Trainers to be cut from Biggest Loser fat?
Michelle, Shannan & Commando appear to be on notice with a casting callout by The Biggest Loser.
- Published by David Knox
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Biggest Loser trainers Michelle Bridges, Shannan Ponton and The Commando could be on the way out if an online casting notice is anything to go by.
According to a notice on StarNow:
The Biggest Loser is searching Australia wide for new and experienced Trainers to be a part of our Biggest Loser “Families” in 2015.
We are after male and females who are successful trainers with an empathetic ear and sympathise with our contestant’s journey to lose weight.
You must be aged 25-45, be Sydney based, a qualified Personal Trainer who is confident, passionate and comfortable to be on TV.
A casting call for Biggest Loser: Families went out some time ago, despite TEN’s CEO recently citing “tired franchises” in the network schedule. Presumably renewed interest in MasterChef this year has made everybody rethink things.
Refreshing Loser with new trainers, and probably a new host, could indeed turn things around. But the show will also need to restore some authenticity to the brand which has undergone a lot of scrutiny about its techniques that wring the tears and drama.
The trainer call-out already has some speculating that Michelle Bridges will be cut loose from the show. “Michelle costs quite a lot of money,” an unnamed source tells yourtv.com.au. “The show just can’t afford her anymore.”
Having seen Commando at work at Kid’s Choice Awards, his brand is extremely popular with kids. He could be a loss to the show if you’re aiming for a family audience.
Applications close on the 30th of September if you think you have what it takes.
Update: A TEN spokesperson says: “The Biggest Loser trainers are valued members of the TEN family and we would love to have them all back next year.”
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- Tagged with Kids Choice Awards, MasterChef Australia, The Biggest Loser
19 Responses
I wish they would for once have no eliminations and allow the best contestant to win. Isn’t that what it’s all about? Whilst it would take away some of the “drama” (which for the most part has been obviously manufactured by the producers), it would allow the audience to empathize and connect with the contestants.
Leave the silly drama/bitchyness etc… to the soapies!
Tiffiny wasn’t made redundant and was asked back, its just she didn’t want to return as she was focusing on her writing. She hasn’t ruled out a return though, please check our site for more info.
I really like Shannan and The Commando. I really hope they come back. And Hayley does a great job as host. I want all three of them to come back.
Shannan, Michelle and The Commando are the face of The Biggest Loser brand in my opinion, so it would be a shame to lose them. Possibly they are looking for additional trainers to cater for several families on the show. It would like to see a new host with some personal weight loss experience (maybe a successful past contestant) who would be more relatable with the contestants.
As I’ve said many times before, the format needs a complete revamp to better reflect a weight loss show.
The show definitely needs a new, stronger host. Don’t mind the existing trainers on the show, but they need to do something differently.. adding another trainer might help the dynamics. I understand the show is about weight loss and the ‘biggest loser’, but perhaps it needs to be aimed at the everyday folks who may need to loose 20-40 kilos? In a healthy environment, showing fitness tips and creating meal plans and more in-depth nutrition advice. Drop the drama and bitchinesss.
You can’t drop the drama, or it just becomes a one hour lifestyle show once a week. But the drama needs to find new storytelling approaches.
@Mac – I don’t know what Tiffiny’s situation was. I’m just using the example of a redundant employee as an analogy.
I thought Tiffiny wasn’t made redundant, she was simply not asked back in the interests of best casting. A shame coz I was one of the few who liked her.
They might not be booting them, they might have wanted to go. Maybe Michelle thinks she’s too big for it now?
Like someone who gets made redundant, only to then hear that someone else has been offered an ever-so-slightly modified role in the company instead, Tiffiny must be aghast at all this.
Can’t stand Michelle Bridges. And I agree with @Tvf the whole relationship with Commando puts me off, too. Its just too weird.
Can they bring back Bob? (swoon…)
I really like the existing trainers. I’m guessing they’re looking for a 4th like Tiffiny, or a new shocker like when Commando was introduced.
change trainers good but another families edition it has already failed before it has begun just go back to basics and individual people it was much more interesting back than than these gimmicks of families and duos rtc
Here’s an alternative to think about to explain the casting notice – each family gets its own personal trainer.
Wow – Michelle Bridges – talk about biting the hand that feeds you! Your weight loss products are not going to sell nearly as well if you are not on TV every year.
I like the trainers. It’s not fair to kick them out since they have been with the show since season two.
I think this is a great move. Not so sure about the families theme though. I think they should be doing a singles season without all the gimmicks & temptations & themes that have made it lose it’s way.
Adding new trainers isn’t just about personality but also different trainers have different methods of training and loser needs something new. How many more times can you watch commando running a training session through a sand pit?
To generate interest it will need more than superficial changes but a complete revamp in how they go about weight loss and new trainers and host. In particular all the press on personal lives of Michelle Bridges and Commando puts me off wanting to watch them on TV on a regular basis. The brand also needs much stronger host.