Comments on: TV Sucker Punch

By: kindaafatgirl

kindaafatgirl — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:09:40 +0000

I just don’t understand why people expect TV to reflect real life or real people. When is the last time your husband accidently burned down your house & you laughed about 15 min later, or you killed your neighbor, stole her husband and lived in a multi-million dollar home without anyone ever going to work!! We watch because it’s fake & it’s an escape from reality. I don’t want to watch a single, fat girl who is always worried about money & is plagued with self-doubt. I want to be entertained by the impossible……which i guess would be a buff man with a fat girl for her sparkling personality & wit.

By: Kari

Kari — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 19:45:35 +0000

I find it interesting, too, that TV portrays heavier guys such as Kevin James (King of Queens) and other shows that I can’t recall the names of, as the guy next door, who just happens to have a really hot wife! Gotta love that double standard. Except not. When will we see an average couple (larger than a size 8) on TV? Roseanne is long gone. Or what about a heavier woman with a buff man (who doesn’t have a “thing” for heavier women, but just loves her for her)?

By: Margaret

Margaret — Sun, 21 May 2006 13:13:27 +0000

Hi J, this is my first time visiting your blog and I’ve only skimmed around, but just wanted to leave a quick comment (as well as a Way to Rock!): I don’t know from Law & Order or DH, but have you ever read Camryn Manheim’s bio Wake Up I’m Fat!? She’s a fat actress and writes about it in that book, as well as her work in size-acceptance, even doing things like demanding better wardrobe options for her character on the Practice. I just thought it was nice to know that even if onscreen big girls don’t get enough legit play, sometime’s there’s still someone fighting the good fight behind the scenes.

By: histrion

histrion — Thu, 18 May 2006 08:09:58 +0000

The industry as a whole is phenomenally sizist, though – as an actress it does really annoy me. I’m a big girl, but not huge – I’m about 55lbs overweight and a British size 16 (which I think is an American 12, perhaps…?) The thing is that once you leave the realms of a UK 10 (US 6?) you’ve got to be above a UK 20 before you’re castable again. As I’m in the middle, I’ll only be considered for casting if the part I’m going up for is specifically tagged as being ‘large’. And if it’s tagged ‘large’, then they’ll tend to choose actresses who are bigger than me. Not fat enough to be ‘fat’, but not small enough to be ‘normal’ – go figure!

By: Bev Carney

Bev Carney — Wed, 17 May 2006 07:03:21 +0000

There's always Conchata Ferrell! Do a google search for her or go here: http://www.tv.com/conchata-ferrell/person/715/appearances.html She's great!

By: Marla

Marla — Wed, 17 May 2006 05:49:09 +0000

I dunno… I think this one is a draw. Thumbs down for the stereotyping, but thumbs up for her NOT being the one who licked the frosting. Maybe the incident was meant to blow apart the fat girl stereotype and show Bree as an ass with false preconceptions about people.

On the other hand, IMO the women on that show are all distressingly thin, so it’s hard to imagine the writers being some kind of fat activists.

By: Katrina

Katrina — Tue, 16 May 2006 22:37:04 +0000

I noticed that too- and thought I’ll have to blog about that:)

Peeved me off royally as well, and I also was glad she was not the finger sticking one.

By: Jester

Jester — Tue, 16 May 2006 14:27:35 +0000

I look at this as a sign of a lazy writer. Giving in to societies stereotypes about “fat girls” is easy, doesn’t take you any time at all, and reveals that you didn’t feel like using your imagination that day.

It’s along the same lines as writers who want to hint that a character is pregnant. I guarantee you, she’ll be nauseous for no known reason. Boom – now you know the character is pregnant.

One of my favorite shows, “Battlestar Galactica,” did this last season. I lost so much respect for what, until that point, had been some great writing. And yes, I’m a something of a geeky sci fi chick. ;-)

Jester

By: PastaQueen

PastaQueen — Tue, 16 May 2006 14:16:30 +0000

Hilly – Rereading my entry it does sound like I actually read the credits, but I didn’t. I was just talking about how many shows only hire a fat actress if the part is specifically about being a fat person, hence they’re playing the “Fat Girl.” I checked IMDB and the character’s name is actually Maureen though I don’t think they mention that in the show. Anyway, sorry if I mislead you!

By: Hilly

Hilly — Tue, 16 May 2006 13:10:51 +0000

I haven’t seen the episode yet, as it is on TiVo still but OMG, now I have to go see that because this type of stuff ticks me off. I was just commenting how lately I have seen more overweight people on TV with less “name calling” associated with it. Heck, there is even one on my soap (yes I watch a soap, so sue me). But to call someone FAT GIRL in the credits is wrong….just lame too.

Why is it okay for men to be overweight like half of the Sopranos Cast or Drew Carey but a woman? She gets called yo, fat girl???