The Biggest Loser, the worst show on TV
Acg67
Posts: 12,142 Member
As I see all the whining and disgust at the VS Fashion Show tonight, I'm willing to bet a lot of those same posters love the Biggest Loser. Of the two, which is worse? One features those at the pinnacle of their profession, the other features a motley cast of people who lacked the will power and motivation to adhere to a simple diet and exercise program, but magically will work their *kitten* off now that there is a juicy cash prize and their 5 sec of fame of being on TV.
Here are two takes on the Biggest Loser, one is quite harsh and says exactly what the first link i'll post chastises the Biggest Loser for, but are their conclusions so much different? The show is terrible and they just find different reasons for it's terribleness
From the Center for Health Media & Policy, read the whole series
http://centerforhealthmediapolicy.com/tag/biggest-loser/
And please don't read the below from Jamie Lewis if you are easily offended. Edited a bit to clean it up a tad. Not saying I agree with the below, but it is an extreme take on the crappiness of the Biggest Loser and society
In addition, the Biggest Loser gives their viewership totally unrealistic expectations for weightloss (I only lost 5lbs this week wtf, herp derp), anyone would lose a ton of weight undereating and exercising intensely for 6-8 hrs a day, so what the hell does that really teach people?
Some will say the show is so motivational, but what is motivational about someone who could not better themselves without dangling a huge cash prize in front of them, sequestering them in a remote location and having crappy trainers berate them while forcing them through exercise for 6-8 hrs a day? Why couldn't they find the motivation and will power to adhere to a diet and exercise program without all that? There are many stories here of people who did just that, those people should be commended and celebrated well before any Biggest Loser constant should.
In the end the show is just another crappy reality show, and should be viewed as such. It has no real world relevance and best to be avoided.
Here are two takes on the Biggest Loser, one is quite harsh and says exactly what the first link i'll post chastises the Biggest Loser for, but are their conclusions so much different? The show is terrible and they just find different reasons for it's terribleness
From the Center for Health Media & Policy, read the whole series
http://centerforhealthmediapolicy.com/tag/biggest-loser/
Weight is not a moral or character issue. It’s a health issue. But the Biggest Loser is relentless in characterizing contestants as initially weak, childlike, and even, in trainer Bob’s words, “broken” people.
Then, while never explaining to viewers exactly what program is being followed, making it impossible to replicate (isn’t that the opposite of “empowering?”), all credit is given to the trainers instead of the contestants.
Listen to the language in this voice-over during the finale:
“For ten seasons on the Biggest Loser, trainers Bob and Jillian have taken over 200 morbidly obese Americans and turned them into the epitome of health.”
This is the formula: in the course of each season, the trainers yell at and physically punish the contestants until they vomit and yell back and eventually cry.
That “breakthrough” allows the contestants to “find their inner warrior”, lose 100 – 200 pounds, and “become the person they always wanted to be.”
Viewers are left with nothing but breadcrumbs to trace how it happened. It seems to involve copious amounts of sponsored products Yoplait, Brita, Extra dessert-flavored gum, Subway, and Jennie-O ground turkey. And Ford vehicles.
And of course, who can ignore the messaging in the Biggest Loser Challenge Video game, endlessly promoted throughout the season?
A blonde woman, of medium weight, enters a gym. She sees intimidatingly thin and attractive women everywhere. So she leaves, saying, “Why does working out have to be so humiliating?” Then she goes home and works out to her Biggest Loser videogame instead. “This is more like it” she says.
Then trainer Bob weighs in, promising, “The new Biggest Loser Challenge will have you breaking right out of your shell.”
Working out in public is”humiliating?”
A gym full of attractive, fit people is intimidating, maybe. Why is it “humiliating? Presumably the narrative goes: it’s humiliating because our lady knows that she should look like them. She doesn’t. So she’s humiliated and is better off at home.
Thus, the fundamental unacceptability of the overweight person is the core of the brand of the Biggest Loser. She or he is a failure. Feeling too ashamed to enter a gym is normalized rather than challenged.
To take it a step further, the shame is evoked and then monetized. We have a product to help you with that.
The message is always that with the show’s help, change is possible. Otherwise, you’re just a tragedy.
The biggest irony is that proponents of the show champion its model of behavior modification over surgical intervention, but the Biggest Loser refuses to treat overeating as simply a behavior to be modified. It indulges in the constant characterization of the obese as pathetic human beings, deserving of pity and in need of intervention.
Think of Jillian’s comment about the makeover week fashion show. The contestants were not “sexy,” “glamorous,” “stylish,” or “hot.” Her take? They were “adorable.” Like children playing dress-up.
It could provide, for example, replicable meal plans and encouragement to working families trying to eat less processed, unhealthy foods in the real world of limited budgets, kids, and time constraints.
Instead, the show appears to guard its program explicitly so it can sell that information to viewers, through cookbooks, cruises, spas, videogames, supplements and hundreds of other products and platforms.
And please don't read the below from Jamie Lewis if you are easily offended. Edited a bit to clean it up a tad. Not saying I agree with the below, but it is an extreme take on the crappiness of the Biggest Loser and society
Why the **** are we sponsoring and supporting shows wherein subhumans bring themselves without shouting distance of the human form? Who the **** cares? We should put them on an island with no food and give the person who eats the rest of them a medal, then walk them off a cliff. It's a testament to our society that we champion these pathetic pieces of ****, rather than having tv shows wherein above-average athletes spent 8 weeks training their *kitten* off to compete in a variety of athletic endeavors- trying to make pro sports teams, competing in bodybuilding, etc. Shows wherein above average people attempt to become superhuman, rather than shows where our genetic dregs attempt to attain a human form. ******* pathetic.
In addition, the Biggest Loser gives their viewership totally unrealistic expectations for weightloss (I only lost 5lbs this week wtf, herp derp), anyone would lose a ton of weight undereating and exercising intensely for 6-8 hrs a day, so what the hell does that really teach people?
Some will say the show is so motivational, but what is motivational about someone who could not better themselves without dangling a huge cash prize in front of them, sequestering them in a remote location and having crappy trainers berate them while forcing them through exercise for 6-8 hrs a day? Why couldn't they find the motivation and will power to adhere to a diet and exercise program without all that? There are many stories here of people who did just that, those people should be commended and celebrated well before any Biggest Loser constant should.
In the end the show is just another crappy reality show, and should be viewed as such. It has no real world relevance and best to be avoided.
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Replies
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For the record, I agree completely!
Now I'll sit back with my big bag of popcorn and enjoy the inevitable social carnage! :drinker:0 -
In addition, the Biggest Loser gives their viewership totally unrealistic expectations for weightloss (I only lost 5lbs this week wtf, herp derp), anyone would lose a ton of weight undereating and exercising intensely for 6-8 hrs a day, so what the hell does that really teach people?
:drinker:0 -
I dont watch the show anymore, I think it sets people up for failure and unrealistic expectations you could never do "In real Life."0
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Im excited for the VS fashion show i watch it every year!!;)0
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Some will say the show is so motivational, but what is motivational about someone who could not better themselves without dangling a huge cash prize in front of them, sequestering them in a remote location and having crappy trainers berate them while forcing them through exercise for 6-8 hrs a day? Why couldn't they find the motivation and will power to adhere to a diet and exercise program without all that? There are many stories here of people who did just that, those people should be commended and celebrated well before any Biggest Loser constant should.
And that, dear sir, is why this post is awesome.
Biggest Loser is just sad beyond belief, and it just feeds into the ever-present notion that weight loss has to be a miserable 100% balls-to-the-wall-burning-2000-calories-per-workout-and-be-hungry-or-stay-fat-forever endeavor. The notions of patience, relearning a healthy relationship with food and the body, and building that new body from within are totally missing from that show. It is downright dangerous IMHO.
And, now that I've agreed with you, I'll post this nugget:
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Can't blame the producers for capitalizing on what people want to see. I was a friend's place once and Biggest Loser was on in the background. I was able to tolerate about 60 seconds worth before I couldn't take any more and had to go to the other room and wash the pain away with beer.0
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Never seen the show but I wouldn't miss this one for nothing...0
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I do not watch much tv but I just think it's amazing how much weight these people lose. Who cares why they're doing it or why they didn't do it before? Good for them for getting healthier and I hope they keep the weight off.0
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Some will say the show is so motivational, but what is motivational about someone who could not better themselves without dangling a huge cash prize in front of them, sequestering them in a remote location and having crappy trainers berate them while forcing them through exercise for 6-8 hrs a day? Why couldn't they find the motivation and will power to adhere to a diet and exercise program without all that? There are many stories here of people who did just that, those people should be commended and celebrated well before any Biggest Loser constant should..
Agreed.0 -
Awesome post, agree with everything.
VS show all the way!!
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I heart you, not only for dishing out a little ugly truth and tough love, but for providing me with this gem to read all night because I have no life.0 -
UGH, this show - Jillian Michaels terrifies me, honestly. Also, it scares me that I used to lap up this show so much - I half wished that I were old enough to go on the show - thank God I had sensible parents.0
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Yes. OP, completely agree with you. The bit about disempowerment -- I couldn't have ranted it any better. As a nurse, that is what I find most harmful about the show.0
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I like it, but I take different things from it that others might. I see a bunch of people working out every week that are much heavier and in poorer health than I am and it makes me feel like I have no excuse not to exercise. The show also got me onto Jillian's videos, which are such are great find to me. I'm never going to join a gym. It's not me. I will do her videos at home and become stronger as I lose weight. I usually hear Jillian say things that are positive.
I don't care if someone else thinks this is the worst show on TV and I agree with several things in the Center for Health Media & Policy quote... but it's naive to not recognize that it's a TV show... produced by a business... that might want to make a profit. If the show was put together by PBS, then the gripe would be more justified. There are far worse reality shows on TV with absolutely no redeeming qualities, IMO.0 -
Some will say the show is so motivational, but what is motivational about someone who could not better themselves without dangling a huge cash prize in front of them, sequestering them in a remote location and having crappy trainers berate them while forcing them through exercise for 6-8 hrs a day? Why couldn't they find the motivation and will power to adhere to a diet and exercise program without all that? There are many stories here of people who did just that, those people should be commended and celebrated well before any Biggest Loser constant should.
And that, dear sir, is why this post is awesome.
Biggest Loser is just sad beyond belief, and it just feeds into the ever-present notion that weight loss has to be a miserable 100% balls-to-the-wall-burning-2000-calories-per-workout-and-be-hungry-or-stay-fat-forever endeavor. The notions of patience, relearning a healthy relationship with food and the body, and building that new body from within are totally missing from that show. It is downright dangerous IMHO.
And, now that I've agreed with you, I'll post this nugget:
Came for the biggest loser argument, left with this gem of a gif!!! :laugh:0 -
I agree completely. The show is patently offensive on so many levels and I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who thinks the shows' "trainers" are just a couple of hacks.0
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I agree. I think the show is insane. The weight loss is unhealthy and unrealistic. I don't find it motivational at all. Additionally, although I don't know if it's true, I am under the impression that after the show ends, a large majority of the contestants regain the weight they lost. I'm not a big fan of the notion that you have to kill yourself to get thin....or of the notion that it would be worth it. I don't watch it and don't support any of the products it sells.
As for VS. I'm not watching it. I don't have any real heartburn about it. Love VS products but could care less about their models. Yes, they are beautiful. So what?0 -
Wow! I've never thought of it that way. What a hell of an argument. I watched the first few seasons but missed every one after that. I was planning on watching the new season when it starts. I own some of their products. Now after reading this I may not watch the new season. It's not like I didn't know that they were there for the money but their eating/exercise regimen doesn't exactly fit my personal philosophy. I just enjoy a good underdog story -- who doesn't like seeing someone change their life from obese to fit? Your point about celebrating everyone on MFP working toward their goals for no monetary gain is very powerful. I also agree with you on the idea of athletes being on tv to show their training processes. That would be great. Very interesting post, cheers :drinker:0
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Note - MASSIVE TRIGGER WARNING FOR ABUSE, DEHUMANIZATION AND EATING DISORDERS - http://www.bodylovewellness.com/2010/06/09/kai-hibbard-biggest-loser-finalist-part-1-of-3/0
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I dont watch the show anymore, I think it sets people up for failure and unrealistic expectations you could never do "In real Life."
Precisely. But you might want to chill on the criticism for people who struggle. I'm sure there are areas of your life where you struggle, and I doubt that you'd want to be berated on a message board for it.0 -
I do not watch much tv but I just think it's amazing how much weight these people lose. Who cares why they're doing it or why they didn't do it before? Good for them for getting healthier and I hope they keep the weight off.
Wrong. They dehydrate before every weigh in, work out in as much clothing as possible when the cameras are off, and after the finale, almost all of the contestants gain 10-20 pounds in water weight because they weighed in SO dehydrated. Season 1 winner dehydrated to the point where he pissed blood for the final weigh in.
Yeah, show us that.... We need to see real plateaus, real struggle, real breakthroughs.
This last season, there was a week where most of the black team didn't lose or gained weight for the week so they could vote off the returning do it from home chick.. I thought how could they have eaten when the place isn't packed with ****ty food? The answer, they simply didn't dehydrate themselves for their weigh in.
What the $&^*(^&*%0 -
Love this, I'm the same way I do the biggest loser workouts and im doing ripped in 30 right now.I like it, but I take different things from it that others might. I see a bunch of people working out every week that are much heavier and in poorer health than I am and it makes me feel like I have no excuse not to exercise. The show also got me onto Jillian's videos, which are such are great find to me. I'm never going to join a gym. It's not me. I will do her videos at home and become stronger as I lose weight. I usually hear Jillian say things that are positive.
I don't care if someone else thinks this is the worst show on TV and I agree with several things in the Center for Health Media & Policy quote... but it's naive to not recognize that it's a TV show... produced by a business... that might want to make a profit. If the show was put together by PBS, then the gripe would be more justified. There are far worse reality shows on TV with absolutely no redeeming qualities, IMO.0 -
I'm a huge Jillian Michaels fan specifically for her DVDs (see my profile if you don't believe me).
That said, I couldn't agree more with this post. I never did care for this show, and these words above have been my reasons. Bravo and well said!0 -
Note - MASSIVE TRIGGER WARNING FOR ABUSE, DEHUMANIZATION AND EATING DISORDERS - http://www.bodylovewellness.com/2010/06/09/kai-hibbard-biggest-loser-finalist-part-1-of-3/
Whoa... holy...
That is unreal!0 -
Note - MASSIVE TRIGGER WARNING FOR ABUSE, DEHUMANIZATION AND EATING DISORDERS - http://www.bodylovewellness.com/2010/06/09/kai-hibbard-biggest-loser-finalist-part-1-of-3/
WOW, that is just horrifying.
:noway:
I hope those of you saying "just don't watch it if you don't like it' read this.0 -
Read that article and I'm retracting my statement!0
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Not that I hope that the people on the Biggest Loser fail (because I do think its great that they can get an opportunity to make a positive change to improve their health), but they live in an unrealistic bubble and I always wondered if they are so 'successful' in the long run. How come they dont have a reunion show showing where everyone is years later - huh? huh? huh? I'm guessing its because many of them return to their old habits when they dont have Jillian and Bob screaming and shaming them.0
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I don't watch the show, though I did see some of it a few times. If you are morbidly obese and willing to exercise a ton and eat sparsely you can do it yourself. Maybe not to the degree that these people do but you can lose 100 pounds in a year or more. People do it.0
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I think its awesome that they are losing weight, but at the same time, its an unrealistic idea for most of us out here. once they are out of the house, most loser's put weight back on as it is simply not a sustainable lifestlye.0
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Guess I'm in the minority. I started watching the show about 4 years ago. The show has been one of my inspirations for losing weight and getting in shape. It didn't create unrealistic expectations to how much weight I was going to lose. Im pretty sure I'm not the only person that was inspired to make a huge lifestyle change.0
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