Seven months have passed since Erik Chopin took home the “Biggest Loser” crown. Coming this September, the next batch of competitors shows up on NBC — weighing a combined 5,651 pounds.
(MSNBC is a joint venture between NBC and Microsoft.)
And this new crop of contestants is bursting with anticipation to get suddenly svelte!
The group of 18 includes the oldest and heaviest contestants in “Loser” history: 62-year-old Grandpa Jerry, who weighs 297 pounds, and 25-year-old Neil, who tips the scales at 421 pounds.
And there are even more huge changes in store this year. Instead of only a red and blue team, the show is increasing the load with the black team. The new team will be led by a familiar face: season one and two’s tough-talking trainer Jillian Michaels, who’s back for a third helping of heavy hitters.
“I always make good television,” Michaels joked with “Access Hollywood.”
In fact, “Access” was on the set as the twist was revealed to the unknowing red and blue teams and their trainers.
“I was like, oh no, she’s back,” laughed trainer Bob Harper. “It completely changes everything that I do now.”
But the return of Michaels isn’t the only new twist; there’s also a new host. Replacing the departed Caroline Rhea is “Days of Our Lives” soap-siren Alison Sweeney.
It’s an exhausting move for Sweeney, who will be taping both “Days” and “Loser” at the same time.
“It is definitely difficult to burn both ends of the candle, or whatever it is. I normally would know the expression but at one in the morning, I can’t think of it,” she smiled.
“The Biggest Loser” returns Sept. 11 at 8 p.m. on NBC.