First, it seemed in episode after episode that poor behavior was rewarded and healthy behavior was penalized. The people who were honorable and hard working were sent home. The people who whined, complained, and were disrespectful were kept on. In many weeks it was clearly political wrangling which kept malcontents on the show.
There were a record three people who went home. This is a show that thousands of people desperately try to get on, to change their lives. These tiny few who were granted the opportunity should appreciate every day they have. For them to head home makes no sense at all.
The level of whining was beyond comparison with past shows. The contestants felt justified in complaining about just about anything that crossed their path. They felt entitled, as if they were stars and the world should revolve around them. I enjoyed previous seasons of the Biggest Loser because I saw people motivated to change and save their lives. Here it seemed to be about people motivated to use and abuse the system.
I do give the show enormous kudos for featuring one-armed surfer Bethany Hamilton. In a world where physical perfection is often held up as the one true ideal, and people use plastic surgery to 'fix flaws', Bethany proves to us all that having a fantastic life is about enjoying what you have. Yes, she was attacked by a shark. Yes, she now only has one arm! And yet she loves life, she does what she wants to do and she motivates others. I give Bethany the highest kudos and think absolutely that her story should be shared.
But that was a tiny glimmer in a long season of grumpiness. Ironically one of the people who did the very best - coming in third overall in terms of percentage of weight-loss, was Mike who left right after the show started. So he achieved his goal without any help (or I suppose hindrance) from the show's atmosphere. Maybe that means they could do just as well by dangling $100,000 in front of people and then having them work at home.
All told, for me I think this is a milestone. It is when the show went from something I looked forward to to something that will be on in the background just so I can report on it, without caring any more what is going on.
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Lisa Shea's Library of Low Carb Books
