From 2004 to 2020, NBC's reality television series The Biggest Loser was a major cultural force. The program pitted contestants considered obese against one another in a quest to lose the most weight for a cash prize, becoming a widely watched phenomenon. Now, a new docuseries on Netflix, Fit for TV, revisits the show’s legacy, exploring what went on behind the scenes and the lasting consequences for its participants.

This docuseries aims to uncover the true story behind the show's massive popularity and complicated history.

Fit for TV: The Reality of The Biggest Loser delves into the history of its subject, a series that ran for 18 seasons and became a cultural movement. The original show challenged contestants to lose weight through an intense diet and exercise for a quarter-million-dollar prize.  According to Tudum, the docuseries, for which the trailer was released in July 2025, looks at the show's rapid success, the intense pressure placed on participants, and the long-term mental and physical effects of their time on the ranch. The documentary series Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser premiered on Netflix on August 15, 2025.

This comprehensive look at the show's past is brought to life by the very people who lived it.

The new documentary, produced by Boardwalk Pictures, features interviews with a range of people who experienced the show firsthand. The cast includes former contestants like Ryan Benson, Danny Cahill, and Olivia Ward, as well as trainers and medical staff, such as Bob Harper and Dr. Robert Huizenga. Executive producers JD Roth and David Broome also speak in the series, offering a multifaceted perspective on the balance between entertainment and the well-being of the contestants. This docuseries is an addition to Netflix's list of reality checks.

From behind-the-scenes stories to the on-screen drama, the documentary reveals the true cost of the show's intense approach

The docuseries does not shy away from the controversies that plagued The Biggest Loser. It details how some contestants were pushed to extremes, including allegations of substance use, such as caffeine pills, to maximize workouts. The documentary also reveals a near-fatal incident involving Season 8 contestant Tracey Yukich, who collapsed and was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis.

This life-threatening condition caused her organs to begin shutting down, highlighting the severe health risks involved. The show’s extreme methods sparked a defamation lawsuit from a contestant against the show's doctor, a case that was ultimately dismissed. The docuseries forces viewers to confront the difficult question of whether the pursuit of ratings and rapid weight loss came at too high a price for those who participated.

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Will this documentary change the way you view reality television? Let us know in the comments below.