Biggest Loser trainer calls for content re-think but insists passion for the show remains intact
One of the long-serving trainers on Channel Ten’s The Biggest Loser has called for the show to return to its roots, but insists there remains “tremendous life and passion” in the decade-old reality franchise.
Shannan Ponton, who has put overweight contestants through their paces for nine of the 10 series, said the most recent season, which concludes tonight, should have contained a greater educational element which has been key to its past success.
Speaking to Mumbrella, Ponton said there should have been greater focus on the food, nutrition and training that enables contestants “to achieve the amazing results they get”.
“As a trainer, I’m always going to want content focused around training and nutrition, but that is also the sentiment among the general population,” Ponton said. “People want to understand what the contestants eat and how they train to get such amazing results and I just don’t think we saw enough this year of what went into the mix.”
The comments came with the future of the show hanging in the balance after The Biggest Loser was absent from Ten’s upfronts last month.
Ten programming director Beverley McGarvey stressed there was “nothing sinister” in its non-appearance adding no decision had been made on its future, but stressed it was not the network’s intention to “throw away brands and be frivolous with shows we’ve spent a lot of time and money building up over the years”.
Viewing figures for The Biggest Loser have been solid, if unspectacular this season, averaging around 630,000 national viewers, up 40 per cent on last year’s disappointing figures.
Ponton urged producers, Endemol Shine, to take the same approach as it did to Masterchef and return The Biggest Loser to its roots, with individual contestants – the current series features families – and a focus on food, nutrition and training.
While segments on healthy eating and the dietary requirements of weight loss were filmed, they were left on the cutting room floor.
“We saw what an amazing job they [Endemol Shine] did when Masterchef was reborn. They went back to basics with real food, real chefs and real cooking and it’s been a ratings bonanza. I’d love to see the same philosophy put back into Loser,” Ponton said.
“Loser has that same potential by going back to the reality of what fitness and weight loss is all about.”
He rejected suggestions the show had been dumbed down, but said the importance of “the mechanic of education had been somewhat lost” in the product that went to air.
The fitness instructor also said he struggled to understand how some of the games and challenges on this year’s show related to health and fitness.
“I am all for a challenge that tests contestants physically, that tests their mental aptitude around nutrition and food and tests their mental resilience and their fortitude, but sometimes this year I just thought wow, I am struggling to draw a parallel with how this this relates to health and fitness.
“You have to take your hat off [to the production team]. They have done an amazing job to nurture the show and in my wildest dreams I didn’t think we’d get anywhere near 10 years. But looking forward, my heart and head as a humble goat herder says we need to get back to content that shows the essence of weight loss.
“For me, and I know I speak for the other trainers, this is a serious weight loss show. It’s a serious business and should not be turned into a joke. Nearly 70 per cent of our population is obese or overweight and we need to get a handle on it.
“As a trainer I don’t want to overstep my bounds….but people tell me what they want to see and they are craving information about food and nutrition because they want to take things home that can improve their lives.
“All the trainer’s philosophies [to diet] are slightly different. Commando is all about paleo which is different to mine so it would have been really interesting for people to understand how the two compare and the difference it made on the scales.
“That is the strength of The Biggest Loser. For me it’s the show that transcends TV the best because it affects people on the street and gives them hope. That is our greatest asset.”
A major theme during this year’s series has been the dominance of the all-male team trained by Michelle Bridges. They also forged an alliance with a family trained by Bridges’ off-screen partner Steve “Commando” Willis which made the elimination vote in many cases a foregone conclusion.
“There have always been alliances but never one that was so strong and that dominant right through the competition,” Ponton said. “I’d love to see the old school return with two or three teams of individuals where it’s every man for himself.
“It would put the desperation back into the contestants and place the emphasis on competition rather than alliances.”
Ponton, who said his family in this year’s Biggest Loser house were the most difficult he has ever trained, described the ratings performance as “solid” and insisted the show still had much to offer.
“I don’t think the program is dead, I think we have more in us,” he said. “But the decision is totally out of our hands.
“There is still a lot of passion and emotion attached to the show, and I’d love the chance to go again. I think there is life to be breathed into it.”
Steve Jones
this is pretty much the only show all year we watch as a family. excitement amongst my kids is at fever pitch for tonight’s finale!
also agree with Shannon’s points – almost nothing on nutrition in the entire series has been really disappointing
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I totally agree with Shannan’s comments. My family and I are staunch Loser watchers and sit as a family and watch every night, however this year there was such a focus on challenges and temptations and a lack of good nutrition advice, the show lost it’s valuable educational role.
It would have been really interesting to hear the different nutrition strategies each trainer has and see the results they produce. I also agree moving back to individuals makes for a more even playing field and better TV viewing!
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I would have loved to have seen the trainers philosophies on food and how they differ…in much the same way as we have seen how their training styles differ over the years. There has been almost nothing at all on diets all series except for non stop temptations, it seemed to me . Also no ” face your fears week” and no “train the trainers” – both highlights of previous years shows. Shannan’s comments re some of the challenges also ring true – what was the water pipe challenge all about? I don’t feel as attached to the contestants as in previous years, we haven’t seen them bear their souls and repent their previous sins, so to speak…I hope it comes back as singles with better casting and returns to the original format. In a family of four its very likely that at least one or two will not have their heart in it – singles gives more options for watchable contestants and genuine competition .
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The Alliance spoiled the show from beginning to end! Loved that contestants lost weight and regained fitness whether in the house or not! Perhaps couples but no more families! Probably individuals are best!
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For me, The Biggest Loser is still as inspirational in 2015 as it was 10 years ago.
I have not missed a single episode of this show, and I would be devastated if Ch 10 cancelled it.
I found myself becoming emotionally attached to the contestants this year, and I am excited to watch the finale this evening! 🙂
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For me, this program, and this kind of program, is already dumbed down and irrelevant, probably anti intellectual as well, but given that such programs get an audience, it has its place. It will also have its time, even air bubbles get stale and wander off course.
How does any program, lose its key component? it cannot be lost, it can only be forced out by ill conceived ideas. This program, in spite of the so called years of nurturing and building, is just an air bubble that caught the light and picked up an audience, the air bubble must continue but it must move about a little, move it too fast or too suddenly, and it will pop.
Concentrate the philosophy of your finished work, remember that high brow or dim, the audience will be deeply affected by the philosophy of the show, the more simple the show, the more basic the philosophy.
I do not need to tell you that the philosophy here is metamorphism, but the ingredients of that are vastly more basic.
(Hint) Contestant Families are for the local church hall for an hour on a Thursday night, or Saturday morning, not prime time television, not even in our current low wattage TV entertainment environment.
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I agree with Wendy. I’m a bit over families. I would also like to see people who have tried diets previously go on the show. We see a lot of people who eat ridiculous amounts of crap enter the show – Ice cream for breakfast or a whole Bavarian cake in one sitting, come on! Of course they are going to lose weight if they stop doing that. It would be good to see people talk about what kind of diets they have been on previously and discussions about why they haven’t worked as well as emotional aspects. There is so much more to weight loss (psychologically) than just diet and exercise. Perhaps something to think about for next year. I don’t want to see the franchise come to an end.
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Love the show. Agree with Shannon re: some of the challenges. I found it hard to comprehend that a contestant winning a spoon grabbing contest then had to EAT the calories. Defeated the purpose of being the winner – the calorie intake should have been handed to the loser. To make matters worse, the spoon challenge was won in one simple stroke which resulted in a contestant having to leave. Departure should not have been done this way. Still, looking forward to finale tonight.
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I love the Biggest Loser. The transformations are amazing after all the hard work the contestants and trainers put in. Not a fan of the family concept – bring back the single contestants. It got very boring watching the Joffries win most challenges. Will be viewing tonight to see which Joffrie takes out the title.
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i would love to be on the show to help me to to lose 30 kg I’m 54 how can I go on the show to find my self again
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The family loved watching the biggest loser, though we were all a bit perplexed why you would be feeding overweight people food they shouldn’t be eating as a game. My kids didn’t understand why.next year cut that out it seems cruel and unnesscessary. Food planning would be better in the show instead.
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Is Pablo still single? As I am interested in him, but I’m 43yr old & have wait to lose, but I’m a loving caring person, that would love to find my Mr Right.
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I would love to be a contestant on The Biggest Loser, but have many health issues – bad back etc… Is there a way you could do a show that would have people like me in need of losing weight but have bad backs etc…?
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I agree with Shannon. I love the biggest loser my husband and i watch it every year i have never missed an episode. I love to get ideas on how to eat right n to lose weight. I sadly am obese and im getting bigger and watching the show i hope to get ideas what to n what not to eat to lose the weight…….. I hope The Biggest Loser will be back again in 2016
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I love the show, but would love to see another series done with single contestants. I want to enter, I need serious help. I was a overweight child, slimmed during high school then became a morbidly obese adult, I have 3 grown kids & now grandchildren. I haven’t been sitting on my arse doing nothing, for the last 6 years I have been trying every diet, shakes & exercise but I have only managed to lose 55kgs & I’m still morbidly obese! my start weight was a disgusting 200kgs. I’m taking anti depressants, have sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, asthma & have tried unsuccessfully to end my life many times when I have been bullied or judged by small minded people. I don’t have a job right now I don’t blame employer’s for not hiring me. If only I could get the chance to work with a trainer from Biggest Loser, I would never take temptation I’m there to lose weight not indulge, I would work my arse off for them & follow what I was told would help me no complaints it’s for my own good. I would love to be fit & healthy for myself, ditch the medication & CPAP, so I live a longer life with my family, once I get myself sorted I can help others like me 🙂
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Hi there I have been trying to get helpful tips on losing weight but watching the show I didn’t learn anything and I go to weight watches and I would love to see individuals cause I would try to compete at 115.65 kilos and I’m only 29 nearly 30 yrs old.
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I totally agree with Shannon, I know a lot of other TBL viewers do too just by reading the comments on the TBL facebook page throughout this season. There was nothing on what foods and diets the teams were on or that the trainers prefer, so all anyone watching could compare was the workouts. There was hardly enough time during an episode on watching them work out or watching the teams train themselves without the trainers, it was all about drama this season & stupid challenges. I think Shannon’s team this year was only put on there for the drama ratings to attract viewers, but put a lot of avid viewers off! Shannon was on the back foot from the start with that family. I was amazed how he kept trying to get through to Jodi and Ally though and hope they apologised to him for their behaviour. I also think contestants on the show should be singles and all have a close starting weight, all around 200 kgs or all around 150 kgs for example so the bigger contestants stop being called lazy for not looking like a stick after 12 weeks even though they started the show more than 70 kgs heavier than others. I think the contestants heights should be mentioned too as a lot of viewers are confused & commented how can a contestant be the same size as them but look bigger or weigh more.
Majority of the challenges/temptations were ridiculous and only encouraging teams to eat the wrong foods as if they didn’t participate they would lose & not have a chance at all to beat the Jofre’s. The one where contestants had to eat a cake or pastry to look under a plate for a key? What did that teach anyone? The one where the first contestant to grab the spoon was the winner but then had to eat high calorie food? Then a contestant got booted off for not winning that challenge, yet he was above the yellow line that week & why did he get booted for? Then there were many contestants who gained weight, that weren’t booted? That should mean they are automatically up for elimination. There should be more challenges like the last one where the contestants fought to get back on the show. It was extremely interesting guessing the lowest calorie food too, especially when the viewers weren’t given a chance to learn about that during the show!!
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All these people that love this show are soft in the head. It’s nothing but creepy. It should be called LCD (Lowest Common Denominator) IQ.
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I watched the entire season because it motivated me to keep at my weight loss journey so far. I haven’t even lost 10kgs compare to the contestants and would love to see more nutrition education included on the next season. I got bored w all the drama with the Pastells and the Joffreys winning all the time. I want to see people who have gone through weight loss and put it back on, who have been dieting for years and years w no results. No more contestants who eat non-stop shit food. Most people out here in the real world do try to eat healthy but are not losing the weight they so desperately need. I hope the producers see this, it’ll be a lot more interesting to see different aspects and situations like these.
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This looks like a FB thread judging by the comments
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I’d love to see the show go back to it’s original format, individual contestants in teams competing against the other team. I have no issue with 4 teams but it should be every man for himself. Maybe instead of eliminating contestants they simply have a winner and a best of the rest winner. This way all contestants are on the show from start to finish and all get the support and training they need. Another alternative is to have 4 different teams with 4 different diets and see which one is most successful?
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I agree with Shannon. I hated the dominance of the red family – even though they did brilliantly but I much prefer individual contestants battling it out. I was also disappointed with some of the weight loss at the finale, clearly showing some can’t do it on their own on the outside. I also didn’t like the fact people could be voted out by winning a challenge. It should be who loses the least amount of weight goes. Was much better than last season though but yes back to the roots!
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The main problems I had with some of the physical challenges they had this season was that they clearly disadvantaged the bigger contestants, e.g. Cliff, Mel, Jodie and even Johnee at times. Sometimes I wondered how they, which also meant their team, were even a chance of winning. Expecting someone who is well over 160 kg or someone who has never done let alone thought about doing anything like that to beat someone who is 120 kg in a race is hardly fair. Sometimes when you saw what they had to do you knew full well that barring injury, the Jofre’s would win before they even started. Not taking anything away from the Jofre’s who obviously worked hard for their success on the show, but I got the clear impression that at times it was almost set up so they would win.
And as for temptation? How about actually rewarding those who resist it rather than giving power such as being able to eliminate someone, to those who took temptation. After all, isn’t this supposed to be about weight loss and not who can eat the most calories in one sitting?
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agree with Shannon…get back to basics.
Stupid challenges that favoured a few.
Weight losses were fantastic but as a viewer I was bored with the domination of Jofrey family throughout competition, not great TV.
Disliked the wedding at the finale .. A set up from the get go and oh so obvious, yet another mistake producers.
Favourite contestant was Mel and hope she can keep on losing the excess weight, as she loses the weight she is really coming into her own, well done.
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Let’s have a Biggest Loser Re-Union and have all contestants from all 10 seasons come back and weigh in – let’s see where they are all at
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I enjoyed watching the show – as a healthy, fit, handsome 30 something male it’s the only show you can whilst eating a couple of Tim Tams. Brilliant viewing.
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I love the show and have not missed a year since it started, however 2015 has been my least favourite season, due to the fact it was based on families again. I felt it was unfair that the family that won, got all the money on offer, this would not have happened if it was individuals, Please bring back singles in 2016!
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