The Hays Daily News

Students lauded for magnificent Latin performance -5/16/2012, 12:40 PM

Few details available on Plainville death -5/16/2012, 12:40 PM

Runway revamp on city's to-do list -5/16/2012, 12:39 PM

City of Hays unveils new text-, email-notification system for residents -5/16/2012, 12:39 PM

Pfeifer files for treasurer position -5/16/2012, 12:37 PM

Kobach asks federal court to settle redistricting -5/16/2012, 12:21 PM

Senior living centers accepting more pets -5/16/2012, 9:56 AM

Angry caucus delays remap debate -5/16/2012, 9:56 AM

World War I traveling gallery coming to Hays -5/16/2012, 9:55 AM

Four hospitalized after head-on crash -5/16/2012, 8:42 AM

Focus of primary races shifts to top state races -5/16/2012, 6:55 AM

Kan. Senate delays remap debate after angry caucus -5/16/2012, 6:55 AM

10 Things to Know for Wednesday -5/16/2012, 6:43 AM

Schmidt will take part in leadership program -5/15/2012, 8:52 AM

USDA to assist farmers in Munjor -5/15/2012, 8:24 AM

Fireworks issue up in the air -5/15/2012, 12:35 PM

Campus services pending for FHSU professor -5/15/2012, 10:21 AM

City makes move to preserve Ellis course -5/15/2012, 12:34 PM

Seib awarded Loeb Lifetime Achievement Award -5/15/2012, 10:20 AM

Board members inquire about changing dress code -5/15/2012, 10:11 AM

Redistricting remains stalled -5/15/2012, 10:11 AM

Adventure, via bike -5/15/2012, 10:10 AM

10 Things to Know for Tuesday -5/15/2012, 6:38 AM

FHSU's Up 'til Dawn wins campus award -5/14/2012, 8:13 AM

FHSU students, faculty will share bikes -5/14/2012, 8:13 AM

FHSU announces student government election results -5/10/2012, 8:13 AM

Family has long history with Kennedy Middle School -5/7/2012, 3:32 PM

[var top_story_head]

'Biggest Loser' contestant has ties to Hays

Published on -9/11/2007, 12:46 PM

Printer-friendly version
E-Mail This Story

By EMILY BEHLMANN Garden City Telegram GARDEN CITY -- The television premiere of NBC's "The Biggest Loser," which airs at 7 p.m. today, is "definitely worth tuning in to," according to Karen Luckett of Garden City. That's not just because she likes the show, but also because it will be a chance to see her son, Jez Luckett, go through what he told her has been a "transforming experience" as one of the show's contestants. According to the show's Web site, "The Biggest Loser" challenges 18 overweight contestants "to shed pounds in a safe and recommended manner through comprehensive diet and exercise as they compete for a grand prize of $250,000." The reality show requires contestants to weigh in and undergo temptations and eliminations until "the biggest loser" remains. Luckett, a 25-year-old children's case manager at Garden City's Area Mental Health Center whose grandfather lives in Hays, flew out of Garden City on April 18 at a weight of 352 pounds. His destination was Los Angeles, where he went through a round of meetings with executives and dieticians and eventually was selected to compete. Although NBC prohibits Luckett and those close to him from revealing many details about the show before it airs, including his current weight, Karen Luckett said the change she has seen in her son since he filmed the show is physical, emotional and mental. "He's gone from young adult to man," she said. Luckett, who was unavailable for an interview, wrote in an NBC-screened letter posted on his supporters' Web site, www.votejez.com, that he couldn't have dreamed of a better experience, and that he loved his team of contestants and the trainers who pushed the group to work out and stick to a diet. "Long gone are the fears of inadequacy or not being prepared for the physical demands," he wrote. "I am a machine, and it feels awesome. I can run, jog, do push-ups. I really enjoy running and have gotten to over 10 mph on the treadmill." He addressed his fears about weight in an interview before he left for Los Angeles, saying it was a cosmetic issue, but also a health concern. "It's such a crazy thing to confine yourself in -- just constantly being consumed with the thought of your weight and how you look," he said on an audition tape for "The Biggest Loser." Tom Pitner, Luckett's maternal grandfather who lives in Hays, said he thinks his grandson will do well in the competition because he is driven to lose a substantial amount of weight. He said he hopes his grandson will get to the point where he's not hampered by his weight. Serious issues aside, Pitner said he thinks Luckett, who in the past has performed in Garden City High School plays, talent shows and forensics competitions, is fit for television. "I think Jez has always been somewhat of a ham, so he's probably in his element," Pitner said. The Pitners' TV set in Hays will be tuned to NBC tonight, and friends and family in other places in the country also plan to watch Luckett make his national television debut. Though high school friend Jesse Bernal, now a teacher at GCHS, joked he will be watching "Seinfeld" re-runs instead, he encouraged people to watch the Garden City boy who "has been an inspiration to a lot of people," because he would be "absolutely hilarious." The public already has gotten a chance to see one not-so-hilarious scene NBC has aired as a promotion, though, in which Lucket breaks down and cries. Bernal said Luckett told him it was the only time he cried on the show. "As a friend, I've been giving him endless grief about it," Bernal said. Luckett himself is in Austin, Texas, according to friend Christi Finley, who picked him up at the airport Monday night. She said she is holding a watch party with friends Luckett made when he lived in Austin before returning to his home town of Garden City. She said the show will be worth watching, even for those who don't know Luckett. "Jez is the single most entertaining person I've met in my entire life, and I'm not exaggerating," Finley said. "To see him on TV will be hilarious. ... He gives so much joy to people, you just can't help but love him as he goes on what must be an intense emotional journey."