The video delivers a sharp critique of the Netflix documentary Fit for TV (about The Biggest Loser), calling it “terrible” and a “missed opportunity.” While the host agrees that The Biggest Loser was a toxic show that “shouldn’t have been on TV,” the documentary is faulted for failing to capture the show’s complex nature and focusing on “the lowest hanging fruit.”

The Documentary’s Fatal Flaws

The host outlines several major issues with the Netflix production:

The Unwatched “Expert”: The host’s main frustration is the inclusion of Aubrey Gordon, a body positivity author and podcaster, who received significant screen time despite admitting she never watched the show regularly. The host argues that Gordon’s perspective—that the show was only about being “thin” or “making fun of fat people”—failed to represent the lived experiences and genuine desire for change felt by contestants.
Misleading Abuse Narrative: The documentary heavily implied contestants were verbally abused by trainers like Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels, often highlighting clips of yelling. The host argues this was blown way out of proportion, comparing it to the acceptable yelling of Gordon Ramsay on Hell’s Kitchen. The documentary used contestant Joelle Gwyn as a prime example of abuse but failed to provide context that Joelle was widely disliked by her castmates for slacking off and refusing to commit to the strenuous workouts.
Missing the Real Story: The documentary focused on obvious scandals, such as the caffeine pills or weight regain, rather than deeper issues. The host contends that the controversy over caffeine pills missed the true problem: the show’s high-stakes competitive goal, which pushed contestants to exhaustion and desperation just to win a prize.

The True Heart of the Show

The host emphasizes that the show’s massive popularity stemmed from its inspirational moments, which the documentary ignored:

O’Neal Hampton’s Journey: The host highlights contestant O’Neal Hampton (Season 10) and his daughter Sunshine as the embodiment of the show’s emotional core. O’Neal, a 51-year-old former Army paratrooper, was shown to be struggling to put on his own socks before the show. Viewers were drawn to his incredible journey of:

Regaining mobility and freedom.
Working out with a serious knee injury to the point of running alongside his team’s challenge vehicle.
Walking up the weigh-in stairs unassisted for the first time.
Sacrificing himself to be voted off so his daughter could stay on the show.

Hope for a New Life: For many contestants, the $250,000 prize was secondary; the primary motivation was the hope of a new life and regaining their health to be there for their families. The host notes that people tuned in not to mock, but “to be inspired.”

A Toxic but Dual Reality

Ultimately, the host concludes that The Biggest Loser was a mix of a “really heartwarming show with this like underbelly of toxicity.” While she agrees with the documentary that the concept was dangerous and reckless—citing challenges where O’Neal was hurt and the intense training schedules—the Netflix special failed its audience by choosing to deliver a low-effort listicle of known controversies instead of a deep, honest dive into the show’s complex and powerful cultural impact.