Calling on San Antonio's biggest losers
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Being a big loser never sounded so good. NBC is coming to San Antonio’s Nix Health Care System on Saturday, July 11, to cast contestants for Season Nine.
Casting director Jodi Thomas said the show is particularly looking for family teams of two, especially parent/child teams, to compete for the $250,000 prize. Individuals may audition as well. Thomas said she’ll be looking for women with 100 or more pounds to lose and men with 150 or more pounds to lose. Those who make the cast will begin taping at the end of September on “The Biggest Loser” ranch near Los Angeles. The competition lasts 14 weeks.
San Antonio consistently has the (non)honor of making fattest-city-in-the-universe lists, which was part of the reason the show came knocking on our door. But Dr. Fernando Guerra, director of San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, said the attention is not all bad.
“If (the show) sparks interest among residents in our community to lose weight through healthy methods such as engaging in consistent and appropriate physical activity along with eating smaller and healthier portion sizes, we welcome the attention,” Guerra said in a statement. Thomas said trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels will most likely return for Season Nine. When 210SA spoke with Michaels last fall, she told us working with family teams adds an extra challenge to the competition.
“Not only are you contending with their own dysfunctional behavior patterns and their personal demons, you’re also dealing with the dysfunctional dynamics within the context of the relationship,” Michaels said. “For me, personally, I found it challenging as their trainer because it gives them a place to hide. There’s a security blanket there. ... It gives them a shelter, which drives me crazy because it makes me have to work that much harder to get them to open up.”
Thomas spoke with 210SA about the ins and outs of casting for “The Biggest Loser.”
Are you looking to have a particular type of contestant?
Every year, there’s a story change. And right now, we’re looking for teams of two family members, but if we have individuals come out for the casting call, we’re happy with that just because we’re looking at all aspects. ... If you are a team of two, I always tell people to try to dress alike.
What about the family dynamic is so interesting?
You can’t have a closer bond than a parent and their child. We’re asking questions like, ‘Do you feel somewhat responsible for your kid being overweight?’ And it opens up the flood gates. Sometimes parents do feel responsible for their kids. It’s their life and they really, really want to see their kids get healthy, more so than (the kids) do. Nowadays, kids are on their computers or their video games. They really don’t have a good time to get together with their parents.
What has caught your eye in casting contestants?
It’s basically eye contact. It’s somebody’s back story. When we’re looking at somebody and listening to what they say, we only have about seven minutes with them. We need to know right away, can this person hold our attention span for two hours on a Tuesday night? ... And will I be able to root for this person?
You’ve seen a lot of people try out for the show, but what seems to drive the winners?
They are working out anywhere from seven to 10 hours a day. ... You have to look for those people who have the drive, those who say, “I need this or I’m going to die.” It’s one of those things where you can feel their passion about it. Some people are just there to be on television, and that’s not what we’re looking for.
You’re looking for women with at least 100 pounds to lose and men with at least 150 pounds to lose. Have you had much thinner people show up trying to get on the show?
We have tons of people who show up and they might be like 60 pounds overweight. Usually I just give them a hug and tell them, “It’s okay OK.” We’re huggers here.
What is the craziest thing you’ve seen or had to do at a casting call?
At our Boston casting call (for season five) we had, maybe 50 people there. ... So I had to walk on foot to try to find people for the show. And that’s the worst thing in the world to come up to someone and be like, “Hey, I think you’re overweight and would be great for our show.” So we were at our wits’ end. I had asked, maybe, 10 people and gotten laughed at. ... In the end, I’m sitting in the area right before you get into Fenway Park. These two guys come out and I’m like, “Oh, my goodness, they have to be twins.” ... I ran up to two guys and said, “I know this is crazy, but I think you’d be great for the show.” They laughed in my face and said, “Are you kidding me?” ... An hour later they called me back and said, “Our wives told us to call you back. We’re interested in what you have to say.” ... And it turns out to be Mark and Jay, the brothers from season five. ... Now they’re doing marathons. They’re speaking at engagements. They’re really helping people and they’re paying it forward.
How many people do you expect to turn out at the casting call in San Antonio?
It’s our first time in San Antonio, so we’re hoping we have a great turnout. I know that San Antonio is one of the fattest cities, and I’m from Texas. ... It’s finally time to come out there and say “Hi!”
Jennifer Lloyd | 210SA
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