By: Linda Vongkhamchanh

Jul 09, 2009

From the casting table to the big show, casting director Paul Gordon tells us all about casting for Season 9.

NSD: How are the casting calls going this time around?

PG: We have been to San Jose, Chicago, Detroit, Tampa. And now, we’re headed out to New York and Philadelphia. The people have been great—they’re couples, or teams of two.

NSD: What’s the process like?

PG: There’s an open casting call, then people get called back for a one-on-one. From that, we present the people to our execs, then they get a call to come out to Los Angeles. It’s a four-round process.

NSD: Is there an ideal contestant?

PG: There isn’t an ideal contestant but there is something that I personally look for—are you motivated? How motivated are you? The people that pour their entire heart and soul into this thing, these are the people that you root for. We don’t want people to get out there and quit. This opportunity is so rare and so many people want it.

NSD: What goes on in the casting room?

PG: There are tables of ten and we have about seven minutes to talk to each table. I put them in situations that people have been in on the show and ask, "what would you do in this situation?". I know in the first three minutes if I’m calling them back.

It tends to be a really fun experience for everyone. Not everyone gets a call back and that’s a shame. But, at least at the table, you have fun and leave with some knowledge. 99 percent of the people we see don’t get picked for the show.

NSD: How do you deal with all the emotions at the table?

PG: It’s tough, but I usually say there’s no crying here. If you get a call back, we can cry for two hours together. But today, today is a happy table. I go around and ask them what their motivation is and people tend to tear up. I don’t like to make it a sad table because it’s not. It’s a happy day—they decided that day to change their lives. Run with that and keep it positive.

NSD: When finalizing the group, do you ever consider if they’ll get along or not?

PG: No, we don’t take that into account—definitely not this show. People tend to want to work together. The common goal is to get healthy. Ron and Helen were not popular people this year. But as for Ron, he did everything for his kid. He was always thinking about his kid. And, he finished that marathon—man!

NSD: Do people ever drop out last minute?

PG: Never.

NSD: Which contestant have you cast in the past that you’ve absolutely loved on the show?

PG: The contestant that I liked the most was… well, watch this season! On the [Season 7] finale, there were two girls competing for one spot. And, the one that didn’t get it was mine and I just felt awful, just awful. She has not had the easiest life and she didn’t get it. To get that close and not get it, it sucks. She really wanted it. 

NSD: Have you ever regretted casting a contestant?

PG: I’ve never had, but I know that there are people that have. When someone quits on you, we regret putting those people on.

NSD: What advice do you have for those that try out on Saturday?

PG: Come in with a smile. That’s always a big thing. [There's] no complaining because you’ve been standing in line for six hours—you’re about to try out for a work out show! Usually, that’s not putting your best foot forward. We like people who are positive. That six hours is nothing. We want the people that will do whatever it takes to get on the show.

Get ready, losers! The New York City open casting call is this Saturday at the NBC Experience Store at Rockefeller Plaza. For more information, click here. And, good luck!

And, we'll have the casting cheat sheet for you tomorrow... shh!

We'll be live Twittering on the big day. Follow Never Say Diet.

Watch what happened at the last casting call:

• Top 10 things you would give up to be on the show >>
• Potential contestants work out in line >>
• The Bob or Jillian game >>

For More on The Biggest Loser, visit NBC.com.