I'm not really sure what went through the mind of Marie Claire blogger Maura Kelly when she wrote the piece Should "Fatties" Get a Room? (Even on TV?).
Surely she knew nothing good would come from it.
She was addressing CBS's new show Mike & Molly about an overweight couple whose affection apparently disgusts her.
I'd be grossed out if I had to watch two characters with rolls and rolls of fat kissing each other ... because I'd be grossed out if I had to watch them doing anything. To be brutally honest, even in real life, I find it aesthetically displeasing to watch a very, very fat person simply walk across a room.
Cringing yet?
Though I find the article to be completely ignorant, she does (unknowingly) raise the question as to what people are willing to watch on television and how far their comfort bubble expands.
For example, while I was a little disappointed in the hyped-about kissing scene a few weeks ago on Modern Family (just a peck, really?), I do know some more conservative people who felt that even a peck between two homosexual characters was taking it too far on a family network show. Heaven forbid actually having to sit through a -- gasp! -- full-fledge make-out scene.
And apparently, there are people out there that aren't comfortable with viewing obese people. Sure obesity is an issue in our country, but geezus, the way she described it in the article made me think she'd just as well have all the plus-sized people shipped off to an isolated farm somewhere so she'd never have to look at them.
With network television not always hopping off of the "norm" bandwagon, it's no surprise that we're left with some people in a tizzy over certain subject matters -- after all, it's rarely put to the test.
I applaud these shows for portraying characters of various sizes, sexual preferences, and backgrounds. It's what makes up our society, so why not extend that to our television programming? Anyone against it can just shut their mouths eyes.
What are your thoughts on the Marie Claire article? Are there any subject matters that are uncomfortable for you to watch?
For a response to Maura Kelly's article, read Dear Maura Kelly: Stop Being Stupid About Fat People.
Image via CBS.com
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Comments 18
holy crap. what a shallow, pathetic person.
hey, check out the link -- it's been updated with an apology, and she admits that as a former anorexic she has her own issues. to which i say: DUH HICKEY.
I had to hunt around for a picture of Ms. Perfection, and think that maybe she has a lot of growing up to do before she starts hurling stones at all the other Ordinary People in the world.
As a fattie, I think it's great that this show has come on air. It's not about promoting obesity. Watch it, and you'll see that Mike tries to diet. Molly, most likely has issues because her family is freaking whackjobs and eating helps her. This isnt about saying 'go on everyone, be fat, it's awesome'. What it IS saying is "Look, fat people are people too". It's about showing that we are just like everyone else. We have feelings. We want to find love. etc. Sure, it would be great in the perfect world some people live in for everyone to be thin and perfect...but guess what, that's not how it works. And it isn't simply about 'watching what you eat and exercising'. Honestly, people who have never battled with obesity...just don't have a freaking clue. I have a blog about this exact subject.
And honestly, her apology...is B.S. She said what she felt...so she still believes it. She still thinks fat people are sickening. Well guess what ... I won't apologize. I think people who judge by looks alone are sickening...and that OP is someone who sickens me.
I was going to comment, but yeah, what Proud Single Mum said. All that, right there.
why should she have to apologise for her opinion? even if she was a bit harsh it's still her opinion and she has all the right to express it. not everyone agrees with my opinions and i dont go around apologising what i believe!!
What I think is maybe people should really think before they speak.
We need positive expression in this world. I watch this show and I think it's wonderful. Fat or not we all have feelings and struggles and triumphs.
I think if you dont like what you are watching you have the ability to change the channel. no one is forcing you to watch anything. Hell unplug your TV and throw it out the window (just a saying, not really throw it out the window) for all the rest of us care.
I am an overweight person and I dont like seeing big people do anything myself, but it is the point that if our society is so big, which most of us are, why would we push the film and tv companies to show something else. Sure is going to be hard to show skinny people on tv soon, we all getting a little pudgy.