NBC EXPANDING SERIES PREMIERE OF UNSCRIPTED DRAMA 'THE BIGGEST LOSER' ON OCTOBER 19 TO 90 MINUTES

New Weight-loss Competition Show Hosted by Caroline Rhea Gives Overweight Contestants Radical Makeovers Without Surgery

BURBANK, Calif. -- October 6, 2004 -- The biggest thing in reality TV just got bigger -- NBC is expanding its previously announced 60-minute premiere of "The Biggest Loser" to 90 minutes, with the longer version of the new unscripted drama series airing from 8-9:30 p.m. (ET) on Tuesday, Oct. 19. Caroline Rhea ("Sabrina, the Teenage Witch") hosts the compelling new weight-loss drama in which two celebrity fitness trainers join with top health experts to help 12 overweight contestants transform their bodies, their health -- and ultimately, their lives.

As a result, "Father of the Pride" -- originally scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 19 (9-9:30 p.m. ET) -- will return one week later on October 26 with all new episodes through December 14 (except for Election night).

In the nine-episode, one-hour unscripted series, two competing teams follow comprehensive diet and exercise plans to undergo radical physical makeovers -- without snipping, sucking or stapling. Unique physical challenges, surprising alliances and irresistible temptations make the competition even tougher for the contestants, who ultimately have to decide which player gets eliminated each week. In the end, "The Biggest Loser" becomes the biggest winner, walking away with a healthier body -- and $250,000.

"The Biggest Loser" is a production of Reveille, 25/7 Productions, 3 Ball Productions and NBC Universal Television Studio. Ben Silverman (NBC's "The Restaurant," "The Office: An American Workplace"), Dave Broome ("Jingle Ball Rock"), JD Roth ("NBC's "For Love or Money," "Endurance"), John Foy ("NBC's "For Love or Money," "Endurance") and Todd A. Nelson (NBC's "For Love or Money", "Endurance") are the executive producers.