Danny Cahill, a 39-year-old land surveyor and musician from Broken Arrow, OK, and Rudy Pauls, a 31-year-old engineer from Brooklyn, CT, were revealed to be two of The Biggest Loser's three eighth-season finalists during last night's penultimate broadcast of the NBC reality weight-loss show.

ADVERTISEMENT

Home viewers will now decide which one of the season's two other remaining contestants -- Amanda Arlauskas, a 19-year-old patient care technician from Butler, NJ, or Liz Young, a 49-year-old salesperson from Lewisburg, TN -- will become the show's third finalist.

Immediately following the conclusion of last night's episode, home viewers could begin voting via NBC's website for either Liz or Amanda. 

The contestant who receives the most votes will be revealed during The Biggest Loser's live eighth-season finale on Tuesday, December 8 at 8PM ET/PT.

The Biggest Loser's penultimate eighth-season episode began following the previous elimination of Allen Smith, as the four remaining contestants left the ranch and returned home, where they were welcomed by family and friends.

In addition, trainer Jillian Michaels traveled to Liz and Danny's homes to help them workout, while fellow trainer Bob Harper went to the homes of Rudy and Amanda to help them.

After 60 days at home, the four remaining contestants then returned to Los Angeles to run a full 26.2-mile marathon. The Biggest Loser host Alison Sweeney also revealed that when each contestant crossed the finish line, they'd receive $10,000 to donate to the charity of their choice.

The marathon then commenced and as they were running, the contestants were met with some encouragement -- as Danny and Liz were joined by the seventh season's second runner-up Tara Costa, Rudy was met by his former eighth-season partner Dina Mercado, and Amanda was joined by her best friend Brian.

Bob eventually joined Rudy and Dina for the final few miles, and they crossed the finish line at 5:12:41. Bob then met Amanda and Brian and they crossed the finish line at 5:28:27. Jillian eventually joined Danny and Liz for the final miles, and they crossed the finish line at 6:55:22.

The final four contestants then met for The Biggest Loser's penultimate eighth-season weigh-in.

Alison informed them that, similar to the show's last three seasons, the two contestants with the highest weight-loss percentage would automatically advance to the finale weigh-in while home viewers would get to determine which of the two contestants with the lowest weight-loss percentage would get to join them in the finale weigh-in.

Liz was the first to step on the scale. She left the ranch at 198 lbs. and lost 16 while at home for a total weight-loss percentage of 8.08%. Amanda went next. She left the ranch at 186 lbs. and also lost 16 while at home for a total weight-loss percentage of 8.60%.

Danny went next -- and it was obvious he had lost quite a bit of weight since leaving the ranch. His previous weight at the ranch was 288 lbs. and he lost 59 for a total weight-loss percentage of 20.49%.

In addition, Alison informed Danny he was one of only four The Biggest Loser contestants to ever lose over 200 lbs. on the show -- as he had now shed 201 lbs. since initially arriving on the ranch.

"I always knew that the person was inside me who could do this," said Danny. "I just didn't know where he had gone, why I had lost that fire. I found that guy that was in there and it feels great."

Rudy was the last to step on the scale, and he needed to lose more than 25 lbs. to guarantee himself a spot in the finale. He left the ranch at 296 lbs. and lost 43 for a total weight-loss percentage of 14.53%.

After learning that they'd finished as the two contestants with the lowest weight-loss percentage, Amanda and Liz each got a chance to record a video and plead their cases to home viewers. 

"I'm here pleading my case to America, asking you to vote to keep me here," said Liz in her video.

"I know that I have it in me to win this. I am 49-years-old. I'm the oldest female to ever make it to the Final 4, and if you vote tonight to keep me here America, I will be the oldest contestant ever in the Final 3."

Amanda was no stranger to this situation, as she was voted onto The Biggest Loser's eighth season by home viewer votes that were cast during the show's live seventh-season finale in May.

"At the end of last season's finale, I stood in front of America and in front of a live audience and I pleaded for America's vote to put me on the show this season," said Amanda.

"I'm asking you to help me one more time, to let me finish what I've started and to put me in this Final 3 with Rudy and Danny. Give me your vote, believe in me, and I will make you proud -- I will show you that I will do everything I possibly can to prove to you that I did not work this hard to waste this opportunity."
About The Author: Christopher Rocchio

FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON GOOGLE NEWS