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'Biggest Loser' returns with a big makeover

Everyone’s favorite personal transformation television show returned Tuesday night, but the most noticeable changes on the season premiere of “The Biggest Loser” had more to do with the trainers than the new batch of contestants.As fans learned last year, longtime “Loser” trainer Jillian Michaels is no longer part of show. Also absent are last season’s newbie trainers Cara Castronouva
Trainers Bob Harper, Anna Kournikova and Dolvett Quince on \"The Biggest Loser.\"
Trainers Bob Harper, Anna Kournikova and Dolvett Quince on \"The Biggest Loser.\"Justin Lubin / NBC / Today

Everyone’s favorite personal transformation television show returned Tuesday night, but the most noticeable changes on the season premiere of “The Biggest Loser” had more to do with the trainers than the new batch of contestants.

As fans learned last year, longtime “Loser” trainer Jillian Michaels is no longer part of show. Also absent are last season’s newbie trainers Cara Castronouva and Brett Hoebel.

Instead, this time, veteran “Loser” leader Bob Harper is joined by retired tennis star Anna Kournikova and trainer to the stars (and my brand new reality TV crush) Dolvett Quince. And with new trainers come new training styles. After years of the Bob and Jillian intense, tag-team approach to weight loss, Anna and Dolvett have big gym shoes to fill.

How did they do on their first try? Well, after dividing the contestants into three groups, each coach had their chance to make their mark, and the results weren’t so surprising. Bob’s old-school approach led to the biggest losses. Dolvett’s training basics put his team in a close second place. And Anna? Well, team tennis still has something to prove, as it’s now down one player.

Then again, it might not be fair to chalk up the early results to the trainers at all given that the teams were split based on the official theme of the season, “Battle of the Ages.” In other words, the playing field may not be exactly level.

The middle-aged team, made up of 30 and 40-somethings Jennifer, John, Sunny, Antone and Joe won a race to their preferred trainer, Bob. The under-30 team of Courtney, Patrick, Jessica, Ramon and Vinny came in second and snagged Dolvett. That left the 50 and way up crowd with Anna.

While host Alison Sweeney assured the group that “Losers” of all ages have won the show, it’s not hard to imagine that Anna’s gang might lag behind a bit — after all, that’s just what happened at the end of week-one.

The bad luck started with a tragedy. Becky, 50, had to temporarily leave the competition when her father passed away. Anna then faced the at-times faltering gym commitment of both Debbie and John. In the end, on the scale, Anna’s group just couldn’t keep up with the others.

The first ouster came down to either Bonnie or Debbie, the lowest losers on the team. With a difference of just one vote, Debbie left the game — at least for now.

In a new twist, even eliminated players are in it to win it. At the end of the season, everyone will get a shot at a marathon victory that will determine one of the coveted finalist spots.

What do you think of the new season of “The Biggest Loser” so far? Do you like the new trainers? Is the “Battle of the Ages” theme fair for the older players? Share your thoughts about the show on our Facebook.

 

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