Now that you’re all sick to death of watching Ken Jennings rake in millions while you slave away at your day job, it’s time to direct your attention to the next up-and-coming Mormon celebrity: Ryan Benson. Ryan is a contestant on the new NBC reality show “The Biggest Loser,” which is billed as a “compelling new weight-loss drama in which two celebrity fitness trainers join with top health experts to help 12 overweight contestants transform their bodies, health and ultimately their lives.” Ryan is a former member of my ward, and is also a good friend of mine.
Now, let me assure you that I typically LOATHE reality shows. I pride myself on never having seen a single episode of “Survivor.” (I have seen a little bit of “The Bachelor,” but only because my wife stole the remote while I was watching C-Span). But given Ryan’s presence on the show, I feel compelled to watch, and so should all of you!
Incidently, Ryan describes himself as a “Mormon on the Edge” here. Since we few and proud Bloggernaclites are oh-so-hip and edgy ourselves, we should feel even more inclined to tune in than we otherwise would. Maybe Ryan will even wax on about how “Cool Mormons watch R-rated movies” and make Bob Caswell proud!
Finally, you should know that Ryan has visited the Bloggernacle on occasion, though he’s only commented once. (Despite my best efforts, I was never able to get him to develop a full-blown addiction).
The series starts this Tuesday night at 8:00 p.m. I imagine that Ryan will be returning home shortly (he has been hidden away at a Beverly Hills hotel for weeks and weeks now). You can trust that I will do my best to coax out of him how the series ends, and if I’m successful, I’ll be sure to post some spoilers. :)
Aaron B
By Common Consent, a Mormon Blog 
A personal Aaron Brown stamp of approval goes a long way with me, so I’ll be watching.
(Aaron, I’m sure your friend is much nicer, and more interesting than a gopher…) :o)
I have to say, though, I’m much more inclined to watch a reality series if it involves embarrassing, yet heartfelt declarations of love, and romantic manipulation. Could you check with your friend, and see if there are any hook-ups in store?
A. Brown has spoken–all of us to our televsions! This will make great missionary moments for all of us at work!
Greg,
Great to see you in the Bloggernacle! May you get hooked in short order and be mesmerized by every one of my posts.
Aaron B
Him being Mormon does not encourage me to watch the show any more than if he were a gopher.
I didn’t watch Survivor when a member of the Church was on it.
i’m a friend of ryan’s too and hope that he kicks butt. haven’t seen him for a while, but hopefully the next time i do he’ll be a new man. like charles barkley always says, “i’m too good looking to be fat.”
I’m an old friend of Ryan’s from BYU theater days. Is great to see him…even if it’s on reality tv…
I’m not into reality tv at all, but when you throw in a friend of Aaron’s who calls himself a “Mormon on the edge”, how could you not want to watch?
But seriously, does he really want to be known as the guy who called himself a “Mormon on the edge”?
Next, they’ll have Mexicans competing for green cards. Oh, wait…
Weightloss as spectator sport. Who’d’ve known?