Hollywood Exclusive by Marilyn Beck & Stacy Jenel Smith

When trainer Bob Harper talks about last season's "The Biggest Loser," it's pretty obvious that it didn't quite top his favorites list. "I think producers get all wrapped up in what is going to make a show bigger and what is going to make it better. Well, I'm a reality TV watcher, and you know what? Don't veer too far off of what has worked for 11 seasons," he says.

"The Biggest Loser" Season 12 launches tonight (Sept. 20), with new trainers Anna Kournikova and Dolvett Quince, and without long-time trainer Jillian Michaels — or last season's new trainers, Brett Hoebel and Cara Castronuova. Season 11 was fashioned as a trainers-vs.-trainers competition, and segments showcasing Jillian became few and far between, which caused displeasure behind the scenes.

Bob makes it clear that he doesn't have anything against Brett and Cara. "I never really got a chance to work with them. It was all about Jillian, and I knew it was going to be her last season. It was really a love fest for Jillian and I — that good feeling of everything we've built for this whole brand," he says of Michaels, who has become a good friend.

But now it's Anna and Dolvett and a new group of contestants in a battle of the ages — between under-30-year-olds, 30-to-49-year-olds, and 50+ players. "There are definitely some potholes. We're not going to be pothole-free, I'll tell you," Bob says. However, he adds, "They're a really nice bunch of people. You do have a couple of your crazies that you always get. One girl you're going to meet in the first episode — in the beginning, I thought I had her figured out. I thought, 'She knows all the right things to say. Let's see if there's any action behind her words.'"

A lot has happened since then, and now, says Bob, "I really believe she'll inspire people, showing what a person with injuries can do."

He isn't worried about other weight-loss shows diluting the effectiveness of his, by the way. "I guess imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but what 'Loser' has done remains unmatched. When other shows present contestants in an almost mocking way, it doesn't work. I don't think that's what people are looking for. We really try to go to the organic place of showing people at their lowest point, then week-by-week getting better."

As for Bob, who considers Kournikova "a sweet woman," there's no end in sight. "I've been very committed to 'Biggest Loser' since the very beginning. I feel like there is still a lot of work to be done that I want to be there for. It's a passion of mine — getting people healthy — and this is such a huge platform for that."

MAN ON THE MOVE: Even though J.R. Martinez is well aware that he's not as well-known as his fellow "Dancing With the Stars" competitors, the Iraq War veteran/motivational speaker/"All My Children" actor says, "I've got a lot of people rooting for me. Burn survivors, military personnel. I feel like I've got great chances."

Martinez, who was burned over 40 percent of his body when his Humvee hit a land mine in 2003, has been playing a role that mirrors his own story on the daytime drama that has its final airing on ABC Friday (Sept.

23). He says it's been "an emotional rollercoaster. The day after they announced the 'Dancing With the Stars' cast for this season was the final day of shooting on 'All My Children.' That last day was tough. It was a hard day. But they're all true professionals, and everyone there was pulling for me. Even though we knew it was the end, everyone was trying to maintain themselves in a good light. It was nice for all of us to be together, hold each other and hug each other and cry. But I'm so grateful for this opportunity. One thing in life ends, another begins."

He doesn't know yet if he'll continue with his role when "All My Children" moves to the Internet — or even if it'll actually make that much-talked-about move. No one knows. "It's still being negotiated," he points out.

Meanwhile, there's "Dancing With the Stars" — the Chaz Bono season. Martinez is quick to note, "I think Chaz is holding up pretty well, handling it pretty well. I've gotten to know him a little bit, and he's a good guy, from what I see. The thing about this season is, it's so diverse. There's something for everyone."

TURNING UP THE HEAT: When someone is proclaimed to be a "hottie" on "Gossip Girl," he or she must be especially hot — because Armani advertisement-level attractiveness is the rule of the day on the CW series, which returns Monday (Sept. 26) in its new 8 p.m. timeslot.

Hotness is the case with Simon Miller, whose return as Patrick is causing a stir among "Gossip Girl" fans.

"I'm always shocked when I see someone saying 'Simon Miller hottie,' or 'the hottest guy.' I'm like, 'You're kidding,'" he insists. "I was definitely a late bloomer. I was more like the brooding poet type when I was in high school. I never felt like I was going to be one of the popular kids. But acting, for me, has always been a way to explore other people I could have been in life."

Miller is also still surprised to get recognized when he's out and about. Although, he says, "I actually get a lot of fans on Facebook who ask me stuff, and I'm happy to respond to them. They're from all over the world, China, Mexico...." What do they ask him? "They always want to know acting stuff: 'Is it hard to act?' 'How do you pretend to be somebody else?'"

Then there are the offers. "This really cute girl from Germany asked me if I could find her a place to live. I was like, 'Why don't you search online for a place in LA?' And she says, 'I was hoping I could stay with you a little bit.' That one took me back a little. You never know when you might be facing a 'Fatal Attraction' kind of thing."

He admits he's surprised to be back on 'Gossip Girl,' potentially causing trouble for Serena (Blake Lively). "To be honest, I didn't think it would happen. I heard that that they had put me on hold for a certain date, and I thought, 'Yeah, right.' I also got called back for more on 'Vampire Diaries,' but then they didn't use me," he says.

Miller is in for at least three episodes — and he's sworn to secrecy. He does indicate, however, that he anticipates doing more on the show. "What happens in this last episode I did — it seems that there is going to be more to tell. It would be a weird place to leave off." He's also been working on a miniseries, but again, he can't talk about it "It's almost bad luck to talk about it," he says. "Best to let it grow in the quiet and the dark, like mold."

Miller hasn't done comedy yet, though he'd like to. However, he points out, "Hotties aren't funny. Hotties are just hot."