The Biggest Liar

So I've been watching NBC's The Biggest Loser this year - the first year that I've watched it and I've gotten hooked... weird, I know...

Usually I stay away from reality TV, but this show is different - real people changing their lives for the better - I mean, six of these people lost more than 80 pounds in the first 8 weeks - that's insane! And awesome - I mean being healthy is way important, and these people are anything but when they enter the Ranch - it's really and truly an inspiration.

And then they go and do this: this past week the dude that got kicked off, Dane, lost 100 freakin' pounds the first 8 weeks - I mean, tell me that ain't something inspirational! But then NBC decides to do something like this:

At the end of the show there's a "where-are-they-now" segment that chronicles the off-Ranch success of the presently-eliminated. During this segment they showed Dane, now only 300+ pounds instead of his pre-show weight of 412, finishing the Desert Classic Marathon in Pheonix in an incredible 3:53. What?!



Now I'm not that competitive when it comes to marathoning - I'm not really a runner - but do it for the sense of accomplishment that comes at the end, and the peace that comes after running hard and giving everything of yourself in dedication to an activity that's as ancient as athletics itself. I finished my first marathon in 3:58.40, in supremely better shape than I am now, at 6'2" and about 180, I was in prime shape to run. The fact that this dude finished his in 3:53.40 made me want to give up and quit - if I can't finish faster than that, I have no business running. Seriously...

But as it turns out, a van picked Dane and his wife up at mile 17 and drove them to the finish line (this is chronicled by several people who were at the small race and the fact that Dane and the Mrs. aren't listed in the race results.) Are you kidding me? Why in the world would they say he FINISHED at all, much less give him an incredible time like that? They could very easily have said "Dane finished the marathon" (and let him finish, if he could) or "Dane finished a half marathon" (which he did and is an incredible feat as it is) or "Dane is training for a marathon" or anything along those lines. But no, they said he finished in an incredible 3:53.40.

Ugh. Yes, I'll still watch the show, but let's just say that the one reality show I like (well, that's not true - have you ever seen Hell's Kitchen or Project Runway? Both great shows...man, I'm kind of a junky...) but this really is a prime example of the way the producers can absolutely manipulate the audience... and this time it belittles everyone who's ever FINISHED a marathon - making it look that easy... let me tell you something: it's not...