Hang on.

1. Remember participants VOLUNTEER for this show. It's been on TV long enough for applicants to know exactly what they're applying for. To my knowledge, the media hasn't ever reported a disgruntled participant.

2. Regardless of how tough it is and how manipulated the editing and staging might be for TV ratings, it is difficult to deny that *inspirational* transformations occur on this show.

3. Even if participants put weight back on after the show, they get the feeling of being leaner and fiitter, for some the first time in decades, providing added motivation for the journey.

4. Weight gain is not simply about over eating and lack of exercise. These behaviours are symptoms of mental weakness, poor routine and habits, low self-esteem, and self sabotaging behaviour. This training is tough for the same reason military training is tough - it's not just for the fitness and weight loss, its to forge mental steel. Training must tough be because the real world can be tougher. Participants will have to continue their journey without dedicated trainers, supportive peer pressure, under constant and easy availability of junk food and sedentary activities. In my view the show needn't apologise for being tough.

5. Michelle's recent own book advocates rapid weight loss as a valid strategy after her expereince on the show.

I'm sorry Noelle you had a bad experience.

However seeing the transformations that occured to Sharif when he appeared this week was one of the most moving and inspirational moments in my own weight loss journey.

Don't turn it off. Obese people, turn on and watch. Then use common sense.

Apostacy - while I don't disagree with the thrust of your comments I do have to say PLENTY of people on reality shows have complained about their treatment. Many of them because of how they were potrayed by selective editing and some who expected that a win would result in money that never eventuated. I have read one contestant's contract and I would never have allowed him to sign it IF THERE'D BEEN ANY ALTERNATIVE. As it was, they had people queueing up to sign anything they put in front of them so it was sign or no dice. I guess that's a choice - but try telling a teenager on the verge of stardom that.
That said, I agree that TBL can be compelling tv and no doubt has motivated many people to improve their lives.
It just irks me that they get tired, hungry, desperate people, isolate them from their loved ones (is this sounding like anything else to anyone) and then put them on tv and make them cry for people's entertainment. I think it would be just as entertaining and inspirational if they let them see their families and didn't make them weep constantly.