Disturbing Biggest Loser article
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It's about whether NBC and the show's creators (and everyone associated with it) are responsible for the damage that they're doing to millions of people who watch.
NBC's intentions are exploitative, reckless and profit driven, no doubt.
But the damage this show causes or has the potential to cause does have to be agreed to.
And with that said, I do feel sorry for anyone who signs up for the show and anyone duped into thinking this would be a good way to lose weight.
I'm so glad I got rid of cable TV a year ago!
Do they really know what they're getting into, though?
They probably don't, no. That's why I feel sorry for them. But it's up to them to investigate every angle independently before signing up or confer with someone in the know who is relatively unbiased. Plus, they've probably watched the show so although they may be unfamiliar with the real medical risks, they do have an inkling of the suffering and hardship involved.
If their sense of what's going to happen is from the finished show, they're just as deceived as other viewers
There's definitely an element of deception built into the show, but the article posted by the OP and the subsequent responses on this thread are optimistically grounded in common sense, thank goodness!
Ok, so maybe those who went on the show have less common sense. Maybe they're less intelligent, even. (I'm not saying they are!) but what if they are. Or they're more desperate. Do they deserve to be treated like this? It's abusive.
No, I don't think anyone deserves to be treated like this as, yes, it is abusive.
As far as common sense goes, I think NBC knows exactly what its demographic is when it comes to who would be enticed to be a contestant on this show.
And, yes, common sense, or more specifically, the lack of it would factor heavily into whether an individual would fall into that demographic.
I'm not a Darwinist but the guy's theory, outside of pure biology, has some validity. Survival of the fittest (figuratively speaking) is something to considered here.
I don't know if you're joking? Well, I completely disagree with that. But that's a bigger discussion, and it's one that NEVER goes well on MFP, so with that I will bow out of this thread.
Maybe I shouldn't have used the Darwin word as it's interpreted in a myriad of ways.
But to keep it as clear as I can, as others have wisely pointed out, there is choice involved in deciding to be a contestant on the show.
If an individual lacks the common sense, educational background, mental health or financial stability to make a clear headed reasonable choice, that individual, in a case such as this, is rife for exploitation. And I'm sure there are carefully worded legal contracts involved designed to protect NBC. Which require signatures from the contestants.
But to put it more generally, life has a way of steamrolling people who, by willful ignorance or unfortunate circumstances outside of their control, are unprepared for the inevitable pitfalls along the way.
You're clear as day, and avoiding mention of the word "Darwin" wouldn't change the argument; I'd have recognized it for what it is anyway.
Vulnerable people might suffer in life, but my belief is that we should minimize suffering, if it is foreseeable and preventable, as much as possible, no matter the reasons, because it's the right thing to do.
I've already gotten the gist of what I think across. With respect, I'm not going to engage further. This is a conversation that is going to go in the direction of "personal responsibility" vs. "government" etc etc etc and I just am not interested in getting worked up for nothing.0 -
It's about whether NBC and the show's creators (and everyone associated with it) are responsible for the damage that they're doing to millions of people who watch.
NBC's intentions are exploitative, reckless and profit driven, no doubt.
But the damage this show causes or has the potential to cause does have to be agreed to.
And with that said, I do feel sorry for anyone who signs up for the show and anyone duped into thinking this would be a good way to lose weight.
I'm so glad I got rid of cable TV a year ago!
Do they really know what they're getting into, though?
They probably don't, no. That's why I feel sorry for them. But it's up to them to investigate every angle independently before signing up or confer with someone in the know who is relatively unbiased. Plus, they've probably watched the show so although they may be unfamiliar with the real medical risks, they do have an inkling of the suffering and hardship involved.
This. Can't help but to feel bad for them. Yes they choose to do it, but I'm sure wanting to lose weight is just as important as the money. Unrealistic eating and exercising goals are a recipe for disaster and one, paycheck or not, I probably wouldn't be willing to push myself towards.
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neveragain84 wrote: »It's about whether NBC and the show's creators (and everyone associated with it) are responsible for the damage that they're doing to millions of people who watch.
NBC's intentions are exploitative, reckless and profit driven, no doubt.
But the damage this show causes or has the potential to cause does have to be agreed to.
And with that said, I do feel sorry for anyone who signs up for the show and anyone duped into thinking this would be a good way to lose weight.
I'm so glad I got rid of cable TV a year ago!
Do they really know what they're getting into, though?
They probably don't, no. That's why I feel sorry for them. But it's up to them to investigate every angle independently before signing up or confer with someone in the know who is relatively unbiased. Plus, they've probably watched the show so although they may be unfamiliar with the real medical risks, they do have an inkling of the suffering and hardship involved.
This. Can't help but to feel bad for them. Yes they choose to do it, but I'm sure wanting to lose weight is just as important as the money. Unrealistic eating and exercising goals are a recipe for disaster and one, paycheck or not, I probably wouldn't be willing to push myself towards.
the money of $900 a week? that isn't a lot of money. i doubt that's a big motivator at all.0 -
neveragain84 wrote: »It's about whether NBC and the show's creators (and everyone associated with it) are responsible for the damage that they're doing to millions of people who watch.
NBC's intentions are exploitative, reckless and profit driven, no doubt.
But the damage this show causes or has the potential to cause does have to be agreed to.
And with that said, I do feel sorry for anyone who signs up for the show and anyone duped into thinking this would be a good way to lose weight.
I'm so glad I got rid of cable TV a year ago!
Do they really know what they're getting into, though?
They probably don't, no. That's why I feel sorry for them. But it's up to them to investigate every angle independently before signing up or confer with someone in the know who is relatively unbiased. Plus, they've probably watched the show so although they may be unfamiliar with the real medical risks, they do have an inkling of the suffering and hardship involved.
This. Can't help but to feel bad for them. Yes they choose to do it, but I'm sure wanting to lose weight is just as important as the money. Unrealistic eating and exercising goals are a recipe for disaster and one, paycheck or not, I probably wouldn't be willing to push myself towards.
the money of $900 a week? that isn't a lot of money. i doubt that's a big motivator at all.
For a week it is for many. Regardless, that wasn't the point.
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Most of these contestants either gain all the weight back or have eating disorders. I stopped watching that show a long time ago!!
I'm not going to say anything about the show as it's already been mostly said, however, in reality MOST people who lose weight, even in a healthy way, gain most/all/more of it back. I lost 30 pounds, in 7-8 months, eating an average of 1800 cals a day with a 'normal' amount of exercise. Fell off track and gained a good 40 pounds in quick succession. Working now to re-lose it.0 -
and i really doubt the producers are offering a clear, detailed exposition of risks like stress fractures, etc. they probably gloss over it.
Highly unlikely. That would leave them open to all kinds of legal action.
I'm confident the contract people are signing reads like a screenplay for a horror movie.
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and i really doubt the producers are offering a clear, detailed exposition of risks like stress fractures, etc. they probably gloss over it.
Highly unlikely. That would leave them open to all kinds of legal action.
I'm confident the contract people are signing reads like a screenplay for a horror movie.
who knows if they even read it. if the contract is long enough, likely they don't even read it.0 -
neveragain84 wrote: »neveragain84 wrote: »It's about whether NBC and the show's creators (and everyone associated with it) are responsible for the damage that they're doing to millions of people who watch.
NBC's intentions are exploitative, reckless and profit driven, no doubt.
But the damage this show causes or has the potential to cause does have to be agreed to.
And with that said, I do feel sorry for anyone who signs up for the show and anyone duped into thinking this would be a good way to lose weight.
I'm so glad I got rid of cable TV a year ago!
Do they really know what they're getting into, though?
They probably don't, no. That's why I feel sorry for them. But it's up to them to investigate every angle independently before signing up or confer with someone in the know who is relatively unbiased. Plus, they've probably watched the show so although they may be unfamiliar with the real medical risks, they do have an inkling of the suffering and hardship involved.
This. Can't help but to feel bad for them. Yes they choose to do it, but I'm sure wanting to lose weight is just as important as the money. Unrealistic eating and exercising goals are a recipe for disaster and one, paycheck or not, I probably wouldn't be willing to push myself towards.
the money of $900 a week? that isn't a lot of money. i doubt that's a big motivator at all.
For a week it is for many. Regardless, that wasn't the point.
well, you said "just as important as the money" which i doubt.0 -
What is the reward for being the biggest loser? A lot of cash? Honestly never watched it. What do you win?
http://theashleysrealityroundup.com/2011/05/29/your-biggest-loser-questions-answered/
Q: Do the Biggest Losers get paid to be on the show?
A: Yes, the make a stipend for being on the show. One season it was $900 a week but I don’t know how much it currently is. This is how some of the people are able to support their families despite being gone for so long.
I hate to think of someone desperate enough to put themselves at risk for $900/week.
People all over America are putting themselves at greater risk, every day, for less. Not saying that's a good thing, just that it is...a thing.
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The article made me say "Yeah, so??" all the time. Even if she herself never watched the show, her friends who advised her to go on the show must have seen it. I wonder how anybody could ever think the methods of TBL were healthy or sustainable? Please!
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People want to be on TV. Jerry Springer is on its 24th(!!!) season.
Seriously. And now this article has been out there for a couple of years. It simply gets rebranded a bit by stating what the latest season is and updating the NBC product, profit and revenue information.
Oh noooz, previously (morbidly?) obese Ali regained to a whopping 170 lbs, the show must be a failure. Being 5'5" myself that's twenty lbs above a healthy BMI. If that's all I gained back after years of obesity and probably lost it again I wouldn't consider the process a total failure.
The article does give me the chills a bit since a lot of what's described seemed to be verbal abuse. But there's just so many "how did they figure..." points to list. When we watch the show the contestants are sometimes given a reward to have a phone conversation with their family - why would this be a reward if you could talk to them all the time? I'm glad the information is out there for anyone who will know what they're getting into but I can't help but feel this is another way to shirk personal responsibility.0 -
oORosadaOo wrote: »The article made me say "Yeah, so??" all the time. Even if she herself never watched the show, her friends who advised her to go on the show must have seen it. I wonder how anybody could ever think the methods of TBL were healthy or sustainable? Please!
Exactly. They give you a cool quarter of a mil in exchange for becoming super hot and skinny in like three months. What was it gonna be, hugs and sunshine?
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Bread and circus 0
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oORosadaOo wrote: »The article made me say "Yeah, so??" all the time. Even if she herself never watched the show, her friends who advised her to go on the show must have seen it. I wonder how anybody could ever think the methods of TBL were healthy or sustainable? Please!
I am guessing people let themselves be duped by the "medically supervised" part that is advertised.
I do have to wonder though… how has nobody, so far, sued this show? Or put it through some kind of legal action?0 -
GingerbreadCandy wrote: »oORosadaOo wrote: »The article made me say "Yeah, so??" all the time. Even if she herself never watched the show, her friends who advised her to go on the show must have seen it. I wonder how anybody could ever think the methods of TBL were healthy or sustainable? Please!
I am guessing people let themselves be duped by the "medically supervised" part that is advertised.
I do have to wonder though… how has nobody, so far, sued this show? Or put it through some kind of legal action?
Maybe they have, and were given a couple hundred thou and told to go away quietly
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kommodevaran wrote: »Bread and circus
Totally misplaced quote. The show isn't about providing either to the masses from the government to maintain social appeasement.
No panem there.0 -
They're grown adults in a free country, folks.
Reasoning humans with brains, and responsible for their own actions and decisions.
They are free to go at any time.
Any time.-1 -
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neveragain84 wrote: »It's about whether NBC and the show's creators (and everyone associated with it) are responsible for the damage that they're doing to millions of people who watch.
NBC's intentions are exploitative, reckless and profit driven, no doubt.
But the damage this show causes or has the potential to cause does have to be agreed to.
And with that said, I do feel sorry for anyone who signs up for the show and anyone duped into thinking this would be a good way to lose weight.
I'm so glad I got rid of cable TV a year ago!
Do they really know what they're getting into, though?
They probably don't, no. That's why I feel sorry for them. But it's up to them to investigate every angle independently before signing up or confer with someone in the know who is relatively unbiased. Plus, they've probably watched the show so although they may be unfamiliar with the real medical risks, they do have an inkling of the suffering and hardship involved.
This. Can't help but to feel bad for them. Yes they choose to do it, but I'm sure wanting to lose weight is just as important as the money. Unrealistic eating and exercising goals are a recipe for disaster and one, paycheck or not, I probably wouldn't be willing to push myself towards.
the money of $900 a week? that isn't a lot of money. i doubt that's a big motivator at all.
The prize money of $250K is probably a motivator, but I expect being on TV (although I don't get it) and losing weight (which most or all believe they can't do on their own) is a huge part. Also many humans are very bad with long term motivation or being able to weigh long term vs short term incentives well, and as a result many see relatively short term intense suffering (of a sort) more feasible or less painful than long term work that is much less intense. I imagine it's common for many, not just BL applicants, to think the hard work ends when you lose, unfortunately.
I'm sure the releases are quite specific, especially about medical risks, as Mr. Knight said.
The show does not play up the mundane medical risks (like to the knees) but it certainly does play up the screaming and vomiting and collapsing and such (one reason I don't care for it). Not only does this not deter people, but it seems to attract some. Wasn't Jillian generally the more popular training for new people, even though the storyline was mostly that she was terrifying and Bob nicer?
I don't think the show glorifies VLCD, since they will deny that the contestants eat that little and try to hide the scale manipulation stuff. There's mixed reports on what the diets are and another reason I personally am not interested in the show is the lack of coverage of the diet angle (other than product placement and celebrity chef crossovers--I do like Top Chef and they did a BL segment or two).0 -
and i really doubt the producers are offering a clear, detailed exposition of risks like stress fractures, etc. they probably gloss over it.
Highly unlikely. That would leave them open to all kinds of legal action.
I'm confident the contract people are signing reads like a screenplay for a horror movie.
who knows if they even read it. if the contract is long enough, likely they don't even read it.
For reasons I won't go into here (except I was NOT on the show), I've witnessed the release process for the Springer show. It was very specific, detailed all kinds of possible bad results, and was read to each person with the person assenting after each short paragraph in addition to being permitted to read it over a reasonable period of time. I imagine BL is even more careful than Springer.0 -
GingerbreadCandy wrote: »oORosadaOo wrote: »The article made me say "Yeah, so??" all the time. Even if she herself never watched the show, her friends who advised her to go on the show must have seen it. I wonder how anybody could ever think the methods of TBL were healthy or sustainable? Please!
I am guessing people let themselves be duped by the "medically supervised" part that is advertised.
I do have to wonder though… how has nobody, so far, sued this show? Or put it through some kind of legal action?
I'm pretty sure there is something in that contract that they sign says that they can't. Honestly I'm surprised that no action has been taken against Kai. From what I have read in another article the contract also says that they can't speak out against the show.
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If you look on You Tube there are videos of ex-contestants who have won in the past but then have put all the weight back on. Totally the wrong kind of diet and exercise plan - I personally think The Biggest Loser should be banned..0
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lemurcat12 wrote: »and i really doubt the producers are offering a clear, detailed exposition of risks like stress fractures, etc. they probably gloss over it.
Highly unlikely. That would leave them open to all kinds of legal action.
I'm confident the contract people are signing reads like a screenplay for a horror movie.
who knows if they even read it. if the contract is long enough, likely they don't even read it.
For reasons I won't go into here (except I was NOT on the show), I've witnessed the release process for the Springer show. It was very specific, detailed all kinds of possible bad results, and was read to each person with the person assenting after each short paragraph in addition to being permitted to read it over a reasonable period of time. I imagine BL is even more careful than Springer.
Suuuuuuuuure, it was your friend that was on the show :bigsmile:
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lemurcat12 wrote: »and i really doubt the producers are offering a clear, detailed exposition of risks like stress fractures, etc. they probably gloss over it.
Highly unlikely. That would leave them open to all kinds of legal action.
I'm confident the contract people are signing reads like a screenplay for a horror movie.
who knows if they even read it. if the contract is long enough, likely they don't even read it.
For reasons I won't go into here (except I was NOT on the show), I've witnessed the release process for the Springer show. It was very specific, detailed all kinds of possible bad results, and was read to each person with the person assenting after each short paragraph in addition to being permitted to read it over a reasonable period of time. I imagine BL is even more careful than Springer.
Suuuuuuuuure, it was your friend that was on the show :bigsmile:
Heh.0 -
I'm not feeling the outrage here either. I think people pretty much know what they are getting into and judge it to be worth it to them. They all have the option to leave. That said its not the best model for losing weight.-1
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if everyone would stand up for themselves and leave, there would be no show. unfortunately, most of the show is comprised of people with little to no self-esteem and sadly, they simply can't leave. it's sad for them to be taken-advantage-of.0
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I'm not sure how to feel about this. On the one hand it's cruel, but these are adults and they agree to go through with it. Nobody is forcing them.
That is true, however these are also people who feel they have no other option. And that belief is supported by people on the show. So it's their choice, yes, but they're also a bit vulnerable.
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That is awful! I couldn't even finish reading it! I wonder why that show is still allowed to be in production. I would not be surprised to hear that they have many lawsuits filed against them because of all the health issues caused by their plan!0
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While impressive, what the show doesn't show are the 90% of contestants who gained back a SIGNIFICANT amount of weight (season 3 winner Erik Chopin was the exception and where is he now again?). The only contestants they show are those that kept it off (which is about 10% of them).
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That statistic isn't actually that far off what happens in the general population. Research shows that, unfortunately, anyone who loses a significant amount of weight will probably regain it. 80-90%, depending on the study
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