I've been noticing a lot of backlash from fans, fitness professionals and viewers, among others about NBC’s choice for adding Tennis star Anna Kournikova to the team of “judges” on the popular reality series The Biggest Loser.
As a Personal trainer and fitness consultant I was certainly a little baffled by their choice but also know a little about these types of shows and wanted to share some thoughts.
In full disclosure... I was contacted by the producers of the show a few months ago asking me to consider replacing Jillian Michaels next season. I only shared this news with family and close friends, until now. It was a humbling and exciting phone call to receive, knowing they had been searching for over a year to find the right choice. I am (obviously) no way in the celebrity league of Anna Kournikova and certainly don’t proclaim to be, but was humbled non-the-less to be on their radar and asked to consider the opportunity.
More transparency – This past season was the first I watched in its entirety. Partly because training people is what I do all day so not keen on spending my free time watching others do it. :-) Also, I have a love/questioning relationship with the show. On the one hand, I admire the contestants and trainers for their tenacity, hard work and dedication to reach the goals they do. It's not easy. But on the other, I find the “reality” of taking off 100+ lbs in 12 weeks (after it took a life time of put on) a bit of a toll on the body and heart and not the safest approach. It's also very difficult to maintain that kind of weight loss after leaving the cocoon of “the ranch” and re-entering the real world without the 24 hour support that they have on the show. That being said, the show inspires people to new levels and that, I like to see.
The Biggest Loser is a reality show. A TV show. Made in Hollywood. Their advertisers rely on ratings and therefore the show does what they can to increase the viewing audience and engage their emotions. As someone who has been on a reality show as a personal trainer (P.Diddy’s Making The Band on MTV, photo right) I understand what goes into making the show a success. They end the season with 1000’s of hours of video and edit it down to create a compelling season for the viewer. What you often don’t see is a lot of the hard work, emotional breakthroughs, educating of workouts, nutrition, and psychological understanding that the contestants experience and are taught to take with them into the “real world”. But it is does happen. There are Drs, nutritionists, therapists and support personal on staff round the clock. Its just not the dramatic stuff that makes for great TV so those interactions rarely get to seen.
I don’t know what NBC has in mind for the next season of The Biggest Loser but do know that they will be "getting slightly away from just the tape measure, and getting into overall well being and health," says executive producer Todd Lubin "That's where Loser needs to go." This I like to hear :-)
Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels are talented, experienced trainers that know how to get the job done and kudos to them for the success they have had with the contestants and their careers. While I hear mixed reports about the two trainers ( Brett Hoebel and Cara Castronuova) returning, I have no doubt that NBC’s choice for adding Anna Kournikova is well thought out and they have a specific plan and direction in mind. I’m quite certain this was not decided overnight. They have a lot riding on the show and quite frankly we don’t know what role Anna will play. Yet.
Bob Harper will remain one of the head trainers and to be honest, I think he is all the show needs. The viewers love him, both male and female. He is hard core with a sensitive heart and has a passion for helping others. Those things, coupled with his experience as a trainer is what it takes.
Filling someone else’s shoes is never easy and viewers have a hard time adjusting to new talent. Believe me, I had to consider if that was even a process I was willing to go through. A show like The Biggest Loser can make or break a career.
My finally take is that Anna (photo left) just might be what the show needs to take it in the new direction they're planning. We know her as a tennis star. In the research I’ve done, have learned she is also a certified trainer and has worked with several fitness programs around the world. That includes lifestyle and fitness programs with the Boys & Girls Club of America and a number of other fitness programs. As long as they have Bob and a team of experienced professionals, her role could add a different energy. Do I think they are going for the star power and looking to increase the male viewership, heck yeah. But that does not mean she won’t have something to bring to the table. She might just surprise us. She deserves to be given the chance. Committed fans will watch, hopefully the show will continue to share the transformative experiences that is the foundation of the The Biggest Loser and continue to ride the wave. It's a wait and see game. I'll be watching with everybody else, rooting for the contestants and trust that NBC will continue to have their best interest at heart.
