The Biggest Loser Show Series on NBC: Production Blog

The final four contestants are back and ready to take part in a piece of BL history. For the first time ever, the remaining contestants must participate in a full marathon -- 26.2 miles through the hills of California! Before the sun has risen, the final four, along with special helpers, are milling about, fueling up, and trying not to be intimidated by the monumental task in front of them.

On Alison's go, all four of them take off at a good pace, excited to meet up with their running partners in a few miles. Tara and Helen are neck and neck, with Mike and Ron bringing up the rear at a steady pace. Each contestant is being followed by a van that contains medical supplies, snacks, and anything else they might need along the way.

Everyone's running buddies meet up with them at mile four and keep them company for a while. Russell, Helen's husband, runs with her for a bit, and Mike, a friend of Tara's from back home, helps her keep her steady pace. Meanwhile Max has met up with Mike, and together they walk, covering the miles slowly but surely.

Tara and Helen continue to keep the pace, and have an off-camera surprise when Dr. Huizenga "Dr. H" (BL's doctor extraordinaire) and JD Roth, (executive producer) join them both and run with them for several miles. The halfway point brings them a couple of surprises, the first being that their path has taken them directly past the BL campus from Season 4 (CSU Channel Islands) and an even bigger one when they come upon Michelle Aguilar, winner of Season 6! Michelle joins the women on their run for awhile, and they meet up with Heba Salama, Season 6 at-home winner. Familiar faces from BL continue to "hand off" the runners to each other, with all the competitors running at times with not only Michelle and Heba but also Ali Vincent, BL's first female winner; Bernie Salazar, Season 5 at-home winner; and Jim Germanakos, Season 4 at-home winner. With each new face, the runners break into a smile and get re-energized.

Tara in particular has a smile on her face the entire time, and chats animatedly with whomever she is running with. Helen is not far behind, and at different mile markers, whoops out, "I'm doing it! I'm doing it!" Meanwhile, the Morellis continue their pace, with Ron using a cane to help him stabilize himself on the many ups and downs of the course. Mike, who is struggling with an injury, also keeps a steady walk going. Today's challenge is more about finishing a journey as opposed to having a specific winner; everyone who completes it will be able to donate $10,000 to a charity of their choice.

Eventually the course brings them to the beach, and so begins a downhill swoop to the finish line. Jillian meets up with Tara with a mile left to go, and runs with her as she finishes her first marathon in a remarkable 4 hours and 55 minutes! A little under an hour later, Helen crosses the finish line with her husband and her trainer at 5 hours and 48 minutes. While Tara appears to be unfazed by the whopping distance she's just covered, chatting with Bob and Alison and munching on snacks, Helen's body is feeling the pain, and she has the set medic wrap her in ice and stretch her out. She is just glowing though, and is all smiles as she goes into the trailer reserved for the cast to rest with her husband.

Three hours pass, and Helen and Tara continue to mill about the set, chatting with everyone -- the pressure now over for them. Tara, Bob, and Alison take a few Facebook pics, while Jillian leaves to run errands in Malibu for a bit. Jillian meets up with Mike for his last mile and as they laugh and joke, Mike steals the 26-mile marker, being egged on by Jillian, who says, "If I ever finish an entire marathon, I'm taking EVERY sign!" At 8 hrs and 58 minutes, Mike and Jillian cross the finish line, both with big smiles.

After Mike's finish, everyone breaks again for a bit, as Ron is still trucking along the course with the rest of the BL guests. Jim, Bernie, Ali, Michelle, and Heba have all joined him, and they keep him company along the walk. Soon, Tara, Helen, Mike, Jillian, and Bob all go out to join Ron for his final mile. As Ron comes upon the beach, everyone in the area is cheering -- bystanders, crew, and everyone walking with Ron. At 13:15:49, everyone is screaming as Ron crosses the finish line, holding hands with Mike.

Tears are everywhere, and it is a moment where all the competition has been pushed aside, and everyone present takes a moment to celebrate the accomplishments of the final four players! After the checks have been presented and the cameras have wrapped, group pictures of Alison and all the past and present BL contestants are taken, and everyone is exhausted, but happy.

Both Bob and Jillian are upset to learn that Kristin has gone home, and they try to remind themselves that for some of the contestants, it is strictly a game. Ron tells Bob that he had no knowledge of Mike decision, but Bob is not sure he believes him. Ron tells Bob that he just couldn't convince Mike to change his mind, to which Bob responds, "That is so strange to me, because you can always convince your son." Bob tells Filipe it is necessary to make it to the end of this game, and that he will do everything he can to help him.

Later Ron tries to draw Helen into his alliance. He looks at her and says, "Who do you think is running this game?" as he confesses that he has been masterminding every move the entire season. Ron goes on to say that he had to do something to occupy his mind -- so he controlled the game from the beginning to amuse himself and get Mike to the end. Ron tells Helen over and over to remember, "This is just a game. Just a game like any other game." He also goes on to tell Helen that, "The benefits from losing weight are just a plus." Helen vehemently disagrees, saying, "This has changed my life," while Ron advises her to keep the two separate. Ron's strategy makes it clear that he would like Filipe to be the next to leave, as Filipe is the only one standing in the way of Mike becoming the next Biggest Loser.

Meanwhile Mike is letting off steam by dressing up in a raincoat that is far too small for him. He goes down to the kitchen and parades in front of Tara with an umbrella, while she laughs hysterically. To further alleviate the stress of this last week -- it's finally "train the trainer" day! Jillian is notorious for hating this, and today is no exception because train the trainer day is also her birthday -- and she doesn't quite get the treatment that a birthday girl would expect! She allows her people to train her, and both she and Bob are soon dripping with sweat -- promising revenge to their players.

Soon enough playtime is over, and each contestant is more determined than ever to make it to the finals -- with some seeing it as a final destination on the journey to change their lives, and others seeing it as a chance to win the ultimate prize in a game.

At the start of the new week, Jillian takes her team members into the gym and lets them know it is now do or die. She says, "I have almost killed every single finalist that has ever been on this show and I'll be damned if I don't try to kill every one of you...when you go home as a finalist on this show, you need to be exceptional." She tries to instill into her team that they need to face their fears, and only then will they experience success.

During the workout, Tara confesses that she is really upset that Mike wasn't there for her after Laura was eliminated. Helen laughs, saying, "He's 18, Tara!" Jillian trains Mike and Tara together, having them do pushups and reaching out to slap each other's hands in between. Helen continues to heckle them, yelling, "Now's your chance Tara! Right across the face!" Jillian encourages them to communicate better to help their friendship, and after they work it out, they decided they need a group hug with Jillian. Jillian screams, "No!" and tries to run away from them as they chase her around the gym in their sweaty workout clothes. As Jillian runs around the gym screaming, she trips and falls to the ground, and they all end up in a sweaty heap on the floor, laughing, with the tension finally gone.

Meanwhile, Kristin and Filipe get together in the Blue Room to discuss their fears about the upcoming week. Filipe reiterates to Kristin over and over how much they need each other because "even though Ron trains with Bob, he's with Jillian's team...I have a strong feeling that they are coming for me." The two of them speculate that they believe Ron is out to get the both of them, because if it is Mike up against Helen and Tara in the end, he will no doubt become the next Biggest Loser.

During this week's challenge, it seems as though the stress has finally gotten to Filipe as he acts out erratically, doing his best to distract everyone into dropping their ropes. He heckles everyone, even as his own rope slips further and further through his hands. Helen calls out, "How many calories does fear burn?" as they all dangle in the 28 degree weather. Filipe boasts that he can juggle while doing the challenge, and Tara yells, "Shut your pie hole," while Kristin cracks, "I'm at the end of my rope Alison!" For a few moments everyone tries to distract themselves while singing the Biggest Loser theme song... but they soon find that they need all of their concentration. After almost an hour, Filipe is bent completely in half, and is having trouble breathing. He drops, followed by Kristin and Helen. Once again, Tara proves she is a force to be reckoned with as she wins yet another challenge without breaking a sweat.

Later, in his confessional, Mike acknowledges that Kristin is his biggest threat, and reiterates how glad he is to have his dad in his corner fighting for him every step of the way. Ron says almost the same thing in his own confessional, noting that he is thankful that he has life experience over almost everyone in the game, therefore giving him an advantage that will allow him to continue to play smart and hopefully make it to the end.

It's makeover week on The Biggest Loser, and all of the remaining contestants are excited to see what's in store for them. Initially, the contestants are excited to get a break from the never ending hours of working out -- and as everyone is participating in the makeovers -- they feel that they finally have a chance to breathe and relax for a day or two!

They have to be up early at the crack of dawn to head to Macy's, where they are excited to spend individualized time with Tim Gunn, as he talks to them about making the correct fashion choices for their new bodies. During breaks in filming, the girls run around the store, eager to buy new clothes for their shrinking selves, as various crew members and both Ron and Filipe try to talk them out of it -- reminding them that they will continue to shrink and shouldn't spend money now! Tara in particular is thrilled that she can finally wear designer jeans, and fights the urge to purchase a pair. The contestants don't often leave the ranch, so the urge to run amok is high -- and everyone is in great spirits.

The fun continues when they arrive at Warren Tricomi Salon in Hollywood to get their hair and makeup done -- even the boys! Everyone oohs and ahhs at the new hairstyles they are receiving from Tabitha and Brandon -- both Bravo favorites, while the others mill about, drinking tea, coffee, and speculating about what the premiere will be like that they are about to attend. Helen has talked a crew member into getting her some nail polish, and as Kristin gets her hair re-colored by Brandon, Helen sits in a corner and paints her nails.

Everyone is having a great time, and the stresses of the ranch seem to have left them for a bit. However, they don't count on Ron who, during the visit, spends most of his day walking up and down Melrose Avenue outside of the salon in an effort to keep his calorie burn going! Laura in particular is worried about this, as her hip has been bothering her quite a bit, and is on crutches when the cameras are not rolling. She takes time out from the makeovers to go see Dr. Huizenga and get an MRI. Both Ron and Laura are distracted for a bit when they see their drastic makeovers -- Ron has lost his beard and needs makeup! -- while Laura has gone a dramatic red.

Once everyone is fully made up with hair and makeup -- they take off for downtown LA, where they will take part in the most lavish makeover reveal yet -- and see exactly what type of premiere it is that they will be attending!

This week has the contestants refocusing their efforts on making it through to the end of the game. When they are faced with a temptation, the likes which have NEVER been seen before on BL, the results are shocking. With the exceptions of Helen and Kristin, everyone goes crazy with the trays, shoving the food down as fast as they can -- with everyone looking for the Golden Ticket that will give them some additional power in the game. Even as they start to look nauseated, they keep going, with survival being first and foremost on everyone's mind. Tray after tray gets uncovered, and with each food item, the contestants get more and more upset at what they have to eat -- yet they press on. Later, after seeing the damage in the gym, Bob and Jillian are NOT pleased. The contestants don't have much remorse over the exorbitant amount of calories most of them just consumed... and it is clear that they are all very much involved in the game play at this point.

Filipe and Sione remain concerned about the control they feel Ron has over the game -- referring to him as Papa Smurf. They both realize that if either one of them falls below the yellow line -- they will be out. They also talk about how sick they feel from all of the food. Sione says, "I can't even drink water -- I'm so full." Filipe chimes in with, "Spit for lunch and dinner!" Meanwhile, Tara and Laura talk strategy, with Laura telling Tara she would be stupid to not gain weight this week, as Laura will send home whomever falls below with her. Helen comes in and they talk about the temptation and it reminds them of being in the Chocolate Room in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory -- especially with Laura winning the Golden Ticket. All three of them sing, laugh and hug at their good fortune.

Jillian's trainees are surprised when Jillian takes them off of the ranch to Subway to talk about balance in their diets - and even more surprised when they see that Coleen and Jerry from Season 6 will be their sandwich artists! Jerry jokes that even though he is a police officer, that standing next to Jillian Michaels with a bunch of knives is even scarier! Jillian talks to all of them about eating realistically in the real world... and they laugh about how a few weeks prior, Mike busted Jillian with Subway sandwich wrappers in her car! Jillian tells them that she knows it's not always going to be possible for them to eat organic foods... and that sometimes they will be forced to grab something on the go. She tells them that she often eats Subway on Sundays after her radio show, and that she will grab a veggie sub, scoop out the insides of the bread, and eat a modified sandwich on her way to see her horses. Coleen and Jerry share stories about life after Biggest Loser, and say goodbye with Coleen calling after them, "Don't let her kill you!"