Even before "The Biggest Loser" season 17 starts, the show has already lost one of its major characters. It's already confirmed that host Alison Sweeney is leaving after being with the show for eight years. Thus, fans will no longer see her in the next season and may see another face to host the show.
According to Access Hollywood, the show producers released a statement saying, "After an incredible run together, Alison Sweeney will not be returning as host of 'The Biggest Loser' next season." Sweeney started hosting the NBC reality weight loss competition back in 2007.
The statement was short, and no reason was provided as to why Sweeney decided to leave the show. CinemaBlend suggested that maybe Sweeney wanted to progress her career elsewhere or maybe she wanted to leave the show before it became unpopular. The past season of the reality show subtitled "Glory Days" only averaged below five million viewers weekly, which was a downturn from the previous seasons.
There is little evidence that NBC will pull out the show anytime soon. However, series creator, Dave Broome, is developing a new competition fitness reality series called "S.T.R.O.N.G. (Start to Realize Our Natural Greatness)," which will focus more on inspiring contestants to get fit and gain muscles.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, "S.T.R.O.N.G" is close to the mantra practices of Crossfit boxes, SoulCycle and yoga. "There's a monumental shift in the world of health and fitness," Broome explained about the show. "We've seen this interviewing trainers over the years. We've gone away from 'thin' and 'skinny' and into fit and strong."
However, for those who still want to see Sweeney, the award-winning "Days of Our Lives" actress will be visible in other projects. According to Entertainment Weekly, her next project is "Love on the Air," which will premiere on Sept. 26 on Hallmark Channel. The said project is Sweeney's first project that sold to the network. Aside from starring in the show, she also serves as an executive producer.
As per CinemaBlend, Sweeney, who appeared on other TV shows, such as "Friends and Tales from the Darkside" and "Mercy" episode in 2010, is also busy making Hallmark Original Movies. Among the projects on her plate are "Murder, She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery" and "Murder, She Baked: A Plum Pudding Murder Mystery." Aside from her on-cam projects, she is working as a director of "Days of Our Lives" and "General Hospal." She is also busy with her third novel, "Opportunity Knocks," which will hit bookshelves in spring 2016.
According to the reports, NBC will announce a new host in early September.
