for casting. WREG said that will be one of the stories tomorrow (Mon, Aug. 13, 2007) in the CA. Anyone in Camp Cal gonna try out for this?

from ca.com:

NBC casts contestants for 'Loser' in Memphis

By Fredric Koeppel

August 13, 2007

NBC's "The Biggest Loser" returns for a fourth season with a two-hour premiere Sept. 11.

But even before the fourth season debuts, casting directors from the show are looking for contestants for the fifth season.

They will be in Memphis Saturday for an open casting call from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 24 Hour Fitness, 1285 Ridgeway.

Last season, Erik Chopin won the reality television show that pits teams of overweight contestants in a "voting-off-the-team" format similar to "Survivor" and its spinoffs.

Chopin lost 214 pounds, or 52.6 percent of his body weight, on the show's third season. He gained $250,000 for the victory.

While the obvious qualifications for participating on "The Biggest Loser" are being overweight and wanting to lose weight, NBC casting director Martin Booker said there's another aspect that helps people get accepted to the show.

"It's the personality," he said. "We want people to be dynamic ... so viewers will relate to them and want them to succeed. I mean, Erik Chopin last season went through an amazing transformation, and viewers really rooted for him and got behind them."

While previous seasons in the grueling process of losing weight have focused on individuals, the fifth season of "The Biggest Loser" is taking a new tack and looking not just for individuals but for twins, families, co-workers and friends and retirees.

"Of course we're still interested in individuals," Booker said, "but this year we're very interested in looking for teams -- you know, mother and daughter, father and son, husband and wife, friends, anybody that they could team with would be great. And we like the relationships to have some history."

Contestants on "The Biggest Loser" are isolated at a ranch and separated into red and blue teams that work under the supervision of professional trainers; some might call it boot camp. The environment and the demands on contestants can get intense as they are tempted with their favorite foods in exchange for rewards like calling their families. The team that loses the least weight each week votes off one of its members. At a certain point, as the teams are reduced in number, they're dissolved and the contestants compete one on one.

"What viewers see," said Booker, "is the pain that the contestants go through. And whatever you're dealing with, it's just nice to see that with dedication and hard work you can make a change on any level. Even me, I mean, I've cast 'The Apprentice' and 'Real World,' and when you see these people and how they've succeeded and changed themselves, there's just this light in their eyes."

Applicants for "The Biggest Loser" must be at least 18 and be legal residents of the United States.

As well as the open casting Saturday, people may apply by e-mailing a picture and short biography to nbcbl5@yahoo.com.

-- Fredric Koeppel: 529-2376

I've watched past seasons of this show and it seems only guys that are "really" heavy have a chance at winning. By heavy I'm talking 320+ range. I don't think a lady has ever won the show, but it's not really about that on this show. It really seem like it's about getting your life back and your family getting you back. One of the reality shows I look forward to watching every season, and my wife loved Bob the trainer. What are you gonna do???