Biggest Loser Couples: Season 8's Shocking End

This season "The Biggest Loser Couples - Season 8" had the youngest, oldest, biggest man, biggest woman and the sickest contestant in the history of the show.

I have not always been a big fan of the reality show "The Biggest Loser", however this year for some reason I happened to watch the first couple of shows and was forced to stick to it when my children developed a liking to it. We would discuss why the people were so fat and how great it was that they were trying so hard to lose weight. It actually became somewhat educational for them and then lo and behold, I was actually hooked.

Last night while watching the entire finale - all 3 hours, I found myself riveted and amazed. Jerry, the oldest contestant ever at age 67 and a whopping 369 pounds, managed to win the $100K prize for contestants who were voted off. He dropped a total of 47.97% of his body weight losing down to 177 pound and though I personally was rooting for Kristin and Sione who were right behind Jerry in weight loss percentage, I was amazed that Jerry managed to do it. This was not to be the biggest news of the night!

When it came time for the showdown between the 3 final contestants, it was of course predictably revealed that Ron had been voted off. Ron had been a driving force of manupulation through the entire season. Starting out as the "sickest" player, Ron lost a total of 190 pounds for a percentage loss of just under 45%. Ron plotted and schemed through the entire show and finally asked America to keep his son Mike in the game and America obliged by voting him off.

The big shocker came when Helen walked out on stage. Starting out at 257, the 48 year old mom looked not normal but "thin". It was apparent that she had done her work as her ribs could be seen on her chest. When she weighed in at 117 for a total percentage loss of 54.47, it was apparent that even Tara and Mike already knew she had won.

I had been banking on a showdown between Tara and Mike. When I first saw Tara who started at 294, it was hard to believe that she was a former model but she proved it last night by, ended up at 139 for a total weight loss of 155 pounds or a respectable 52.27 percent - but only 3^rd place. Mike, at 18 the youngest contestant ever who was last year's "America's Choice" started the show at a ginormous 388 pounds and came in 2^nd at 181 pounds for a total weight loss of 207 or 53.35 percent loss.

Other notable "runners up" were Nicole - who wanted to get into a normal size wedding gown and her boyfriend Damien both accomplished their goals. Daniel, the heaviest player ever who at 19 started at 454 pounds and lost a total of 142 pounds - he's young yet and was at home most of the game. Laura Filipe, Dane, Kathy, Blaine, Aubrey, Mandi, Carla, Shannon and Estella were all quite inspiring as well and hopefully Joelle and David will get back on the bandwagon as they all have much to live for.

So Helen - who no one ever expected to make it goes home with $250,000 and hopefully everyone goes home with hope.....and I will probably watch Season 9 with my children....

Source:
May 12, 2009, The Biggest Loser Couples: Season 8, NBC