NBC, Bravo trainers developing own weight-loss TV shows

NBC's most successful reality show, "Biggest Loser" is being spun-off into a second reality show starring star trainer Jillian Michaels.

"Losing It With Jillian" will follow the 35-year-old host as she moves in with families to help change their diet and exercise habits.

Michaels' production company Empowered Media is a co-producer. NBC has ordered eight episodes but there is no debut date yet.

NBC's sister network Bravo (owned by NBC Universal) also is developing a weight loss series called "Thintervention" starring Jackie Warner, celebrity personal trainer and star of the Bravo series "Work Out."

"Thintervention" will follow Warner as she works with people as they live their lives with work and family. Each episode will feature a tough Warner workout, a therapy session to get to the root of the weight issues and lessons in healthy eating, such as grocery shopping or kitchen pantry raids. There is no air date on this one either.

The Michaels series will be built around her tough-love personality. Thanks to "Biggest Loser," the 5-foot-2 California-based trainer has become the biggest fitness celebrity in the country.

Michaels also has a best-selling book, fitness video games and endorsement deals with several health products.

She also will continue to work on "Biggest Loser," now in its eighth season.

In a prepared statement released by Michaels, she says that people tell her all the time it would be easy for anyone to lose weight in the competitive, structured environment on "The Biggest Loser."

"I got sick of hearing it," she says. "So we're telling people, we'll come to you and teach you how to be healthy."

Michaels, who will move-in with a different family on every episode, will coach participants in all aspects of their lives.

Also set to star in the show is chef Curtis Stone, who will prepare healthy meals for the "Losing It" participants.

Michaels said production on "Losing It" will get under way in December, and continue until early spring.

She plans to juggle her role on the new show with her continued involvement on "Loser."

The show's title comes from Michaels' book about living a healthy lifestyle. Producers are looking for families with kids age 9 and up.

The decision to develop a companion to "The Biggest Loser" comes as the show continues to grow in
popularity while some other veteran reality shows have been losing viewers.

The new project could debut in the spring.