NBC

This article can also be found on Fancast.com.

Despite the Valentine’s Day-themed episode on last night’s “Biggest Loser: Couples,” none of the contestants were feeling much love towards Arthur, the heaviest member on the ranch.

After the two groups were forced to trade in their colors and become solely Red vs. Black Teams, Arthur made a foolish game play to help keep his father, Jesse, on the ranch for at least two more weeks.

Whatever did he do? He inhaled 35 chocolates to win a temptation challenge and in turn, switched out the strongest players from his (now) Black Team, Jay and Jennifer, in exchange for the weakest members from the opposing Red Team, Sarah and Denise. Say what?!

In his myopic mind, Sarah and Denise would serve as the “sacrificial lambs” (i.e. be voted off) that week by his team, assuming that they’d lose the weigh-in to the Red Team, which was populated with big beefy dudes who were in the habit of sloughing off crazy amounts of pound-age.

Although his winning the temptation and making the switcheroo could’ve been kept a complete secret from everyone, for some doofus reason, Arthur openly confessed that he was the culprit.

Big mistake. “Karma’s a b-tch,” warned Jay, with his sentiments being echoed by the angry grunts and looks of disdain on everyone’s faces. Nobody wanted their team members switched, and now Arthur just planted an unnecessary target on his back.

But thankfully for Mr. Game Playah and his Black Team, karma didn’t turn bitchy last night—in fact, it actually brought on a welcomed surprise! With an unprecedented mostly double-digit weight loss by each individual, the Black Team—consisting of all women sans Arthur and Jesse—won the weigh in! Wham-Bam-Thank-You-Ma’mms!

Arthur may have saved his father for at least another week on the ranch, but as for himself, he’d better start pulling in much bigger numbers because being above the yellow line is the only way this Playah won’t get played!

The “Biggest Loser: Couples” airs Tuesdays on NBC at 8/7c.

NBC

This article can also be found on Fancast.com.

What could be one of the worst game plays you could make to infuriate trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels on NBC’s “Biggest Loser: Couples”? Throw a weigh-in (i.e. gain weight intentionally).

And that’s exactly what 54-year-old “home sick” Don Evans did on Tuesday night’s episode, gaining 6 lbs. that week and 9 lbs. the previous week with his twin brother, Dan Evans, who was sent packing before him, People reports.

Don claims his 9-lb. weight gain was not intentional, however, and that the culprit was his mismanagement of fluid intake while being treated for edema. Bob and Jillian’s response? Roll of the eyes. The two trainers did not believe that the weight gain was merely an accident.

“I realize there are things I could have done differently, and I accept full responsibility for what happened [that week I gained 6 lbs.],” the soft-spoken Oklahoma police captain told reporters on Wednesday. “I have no one to blame but myself.”

“Biggest Loser”: “The Unknowns” Finally Reveal Their Identities!

However, Don did have some help from new partner Irene Alvarado. “Irene had approached me the night before the weigh-in and confided in me that was she was intentionally going to drink water [to] cause us to fall below the yellow line,” he said. “She explained that she knew I would end up going home and that she and the rest of the contestants would be safe for another week.”

Considering Irene’s actions, Don says his ouster was “going to happen whether I was involved in it or not.”

Happy to be back with his family, Don has lost over 70 lbs. at home since he left the ranch and continues to lose weight with his twin brother. He’s gone from 309 lbs. to 222 lbs.

“The information that I gained during my time on the Ranch [made it possible for me to] come home and change not only my life, but the lives of those around me,” he said. “I look back on it now and wonder why I didn’t do it before.”

“The Biggest Loser: Couples” airs Tuesdays on NBC at 8/7c.

NBC

This article can also be found on Fancast.com.

At 10 am on NBC this morning, millions of glutei maximi across America broke out into a guilt-ridden sweat when Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford (KLG) hosted the entire Fourth Hour of “Today” on cycling machines, ellipticals, and treadmills!

With calorie counters strapped to their bulging biceps, the hosts ushered in ‘Lose It With KLG and Hoda’ to help you kick off your New Year’s work out resolutions and never say die! (Also, it was another way for the dynamic duo to compete and antagonize each other.)

Although we were disappointed that Hoda and KLG didn’t down a few glasses of bubbly while working the machines, we went ahead and drank a couple shots on Hoda’s behalf since she was flipping out on the fact she was burning less calories than her shorter sidekick. But Hoda shouldn’t feel so embarrassed; after all, she wasn’t the one wearing a SCRUNCHIE! O.M.G., KLG. O.M.G.

Highlights included watching actor Seth Rogan cycle (and giggle-heave) as he promoted his new movie, The Green Hornet, as well a guest appearance by NBC “Nightly News” anchor Brian Williams during the ladies’ elliptical segment. Stuffing his face with a powdered jelly doughnut (we believe it was strawberry filling), Williams spoketh: “We need to send a message, especially to young people, get these machines and do this—it’s really important.” Then he finished his morning treat and walked off the set. Such class, that man.

In between KLG’s various facial contortions and Hoda’s overly sweaty face, another segment that was notable was when fitness expert Joy Bauer joined the gals for a spin on the cycling machines and offered tips for different diet personalities.

According to Joy’s Commandments, if you’re a…

Multi-tasking Dieter: Pre-plan what you’re gonna eat and prepare convenient go-to light foods. (Do marshmellows count as a light food?)
Commitment-Phobe Dieter: Reward yourself every fourth day with non-food rewards, like Hoda’s new book! Oh, yeah!
Sweets-aholic Dieter: Keep to a 90/10 food strategy, meaning you can devote 10% of your daily diet to a sweet treat. Further translation: You got 150 calories to work with. (Isn’t that like a spoonful of Häagen-Dazs?)

Did you enjoy watching KLG and Hoda sweat it out on your flatscreens today? Did you feel the burn—or was that just your conscience? Chime in!

NBC

This article can also be found on Fancast.com.

Bravo

This article can also be found on Fancast.com.

Starting this Monday get ready to take Jackie Warner very seriously. Because she definitely does, as indicated by the questionably low-rise biker shorts she’s been flaunting for her new Bravo weight-loss show ‘Losing It With Jackie’ ‘Thintervention’ (10pm ET). Unlike her previous show ‘Work Out’—which followed her career as a successful gym owner, her roller coaster girlfriend issues, and the the personal lives of her employees —’Thintervention’ focuses on Jackie’s mission to transform both the spiritual and physical lives of eight chubby clients, one of whom is former ‘Real’ Housewife of Orange County and Playboy Playmate Jeana Keough. Meow.

Well, considering the premise of the fitness guru’s new stint, our cleansed souls and svelte waistlines couldn’t help but feel a little bit of déjà vu as we immediately likened it to Jillian Michaels’ NBC spin-off ‘Losing It With Jillian,’ in which the fitness demon makes house calls to change the unhappy lives of out-of-shape families all across America.

Aside from the fact that Jackie doesn’t scream as much as her shorter counterpart, what exactly are the differences between the two shows? In a conference call with reporters last week, we aimed to get the skinny straight from the Horse’s Mouth on what makes her show unique and worth watching.

Here are some of Jackie’s points in quotes—and just for kicks, how we think Jillian would respond below:

Jackie’s Show: She’s the Executive Producer
“I am an executive producer on the show. I’m in the editing bay almost every day even to this point. And, you know, from the inception of the show and to even at this end game at this state, I’m creatively involved.”
Jillian’s Imaginary Response: “Roll the credits—ditto!”

Jackie’s Show: It’s Not Just About Weight Loss
“I’m really interested in dealing with that whole person. And I want their life to be happier. I want their life to be more productive. I want them to have a better quality of living, better interactions, a stronger energy, self-esteem.”
Jillian’s Imaginary Response: “I ain’t driving cross-country and making house calls just so these folks could burn off a few packs of Ding-Dongs. Oh, and in case you missed the episode: I changed the attitude of an entire Apache tribe—bring it!”

Jackie’s Show: Based on Her Program for Losing Weight
“This show is very unique to others because I used my book ‘This Is Why You’re Fat,’ and that’s where the program came from.”
Jillian’s Imaginary Response: “Ever heard of JillianMichaels.com?”

Jackie’s Show: The Clients Are in Their Natural Environment
“They’re not sequestered. They’re really taking the tools that our team gives them and they have to apply them in their real lives. And that’s the challenge and that emotional upheaval that that can cause trying to get this pretty big weight loss goal in a short period of time.”
Jillian’s Imaginary Response: “Dude, I share Snuggies and watch TV in my freakin’ PJs in these folks’ living rooms…and then I sleep in Bobby’s old room. Capice?”

Jackie’s Show: Therapy
“We’re the only show that offers therapy, a real live therapy session, you know, group therapy.”
Jillian’s Imaginary Response: “Touche, Jackie. Touche. But when my clients look into my eyes and see my enraged flaring nostrils, they know I AM THEIR THERAPY, Woman!”

Now that you’ve been informed that ‘Thintervention’ is absolutely nothing like ‘Losing It With Jillian,’ will you be tuning in? We definitely will be, if not only to see if Jackie’s tacked on a hot rockin’ theme song like Jilly’s.

The season premiere of ‘Thintervention’ airs Monday at 10pm (ET) on Bravo.

As most of you probably already know, the FDA doesn’t invest its time regulating personal care products because it doesn’t believe they pose an immediate health risk. In other words, a slow, insidious poisoning of our bodies by the daily onslaught of man-made toxic chemicals hidden away in our body lotions, shampoos, cosmetics, perfumes, and deodorants is permissible.

If we had labels that scored the level of toxicity of our personal care products, my guess is that it’d prompt many of us to make healthier, greener choices and change our buying habits. Jolly good, right? For us, yes. For your collagen-plumping lip gloss company, not so much. Although some beauty companies have responded to consumers’ concerns, the vast majority of the billion-dollar industry has been seemingly reluctant to change, as doing so would require a massive overhaul of its formulations for less harmful ingredients–and lots of moolah coming out of its pocket. Sadly and infuriatingly, in this day and age the bottom line and the status quo muddy the progress towards greater consumer knowledge, choice, and most importantly, health. Sick, isn’t it?

On the bright side, I think the controversy is here to stay until there’s widespread accountability and regulation. Reputable sites like The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and the Environmental Working Group’s cosmetic database are really spreading the word that we don’t want to be guinea pigs to what some critics claim are innocuous ingredients. Hey, I’m all about testings things out but never at the expense of my health.