'Biggest Loser' antics less than inspirational

For many years, "The Biggest Loser" reality TV series has inspired its viewers who are trying to lose weight and get healthy. But this season, the positive message of proper nutrition and exercise is being drowned out with bickering and bullying.

Conda Britt may go down as the meanest villain in the history of the NBC reality series, "The Biggest Loser." Her antics so far this season have topped even those of "Icky" Vicky Vilcan and Heba Saloma of Season 6.

Instead of discouraging her bad behavior, her teammates are being sucked into the downward spiral of negativity. As much as I like trainer Dolvett Quince, his Red Team (except "Santa Claus" Roy) deserves to be sent packing. Due to our news cycle, the next episode will air before this column appears in print. So I may be premature in my predictions. But unless this team shakes off the Conda Curse, they will likely be knocked off one by one each week.

Conflict is part of any good story, whether it's told in books, movies or a TV show. Good versus evil, that sort of thing. And some reality series thrive on over-the-top conflicts, confrontations and backbiting. But in the case of "The Biggest Loser," the conflict is People versus Pounds. It's a fight against fat. That's what makes the show so watchable.

Many fans tune in to "The Biggest Loser" to get inspired by players' determination to win their weight battles. It helps us go the extra mile on the treadmill or pass up a dessert. Yes, there's the competition, the strategies, alliances and jockeying to see who's getting sent home. But generally, the players are supportive of each other.

It used to be that the only bullying was done by former trainer Jillian Michaels, in an effort to motivate her team to work out harder. While some of her methods were questionable, she did seem to have their welfare at heart.