I admit that I don't watch too much TV that often anymore. I think I might be the last person in the world who doesn't have TiVo or DVR, and watching commercials makes me a bit crazy. However, upon hearing about ABC's new drama, HUGE, I was intriuged.
It's hard to form an opinion on a show merely by the one minute trailer, however, if you know me, you know I have an opinion.
From what I understant the show revolves around teenagers at a weight loss camp. The teenagers vary from overweight to obese. They deal with normal teenage problems, feelings and drama. At a weight loss camp. Oy vey.
My first problem is the question of what's with the poster with the actress, Nikki Blonsky, looking so....sad? Uncomfortable? Jaded? Scared? From what I understand, the show is promoting living a HUGE life, which if you read my blog, you know I send the same message. But, from the poster alone, I feel that they're saying, "Hey everybody! Come check out this show! We're going to pretend we're sending a great message, but selling it to you by thinking you're coming to see a train wreck".
So, I'm torn here. My battle is the question of why does this show need to be at a weight loss camp? Or day I say it (becauses I know you're thinking it) what most people still call a "fat camp"? Why couldn't it just be overweight kids at a high school, or private prep school? Aren't all the other shows about teenagers like that?
The only reason I can think of, is that no one would watch it if it were just overweight kids in high school dealing with high school stuff. American's are obsessed with intensity. Reality shows must contain people fighting and/or hating each other (with a side of nudity, please), we love addiction shows (I readily admit I'm intruiged by the show "Hoarders"), we can't get enough of Oprah and Kirstie Alley losing and gaining weight all over the place. So, I'm not surprised at all to see a show come along like this. Honestly, part of me wants to bang my head against my computer keyboard in frustration. Sure, it's a step in the right direction to have a show on a major network in prime time showing overweight kids, but at what cost??
I can only keep my fingers crossed that it does what I hope: Shows that teenagers of all shapes and sizes have real feelings. That they are more that just overweight. Regardless of how they got there, they all have their "stuff" they are dealing with.
I'd love to hear what you think about it. What do you think it will be like? How do you think it will be viewed? What do you think about the cast? Here's the link again to the show. I'll be blogging again on Monday right after the show airs. Stay tuned...
8 comments:
The more I think about it I have a concern on 1) the title and 2) the promotion of it being the only first show having plus size or non typical starts. What about Roseanne? I think the title also - if it was about a HGUE life - I agree with your comment on my blog Andrea - then why not embrace life in it? Also - anyone else annoyed that a plus size show has to deal with weight/health? Why cant it be a funny show, an honest one, in HS, like My So Called life with a range of characters and dealing with it in a "real life" situation people can relate to. I worry being at a camp will have many overtones and ramifications on stigma. I tried to be mellow in my post & open minded, but I have many concerns. It will be interesting to see how the show is presented.
Good post, Andrea. That was my question, too. "Why does this have to take place at Fat Camp?" But then I started thinking about it, and maybe that is the point - to focus our attention. At Fat Camp, everyone is fat, meaning, the whole cast. No distractions. Our entire tv screen will be filled with body types we aren't used to seeing. And since fat bodies is all we'll be seeing, what if something transformational takes place, in that the viewer stops seeing the fat and starts seeing the person?
I await the premier with baited breath.
I am being really cautious about HUGE too. I understand they are trying to promote living a 'Huge' life but the fact is the show is still set in a weight loss camp. I am relaatively sure that means there is going to be alot of diet, weight and fat talk. I've also tweeted about my feelings re: the poster too as I find it sad and the lead character looking so vulnerable.
@Kendra- I tohought of Roseanne as well, but I think with that show her character being overweight wasn't far-fetched. She was a middle class housewife with a brash attitude, so her size fit the character (no pun intended). So, this will be the first time teenage characters of size are the main charcters, from what I understand.
@Julie- I agree; she does look very vulnerable. But, from a marketing standpoint I suppose that is smart. Get the audience to want to see how hurt she is going to be.
@Melissa- Great point! I think you're right. I suppose it will take several episodes to see what unfolds.
I was actually shopping today with a guy friend. We walked into Delia's and they promote ABC family things - that same poster as the image you posted above was in the ENTRANCE of their store. To someone who knows nothing about the show, it SOLELY represents a girl looking insecure because of being that size. Which is telling girls that they need to be insecure if they are, as the poster says, HUGE. We also had this discussion with the cashiers and they were rather peeved about the poor advertising as well.
I was really excited about the show at first, but it's hard to stay excited after only having a minute or so of a clip and seeing the way it's been advertised. I guess I'll just have to wait until Monday to find out.
@Lindsey- I think they are advertising the show to get that kind of reaction from all of us. And in turn, to get us to watch it! Hopefully the main message will be of self acceptance. (Fingers crossed)
GREAT points Andrea! My next question is: What advertisers are on board? Are they going to be shoving 0 cal jello (with tons of artificial junk and chemicals) or will they have they have the "real beauty" dove-like commercials? It will be interesting to see!!
Steph- I can't remember what the commercials were, but I do think they were contradicting to the show's message.
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