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EXPECT NOTHING / WEEK 4

January 23, 04:36 PM

Sunday
At what seemed like dawn’s first light, the entire cast had interviews for the forthcoming Biggest Loser book. The author arrived earlier than anticipated so she and Gray chatted and drank coffee for a half hour or so until the scheduled time to wake the cast. Despite being woken at 8am on a dark day (no shooting), everyone seemed to be excited about talking with the author. This may be the start of the unavoidable flirtation with the idea of “being a celebrity” that all the contestants eventually experience.


Monday
There was an overnight challenge tonight. Crew and contestants alike had a major test of mettle in the cold…all night long! Due to an interesting twist in the challenge, it was Paul and Kelly versus EVERYONE ELSE. We never run out of excitement around here.


Tuesday
Justin Messing, Drew, Sela, Clint and Clarence all had long discussions with many of the cast members regarding twists in the show. Or rather, they listened to the cast voice their concerns and opinions. What little information the casting department does know about upcoming events in the show, we keep it under lock and key. Regardless of being sure that nobody knows at this point, much of the cast is convinced that they will soon be taken from their partners and broken into singles. It’s amazing how it takes only a few weeks before minds start racing, tongues start wagging and the cast is convinced they know what’s coming next. Speaking from experience…they rarely know what’s waiting for them.


Wednesday
The gas that runs the hot-water heater went out today. Justin Lamb, Justin Messing and Clint are now responsible for shuttling the cast to a nearby hotel to take hot showers while Gray holds down the fort between trips. Most of the cast is taking the news pretty well. Some general grumbling and eye-rolling but for the most part they are too tired and into the game to really care at the end of the day. Not to mention our casting people are masters of subtle courtesy and manage to keep them as happy as possible through most any hitch. Paul and the Kruger brothers didn’t give a rip about the cold water. They opted to stay on set and just tough it out in unheated showers. To quote Mark Kruger: “This is nothing compared to what we go through in that gym everyday.” Truer words have never been spoken.


Thursday
Today was Thanksgiving. The kids had a full break from their trainers and their normally torturous work out routine. That’s not to say that many of them weren’t still at it in the gym like lunatics…they just waited a little later before they got started. We provided them with a healthy Thanksgiving dinner including low-sodium turkey. The cast dressed up in their Sunday best and all ate dinner together at one table. They even had little name cards at each seat and candles! It was actually rather sweet. The poor souls who had to work today (Justin Messing, Clint and Gray) joined them for dinner. Today was a great day for injecting a smidgen of normalcy back into the cast’s life and for the group to bond.


Friday
Dan had the hangnail to end all hangnails today. We’re talkin’ the hangnail from hell. Our on-set medic, Sandy went at it with a pair of tweezers and Dan nearly fainted. Smelling salts were involved. Dan was fine after his “minor surgery”, but it went to show how serious a little thing like a hangnail can be when a person is exhausted and physically drained. Sandy is a godsend. The cast likes him almost as much as the casting department does.


Saturday
Dark day today. Pretty laid back and chill. Laid back and chill in regards to scheduling, that is. There was nothing laid back about how hard Bob and Jillian worked the kids today. The days leading up to official weigh-ins are always intense, but this one was downright insane. The cast is sore, exhausted and probably several pounds lighter each just from the sheer will power it takes to survive a full day with the trainers. It really is incredible and admirable what these guys push through.


Sunday
Alliances have begun to form. The plotting and planning that naturally comprises the game-play element of the show. It’s the opinion of most of the casting staff that the Grey team is probably the greatest threat…but Roger and Trent keep that possibility hidden through being so soft-spoken and likeable. It should be interesting to see how everything plays out in the coming weeks. Will people start to sabotage their own alliances in order to avoid the elimination room? It’s anyone’s guess at this point. And that’s the name of the game.


Monday
It is time for weigh-in and elimination today. It was a shocker. Against most everything we could have predicted, Bette-Sue and Ali were eliminated. Not sure if it came down to a genuine threat factor or if personal politics played a part in the choice. No doubt it was a little of both. The entire casting department was on hand to see them off. Bette-Sue was undoubtedly one of the funniest, most quirky characters the show has ever seen and they will both be sorely missed.


Tuesday
Gray drove Bettie-Sue and Ali to the airport today after their exit photos. Their usual cynical humor aside, they were quite grateful for their experience on The Biggest Loser and displayed real class in their exit. Two more down…who will be next?

Permalink | Posted by Casting Department

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I thought it was a cheap shot to make top winners immune without telling the yellow team or all teams up front. Who likes the rules of the game changed part way through. You knocked the teeth out of a few teams' strategies with a real big "Oh By The Way"! Is this just another lame shot at better ratings( which I understand because it is all about the big $)?

ed, (07:19 PM)

Where was Betti Sue during the balance beam challenge and afterwards during the house talk? She was completely missing from the challenge and not one person mentioned it. What was going on and is it somehow related to them being voted off?

Sandra Powers, (11:21 AM)

I love Bette-Sue and Ali, they crack me up!

^_^

Anonymous, (04:10 PM)

Thank you guys so much for this blog...I almost feel like I'm there!

From your point of view what are the casting producers looking for or not looking for in a contestent and will there ever be non couples show again?

Keep up the good work, TV land wouldn't be the same with out you guys and gals!!

Anonymous, (11:39 PM)

Sad day,, You have succeded in turning it into another cheap reality show..

Anonymous, (12:08 PM)

Let's plaaaaaaaaay Twister! I thought this was the best ep of the season. Paul just Killed. My recap here (heavy on our local boys, Team Gray): http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2008/01/29/weight-and-see-the-gong-show/#more-1470

Ginny, (10:46 PM)

I know all reality tv producers feel they have twists to keep it interesting, but this show always seemed to have a higher meaning than ratings. It's a little disappointing. Why not take the queue from American Idol, they haven't changed their format in years and their loyal watchers continue to tune in.

Anonymous, (04:22 PM)

I'm a photographer and I was doing a shoot a Rockafella center when someone yelled, "Take our picture" and there was a line a people going in for auditions on "The Biggest loser."
Let me know if your interested in seeing those photos. One of them could be you

Thomas Churchwell, (05:17 PM)

Heba and Vicky were out to fight everyone. Ed is riding their shirt tails.They have caused nothing but trouble at the ranch.MIchelle has mannerism and she is very humble. She has alot going for her,she's very pretty.Those other ones need more than lose weight,Learn to act like ladies and not like volchers.All of you started out to be the Biggest loser NOT Biggest MOUTH

Barb, (05:36 PM)

Heba and Vicky were out to fight everyone. Ed is riding their shirt tails.They have caused nothing but trouble at the ranch.MIchelle has mannerism and she is very humble. She has alot going for her,she's very pretty.Those other ones need more than lose weight,Learn to act like ladies and not like volchers.All of you started out to be the Biggest loser NOT Biggest MOUTH

Barb, (05:36 PM)

Heba and Vicky were out to fight everyone. Ed is riding their shirt tails.They have caused nothing but trouble at the ranch.MIchelle has mannerism and she is very humble. She has alot going for her,she's very pretty.Those other ones need more than lose weight,Learn to act like ladies and not like volchers.All of you started out to be the Biggest loser NOT Biggest MOUTH Bye Bye Heba

Barb, (06:52 PM)

Heba and Vicky were out to fight everyone. Ed is riding their shirt tails.They have caused nothing but trouble at the ranch.MIchelle has mannerism and she is very humble. She has alot going for her,she's very pretty.Those other ones need more than lose weight,Learn to act like ladies and not like volchers.All of you started out to be the Biggest loser NOT Biggest MOUTH Bye Bye Heba

Barb, (06:52 PM)

Heba and Vicky were out to fight everyone. Ed is riding their shirt tails.They have caused nothing but trouble at the ranch.MIchelle has mannerism and she is very humble. She has alot going for her,she's very pretty.Those other ones need more than lose weight,Learn to act like ladies and not like volchers.All of you started out to be the Biggest loser NOT Biggest MOUTH Bye Bye Heba

Barb, (06:52 PM)

Heba and Vicky were out to fight everyone. Ed is riding their shirt tails.They have caused nothing but trouble at the ranch.MIchelle has mannerism and she is very humble. She has alot going for her,she's very pretty.Those other ones need more than lose weight,Learn to act like ladies and not like volchers.All of you started out to be the Biggest loser NOT Biggest MOUTH Bye Bye Heba

Barb, (06:52 PM)

Heba and Vicky were out to fight everyone. Ed is riding their shirt tails.They have caused nothing but trouble at the ranch.MIchelle has mannerism and she is very humble. She has alot going for her,she's very pretty.Those other ones need more than to lose weight,Learn to act like ladies and not like volchers.All of you started out to be the Biggest loser NOT Biggest MOUTH Heba your gone home. Good Luck Michelle .

Barb, (09:06 PM)

Heba and Vicky were out to fight everyone. Ed is riding their shirt tails.They have caused nothing but trouble at the ranch.MIchelle has mannerism and she is very humble. She has alot going for her,she's very pretty.Those other ones need more than to lose weight,Learn to act like ladies and not like volchers.All of you started out to be the Biggest loser NOT Biggest MOUTH Heba your gone home. Good Luck Michelle .

Barb, (09:06 PM)

Heba and Vicky were out to fight everyone. Ed is riding their shirt tails.They have caused nothing but trouble at the ranch.MIchelle has mannerism and she is very humble. She has alot going for her,she's very pretty.Those other ones need more than to lose weight,Learn to act like ladies and not like volchers.All of you started out to be the Biggest loser NOT Biggest MOUTH Heba your gone home. Good Luck Michelle .

Barb, (09:06 PM)

Heba and Vicky were out to fight everyone. Ed is riding their shirt tails.They have caused nothing but trouble at the ranch.MIchelle has mannerism and she is very humble. She has alot going for her,she's very pretty.Those other ones need more than to lose weight,Learn to act like ladies and not like volchers.All of you started out to be the Biggest loser NOT Biggest MOUTH Heba your gone home. Good Luck Michelle .

Barb, (09:06 PM)

Heba and Vicky were out to fight everyone. Ed is riding their shirt tails.They have caused nothing but trouble at the ranch.MIchelle has mannerism and she is very humble. She has alot going for her,she's very pretty.Those other ones need more than to lose weight,Learn to act like ladies and not like volchers.All of you started out to be the Biggest loser NOT Biggest MOUTH Heba your gone home. Good Luck Michelle .

Barb, (09:06 PM)

Heba and Vicky were out to fight everyone. Ed is riding their shirt tails.They have caused nothing but trouble at the ranch.MIchelle has mannerism and she is very humble. She has alot going for her,she's very pretty.Those other ones need more than to lose weight,Learn to act like ladies and not like volchers.All of you started out to be the Biggest loser NOT Biggest MOUTH Heba your gone home. Good Luck Michelle .

Barb, (09:06 PM)

Heba and Vicky were out to fight everyone. Ed is riding their shirt tails.They have caused nothing but trouble at the ranch.MIchelle has mannerism and she is very humble. She has alot going for her,she's very pretty.Those other ones need more than to lose weight,Learn to act like ladies and not like volchers.All of you started out to be the Biggest loser NOT Biggest MOUTH Heba your gone home. Good Luck Michelle .

Barb, (09:06 PM)

I think Helen lost too much weight, she looks skeletal, she should put just a little bit back on, she looks creepy. I know, I know, you cannot be too rich or too thin but the truth is, a person can look too thin

Anonymous, (10:51 PM)

I think Helen lost too much weight, she looks skeletal, she should put just a little bit back on, she looks creepy. I know, I know, you cannot be too rich or too thin but the truth is, a person can look too thin

Anonymous, (10:51 PM)

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