The second season of the Australian version of the original NBC American reality television series The Biggest Loser premiered on Sunday 4 February 2007 at 7pm on Network Ten, with the finale on 26 April 2007.
The show features 14 overweight contestants competing for A$200,000 and the title Australia's Biggest Loser for 2007.
The eventual winner was Chris Garling, one of "The Outsiders", who lost 70.1 kg (46.89% of his start weight).
Eliminated contestants also had the chance to compete for a runners-up prize of $50,000, which was won by Michael losing 70.0 kg (42.37% of his start weight).
[4] Although Michelle states she doesn't like the format of the reality television show, she feels in the end it is helping change people's lives.
Before going to air, there were various allegations that Australian Idol winner Casey Donovan had applied to be a contestant and had been rejected.
Some options included a 24-hour training prior to the first weigh-in, choosing replacement contestants, swapping team members, giving up immunity, and immediate mid-week elimination.
A third element was former SAS soldier Steve Willis dubbed "The Commando" who was used for rewards or penalties in challenges.
In some instances, episodes were replaced with specials where major twists were introduced, or previous events were explained for viewers missing information.
With pairs and individuals, players must come in "above the yellow line" which is usually the 2 lowest weight losers of the week.
Contestants can avoid elimination by their team or themselves losing the most percentage of weight loss, winning immunity at a temptation challenge.
Contestants make themselves an elimination target if they are a threat of losing a lot of weight by the end of the show.
These rewards often lead to giving contestants power to change the outcome of the game with weight advantages or penalties, or individual personal prizes generally awarded by the shows advertising suppliers or sponsors.
Challenges are generally psychologically based and gave contestants the choice to act against temptations they would otherwise participate in.
Ajay has since stated goals for herself after the completion of this season, moving into hosting a radio show.
The pairs grouped together were: Damien and Laura, Greg and Mel, Courtney and Munnalita, and Pati was left by herself which introduced a new twist.
Other game locations include "The Walk" which was filmed around Bobbin Head National Park, Turramurra, NSW.
Other filming locations include areas around the house gardens for individual contestant interviews.
The Biggest Loser is a trademark of Reveille LLC and is licensed and produced by FremantleMedia Australia Pty Limited.
Among others, the major sponsors and suppliers that were explicitly credited were 100% Pure newzealand.com, Accredited Practising Dieticians, Air New Zealand, Brooks, Chrysler, Fernwood Health Club, LG Electronics, Workout World and Valiant Hire.
Network Ten dismissed these allegations, arguing that Donovan had simply not survived the application process.
[8] There was also much criticism when news leaked of contestant Jules, then unknown, was forced to quit after multiple health scares and hospital visits.
[3][30][31] An eating disorders support group, The Butterfly Foundation,[32] commenting on Chris's achievement, warned that such a dramatic weight loss could be a health risk.