Netflix is opening up old wounds with its new “Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser” documentary series.
The three-part exploration into “The Biggest Loser” weight-loss reality show featured an interview with season seven contestant Joelle Gwynn.
In the series, Gwynn exposed “The Biggest Loser” by celebrity fitness trainer Bob Harper, 60, for his alleged mistreatment, including yelling obscene profanities.
In one infamous scene from the show, viewers recall seeing Harper screaming profanities at Gwynn, a Black woman from Detroit, during a group workout.
“That country bumpkin of a man berates me in such a way that I’ve never seen on the show before,” Gwynn stated in “Fit for TV,” according to The Daily Mail.
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She said getting cursed out on television was “embarrassing” before adding, “I do not care for Bob. F–k you, Bob Harper. … And your little dog, too.”
Also on “Fit for TV,” Harper defended himself, suggesting his actions on “The Biggest Loser” were for entertainment purposes.
“We all know it’s diet, but that becomes boring television. You know what’s not boring television? To see us in a gym yelling, screaming,” he continued. “That’s inspirational, that’s good TV.”
After claiming the television executives and the show’s producers were pleased by the drama he created on screen, Harper addressed his harsh treatment of Gwynn.
“It was like her committing to something and finishing it. It wasn’t one of my proudest moments,” Harper admitted.
The moment in question from “The Biggest Loser” was filled with fireworks as Gwynn and Harper loudly argued over her work ethic in the gym.
“What the f–k, Joelle? Every single time, it’s 20 seconds. Every f–king time. What is it? Tell me, what is it?” Harper shouted at Gwynn as she attempted to run on a treadmill.
When Gwynn responded by saying, “I’m giving it my best,” Harper yelled back, “No, you’re not!” He continued to scold her before eventually walking off camera.
Season 7 of “The Biggest Loser” debuted in 2009. Current right-wing media figure Jillian Michaels, 51, served as a trainer for the competition series at that time alongside Harper.
Michaels told the other contestants, “I have never seen Bob that mad. Never.” The scene continued with Harper and Gwynn getting into another shouting match.
“I’m not trying to quit!” Gwynn screamed after again failing to run on the treadmill for a full 30 seconds. Harper shot back, “Well then, do it, Joelle! Stop saying all these words! Quit talking!”
The fiery back-and-forth ended with Gwynn completing Harper’s task of running for 30 seconds. A clip of that explosive exchange was uploaded on YouTube in 2021.
Over the past four years, commenters have weighed in on the Gwynn and Harper argument from “The Biggest Loser.” There was a combination of complaints, jokes, and justifications.
“Public shaming is never inspirational, guy needs to look in the mirror to figure out why he needs to feel superior,” one complainer wrote in the comment section.
Another person jokingly posted, “Now every time I turn the treadmill speed up to 6.5 mph, I will get reminded of Bob and Joelle, lol.”
“You know you done f–ked up when you got Bob freaking out more than Jillian,” a fan expressed. A similar comment read, “Jillan’s watching like, ‘I’m not the bad guy for once.’ LOL.”
However, a Gwynn defender added, “It was so sad watching this in the Netflix documentary! I understand Bob’s frustration, but still felt so bad for her.”
Netflix’s “Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser” premiered on Aug. 15. “The Biggest Loser” co-creator David Broome and several past winners were interviewed for the documentary.
Harper’s appearance includes him discussing suffering a heart attack in 2017. That medical scare supposedly inspired him to make healthy changes in his life, ironically, imitating the journeys of “The Biggest Loser” contestants.
Gwynn competed on “The Biggest Loser” with her friend, Carla Triplett. She started her quest to lose weight at 309 pounds and ended at 229 pounds. Her BMI of 47 dropped to a BMI of 34.8 before her elimination on week 6.
Helen Phillips won season seven and the $250,000 prize by dropping 54.47 percent of her body weight. “The Biggest Loser” ran for eighteen seasons on NBC (October 2004- February 2016) and USA (January 2020 to March 2020).
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