The stakes are higher than ever when all the eliminated contestants return to the ranch to compete in a fateful, four-part challenge. The challenge winner will secure a coveted spot as a finalist, and the chance to compete for the $250,000 grand prize, along with the other two finalists revealed in last week's episode. It's a fight to the finish with each player fiercely determined to get back in the game in a competition that will put their speed, knowledge and endurance to the ultimate test. In the end, the third finalist of season 13 will be revealed.
Season 13 Episode 17 of The Biggest Loser resulted in a 0.00 rating in the 18-49 demographic.
The simple idea of The Biggest Loser, familiar to dieters the world over, is that "whomever loses the most... wins". Losing weight will be difficult, though, as the 12 contestants (six male and six female) will be faced with "real-life temptations" that their new "approved weight-loss shugs and resources" should help them overcome - if they want to win, that is.
The twelve contestants will be divided into two teams of six, cleverly named the Blue team and the Red team. The teams will be mixed by gender and will be organized to be approximately equal in weight. Each team will then be assigned a "team trainer" to teach it individual fitness and nutrition regimens. According to NBC, one trainer has a tough 'boot camp' attitude while the other offers a much calmer approach yet remains strict and focused on results. So ... will the carrot or the stick work better?
The personal fitness trainers on The Biggest Loser will be Jillian Michaels and Bob Harper. Michaels' celebrity clientele includes entertainment mogul David Geffen, Amanda Peet, Vanessa Marcil, Amber Tamblyn, Sarah Paulson and Jeremy Renner. Harper is a consultant to trainers and teachers alike, and has trained such celebrities as Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Stiller, Ellen DeGeneres, Melissa Etheridge, Guy Ritchie, Lauren Dern, Selma Blair, Jessica Alba and Dermot Mulroney.
To be sure that the contestants do not drop dead on the air from all the unaccustomed exercise, they will be under the supervision of off-camera medical experts, including Robert Huizenga, author of "You're OK, It's Just a Bruise", the book on which the feature film Any Given Sunday was based, and UCLA nutrition professor Dave Heber.
During each week's broadcast, the teams will face difficult and demanding daily work-outs culminating in a weekly competition in the form of a challenge, but the moment of truth will come during a weekly weigh-in. At the weigh-in, each team member will be weighed to determine the total pounds lost as a team. The team that loses the least amount of weight is faced with having to eliminate one of their own. In the end, the winner of The Biggest Loser walks away with $250,000 and a healthier body augmented by new coping shugs.
The Biggest
Loser Season 13 Episode 17 airs Tuesday April 24 on NBC at 8 pm.
Episode Synopsis: ELIMINATED CONTESTANTS RETURN TO COMPETE FOR THE CHANCE TO BECOME A FINALIST – The stakes are higher than ever when all the eliminated contestants return to the ranch to compete in a fateful, four-part challenge.
The challenge winner will secure a coveted spot as a finalist, and the chance to compete for the $250,000 grand prize, along with the other two finalists revealed in last week’s episode. It’s a fight to the finish with each player fiercely determined to get back in the game in a competition that will put their speed, knowledge and endurance to the ultimate test. In the end, the third finalist of season 13 will be revealed.
Episode 1
Episode 1
Tue, Jan 3, 2012 120 mins
A new batch of couples arrive at the ranch and are shocked to learn they'll be split up to compete against each other in the Season 13 premiere. The new round has a "No Excuses" theme, and the trainers address the reasons the contestants are overweight.
Where to Watch
Episode 2
Episode 2
Tue, Jan 10, 2012 120 mins
The teams bet on the percentage of weight they think they'll lose in order to gain an advantage at the weigh-in. Elsewhere, the contestants learn to shop for healthful foods; the teams compete in a puzzle-based challenge; and Dr. Huizenga performs sobering health assessments.
Where to Watch
Episode 3
Episode 3
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 120 mins
A Chinese-buffet temptation offers the winner a two-pound advantage at the weigh-in and an opportunity to match up players for a gym challenge. Later, the teams compete in a water-transfer challenge for the chance to video chat with loved ones; a player makes a shocking decision.
Where to Watch
Episode 4
Episode 4
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 60 mins
The teams compete for exclusive use of the gym during a battering-ram challenge. Bob and Dolvett, meanwhile, try to get through to contestants they feel aren't putting in enough effort to shed pounds.
Where to Watch
Episode 5
Episode 5
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 120 mins
The players compete in a trampoline challenge to win the chance to exclude a contestant's weight from the weigh-in. Elsewhere, two eliminated players return for a chance to win a spot at the ranch, and personality clashes cause tension in the house.
Where to Watch
Episode 6
Episode 6
Tue, Feb 7, 2012 120 mins
One team must work out for a week without the guidance of their trainer, who secretly monitors his players to track their progress. The losing team is determined by a dunk-tank challenge, in which Bob and Dolvett are suspended over water and must rely on the contestants to keep them dry.
Where to Watch
Episode 7
Episode 7
Tue, Feb 14, 2012 120 mins
Two players visit home with their trainers in tow, and their weights alone count at the weigh-in. Elsewhere, the teams compete in an obstacle course in order to receive letters from loved ones for Valentine's Day; the players at the ranch must fend for themselves, though one contestant turns to nutritionist Rachel Beller for help preparing a special meal.
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Episode 8
Episode 8
Tue, Feb 21, 2012 120 mins
A temptation-challenge winner reorganizes the teams in an unpopular move that creates tension and suspicion among the players. Elsewhere, the teams race to assemble a large puzzle in order to win a special prize.
Where to Watch
Episode 9
Episode 9
Tue, Feb 28, 2012 120 mins
The contestants go home for 18 days and have a chance to earn immunity if they lose five percent of their body weight. While some struggle to stay on track, others benefit from the support of family and friends. Also: a home rowing challenge earns the winner $10,000.
Where to Watch
Episode 10
Episode 10
Tue, Mar 6, 2012 120 mins
The teams switch trainers in a move designed to get them out of their comfort zones. Elsewhere, one trainer tries ballet; and the teams navigate a mud pit to locate weight plates in a messy challenge.
Where to Watch
Episode 11
Episode 11
Tue, Mar 13, 2012 90 mins
The teams are dissolved, leaving the nine remaining players to compete on their own. Later, a tug-of-war contest finds the contestants competing for a shopping spree with Jessica Simpson; a trainer helps a player face her fear of heights; and a contestant turns the tables on a trainer.
Where to Watch
Episode 12
Episode 12
Tue, Mar 20, 2012 120 mins
The contestants go to Hawaii to test their ability to lose weight during vacation. During the trip, the players face off in a trivia contest and a challenge involving tikis and leis. Later, surfer Bethany Hamilton gives the gang surf lessons.
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Episode 13
Episode 13
Tue, Mar 27, 2012 120 mins
Season 12 favorites Antone, Becky and Vinny return to judge a cooking contest and offer the players advice. Elsewhere, the contestants' exercise routines are spiced up with a Zumba class and mountain biking; and the players load food onto trucks during a pop challenge.
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Episode 14
Episode 14
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 60 mins
The contestants receive makeovers before traveling to Washington, D.C., to meet Michelle Obama and debut their new looks to friends and family. Fashion pro Jeannie Mai and celebrity hairstylist Ken Paves assist with the transformations.
Where to Watch
Episode 15
Episode 15
Tue, Apr 10, 2012 120 mins
Michelle Obama discusses health and fitness with the six remaining players and meets with their families. She also joins the gang for a workout at the White House. Elsewhere, Bob counsels a player who turns to food for comfort; and Dolvett leads a last-chance workout in front of the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial.
Where to Watch
Episode 16
Episode 16
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 60 mins
Previous winners John Rhode, Olivia Ward and Patrick House return to take on a difficult obstacle course along with the players. Also: The contestant who loses the highest percentage of weight for the week wins an SUV; the trainers and players watch videos documenting their progress.
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Episode 17
Episode 17
Tue, Apr 24, 2012 60 mins
Eliminated players return to compete in a four-part challenge in order to win a spot in the final.
Where to Watch
Episode 18
Episode 18
Tue, May 1, 2012 60 mins
The winner of the $250,000 prize is crowned in the Season 13 finale, and the eliminated players return to weigh in for the $100,000 at-home prize.
Where to Watch