CONFESSIONS OF A FAT GIRL

TV's Growing Size

Still thanking Steph for a fabulous selection of articles... And it's about time we all started reading Jezebel, I think. Clearly they have a good grip. I'm adding it to my favorites:

Why Is There An "Appetite" For Plus-Size TV?

By Dodai, 12:30 PM on Tue Aug 25 2009

Today's Washington Post story about the popularity of plus-size TV shows actually begins, "Have a sandwich, Twiggy."

Writer Neal Justin is trying to make the point that the rash of plus-size TV shows — Drop Dead Diva, Dance Your Ass Off; Ruby, More To Love and The Biggest Loser — are getting great ratings, and writes: "Fat is suddenly fabulous, at least on TV." Not in real life! In real life it's still totally gross, okay?

But what Justin wants to know is why. Why would people want to watch shows with plus-size characters? He writes, "Why this appetite for fuller-figured personalities?" But it almost sounds like: Why would you want to watch fatties?

You'd think, since according to one study, "adult obesity rates increased in 23 states last year," it's about American audiences seeing a reflection of themselves.

But Paul Telegdy, who oversees NBC's reality programming (including Biggest Loser) says: "I think it embraces a concern and a worry that keeps a lot of Americans awake at night." Hear that? You're lying awake at night, afraid to get fat, which makes you watch The Biggest Loser.

Yeah, I'll just go ahead and say: Bullshit! If you're watching these shows, it's because there's drama, and a human story. We love a personal story, and if it's personal, it's universal. Even if you've never been overweight, you can understand the range of human emotions showcased on these programs: Frustration, heartbreak, dedication, triumph. As Loser host Alison Sweeney says: "[The show] strikes at the heart of the human spirit.You see people being able to overcome this obstacle that seems insurmountable. Miracles can happen."

And honestly? It's not like plus-size, overweight, fat or large people all live sequestered from society. In many cases, they're your mom, your dad, your aunt, your uncle, you, me. It's not strange that people are interested in seeing plus-size people on TV; it's strange that up until now, plus-size people have been mostly ignored on TV.

 source: http://jezebel.com/5345110/why-is-there-an-appetite-for-plus+size-tv 

Less to Love of "More to Love"

When asked by the Washington Post why there is a lot of plus-sized TV these days, he had this deep, well-thought-out response to offer:

"I don't know," said Luke Conley, the 330-pound real estate developer who gets to play bachelor to 20 plus-size women on Fox's "More to Love." "Maybe they just have wider angles on their cameras now so they can fit me on the screen."

Hardy, har, har, Luke.

How this guy's not been snatched up already remains a mystery to me...

A Lil' Q & A

Wade Robson is a Mad Genius and I Love Him

Features Season 2 dancers (this was my fave season, I think -- maybe nearly tied with S3) Travis Wall, Dmitry Chaplin, Donyelle Jones, Benji Schwimmer, Ivan Koumaev, Allison Holker, Martha Nichols and Heidi Groskreutz.

And the Skinny Become Fat

So the Lifetime network has this new show, "Drop Dead Diva." Old story, new characters. Essentially, a skinny girl dies and is reincarnated in a fat girl's body.

OMIGOD, could there BE anything WORSE?

I'm making a joke there but actually, I am sort of intrigued and impressed with the premise. Will they make this a clever, sociological satirical comedy? Or will they insult fat girls everywhere, implying you have to be skinny to be happy and successful.

This line in the NY T imes article, reviewing the show, does not give me hope: "And while the presumption that a woman can be either brainy or beautiful, or in this case, good or thin, but not both, is a bit primitive, the series has humor and charm..."

I wouldn't say there is a lack of flawed women out there in TV Land (Julia Louis Dreyfus plays a nutjob on her show, Alyson Hannigan's character is often a wreck on "How I Met Your Mother") but it's frustrating that big cannot also be depicted as beautiful.

I don't watch Ugly betty but am curious about it because here we have an opportunity to show that NOT-conventionally-pretty can be just as beautiful...

There is a show premiering on Fox in a week called "More to Love" and at first, I was THRILLED by the idea. I thought, "Yes! NORMAL women deserve true love, too. Thank you, Fox."

But the campaign for it went awry for me. Not only were they billing the women as "average" and "normal" in a light I saw as negative, but they were also billing the bachelor as "average" and "normal," using terminology that implied he was not as physically fit at ABC's bachelors, nor as much of a catch.

You got that, ladies? We, as "average" women are not entitled to a hunk. We're not entitled to our dream guy. We are only able to get the "ok" guy so that's what they're giving us.

I doubt very much I will regularly tune into "More to Love."

It's okay, though, as I am now addicted to The Next Food Network Star, TLC's Cake Boss and The Real Housewives series on Bravo.

Intervention!

Well you've all wondered where I've been and now I can tell you - I've been watching the Food Network.

Honest to God, how did I not know about this before? My mom and brother have me turned onto all of these fabulous shows-- "The Best Thing I Ever Ate," "Chopped," "Diners, Dives and Drive-ins," "Ace of Cakes..." Do you know this is a fat girl's worst enemy and yet, I can't stop! I'm tivo'ing the hell out of this stuff.

Next question - how do I get a job there? LOL.

The thing that kills me, though? The commercials. Well, usually I can fast-forward through them (thank you, Tivo) but I've counted, at LEAST, one Jenny Craig commercial per break. I'm not kidding. And that is JUST what you wanna see,right? Whilst I watch Ted Allen relive his best BBQ experience, I want to be guilted by Valerie Bertinelli in a bikini.

Bitch. (Oh leave me alone. You know I've worked with her and she's cmpletely nice but I get to be bitter right now.)

In other news, as I clearly can't be trusted to blog here often enough, I want to remind you there are other ways to stalk me on the web:

My personal blog: http://confessionsofafatgirl.typepad.com/other/

My Twitter: http://twitter.com/AmandaJoy

I wish you all a lovely weekend. I'll be half-heartedly reading my new book while I whole-heartedly watch Food TV.

Damn You, Food!

So my mother and brother have gotten me addicted to the Food Network.

I watched it from time to time in the past but between Sunday and Monday, I put in a solid ten hours watching it. Thank you, Tivo.

And I'm not talking about these shows where someone stands there and teaches you to cook something (Where did Ming Tsai go? I loved him once upon a time) but these competition shows and talk shows and specials... I watched two hours of "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" last night and actually took NOTES, people. I think I have a sickness.

One of the "best things" was "Ebelskivers." I want them. I am going to find a recipe and make them. Soon. I assure you. I am going to have me an ebelskiver soiree, kiddies -- look out.

My restaurant wishlist is growing. If only I could travel to Seattle and try the doughnut bites at Lola. Giada DeLaurentis looked like she was having a mouth-gasm eating those...

Can't Touch This

 

So I tuned into A&E for Hammertime. I liked the ad campaign (above- GENIUS) and I always like the guy... The show was mediocre. It's reality TV but everyone (except the star) is clearly affected by the cameras' presence.

And I'm so not a fan of "Cousin Marv." I suspect A&E was hoping he'd be like star #2? Not so much.

Also, enjoyed that there was conveniently a "take your dad to school day" when they were taping... If I had to take MC Hammer to school, I really think he's gotta wear the parachute pants... Also think the other dads looked a little sad. Poor other-dads. Especially the dad who did th Hammer dance. Oh white-man, don't!

P.S. (Enjoyed the Twitter tie-in. I'm a fan.)

Hurty Skin

Looking at this photo makes my skin hurt.

I just got a text from my face that said "don't you EVER do this to me."

Oscars Tweets

For those of you following my Twitter, you saw how much I updated tonight. It was not without purpose-- I took notes, my friends. Here is the blog behind the tweets. (!)

AMANDA JOY...

… doesn't understand Melissa George's fashion choice.

Nevermind that I can't figure out why Melissa George is AT the Oscars but I'm not a fan of the dress. In the back, it's laced-up and I think it looks horrid.

… thinks Natalie Portman is working that dress. Fierce!

Normally, not such a fan of the pink but this is show-stopping to me.

… is seeing a lot of shades of red and white.

… wants E! Online to post arrival photos faster. Anyone got a better site?

… thinks Beyonce's dress looks like my grandmother's bathroom wallpaper circa 1983. And that is not a compliment (so we're clear).

Is it me or does Beyonce NEVER look natural or comfortable when she poses? You gotta believe she has 7 layers of SPANX on under that dress, right?

Seriously, if you saw my grandmother's bathroom when I was a child, you would understand. It was METALLIC BRILLIANCE.

… is confused-- Ed Begley Jr. is on the red carpet. What did I miss?

… doesn't know who picked out that thing on Phillip Seymour Hoffman's head but COME ON. REALLY?

Me thinks someone is not comfortable in his balding head... He wore this last night at the Spirit Awards, too.

… thinks Jennifer Grey is probably glad her dad's won an Oscar (how else would she get to go to the Oscars?)

Incidentally, it took me a few minutes to realize who the broad with Joel Grey even WAS.

… wants to lick Brad Pitt.

Yeah, I'm not even gonna resize that photo. The man is dreamy.

… can't decide if Lisa Rina is more or less annoying than Seacrest. Although she, at least, has not insulted anyone yet (that I've seen).

Ok, so while Lisa Rina and Joey Fatone managed to annoy the shit out of me when I'd flip over to them, Ryan Seacrest managed to insult people AGAIN. I mean, this is the same jackass who tried to high-five a blind contestant on Idol so I don't have very high expectations to begin with. So with Marisa Tomei, he asked her how it felt to be back at the Oscars since 1992 using the words "it's been SO long..." Well, I hardly think she's not been to an Oscar ceremony since '92, nevermind that she was also nominated in 2002 for  "In the Bedroom." Later, he would go on to insult Meryl...

Ah yes, Ryan Seacrest. Channeling Joan Rivers.

Way to hustle, though, chasing Angelina down on the red carpet after they snubbed you at The Globes... LOL.

...Um, Robert Downey, Jr. looks dreamy.

… ROBIN ROBERTS? Really? Go away, honey. Let Tim Gunn work.

... Tim Gunn just compared Amy Adams' chaste nun to Marissa Tomei's washed up stripper. I love you, Tim Gunn.

… SO happy Meryl Streep does not look horrid. Kudos.

Lest we forget this fashion choice:

… wishes Peter Gabriel were performing.

And after a HORRIBLE musical medley performance, was very glad he didn't.

… wants Craigslist dancers.

Hugh Jackman's opening number? AWESOME. I thought he was just great. I was so surprised and happy for him.

… thinks Tilda Swinton is scary.

She wore make-up tonight. For once. It didn't help.

… wonders how many people it took to stuff Goldie's boobs into that dress.

I tried to find a photo of this... Nothing that showed it in the light the ceremony featured it. Horrendous.

...ok, 18 minutes in. One award. Good think I'm free til 2am.

… has now reached the wine-induced part of the evening. By the way, did you know Sean Penn has EMOTIONS?

And that man gave the BEST speech later on when he won Best Actor. I know everyone was rooting for Mickey Rourke but I was ambivalent. And when this speech was given, I was elated Sean Penn was up there...

… would like to hang with the Japanese animation guy. He's hilarious.

… thinks she saw Amanda Seyfried's dress at JC Penney.

… doesn't really understand... Why are Zac Efron and Vanessa whats-her-name singing?

… is going to--- wait, BILL MAHER? Okay...

So I actually like Bill Maher, even when I don't agree with him but there's a time and a place and he really wasn't meant to open his mouth at the Academy Awards. They should have thought that one through...

… Danny Boyle mentioned Tigger in his speech. We're getting married.

… cried when Kate's dad whistled.