Is there any way to make a special plea to the producers or someone about possibly getting on the show after casting closed. I am 30 years old, a former athlete that let himself go. I have peaked around 295-300 lbs., I just recently had a heart attack and stent implantation. I need to lose weight and change my life now, because I have the most awesome 2 year old here at home. Any info or advice, whether to get on show, or just in general, is greatly appreciated.

Don

If you want to talk to other message board members about the audition process and your experience, you may do so here. Please remember not to believe everything you read on the internet, and that people who claim to have 'inside information' probably do not. Unless you hear from a casting director, rest assured that you have not been chosen.

Whatever the case, chances of making the show are slim. Sure, it would be nice, but don't keep waiting and hoping (and eating). You can get started right now - there are many free internet resources to help you on your weight loss journey. Here are links to 2 of them:

The Biggest Loser League

mytrainerBob.com starring our very own Bob Harper!

Information in this announcement comes from the NBC.com/Casting page, and other NBC.com web sites. DO NOT send personal messages (PMs) to message board administrators or moderators about the casting process. 98% of the board administrators and moderators are volunteers, not NBC employees, and we do not have any additional information on the casting process.

Hey, Good to see the new season to begin casting soon. I just need a family member now gotta get looking for a cousin lol. Anyways I only recently began watching the show. This past season that concludes tonight is really the only season I've watched diligently. I have enjoyed every minute of it and I auditioned for the upcoming season in Nashville this past March. I enjoyed spending time at the Wildhorse and meet some very interesting people. I wasn't really sure what to expect and did feel the time spent was quiet short. I did have a question though about the whole VIP status. How do you obtain a VIP pass for the Auditions. Anyways Thanks for all you guys do. I appreciate it and hopefully I'll see you in Nashville this summer.

[quote name='Locomotive' date='May 12 2009, 01:56 PM' post='3887649']
Hey, Good to see the new season to begin casting soon.

I have to agree I just wish there was a BL Canada, I mean I know lots of Canandians watch the show and cry when the finalist's show up cause they are so much thinner and healthier and it makes them sick because the finalist's used to be like them.

Please Bring the Ranch to Canada!!! Help us help ourselves!!!!

Hi vbarkley--I'm not sure where to ask this, but after scanning the most recent topics, this seems as good a place as any. I am INSANELY interested in audition for TBL for season 9, but don't have -any- family members that I could audition with (I'm the sole fat one lol). The very last statement on the casting page (http://www.thebiggestlosercasting.com/) says "* If you do not have a partner you may audition on your own"

Do you think there's even the slightest chance in h*ll that they'd consider single contestants? (And if they won't, why did they bother including that footnote?) I'm not going to waste my time putting together a tape or going to an Open Call if I'm out before I even start.

Anyone with any thoughts or info on the matter???

my only thought is Bernie and the girl they paired him with (sorry, I can't recall her name)....there is always that option if the producers choose to pair up total strangers again

Brittany I believe her name was. The editing monkeys made it out to look like they fell in love on the show.

If you live in the United States, you're eligible.

Thanks for the response! I've only followed the show the past couple seasons. Is that the only instance where they've paired up strangers? Or have they done it more than once? That's encouraging to know that the statement about auditioning without a partner is serious, but somehow I still feel like I'd be wasting my time. I mean, the chance of making the show *with* a partner is slim to none...so trying *without* one...?

I'd love to do it, but way too scared to wear bra tops for the world to see. But I'd love to get my butt kicked by trainers and get some serious motivation like that. I think I'd feel serious stomach cramps each time I got on the scale and I even have a fear that I CAN'T lose weight b/c of thyroid (although I know that's probably not true)...fears of going there and not losing even a lb the first week or something....and getting kicked off the first or second week. LOL. too many "fears". Or low blood sugar fears....

How do people get the guts to get on a scale in front of people like that?

I've NEVER felt comfortable doing it, even at 155 lbs...now that I wish I was 155 again, I feel like I never want to be uncomfortable with it ever again if I could just get under 200....

The scale has always scared me and been my enemy....I've never even owned one and I hate looking when I'm at the doctor's office. I guess gaining thyroid weight for no reason even while dieting and working out did something to my head. Not to mention, I always LOOK 30lbs less than I LOOK. So whereas I'd weigh 175lbs, and be very thin and athletic, muscular and curvy, it just SOUNDED like sooo much.

I was going to audition for season 9 of the biggest loser, but I didn't have anybody that could do it with me. So I figured, why bother putting in the time and effort if I am most likely not going to make it on to the show because I don't have a partner .

However, If I still need it once TBL starts casting for singles again, I will audition for it then. But, to those you have auditioned for season 9, good luck and I hope you make it on the show .

~ Dawn

They are doing a casting for couples again anybody know when they might do singles again?

I think the majority of us are wondering when they are going back to singles as well.

The next season which airs in the fall is supposed to be singles. The season that starts airing in January is couples again.

WOW.. ..that is news to me, I thought the next season was couples

I really hope it's singles again.

Btw, I am already missing TBL.

From what I understand Season 8 is singles. I'm not sure if Season 9 is couples or family.

season 9 is familes( couples). yep. I truly love singles to tell you the truth

Families and couples are different. Families are just that, family members only. Couples are like this season, friends, co-workers, even strangers (Britney & Bernie). I'm thinking I read 9 would be family again. Which makes sense since 7 was couples and 8 will be singles. But I could be wrong. I'm glad 8 will be singles, maybe them being strangers will mean less drama and more weight emphasis, at least for the first half of the season.

season 9 are familes. I definitely agree with you JeninAtlanta, we should just vote offf the person with the lost percentage instead of um voting off by elimination. Yes they should not just give the winner the money they should give each cfontestants an amount of money. And for season 8 i hope that they is less drama. We'll just have to wait and see.

I don't know for a fact what criteria they use to select contestants, but in his recent book Where Did All the Fat Go? Biggest Loser doctor Huizenga stated that having hypothyroidism was an automatic deal killer (page 25). He said 4 other conditions would also eliminate a contestant from contention (unstable heart disease, critical anemia, pregnancy, and drug addiction). Some have said that on one of the early shows there was a contestant who had hypothryoidism, so I can't explain the discrepancy.

Would it encourage you to know that Jillian has said she was diagnosed as hypothyroid? In her new book, Master Your Metabolism, she talks about it. Yet she has managed to get fit and healthy in spite of it. I highly recommend her book. It was fascinating reading, how what we eat can affect our hormones, and as a result, our weight.

Leave this for the medical person to bring up - but I have always wondered about something that (to me) would be a lot more embarrassing than the bra thing or getting on the scale. okay - these folks are dieting - eating lots of ruffage (sp?) - lots of veggies, green stuff - things that are bound to make you flatulant (gassy)... then the go to the gym and strain like nobody's business - carrying people, lifting weights, doing sit-ups with Jillian sitting on them - pushing against their legs (and I sooooo wouldn't sit there - in the line of fire!) .... so I'm thinking there has been a lot of audio editing going on there, ya know???

The only family member I have that would be large enough to make the show would be my dad. I haven't seen or spoken to him in over 11 years, which I'm sure the TBL producers would love - but I'd be the 1st to vote him off if given the chance and I sure as hell wouldn't room with him!! I'd rather do it on my own than go with him --- for sure!!! My best friend and I wanted to try out - before they announced it was "families"... they should do a best friend show - I think people potentially have more loyalty to a best friend than to a family member...but that's just me. My friend Shannon and I joked that our cooler with our name on it would be filled with beer! We'd be the party girls/jokers of the group - I don't think we'd be a threat and I'm not sure we could each afford to lose 100 pounds - but I'd try!!

BEANO!!! Right before you eat!!!

Well good luck to anyone who does decide to audition:-) If I had to pick any reality show to be on, it would be Big Brother..(shhh not on nbc but I love the show). My mom and I work out together and she started calling me Jillian!lol I said, "Mom, if I were Jillian, you would be puking and in tears right now. Feel lucky I'm your kid!"lol

I have a question. I was wanting to apply for the show, but here is the question i am morbidly obese, i walk with canes, but i AM ambulatory. my sister is also obese and she walks with a walker. IS there any chance we would get on the show or do you need to be able to run and jump and do stunts to participate. Because if i could run and jump and be active i could lose weight myself. My weight is 506 and i am 6'3". Is there any sense to even try to get on the show?

Sterma

from the sounds of your situation, I doubt you could get cleared medically....have you looked into brookhaven obesity hospital? or any of the other weight loss facilities? I have some ideas for ways to burn calories if you want to hear them

I have lost over 85 pounds it is just a struggle because the JUNK keeps coming into my house. My sister has hoarding complex and she keeps buying junk and bringing it in. Like she found these truffle things on clearance at Sam's and brought home 10 boxes! I generally do not buy junk but if it is here i eat it late at night after i take my sleep meds to go to sleep and i wake up with an empty wrapper on the floor. During the day i control what i eat pretty well and i am up to about a half a mile walking, but i weigh 500 pounds so if i walk too much i develop something called microfractures?? in my knees. I do not understand why so many weight loss places and plans have an "ceiling" where someone with severe weigh issues can not participate...

Welcome to the boards, Centurion7007! Well, it won't set you back too send in an audition tape, you never know. But it sounds like you're doing pretty well on your own, in spite of your sister. 85 pounds is fantastic! Do you have physicians and therapists who can help you now?

What about swimming, or water aerobics? That would be the best exercise for you right now.

I have a membership at a gym, but it is hard to get there in this heat i have no ac in my car and by the time i get to gym i have a killer headache and have stopped sweating. I have been stuck at 500-510 for almost two months now, but i contacted brrokhaven and they said they no longer take out fo state patients and for some reason memphis has nothiong like brookhaven despite being the fattest city in the world.

Duke University has an obesity clinic...FYI
I agree with Veebs....a pool is probably your best option right now
that's where Ron from this past season spent most of his time exercising

just a thought for you car situation....put on a frozen shirt and a frozen washcloth on the back of your neck on the drive....don't know if it will work, but it's worth a shot....sounds like you have the motivation and that the most important tool for your "journey" (maybe the most overused word in TBL history)

The frozen shirt idea is a good one.....I noticed at Wal-Mart the other day, in the sporting goods, they have those hankies that has the gel in it, you freeze it, then apply around the neck, these will last several hours.

I have a few questions if about auditioning if anyone has a second to respond, I recently found out about the open casts, I don't have time to put together a video, not sure if that's needed to bring to the cast, also was wondering if my partner and I should have applications ready when we go there, just asking because I don't have a printer and would need to make a trip to the library . Thanks for your time.

theproman....

Here are some casting tips from a previous contestant and read the casting page info here

Good luck!

I would like to know how to get a VIP Pass. I am auditioning in Dallas and would love to have one. If anyone knows how to get one please contact me either on here or at italianprincess6807@yahoo.com.

Thanks

Have you checked on the links above? Here is an excerpt from someone who had a VIP pass......, you can read about it here

Here are more tips

NEED A STAY AT HOME DAD PARTNER
My Father In Law backed out on me and I need another angle as I dont know anyone else in my same situation. I made it to the end of casting for BL6 when I was learning the pizza business in Chicago but never got the final call, I was from California and they wanted someone to rep the state I assume. then BL7 I was passed over b/c I was just about to open my own pizza shop in LA. Now, store is sold, and I am a stay at home dad looking for a partner. Im going to the Citadel for the open casting, just looking for any angle to get on and loose this weight, new love of life brought to me via my beautiful daughter Royal. Oh, and since my pops backed out he will be the new babysitter if I can make it on.

Good Fortune
Morgan Banducci

I know what you mean. In my case it is my sister. I called my dad last night to see if he can relay a message to her about casting calls. I know, from my dad, that she needs to lose weight also. Her and I take after our mother in many ways. Unlucky for us, not in a good way. Our mother past 9 years ago. That is when my sister and I stopped talking to one another. My mother was only 60. I don't want to die at that age. My sister and I look almost like twins but we are almost 3 years apart in age. Anyways I am about to call her today. Kind of scary. 9 years and calling her to see if she wants to be on the show with me.

Talk to you all soon. Good luck.

Good luck, Sha. And even if she doesn't want to do the show, I hope this gives you 2 an opportunity to reconcile.

CASTING CALL QUESTION FOR SEASON 9

i just saw the commercial the other night for casting of season 9. can someone tell me if
they have already done a casting call in Charlotte, NC? it's were i went in February for season 8.
i'm not sure if i'm too late and just need to do a video.

A few questions?


A. I read on here that single people have been paired with other single people to compete on the teams seasons in the past. Has it only happened once?

B. Has anybody attended a live casting call for the show this year and if so how many people do you estimate showed up. I see they only see the first 500 or so and I want to know if I do attend will I have to get there super early.

C. Does anybody believe that a casting call gives you a better chance to get on the show over a video tape.

D. Is there any singles going to the Kansas City or Des Moines tryouts.

Thanks for your help in advance.

Here is the list of the remaining Casting Calls. All official casting information is taken from the NBC Casting Page.

Hi!! I went to the open casting call in Chicago. There were about 1,000 people there, but the casting directors saw everyone, I believe. I was a VIP so I didn't have to wait in the long line, but it didn't seem TOO bad! I definitely do believe that the casting call gives you more of a chance to get on the show than a video tape, but that's just my opinion. There have been plenty of people cast for the show just by video tape. Just make sure if you do only make a tape, that it is really good and above and beyond what other people send in. Of course you need to stick out amongst the thousands of videos that come in! ~ Also, I will be at the Des Moines casting call to try with another partner, because they want me to have "options"...so I will be there in the VIP line around 1 or 2! Good luck!!!!! See you there possibly?! xoxo

I went to the casting call in Norman, Ok yesterday and had a blast. I was debating on going up until the minute I left for Norman because it is a couples season this time and I was flyin solo. I am very glad I went, had a lot of fun and met some awesome people. I have to say Ian is amazing...loved how he took a ladder to the middle of the street climbed on it, and with a bull horn directed us all to sing "oklahoma" before the auditions began. I ended up being at Ian's table which was cool!
Did not get a call back, but I am not discouraged at all. There is always next season even though hopefully by then I will have gotten control of my weight at home. If I do tryout next season, at least now I know how the whole casting call process goes.

All in all it was definately an awesome experience!

I posted this on another board, but I think that it bears repeating here because I just can't help but wonder if you do as much as these people did and STILL don't get a call back, what does it take?:

I was with a friend of mine at the casting call in Atlanta (I can't apply right now because I am pregnant, but have applied once before and plan to apply after the baby). We met a couple there who just blew us away. The husband wore a shirt showing all of the casting calls they had done this year alone (they say they have applied every season and done casting calls before). They had their names and cities and miles driven. They were so adorable and really need to be on the show. They are grandparents, so they don't have as much time to do this, so I can understand why they were so driven to impress the casting staff. They had cute packets made up and really had more enthusiasm than anyone else we saw in line. We REALLY thought they would be picked, but obviously they weren't. I am pretty sure about this because I saw a video on YouTube and recognized them immediately. They are trying to get help and I want to help them, so I am letting you know that they are someone I would love to see on the show. They have done SO MUCH to get there and never even got a call back. If they don't get a second look, how would we? I hoped they would make it, because I would enjoy watching them as much as I enjoyed those hours with them in line. I would also like to know just HOW can someone even hope to get on the show, if I did as much as them and NEVER got a nod, I would have given up, but they haven't and that says to me that they are the kind of people who would work hard and be inspiring.
Here's the YouTube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueFw_PyUrXI
Casting staff: Just look for yourself, maybe you will see something you missed the bizillion times you saw them before. I wish them the very best of luck and really hope to see them on season 9.

Renny, what is more sad than them not making the cut, is the fact they just do not get it. Sorry to be harsh, but after the 3rd or 4th rejection, perhaps they could focus their time and money on getting healthy. Wonder just how much money they have wasted to get to all these audition calls?

Chazee,
Actually, they said when they didn't make the first year, they tried doing it on their own and lost 150 pounds between them, but they still have a lot to lose and can't get the rest off. I'd way rather see them on the show than someone (like many we've seen) who just do it to get on TV but don't really want to work to get the weight off. I still think there are people (like this couple) who aren't just sitting around waiting to get on the show and not trying to lose the weight, there are people like this who ARE trying, but really need some help------THOSE are the kind of people I would REALLY like to see make it. And, this couple was really great in line, positive attitude, great sense of humor and fun. Why can't TBL see that instead of putting people like Joelle in there. I also hope I can keep my weight down until after the baby and not need help, but if I do have a lot of weight to lose, this would be really discouraging for me and I would probably want to tell people it just isn't worth it to apply.

Im an looking for a place to post this so hopefully it is heard. I applied this last seson for TBL 32 6'1 375lb. I never heard a thing. I saw that the young man from last season is on this new one! How upsetting this was for me! Someone who had the opportunity and was given a chance to work with the best and learn from the best gets a second chance. Some of us would have killed for a first chance at it. That said, i no longer need it! i have lost 72 lbs and am working with a personal trainer and running my first half marathon. I am almost under 300 which i haven't been in 15 years. I did the HARD way. I did it at home, at work in the real world and struggled with all the daily temptations. i quit smoking cold turkey i am a new person! I am not here to show that as much as i LOVE the show...you dont need it. i have 70 more lbs to go. I can do it and i am out there talking to people every day trying to show and encourage them that it can be done without the pills and the surgery. I will have to think about watching the Biggest Looser! I am still going through my own emotional battles and now dealing with the Personal side of the weight loss. I am still disappointed at a show that i held in the highest regard! Bob and Julian thank you for the inspiration!