It's getting hard to enjoy some guilt-free ice cream while kicking back with summer TV, what with everyone inspirationally losing weight every time I turn the set on. If I'm not watching people drop pounds through dance on Oxygen's Dance Your Ass Off, I'm learning important lessons about weight and self-esteem (and the pros and cons of cheese spray) on Lifetime's dramedy Drop Dead Diva, about a thin model's soul trapped in a plus-size lawyer's body. (Don't ask about logistics. Just go with it.) Then there's Style's charming Ruby, a reality show about the title character's struggles to break free of morbid obesity, and next up is Fox's Bachelor for "regular people," More to Love (debuting July 28).
Clearly weight issues are compelling, if this lot is any evidence. I keep trying to cull down my summer DVR list — certainly there's a book I could be reading? — but I can't bring myself to ditch any of these pleasures. Now I must know if the deft-footed Ruben wins Dance Your Ass Off, if Ruby ever gets a job, and, sorry, I simply can't resist Brooke Elliott playing a ditzy, skinny model inside a smart attorney with a healthy appetite for donuts. (That might be the one show here during which I do feel okay about the ice cream …)
I recently caught a sneak peek at More to Love, and it doesn't quite make the same kind of inspirational claims as the other shows here. For one, there are egregious close-ups of meat skewers, begging the question of when we've ever seen the hors d'oeuvres on The Bachelor. And yet, it's a simple, watch-worthy fact that just changing the body type of the "contestants," as well as the "prize," makes for different interactions. The stakes are simply higher for women who feel they've been ignored most of their lives, and even for the guy who's never quite had his pick of ladies. (Also, did I mention there are meat skewers?) Then again, does this need to be a separate show? Why can't we just see these folks on The Bachelor?
That's the real question: Is carving out a separate niche so we can have all these "regular people" populating our summer airwaves an unqualified good thing? Sure, it's great to see a body shape other than unhealthily thin represented, but there's a fine line between inspirational and exploitative. What do you think, PopWatchers? Are you also enjoying all the weight loss shows? Are they doing an adequate job riding that line between inspiration and exploitation? Does 'More to Love' sound like a winner as well, or have you had enough of all this "regular people" programming?
Variety is the spice of life. So it’s good in that sense to see something other than silicone injected skanks and roid monkeys lumbering across the screen. However, when these shows end up getting nicknames like “The Fat-chlor” among others, I think the point (if there ever was one) is lost.
I’ll be interested to know if they actual cast bigger girls on more to love. so often these premises come up a little “light”.
the summer of picking on and “highlighting” for a ratings boost the non-super models bodies – if I want to see that – I just look in my own mirror
I will say that Drop Dead Diva seems to be a great show (similar to “Legally Blonde”), and is not at all in the vein of reality programming.
Drop Dead Diva is one of my new favorite shows. The others, haven’t watched and don’t plan on it.
I’m all for seeing full-figured individuals, but aside from Drop Dead Diva, is this the best they could come up with? The weight-loss shows seem more ass-backwards than progressive to me.
Ugh, don’t even compare Drop Dead Diva to those other shows!
Drop Dead Diva is awesome, but the rest of the are horrible and cruel! Talk about a step back. Especially “More to Love” All that show says is “You’re not good enough to be on “The Bachelor” so we are going to give you a show where you don’t have to compete with thin girls.” And before you start, I am a big girl (240 lbs, size 20/22)
I think that the networks are patting themselves on the back for highlighting “normal” girls, but they’re missing the point. Which I guess IS the point – if they made shows that just featured PEOPLE, big and little and skinny and fat, who would win? Who would the bachelor (or bachelorette) pick, really? Reality TV is totally skewed, crazy tv, and that’s why these ‘separate but equal’ shows exist. It’s sad, but I guess it’s true – I just wish I didn’t have to think about the network suits being so pleased with themselves for showcasing less-than-size-0 women (who, incidentally, can apparently only be loved by a beer-bellied man). I’m sure someone got a raise for this idea.
Drop Dead Diva is awesome! It’s got Margaret Cho and it’s all about someone who is fat and I am all for that! I am a fat chick. I am afraid to watch More to Love, I am not happy about a lot of what I have seen about it already. Why is the guy also plus size? Do slender guys not like plus size ladies? I know many who do. It seems odd to me. Also..I can’t wait Dance your ass off because the outfits are soooo bad!
I like Drop Dead Diva (not because of the plus size concept but it’s a good show – the actress is perfect!) and Dance Your Ass Off (DWTS and Biggest Loser in a much faster paced show) but I’ll skip More to Love. It’s one thing to have a show with bigger people but when it’s the major theme of the show? No thanks. Everybody wants to be loved, and pointing out to these people that they can only be loved on a special show seems mean.
Dance Your Ass Off is a terrific reality show! Very entertaining and inspirational as well. Regarding the other shows, I haven’t watched them yet, but plan on checking out “Drop Dead Diva”. Its great to see more people that aren’t a size “0″ on television!
I love Dance your and Drop Dead Diva. They are great shows with great messages.
These people know they have a weight problem,and they have tryied all they know now it;s time to it down and dirty with the fright of all fights and have fun doing it what the hell is the problem they are great I love all of them .They looked at thereself and said I need help and this is giving them the help they need so back the hell off work on your self because i know you have problems of your own like your mouth use the the power in you that these people has found in them and work on your inner so the outter you want look so fucked up.