I'm a Biggest Loser rookie having only see one or two episodes from past seasons. I watched the opener the other night and something didn't seem right to me.
Maybe it is just me but I think I would have been devastated when they announced that 9 people had to leave. Having made the decision to finally lose weight and being lucky enough to get on the show, I would have broken down when they made that announcement.
Was it just me? Were they not as torn up or was I too busy playing chess on the computer and watching at the same time so I missed it?
My point is, did they possibly know ahead of time or were they maybe told that they would train elsewhere? I just can't believe they paid for all of those medical tests to boot them off. If the point of this show is to genuinely help people, they missed the mark with that stunt.
Of course, maybe this is normal for the show and I haven't seen enough episodes to pick up on it.
This response won't be too popular, but here is what I think...
I think MOST of these people are NOT on the show to learn how to lose weight. I mean, really, how much is there to learn? You need to reduce your calorie intake and increase your exercise. There are plenty of on-line calculators to figure out exactly how many calories you burn, etc. I think by now anyone (anyone who really WANTS the info) knows that white carbs are bad, refined sugars are bad, whole grains are good, always pair a protein with a carb, etc, etc.
I think these people are looking for the MOTIVATION to lose weight. Whether it be the money or the "humiliation" factor. That is why I think that some of the contestants voted off early (in previous seasons) sometimes do as well or better than those on the ranch. Of course, the people at the ranch have the luxury of devoting their ENTIRE day to losing weight, which those at home cannot do.
You make a very interesting point with the medical tests, though. I wonder if there isn't a way for them to put the cost for at least part of those tests through the contestants' health insurance. Hmm...
MEGAN HOPE!!!! 
Anyone care for some low fat, no butter, no taste popcorn?? 
