The higher-ups have finally decided upon the cast of Biggest Loser 5.

The casting department is pleased, for the most part. Although it will be a week or so before most of us form opinions on the personalities of the chosen 18. Most of us are the little people – not necessarily in charge of choosing the cast – but definitely in charge of taking care of them. Organizing their daily routines, stocking water, wrangling them for shoot days. Perhaps the most important part is to keep them sane. Keep them as comfortable and positive as possible. It’s inevitable that we develop real friendships with these people over the weeks.

Our kids (the contestants) have moved into the dorms and are doing their best to assimilate to the new environment. There’s no time for easing into the situation. From the get go they are thrust into challenges (such as the first “Balloon Challenge”), eating and exercise regiments, interviews and more. At night, when they might think their responsibilities are over, Justin Lamb and Gray come around to make sure they are doing their blogs and Body Bugg nutritional programs. It really is non-stop. Even when they sleep, Gray and Justin are on the premises. Casting is the only 24-hour department on the show. Most of us are just fine with that…even if it occasionally makes us temporarily insane.

Case in point – during the first week contestant Bernie Salazar was rushed to the emergency room. Despite warnings and prescriptions from Dr. Huizanga, Bernie was not eating or resting properly. He refused his medicine in fear that it might upset his chances on the weigh-in scale. He was dehydrated and in need of immediate re-hydration. At this point, only Justin Lamb and Rachel were on set. Justin could not leave, as he had to stay on campus with the cast. After having worked an entire day, Rachel volunteered to take Bernie to the emergency room and wait with him. And that’s what she did. After several hours, Bernie was released and a-okay. Rachel might have needed a brief stay herself, however, since she had been working close to 24 hours by this point.

It’s hard to imagine how Kat, Justin Messing and Drew survive. They must be casting robots from some secret underground Biggest Loser laboratory

The end of the week brought the first elimination. Obviously a difficult, even harrowing time for contestants, eliminations are also hard on the casting department. The later into the show you get, the closer we all become to the contestants. It’s never easy to see new friends go home. Lynn and Jennifer Westphal were not happy to leave. They were especially unhappy to leave Clarence. In the short week on set, they took a liking to his easy-going demeanor and sense of humor. Lynn personally asked for Clarence’s phone number, so they might keep in touch after the show.