NBC’s The Biggest Loser has never been a top 10 network show. In fact, its best rated season saw it finish just 30th overall, but despite its failure to ever really soar in popularity, it has been remarkably consistent. All nine of its seasons have averaged between 8 and 10.5 million viewers, and there’s remained somewhat of a buzz around it, at least with the older crowd. Unfortunately, now it’s looking like that consistency may no longer be there. Earlier this week, The Biggest Loser sank to its lowest fall ratings in history, attracting a mere 6.6 million viewers. So, what’s the story? Are we really over watching people lose weight? Is it the format? Is it this particular crop of contestants?
I’ll be honest: I haven’t watched a full season of The Biggest Loser since Caroline Rhea left in 2006. For me personally, I felt the program got a little too repetitive, and to be quite honest, I began losing my empathy for the contestants as they whined and complained about working out. I would invariably compare particular people in my mind to previous winners who’d worked harder, run faster and wanted it more. No one measured up and it lost its appeal, at least until the show introduced couples. That briefly sparked my interest enough to watch a few episodes during season five.
I’d like to think my story is original and that the rest of America has enough heart to watch people change their lives indefinitely, but if these recent ratings are any indication, the wheels are falling off quickly. Even my mother, a Biggest Loser fanatic told me she took the show off her season pass. She pointed to the show losing its novelty after it began airing two seasons a year rather than one. I don’t know. I haven’t been watching. None of us here at Cinema Blend have been watching; so, we pose the question to you. Vote in our poll below or leave a comment and let us know why you think The Biggest Loser is withering…
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