So, I was wrapping presents on Friday night (August is the birthday month for pretty much everyone I've ever known), and I had the TV on as background noise. More to Love came on, and I couldn't look away. I had my jaw dropped for most of the show as I thought to myself, "Is this really a show??" Turns out, it is.
The words "exploitation" and "embarrassment" haunted me. They flash these women's weights on the screen as the camera focuses on them! Why? Is the viewer supposed to compare her weight to theirs assuring herself that she's either a.) on the outside because she is a "healthier" weight or b.) one of "them?" Many of the women have never dated (because larger women are clearly unlovable), and they're willing to risk it all for the chance of love (or fame or money or whatever other reasons people have to "star" on reality shows). Although, apparently, my weight qualifies me to star on More to Love, I don't allow my body size to define who I am, so I can't imagine being a part of anything of the sort
I have a feeling that none of my friends are watching the show, so, in search of "conversation" about the show, I did the next best thing--I Googled it. I was especially interested in some feminist critique of the show, so I was glad to find this post on feministing (which is a website that I often read, but I realize that I should warn you that it's not exactly PG, so click at your own risk). I thought, "YES!" as I read it. The women on the show fit into every stereotype of fat women--they're constantly eating, they are throwing themselves at the man, they are insecure and awkward, and they feel as if they'll never be loved.
I second the commenter who says, "I'd love to see more women who look like me on television. But not as an object of ridicule, pity, or condescension. I don't find this rhetoric of 'Don't worry, dear, you can be size 14 and still find love' empowering in the least. I don't need this reassurance any more than 'a perfect size 2 woman' does."
Shame on you, Fox.
5 comments:
So, I was waiting for The Bachelorette Finale to come on and I ran into this show too... there are so many things wrong with this show! What have we come to? B
Brando and I watched the first episode also. We both felt that it was ridiculous how all the women were desperate for this person they didn't even know, but I feel like it's the same as the Bachelor...those girls are nuts, too. It's just sad that this show is based on weight - why can't the "more to love" girls have a chance on the bachelor?
It's sort of hard not to watch.
Lucy and I actually have a lot of fun providing commentary to each other.
It's so crazy to me that the girls on the show fight over who was "fatter" earlier. One girl actually questioned another's credibility because she hadn't been "over-weight" in high school and, thus, hadn't experienced as much ridicule or shame.
So crazy.
I don't really feel guilty for watching shows like this one, or "Dating in the Dark."
It's clearly not to be taken seriously. Every person on there is just hoping for screen time.
Ha. I love that you're all watching it :) I'm glad I wasn't the only one who saw it.
Pete, The sad thing is that I don't think that's true (about the screen time). It seems like (at least some of) the women are genuinely hoping for love, and they believe this is their only chance. Call me crazy, but that sort of desperate, insecure attitude isn't exactly attractive. Aren't the issues greater, here?
Maybe I'm overly sensitive to issues of body image and male chauvinism.
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