The Biggest Loser

The Biggest Loser: No Excuses was a season full of unexpected twists and turns ... but, well, few excuses. At the end of the day, the final three stepped on the scale.

With Mark Cornelison and Buddy Shuh, who quit just before the finals, and Joe Messina, who quit earlier in the season, ineligible, the field was narrowed a bit.

In their absence, fan favorites Chism Cornelison, Emily Joy and Cassandra Sturros took to the stage with 11 other contestants to show off their new figures.

That was for the at-home prize of $100,000.

Mike Messina won the at-home prize by losing a total of 160 lbs., or 44.69 percent of his body weight. He beat out Cassandra Sturos (who lost 92 lbs., or 38.49 percent) and her friend Emily Joy (who lost 102 lbs. lost, or 38.64 percent).

The grand prize came down to single mom Conda Britt, 24, her brother Jeremy Britt, 22, and former pro-wrestler Kim Nielsen, 38. The weigh-in results:

• Conda went from 294 lbs. to 179, a loss of 115, or 39.12 percent of her body.
• Kim went from 252 lbs. to 134, a total weight loss of 118 or 46.83 percent.
• Jeremy went from 389 lbs. to 190 for a weight loss of a whopping 199, which is 51.16 percent of his previous body weight.

That makes Jeremy Britt, who is now half the man he used to be, but only literally, the winner of The Biggest Loser and $250,000! Well done man!

Almost seven months after suffering severe injuries in a fall, Sam Poueu exchanges vows yesterday with Stephanie Anderson.

The former Biggest Loser contestants got married in San Francisco, the bride confirmed on her wedding website, adding that she wore a Vera Wang gown and "wept tears of excitement, relief, joy," while feeling like the "most beautiful woman" the first time she donned the dress.

In September of last year, Poeueu fell from a four-story building and underwent number surgeries, along with extensive rehabilitation. He now works as Biggest Loser Fitness Ridge Resort in Malibu, California.

Poueu proposed to Anderson about a year prior to his accident, during a taping of an episode of The Biggest Loser. We wish the couple nothing but happiness.

Jessica Simpson had a busy night few watched on NBC, rewarding winners on The Biggest Loser and then judging aspiring designers on the premiere of Fashion Star.

"People across America can change their lives, and I think Conda and Kim are setting such great examples," Jess said on the former, promoting her own products.

In addition to a year's supply of BeautyMint products, the winning pair scored free Simpson-brand clothes, shoes and necklaces with diamond butterfly charms.

"Any time you get discouraged, look down at your butterfly," she encouraged Conda Britt and Kim Stone, both single moms triumphantly fitting into size 10s.

"These girls have lost so much weight and it just shows how determined they are to feel good," Simpson said. "To be able to be a part of that is very special."

Speaking of special, Jessica Simpson posed nude in Elle recently. And, last night also marked the premiere of NBC's Fashion Star, hosted by Elle Macpherson.

Featuring Simpson, Nicole Richie and John Varvatos as mentors who both meet with contestants behind the scenes and offer opinions, the show made its debut.

Daphne Dortch shook up The Biggest Loser last week and paid the ultimate price for it. But she has no regrets, in fact, she says she's glad to be outta there.

When presented with the opportunity to alter the composition of the red and black teams, Dortch ate over 1,800 calories to guarantee she'd have control.

"I ate the [peanut butter cups] because I wanted to stay with [my trainer Bob]," Dortch told reporters after her elimination. Then the ish hit the fan though.

After gaining the power, Dortch chose to switch her teammate Jeremy for his sister Conda, whom she blamed for evicting her brother Adrian two weeks ago.

"It was very personal," she said of that decision. "I switched them out of revenge but I had no idea the house was going to be devastated by the switch."

Dortch and her brother joined the teams on the Ranch a month into the season after losing a combined 50 lbs. at home, but were not greeted with open arms.

"We never had a chance," she said of returning to the Ranch. "They had already bonded for a month before we even got there. I think it came down to that."

Contestants on this season of The Biggest Loser have a weighty issue with NBC.

Those remaining on the reality competition have actually walked off the set and are threatening to collectively quit because they learned producers were planning to bring back former contestants to compete for this season's $250,000 grand prize.

This is not an atypical move in the world of reality TV, of course, but this season's hopefuls all find it unfair that past losers are now being given a chance to become winners again.

NBC has not commented on the situation, and production has been suspended for a few days, but season 12 contestant John Forger tells TMZ this season's competitors are missing the point of their participation.

"It's not about [money]. What it's really about, for most of us, is the change in our lifestyle, and being able to get rid of obesity," he says. "For most of us, it's about health. Would I walk off the show for the money? ABSOLUTELY NOT."

No excuses.

That's the short, simple tagline for the 13th season of The Biggest Loser, which kicked off last night with a new crop of contestants ready to shed weight and gain (or regain) their health, pride and potentially a quarter of a million dollars.

You know how it works. Let's break down last night's season premiere:

The new contestants arrived with a partner - dad-son, mom-daughter, brother-sister, husband-wife etc. - only they were all split up into different teams within minutes!

Alison Sweeney is back, but Anna Kournikova is no longer one of the three trainers. The services of Bob Harper and Dolvett Quince have been retained, however. Phew.

The first big twist came when we learned one tandem would be headed home before even reaching Biggest Loser house! Great for viewers, sucky for the Aqua Team!

BUT - cue twist #2 - IF they can lose 50 pounds as a team in one month, Aqua Team will be allowed to come back to participate on the show! Challenge ... EXTENDED!

There's no squabbling among judges on The Biggest Loser. No controversy over who gets eliminated each week and who goes on to collect the $250,000 grand prize at the end of the season because there is no voting.

There is simply the scale, the numbers it reads and the resulting eliminations. Therefore, we can't debate the merits of the "Battle of the Ages" winner, can just offer our congratulations to...

... John Rhode!

This 41-year old special education teacher and football coach from Mesa, Arizona dropped 220 pounds throughout the competition. That adds up to 49.44% of his initial weigh-in body weight of 445 pounds and, to put it mildly, is truly astounding.

A job very well done, John!

Anna Kournikova lasted about as long on The Biggest Loser as a guy would last in bed with this beaut... nevermind.

The point is: Kournikova will not be returning for a second season of the weight loss competition.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the former tennis player was a "nightmare," often clashing with contestants and never relating to their struggles.

Kournikova's rep, of course, denies that his client was fired, while the blonde bombshell has released the following statement:

"I enjoyed my time on the Biggest Loser ranch. Although I will not be returning as a full time trainer on season 13, I will always be a part of The Biggest Loser family and my commitment to bettering lives through health and fitness will continue."

[Photo: WENN.com]

Sam Poueu has taken a major step in his recovery from an early September fall.

About nine weeks after plummeting four stories off a San Francisco building, the former Biggest Loser contestant has been moved to a rehab facility.

"His recovery has been nothing short of a miracle. He has been blessed with a wonderful medical team," said Poueu's family and his fiancée, Stephanie Anderson, in a statement to People. "Witnessing his daily progress is the most hopeful and inspirational experience. Tough days are still ahead - but, like always, he is working hard toward a full recovery. We are thankful for your continued thoughts, prayers and support."

For the first time, the 25-year old reality star issued his own statement, as well:

"Words can't express how grateful I am for all the love, support and prayers I've received in the past six weeks, all of which have been instrumental in my healing and recovery process, and in keeping my spirits up."

Sam Poueu has undergone three surgeries since his fall off a friend's fire escape on September 3.

But the family of this former Biggest Loser contestant has issued a statement that says Poueu is recovering as well as can be expected.

"We are excited to share that Sam is out of ICU and is currently in stable condition. He still has a long road of recovery ahead of him, but we are so encouraged by the progress he continues to make daily... He is talking and visiting with family members and close friends who come to see him in the hospital and is so grateful, as are we, for all the love, support and prayers he has received."

Poueu is engaged to another past competitor on The Biggest Loser, Stephanie Anderson, and had been working as a trainer at that show's Fitness Ridge Resort in Malibu.