The Biggest Loser: Special Edition Premieres January 4th  12/21/05

THE BIGGEST LOSER: SPECIAL EDITION PREMIERES JANUARY 4 FEATURING FAMILIES AND ENGAGED COUPLES COMPETING FOR $50,000

BURBANK -- December 21, 2005 - Building on the success of "The Biggest Loser," NBC offers "The Biggest Loser: Special Edition" based on the hit series where teams vie for a $50,000 prize. The series will premiere as a two-hour special on Wednesday, Jan. 4 (8-10 p.m. ET) where two competing teams will face off as they train with Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels for 10 days before returning home to practice the new healthy lifestyle that they learned.

Each episode after the January 4 premiere will consist of two parts. The first hour will follow each team as they begin their weight-loss journey on "The Biggest Loser" ranch -- ending with a weigh-in and prize. The following week's episode will follow the contestants in the real world and reveal the team that has not only lost the greatest percentage of weight, but has also won the grand prize.

Caroline Rhea, ("Sabrina, the Teenage Witch") returns from "The Biggest Loser" series to host these special editions.

January 4, 2006 (two-hour premiere, 8-10 p.m. ET) -- Family vs. Family: The Muha family from Tampa, Florida vs. The Samuel family from Atlanta, Georgia. These two families will have a dessert battle in the desert along with a healthy food pop quiz from Bob and Jillian as they fight for $50,000.

January 11, 2006 (9-10 p.m. ET) Part I - Engaged Couples: Steve and Sarah from Allentown, Pennsylvania vs. Edwin and Rasha from Portland, Oregon. Two engaged couples must battle to lose the weight before their wedding day, but only one couple will walk away with a dream wedding worth $50,000.

January 18, 2006 (9-10 p.m. ET) Part II -- The finale of engaged couples Steve and Sarah from Allentown, Pennsylvania vs. Edwin and Rasha from Portland, Oregon.

February 1, 2006 (9-10 p.m. ET) Part I -- The "Little Italy Family" vs. 1950s "Diner" Family: -- the Sapienza family, from Bronx, New York will battle the Senti family from Peoria, Ilinois. These two restaurant families will head to the ranch where they will face a treadmill challenge and a chance to win family vacation along with the $50,000 prize.

February 8, 2006 (9-10 p.m. ET) -- Part II -- The finale of the "Little Italy family," vs. the 1950s "Diner" family: the Sapienza family, from Bronx, New York will battle -- the Senti family from Peoria, Ilinois.

"The Biggest Loser" Show Synopsis

The first reality series in which everybody "loses," "The Biggest Loser" challenges and encourages overweight participants to undergo radical physical makeovers, without any kind of surgery, in a safe and recommended manner through comprehensive diet and exercise as they complete for a grand prize.

The recent run of "The Biggest Loser 2" averaged a 4.2 rating, 11 share in the coveted 18-49 demographic for the season. The live, two-hour finale dominated the time period with series-record results and earned a 6.7 rating, 16 share among adults 18-49. The series has become a worldwide hit airing in over 35 territories and 15 countries. It has also produced a New York Times best-selling book, a DVD Fitness video, and a burgeoning online lifestyle club http://www.biggestloserclub.com.

"The Biggest Loser" is a production of Reveille LLC, 25/7 Productions, 3 Ball Productions and NBC Universal Television Studio. Ben Silverman (NBC's "The Office," "Nashville Star"), Dave Broome ("Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope," "Radio Music Awards"), JD Roth ("For Love or Money," "Beauty and the Geek"), John Foy ("For Love or Money," "Endurance") and Todd A. Nelson ("For Love or Money," "Endurance") are the executive producers. Mark Koops ("Blow Out", "The Restaurant") serves as Co-Executive Producer.

Source: NBC Press Release