Biggest Loser: Scott Mitchell’s Third Comeback Canyon Win
Scott Mitchell is the only eliminated “Biggest Loser” contestant to survive three weigh-ins at Bob Harper’s Comeback Canyon. Tonight’s episode had him losing 9 pounds to barely beat Jordan Alicandro…. getting Mitchell one step closer to the Biggest Loser ranch.
It looked dire for Mitchell after getting voted off the Biggest Loser ranch. But, this season’s surprise “Comeback Canyon” twist has two eliminated contestants going head-to-head all week for a chance to come back into the game. The first week, he won the weigh-in against Damien Woody, and the following week, he won against JJ O’Malley. This week, it was Jordan.
Next week, he’ll be facing eliminated player Woody Carter, who only lost three pounds at this week’s weigh-in and should be due for a good number, especially under Bob Harper’s intense training. Meanwhile, Mitchell has lost eight or nine pounds every week that he’s been at Comeback Canyon. Can he continue to this winning streak?
“I want to walk back in the door at the ranch and have everyone just terrified,” Mitchell said in a previous episode.
Meanwhile, the remaining contestants were exercising in Hawaii, and “facing their fears.” I realize a lot of people find Rob’s emotional outbursts annoying, but I could understand his fear of rappelling down a waterfall. Years ago I did some rappelling in the red-rock cliffs in Southern Utah, and it’s pretty intimidating. Add water cascading all around you, and you could feel pretty confused and scared. So, Rob is just human.
I really enjoyed hearing Sonya and Lori discuss how they finally felt OK about being out on the beach in a swimsuit. I thought it was sad that Sonya said she has never felt secure in her looks, and I wonder if next week’s makeover will give her some new confidence. I’ve liked Sonya from Day One and I’m glad she’s made it this far.
Although Woody got eliminated, we know he’ll be at Comeback Canyon. So, we don’t need to feel bad. Woody says he’s learned to be happy again, after mourning his wife’s death.
It was great to see Jordan’s transformation. He looks as though he’s already at his goal weight; it would be hard for him to lose much more weight before the finale. (But after last season’s winner Rachel Frederickson’s stunning weight loss, anything’s possible.)
Here’s what we can expect in the next weeks leading up to the finale Jan. 29:
The makeover episode airs Thursday, January 8, with fashion expert Tim Gunn and celebrity hair stylist Ken Paves helping transform Sonya, Lori, Toma and Rob. They are reunited with their loved ones on a downtown rooftop overlooking Los Angeles, with a surprise live performance of Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Gavin DeGraw’s hit single, “Fire.”
Meanwhile, Scott and Woody at Comeback Canyon get their own makeovers and reunions with loved ones. This episode’s weigh-in winner will be the one returning to the ranch with trainer Bob Harper, and securing a spot as a finalist.
On January 15, the Comeback Canyon player shows up to re-join the competition. (Will it be Scott or Woody???)
It’s a game-changing surprise for the ranch contestants, who don’t know that Bob is even part of the current season.
The “Today” show’s lifestyle and fitness correspondent, Jenna Wolfe, will be a guest trainer on January 22, putting the contestants through an intense workout during their final week on the ranch. Then contestants watch their journeys and see just how far they’ve come since stepping on the ranch over four months earlier. Later, at a weigh-in where the stakes are higher than ever, the final four become the final three.
Finally, on January 29, in a two-hour, live finale from 8-10 p.m. ET, all of the former athletes in the season 16 cast return to weigh in one last time. Those who have been eliminated will compete for the $100,000 “at home” prize. Then one of the three finalists will be named this season’s “Biggest Loser” and win the coveted grand prize of $250,000.
For embeddable clips and full episodes from “The Biggest Loser,” please visit NBC.com’s official show site: http://www.nbc.com/the-biggest-loser/
For more on Scott Mitchell, here’s my post responding to questions about whether or not he’s a Mormon.
Other posts about past Biggest Loser contestants:
Matt Miller’s exit interview.
Deni Hill’s Mormon mission in Mongolia
Sarah Nitta’s weight loss tips.
Justin Pope’s weight loss tips.
Jackson Carter’s weight loss tips.
Jackson Carter’s behind-the-scenes info back at “the ranch.”
And lots more! Just click on the “Biggest Loser” tags and you’ll find more interviews and updates of contestants, as well as my musings as I’ve followed each season for the past several years.