Amanda Arlauskas

"The Biggest Loser" returns for season eight with a special theme of second chances. Alison Sweeney (Days of our Lives) hosts the popular series, and trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels return to train 16 contestants eager to get their second chances at a new lease on life. From a mother and military wife who has always put others first, to a firefighter whose health and job are at risk because of his weight, they'’ll all come together hoping to transform their bodies, their health, and ultimately, their lives. Last season'’s heaviest contestant and fan favorite Daniel will also return for a second chance to finish the weight loss journey he started and inspire a female social worker who has taken his place as the heaviest contestant in the history of "The Biggest Loser" weighing in at 476 lbs. In the season premiere, one contestant has a health scare during the first challenge, and all of the players get a wake-up call when they meet with Dr. Huizenga to better understand all the medical conditions they'’re facing because of their extra weight. Then an emotional weigh-in is followed by an elimination, sending home the first player of the season.

It'’s week two at the ranch, well known as one of the hardest weeks on "The Biggest Loser" to lose big numbers on the scale. So contestants are surprised when host Alison Sweeney tells them they'’ll all get to stay on the ranch another week - if they lose a certain amount of weight. Hoping to help in their quest is Chef Curtis Stone, who meets them at the California Health and Longevity Institute for a "kitchen boot camp" designed to help them make healthier food choices. Then all the contestants have to rely on each other for a balancing challenge that tests their ability to work together. And later, the weekly weigh-in will reveal whether all the players meet the required weight loss goal to stay another week - or whether two players will be sent home. Trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels also star.

This week, the contestants get an inviting offer from host Alison Sweeney to gain an advantage at weigh-in, but the offer comes with a steep price tag - losing trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels for the week. Later, the players are faced with their first temptation, which will give the winner considerable control of the weigh-in. While Jillian gets very frustrated with a contestant who she thinks is far too focused on gameplay, another player finds she has an injury that will dramatically affect her workouts. Then an incline challenge tests the players’ stamina before a very tense weigh-in, in which one contestant alienates the others with questionable choices, leading to a heartbreaking elimination.

The kitchen is off limits to the contestants this week and the trainers teach the players how to make healthy choices when eating out. This week, one contestant is sidelined due to a medical condition and frustrated about not being able to work out to their full capacity. And all of the contestants are in for a big surprise when they learn from host Alison Sweeney that the kitchen is off limits this week and why. A pop challenge about calories brings one winning team an amazing prize, and trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels take the players out to a restaurant to help them learn how to make healthy choices when eating out. Later, a tough challenge tests all the players’ endurance before a weigh in, after which another contestant is sent home.

Week five on the ranch kicks off with contestants getting the news that they'’re all going to be joining either trainer Jillian Michaels'’ black team or Bob Harper’'s blue team. But the bigger news from host Alison Sweeney is that whoever wins this week’s temptation gets to make the critical decision of which contestant goes on which team. And when one person wins that much power, all of the contestants are worried about being potentially separated from the partner who has been with them since the beginning of their weight-loss journey. Later, a challenge tests the contestants’ ability to work together in their newly-formed teams, and one player gives another a very special gift. Then a weigh-in leads to a tough elimination, sending another player home.