Depictions of Obese Television Stars - Report Example

Depictions of Obese Television Stars Introduction Many people participate in TVs shows not that they need to alter their body size, but because they lack other options to fame and getting money quickly. This can be captured in Julie’s words that they ate it up since they wanted to be sure characters, but also because they did not have very many options. The TVs shows concentrate on projecting diversity in individual personality. Julie states that initially when the show “Glee” was first aired on most TV stations, she thought it would concentrate on individuals reducing their weight. This was to enable them do the perfectly choreographed dances of the 1980s. These dances require the dancers to be flexible enough and be light in weight as opposed to being obese (Julie par. 1-6). How do the media portray Obese Television Star? Julie was caught in surprise as The TV program introduced new personalities, particularly the character of Lauren. Lauren’s role in the show was represented by actress Ashley Fink. Ashley Fink is an overweight lady who takes the role of a wrestler. Julie is not contented with the glorification of obesity or overweight by TV programs. Julie highlights that the greatest mistake done by peers is losing their identity and adopting what is broadcasted on TV programs. Julie also says she overheard one of her peers in college ridicule Glee introduction and subsequent representation of actress Ashley Fink. The peer said, “Who wants to watch that on TV?” It is it that she was okay with being fat (Julie par. 1-6). Julie feels that what other female character want is equal portrayal of a diversity of sizes. This includes sizes of average women. When such images are shown, women can feel satisfied. Women hate representation of women such as Lauren. This is because such figures never existed in the past. Even characters of such nature existed before, but made efforts to work on their weight. This can be captured in Julie’s words that there is no problem being obese. As long as a person is making efforts to eliminate it and achieve a perfect image, it is okay (Julie par. 1-6) Julie also criticizes the idolization of body sizes on TV shows. She also criticizes individuals who alter their lifestyles to resemble a certain star in a TV program. This is evident from Lauren. Lauren gets into a relationship with Puck, who is also a fat person. Julie concludes that she does not hate Character like Lauren. She admires her and admits that she has a powerful personality. As Julie says, what other female characters want is the portrayal of diverse body sizes. This will help individuals to appreciate and realize that people are different. There is no single person who can resemble another (Julie par. 1-6). Smith notes that Amber Riley‘s Mercedes Jones is replaced by Ashley Fink who takes the character of Lauren. Ashley Fink compared to Amber Riley, is much obese. In her character as Lauren, she is portrayed eating or demanding food as payment for any task she does. Lauren falls in love with Puck, a fat person like her. During their Valentine day’s episode, the “Silly Love Songs” Puck sings the Queens Fat bottomed Girl song to Lauren. At the end of the occasion, Puck explains to Lauren the theme of the song. The aim of the song was to ridicule obesity. Smith notes that the inclusion of her character serves to ridicule obese individuals in spite of portraying them as okay (Smith par. 1-14). In Glee season two, Coach Beiste takes the character of a stocky female footballer. The coach name has the meaning of a “beast”, which is an offensive terminology. The aim of her character is to ridicule individuals who do not exercise to maintain their beauty (Smith par. 1-14) Weight loss theme dominated most reality TV shows in America, especially in year 2004. The two reality TV shows that dominated the media were the biggest loser and VH1’s Flab to Fab. The participants in the shows were obsessed individuals. The TV shows required participants to exercises and watch their diet. They were required to lose weight to resemble renowned personalities such as Jennifer Lopez. The central idea behind these reality TV shows was to encourage weight loss by burning excess fats. The title of the show “Biggest Loser” clearly highlights this theme. That is, the more a person loses weight, the more he or she becomes a winner. This was so even if an individual did not emerge as the ultimate winner (Stevens par. 1-8). Despite TV managers helping people reduce weight through their TV shows, they were also criticized for their hypocrisy. Stevens notes that in the program “Fat Actress”, actress Alley capitalizes on gaining weight to remain a star on TV show. She consumed many plates of spaghetti. The TV show management, on their website, recommends Alley for her habit. When the press covered the issue, the TV management denied the claim (Steven par. 1-8) The highlighting of obese individual as a normal phenomenon is also depicted by the Week Editorial Staff (2010). McNamara says that most reality TV shows portray overweight people as humans who are normal, just like the thin people. He says obese people are a focus of modern TV show. These obese individuals are treated with a lot of accuracy and sensitivity. This is in contrast to earlier shows, where the underweight were given focus while the obese individuals used to be mocked. The Week Editorial Staff argues that overweight is one aspect of an obese person. From another perspective, an overweight individual has the desire to lose weight (The Week Editorial Staff par. 1-4). Tom Shales gives a response to the question: is reality TV headed in the right direction? Tom Shales says the TVs shows should provide advice to viewers not to emulate the various characters depicted on TV shows such as the obsessed individuals. This will negatively influence individuals who want to loss weight. Such individuals will visualize overweight, as a normal phenomenon as opposed to a problem that should be dealt with (The Week Editorial Staff par. 1-4). Most TV programs exploit obese individuals. They also perpetuate the stereotype that overweight people lack self control and can be regarded as gluttonous. The individuals in reality shows are provided with enormous junky food. The participants in weight loss TV programs are provided with wrong information. They are made to understand that successful weight loss comes with heavy exercise and demand a lot (DukeHealth.org par. 1-18) Peeke advices the TV shows that are helping obese individuals in weight loss to adopt human approaches instead of exploitative methods. Some of the inhuman methods used include exposing the participants to reveal their enormous rolls of fats as well as subjecting the participants to intense exercises for months. Peeke recommends the establishment of training facilities with compassionate trainers, nutritionists and mental counselors. Peeke also emphasizes the need for TV producers to educate and empower individuals apart from avoiding the use of exploitive methods (Peeke par. 10-13). Conclusion As suggested by Dances with Fat website, TV shows must adopt personal responsibility strategy. TV programs must set the standards for beauty and health. This will help individuals adopt them and be responsible for their body health. As stated in the website, there is no need to lower the dignity of others if one cares about their health. The reality TV shows must, therefore, care for the health of their participants. Finally, an individual must believe in healthy behaviors. This is because they enhance a healthy body (Danceswithfat.wordpress.com par. 1-4). Works Cited Danceswithfat.wordpress.com. Dances with Fat, 2012. Web. 14 Dec. 2012. http://danceswithfat.wordpress.com/2011/02/12/does-glee-promote-obesity/ DukeHealth.org. The Exploitation of Obesity: Why “Fat TV” Is a National Disgrace, 2010. Web. 14 Dec. 2012. http://www.dukehealth.org/health_library/health_articles/whyfattvisanationaldisg ace Julie Z. Body Image in the Media: Glee Gets It Right, But Are We Ready? 2011. Web 14 Dec. 2012. http://thefbomb.org/2011/03/body-image-in-the-media-glee-gets-it-right-but-are-we-ready/ Peeke, Pamela. Everyday Fitness, 2011. Web. 14 Dec. 2012 http://blogs.webmd.com/pamela-peeke-md/2011/03/reality-shows-about-the- obese-empowering-or-exploitative.html Smith, Jane. Hurtful Stereotypes on Foxs Glee: Sexism, Racism & Fat Jokes, 2012. Web.14 Dec. 2012. http://suite101.com/article/hurtful-stereotypes-on-foxs-glee-sexism-racism--fat-jokes-a346824 Stevens, Dana. Reality Television is Deeply Ambivalent toward Excess Flesh, 2012. Web. 14 Dec. 2012 http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/television/2004/11/the_weight.html The Week Editorial Staff. Can TV stop treating fat people like jokes? 2010. Web. 14 Dec. 2012. http://theweek.com/article/index/204914/can-tv- stop-treating-fat-people-like-jokes Read More