Netflix has announced a new docuseries coming to the streaming service next month that will explore “the good, the bad and the complicated” moments of The Biggest Loser– the hit reality competition series that debuted on NBC in 2004 and aired for 18 seasons before eventually moving to the USA Network. 

Premiering August 15, Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser will feature interviews with former ‘Biggest Loser’ contestants, trainers, producers and health professionals, while diving into the show’s “approach to transformation, the support systems in place and the unique challenges of filming reality television.” 

According to Netflix, the three-part docuseries will also explore how ‘The Biggest Loser’ experience shaped the lives of those involved with series after the cameras stopped rolling, while inviting viewers “to reflect on the balance between entertainment and well-being, and what it truly means to pursue lasting change.” 

In the trailer for the upcoming docuseries, one former contestant compares being on ‘The Biggest Loser’ to winning the lottery, noting that each season, the contestant who lost the most weight through diet and exercise was awarded a hefty monetary prize of $250,000. 

Viewers are also reminded just how big of a hit ‘The Biggest Loser’ once was, with more than 10 million people tuning in to watch the finale. 

While ‘The Biggest Loser’ ran for 258 episodes– during which a total of 34,033 pounds were lost– the docuseries will also look at the dark side of the hit show, according to People. 

“We were not looking for people who were overweight and happy,” one producer admits in the trailer. “We were looking for people who were overweight and unhappy.” 

As the trailer goes on, viewers see former contestants admit that they believed the show would fix their marriage– or themselves– while clips from past ‘Biggest Loser’ audition tapes show some individuals claiming they will “do anything” to be on the show, with one duo even coordinating a song and dance to earn a spot at ‘The Biggest Loser’ Ranch. 

The docuseries will also look at the stereotypes that were reinforced on ‘The Biggest Loser,’ often at the expense of the contestants and their wellbeing. 

“ … producers LOVE that s**t,” former show trainer Bob Harper says in the trailer. “They were like, ‘We want them to puke! We want the madness of it all!’

“ … to see us in a gym yelling, screaming, that’s ‘good TV,’” Bob reveals earlier in the clip. 

‘Fit for TV’ will also look at the unhealthy aspects of ‘The Biggest Loser,’ with one former contestant revealing they were given caffeine pills during the show and another claiming that their organs “were literally shutting down” during the competition. 

“I could barely walk, and I was in such pain, and they said, ‘Just walk it off, just walk it off,’” another reveals.  

Viewers will also get to hear from some former contestants who went on to gain back the weight they lost on the show and the lasting impact the show has had on their lives. 

“I think there’s a bit of PTSD,” one former contestant tells viewers of their ‘Biggest Loser’ experience. 

Season 2 finalist Suzy Hoover— who is married to Season 2 winner Matt Hoover— posted about the docuseries after it was announced online, stating that they were interviewed for it but will not appear, something they are now happy about.

“Matt and I were interviewed for this, but we did not make the final cut,” Suzy wrote on the couple’s Facebook page. “To be honest, I’m very grateful. As we were their interviewing, it felt very uncomfortable. I don’t think we were scandalous enough! We look forward to watching it though.”

‘Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser’ premieres August 15 on Netflix. Watch the trailer below. 

RELATED STORY: ‘Biggest Loser’ Season 1 Winner Ryan Benson Says Contestants Were Exploited During Filming with Cruel Tactics By Producers: “They Were Setting Us Up to Fail” 

(Photos: Netflix; YouTube)