The Biggest Loser - Season 9

Bob and Jillian take turns making phone calls to the latest couples that will be arriving at the ranch. Each trainer is met with loud cheers and crying on the other end of the phone. The couples also find out their initial weigh-ins will take place in front their entire community.

Dr. Huizenga delivers sobering news to the contestants; the contestants compete in a balance challenge over a pool; Jillian Michaels encourages a contestant to face one of her biggest fears.

The contestants assume the role of either teacher or student; a challenge grants immunity to the winning team; a contestant threatens to quit the competition.

This week starts off with a high-stakes pop challenge in which contestants race for the prize of immunity - and the winning team also gets three envelopes to give to the teams of their choice with instructions that could have a dramatic impact at this week's weigh in. Also, tensions are high between the trainers and one team suspected of game play, and a lifting competition rewards the winning team with a prize that everyone wants.

This week, contestants are surprised by the return of the blue and yellow teams, who were sent home after the first challenge of the season. Now they’re back, 30 days later, to weigh in and try to earn a spot back on the ranch. Then a vigorous football challenge tests everyone’s stamina, except for one player sidelined with medical issues, and provides immunity for the winner – but a big disadvantage for the losing team. Later, after another elimination round sends a player home, host Alison Sweeney surprises the contestants with exciting news.

It’s a star-studded Olympic-themed episode of “The Biggest Loser: Couples” to help kick off the winter games! This week, the contestants head to Colorado to train like Olympic athletes at the U.S. Olympic training facility in Colorado Springs.

This week's first challenge is a temptation with, literally, hundreds of cookies. Ali tells the teams that whoever wins this temptation challenge will get a huge reward: they'll be able to divide everyone into the two traditional teams, Blue and Black. Also, they could give one contestant immunity from this week's elimination. Let the games begin!

The teams pull trucks and load crates onto the vehicles for a challenge that ends with a puzzle. Later, the contestants work eight-hour shifts at the food bank and must learn to fit workout sessions into their schedules.

The players compete in a 30-minute cook-off, which requires them to prepare an appetizer, entrée and dessert using only 12 ingredients. Judges Curtis Stone and Ali pick the best-tasting entries and name the winners, who receive a weigh-in advantage. Also: The winners of a surprise food-trivia challenge receive a day of pampering.

The contestants visit home and must continue dieting and exercising while away from the ranch. Soon after arriving, the players receive stationary bikes and learn they'll have to ride the distance of a full marathon. They can also add time to an opponent's ride by eating up to 48 mini-cupcakes.

The teams are dissolved as eliminated contestants return to vie for spots back on the ranch. One player is chosen through a vote while another wins a spot during a step-up challenge. Later, a friendship between players begins to falter.

The players have a chance to win immunity by becoming the first competitor to lose 2 percent of his or her body weight. Each person only has one chance to weigh in, however, adding a critical element of timing to the challenge. Later, the contestants hit the water for a race involving weights. Those who finish may help others complete the challenge.

Suze Orman assesses the players' financial health and predicts who will win this season. Also: The contestants balance quarters on a platter to win a cash prize; a challenge to find keys in the pouring rain yields the winners a huge prize; and Bob holds workouts in the mud.

The contestants choose food from a buffet table offering low- and high-calorie choices; Gabrielle Reece, pro volley ball player, leads a beach-circuit workout; a contestant gets devastating news.

The players go to Dallas to run a 5K at the Cotton Bowl and recruit locals to join them for the race. Later, a contestant wins immunity by wrangling calves in a rodeo challenge; and Season 8 contestant Abby Rike asks Jillian to speak at her high school.

The final six contestants receive makeovers, which include a $1000 shopping spree and a salon visit with stylist Jonathan Antin. After the transformations, the players reveal their new looks to family and friends and attend a concert by Ashanti. Later, the contestants are suspended over a pool while working out on cardio machines.

Quarterback Tony Romo takes the contestants on a hike; past winners Helen Phillips and Erik Chopin discuss the challenges of keeping weight off away from the ranch. Also: Dr. Huizenga offers health updates; the players race over hills of sand while carrying the amount of weight they've lost; Bob and Jillian review videos of the contestants' weight-loss journeys; and the final four are determined at the weigh-in.

The players train for a marathon at home and must work to stay on track while away from the ranch. During the race, the contestants receive support from former players and family members. Later, Bob and Jillian hold last-chance workouts before the weigh-in, which determines who's moving on to the final round.

After viewer votes determine the third finalist, the winner of the $250,000 prize is crowned in the Season 9 finale. The eliminated players also return to weigh in for the $100,000 at-home prize, and former contestants share their weight-loss progress since leaving the show.