★★★★★ 0/5

Luke booted from Biggest Loser -but was it an over-reaction?

The Biggest Loser kicks out a contestant for being a bad drunk -but did the punishment fit the crime or the Reality TV script?

12
Leave a comment

26 year old Luke Stephens has been kicked out of TEN reality series The Biggest Loser after breaking house rules for using alcohol.

The incident occurred several weeks ago during production but only aired last night.

Contestants were partying after a successful challenge, but closed-circuit footage indicated Stephens was partying more than others.

The incident proved to be juicy drama for the show, with Trainer Shannan Ponton narrating as blurry closed-circuit camera footage showed Stephens under the influence.

“It started off looking like good, clean fun,” said Ponton.

“As the night rolled on, Luke’s behaviour got worse and worse.

“We don’t have alcohol at Camp Biggest Loser. But Luke was slurring his words. He was stumbling. He appeared to be drunk. I literally couldn’t believe my eyes. Way more than just a couple of drinks. Losing control.”

Stephens could be seen stumbling, with contestants concerned for his welfare.

The next day contestant reactions were filmed as part of the storytelling.

“Last night got a bit out of control, didn’t it?,” said Kasey.

“It did. It was just a bit awkward,” Michelle answered.

“I think he owes an apology to everyone in the house. His action did hurt a lot of people. A lot of people were scared that night,” said Hamish.

Stephens admitted his mistake in a frank conversation with Ponton.

“I’ve stuffed up, majorly. I had alcohol brought into the premises and over-indulged in it,” he said.

“I consumed a full bottle of alcohol within about 3 hours.”

“The rules are simple – you can’t get drunk at Camp Biggest Loser,” Ponton insisted.

Tearfully, Stephens bid farewell to his shocked fellow contestants.

“If I can’t win Biggest Loser 2012 the thing I can win is the respect back from youse guys. So on that note, it’s now time for me to say goodbye and goodluck.”

But while use of alcohol is a breach of rules, was kicking him out of the show fitting with the crime, or was it better as drama and a headline for the show?

It’s hardly the first time Reality contestants have been eliminated from a TV show.

The most famous incident was in 2006 when two Big Brother contestants “turkey-slapped” a female contestant. At the time it attracted national headlines and was likened to sexual assault.

Last year MasterChef Australia kicked out a contestant after using a smart-phone, claiming it could have been used in cheating.

But while Stephens’ misdemeanour was to imbibe in a show that is all about personal health, he isn’t accused of anything more.

A TEN spokesperson confirmed to TV Tonight that he didn’t threaten anybody, assault anyone or damage property.

Shouldn’t there have been a punishment more fitting with his action?

Instead it was milked for the drama, including with some awkwardly-staged scenes (curiously, none of which required the host of the show to participate….).

Trainer Shannon Ponton said it wasn’t the way he wanted Stephens to exit the show.

“I will judge you again on your actions between now and finale,” he said.

“I wish him all the best and I’m going to be with him every step of the way on the outside.”

Really?

“Luke knows that he’s got issues that need professional help. The type of help that he can only get on the outside.”

The show already has a resident Psychologist, Dr. Lucy Blunt, who made no appearance during the on-air Drama.

Last night fans of the show took to Twitter to discuss their reactions.

Lubna:
what did luke do besides getting drunk ?!! #biggestloser

Travis Butler:
Luke needs professional help, so we’re evicting him so it’s not our problem #biggestloser

Kath Corben:
Is Luke out for bringing in the booze? Or for keeping it all for himself? #didyoubringenoughforeveryone? #biggestloser

Katie K:
I can’t believe they kicked luke out for a drinking problem. He didn’t hurt anyone! #biggestloser

Geordie-Oz:
#biggestloser what did Luke do wrong?

Danielle Tramontin:
If I had a dollar for every time I felt like Luke… Kicked out for being drunk… Tsk tsk. #biggestloser

Amanda:
Poor Luke, he doesn’t just have an addiction to food, but to alcohol as well. Hope this expulsion from camp wakes him up. #biggestloser

Em McDonald:
The blue & white’s conversation about Luke’s behaviour is so staged. Not even pretending to “reality” TV anymore #biggestloser

Jessica R:
i knew it’d be luke. i just knew it!!! #biggestloser

Ca-coph-o-ny:
So Bec can abuse/bully one girl but stays so Luke must have done a ripper to get kicked out! #biggestloser @channelten #notnicetv

12 Responses

  1. rules are rules.
    he broke them.

    theyre there for a reason, and you cant win if you break the rules. the action was more than suitable for the offence.

  4. They were correct to send him home. The biggest loser is about healthy lifestlyes drinking doesnt include that, esp bringing alcohol into the bl house. What did he think would happen when he had the first drink.
    The good thing is shannon said he will help him on the outside.

  7. I don’t judge him based on what was shown on television last night, because we’ve all had a drink and gotten a bit rowdy in the past.

    However, the tattoo emblazoned in full view on his forearm “ITBNB” had him pegged as a class act from day one (google it).

  8. I seem to recall when the story broke all those weeks ago that during an interview trainer Michelle mentioned that gave each contestant one glass of alcohol and that the booted contestant went out of the house and bought more. If true I can see that as being a larger breach as well. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was more to this story than meets the eye. Wouldn’t be surprised if one of the players complained and got him kicked out. I’m looking at the the white team, they seem perfect for manipulation and backstabbing. Of course it’s just a crazy theory…

  9. So you can’t get drunk at Camp Biggest Loser, but you can scoff a whole box of choloates to win immunity and that’s alright? Hamish is an idiot and shouldn’t be there. Shannon is gutless to allow him to get away with it constantly.

  10. The whole incident was very hastily dealt with in the episode. Maybe there was more to it? The footage was suitably blurry and Shannan’s commentary not very illuminating. I think they could have incorporated it into the narrative better, and kept him in the house. They showed him last week on a 24 hour leave pass, and that he had one drink. If he has an alcohol problem, of an addictive nature, wouldn’t it have surfaced earlier in the 6 week lockdown, or during his leave pass? There’s more to this. He must have behaved inappropriately towards others, not just his own actions being the issue. Also seems a rough way to support the dude through it all. Kick him out – more shame and self loathing.

Leave a Reply