'Biggest Loser' is coming to Utah

The Biggest Loser" is coming to Utah — and it's sort of a reflection on us.

The fact is that we have plenty of candidates here in the Beehive State who would qualify to be contestants. People who could stand to lose a few pounds.

If you can stand to lose 100 pounds or more, "Biggest Loser" is looking for you. You're invited to audition for the show on Saturday at the studios of KSL-Ch. 5.

(See the accompanying box.)

Actually, the show decided to hold auditions here because so many locals are interested.

"We pay close attention to where we receive home tape submissions and e-mails from," said casting director Barbara Wulff. "This season we noticed that we had a lot of submissions coming from the Utah area. We had never been to Utah to cast the show before, so we said, 'Let's Go!' "

"Biggest Loser" is a reality show in which contestants compete to lose weight. They get help from trainers and nutritionists. And there's drama as they attempt to oust one another.

Utahn Heather Hansen was cast as a reality-show villain on "Biggest Loser" back in 2006. Of course, shrieking at fellow contestants didn't really help her image.

But, in general, this is more of a good-natured competition than, say, "Survivor."

And, in addition to the bonus of losing weight and becoming a TV star — or, at least, getting your 15 minutes of fame — the winner also takes home $250,000.

The show is looking for more than just overweight people.

"We look for outgoing people with big personalities," Wulf said. "People who really want this and are determined to lose the weight."

Her best advice to hopefuls is, "Just be yourself — the person you are with your friends and family. Upbeat, fun people always stand out!"

And, remember, this isn't "Let's Make a Deal."

"Please don't come in costume, Wulff said. "We want to see the real you."

There is, of course, no guarantee that anybody from Utah will be cast in the next season of "Biggest Loser." Salt Lake City is just one of 15 places the casting team is visiting.

On the other hand, when shows like "So You Think You Can Dance" and "American Idol" held auditions here, locals did make the finals of those programs.