A HUGE step forward or back? ABC Family Show on Weight Loss Camp
ABC Family is debuting a show called HUGE on Monday night and we are all waiting to see how the show is received and what we’re all going to think of it. As a body image expert, the author of Good Girls Don’t Get Fat (due out in October 2010) and a child/teen development specialist, I draw a fine line between what moves us forward and what moves us back when it comes to weight, size, and body image. As TV and celebrities like to be “in your face” or else they’ll have no viewers, they have taken a HUGE stance with HUGE—a full dramatic show centering on teens at weight loss camp.
Some might be frustrated. I mean, why do we have to go there? In an attempt to move forward, don’t we simply want the gaggle of Gossip Girls to be more diverse in their cliquey membership? Yes, of course we do. But I do believe, this could be a step in the right direction.
Why? Because in a show where all the main characters are considered plus size, the typical “Queen Bee,” “Popular Girl,” and “Perfect Girl” is going to plus size too. While we are used to seeing the plus size girl labeled the “best friend,” “comedic role,” or “loser,” the diverse roles could help a wider audience see that plus size teens can be anything. While we are used to seeing plus size girls cut off at the neck and portrayed in the media as just a blob of a body sitting lethargically and eating, the diverse activities can show that plus size teens can and do engage in many activities and think about many things. THAT is all a step in the right direction, if you ask me.
I know. The whole premise says that these teens have to lose weight. We’ll see how it’s handled. My hope is that the message won’t be “you lost weight, therefore you are more valuable” but rather, “you are valuable, no matter what your weight is.”
With interesting, layered characters, this show could break some barriers. We’ve already seen it done on the very fabulous Drop Dead Diva, a show about a charismatic, beautiful, bright plus size woman who is successful, funny, and lovable in every way. Let’s hope that we can fall in love with these characters as well.
I’ll be tweeting and writing about the show as it progresses. As it really is the first of its kind, I expect some blunders as well as some winning moments. We’ll call attention to them and provide some feedback and advice to those who are trying to make the show a staple in our homes.
While it might seem useless to try to influence media and even suppose that our “choose your own adventure” feedback can make a difference, I think that in this case, our words have power. As part of the Confidence Community ™ and an Actionist® myself, I would rather see this as an opportunity for growth in acceptance than another jab at kids who don’t fit the photoshopped societal ideal. Of course, I’m an optimist. What do YOU think?
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TV is all about business…it’s dollars and cents. As long as a concept can be sold for ad dollars and the Neilsen ratings reflect high viewer share to support ad revenues, network executives are happy. That’s their job. Anything and everything is being packaged as entertainment, especially if it involves human suffering and humiliation. Uncle Miltie would not have a snowballs chance of getting a TV gig in today’s world.
I would rather my daughter spend time with Nick Vujicic instead of anytime plunked in front of the tube. – Dr. Robyn, if you have not seen this clip, it’s a must, not just for the attitude but for the audience he addresses.