Fitzroy Island in Far North Queensland, before moving to North Head, Sydney.
[edit] Season Guide
[edit] Season 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 196kg (David).
[edit] Season 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, 4RAR "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.
[edit] Season 3 (2008)
The third season premiered on 3 February 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.[2]
On 1 May, university student Sam Rouen became the show's youngest Biggest Loser.
[edit] Season 4 (2009)
On 24 June 2008, it was announced on the official website that there will be a fourth season of the show. Applications are now closed for the 2009 season of The Biggest Loser Australia: Couples.
After complaints from neighbours "The Biggest Loser" was kicked out of the house known as the White House in Duffy's Forest, near Mona Vale. Neighbours complained to the council of smells coming from the property, even though they only use the property for around 4 months or less, then 12 months most household use.
Filming for Season 4 of The Biggest Loser Australia will take place on Fitzroy Island off the coast of Far North Queensland and in Sydney.
The fourth season premiered on 1 February 2009. It features ten couples who all have some kind of relationship and are both overweight, their weights range from 102kg (Mel) to 178kg (Sharif). For this season each couple will compete against each other couple, temporarily replacing the regular format of two teams of individuals.
On April 27, Bob Herdsman, at 57 years old, with a record weight loss of 87.6 kilograms (52.2%), became the show's oldest Biggest Loser.
On May 16 it was revealed that the 2009 season of the Biggest Loser was the last to feature host Ajay Rochester
[edit] Season 5 (2010)
Applications for Auditions for the fifth season of the Biggest Loser have begun, the same trainers are set to return with new host.[citation needed]
[edit] 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 fourth season's promotional adverstising is 'Fighter' by Christina Aguilera
- The music used in the promotional advertising and the opening and end credits for all four seasons of the show is 'Lift' by Shannon Noll.
[edit] Soundtrack
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
[edit] Book
The Biggest Loser: Change Your Life is a paperback book published by Hardie Grant Trade on 1 March 2007[3] 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 .[4] The exercise plans covered include a two-week "KickStart Plan" and a three-month "LifeStyle Program" .[5]
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes and references
- ^ http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,28383,25491102-10229,00.html
- ^ "The Biggest Loser Series 3 - Have you got what it takes?". Application for series 3. http://www.thebiggestloser.com.au/default.aspx?page=67. Retrieved on 27 April 2007.
- ^ http://www.thebiggestloser.com.au/default.aspx?page=newsdetail&cid=38
- ^ http://www.taste.com.au/news+features/articles/330/the+biggest+loser+change+your+life
- ^ http://www.panmacmillan.com.au/display_title.asp?ISBN=9781740665001&Author=n%20/%20a
[edit] External links
- Hosts/Trainers
- Ajay Rochester's Official Site, and Healthy Body Club (Host)
- Bob Harper Official Site (US Trainer)
- Jillian Michaels Official Site (US Trainer)
- Commando Steve's Official Site (Surprise Trainer)
- The Biggest Loser at the Internet Movie Database
- The Biggest Loser at TV.com
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