‘Biggest Loser’ Being Investigated By L.A. Sheriff For On-Set Drug Use
NBC’s The Biggest Loser might find itself on the losing end of the law over claims that illegal and prescription drugs were handed out on the long-running weight-loss reality show. “Malibu/Lost Hills Station personnel are conducting an inquiry regarding the unsubstantiated allegations,” the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said today after reports of on-set drug use started to circulate. “There is no further information available at this time,” they added Tuesday of what the LASD called claims of “illegal narcotics use in the past.”
One thing we do know is investigators won’t have a lot to look at on the site where Biggest Loser is shot. The set at the huge King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas was dismantled last fall after filming on The Biggest Loser: Temptation Island wrapped. Ending on February 22, the 17th cycle of the series saw former trainer Bob Harper take over as host with Dolvett Quince and Jennifer Widerstrom as the trainers again. The prize was $250,000.
NBC did not respond to a request for comment on the Biggest Loser investigation.”The safety and well-being of our contestants is, and has always been, paramount,” TBL producer EndemolShine North America said in a statement today. “Contestants are told at the start of the show that there is zero tolerance for any weight-loss drugs. We prohibit the use of any illegal substances, in addition to the many other rules and procedures of the show that are designed to ensure safety.”
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