It’s simply naive to believe that NBC’s “Biggest Loser” is about “changing lives.” It’s got to be the most heavily merchandised television show in history. From $3000-per-week “resorts” and cruises to in-show commercials and a broad range of branded products, it’s a money machine that exploits the public’s fascination with watching presumably broken and messed …
Category: weight bias in the media
Did Elle Magazine Cover Up Melissa McCarthy on Purpose?
Melissa McCarthy is one of six cover models for Elle magazine’s annual “Women of Hollywood” issue. Much has been made of the fact that Melissa is shrouded in an oversize coat while five other stars show a lot more skin in their respective covers. Reese Witherspoon, whose most recent star turn was a drunken performance …
Ruby Gettinger: Where is she now and what does she weigh?
Several months after completing a “90-Day Challenge” for a supplements company, Ruby Gettinger spoke to Oprah in an episode of the OWN series, “Where Are They Now.” Ruby says she weighs 316 which is down 13lbs from the weight she recorded at the end of the “challenge” in April. The interview was interesting because she’s …
Rebel Wilson: Hollywood’s New Professional Fat Girl
Australian comedienne and actress Rebel Wilson debuted her new American sitcom last night. I had high hopes that “Super Fun Night” wouldn’t be an abysmal spew of fat jokes; Rebel seems far too talented for that and it really hasn’t been her style. The show, which she wrote and co-executive produced, accomplished what few comedies featuring …
Weight Loss Reality TV Reaches a Shocking New Low “My Big Fat Revenge”
I wouldn’t have thought there could be a weight loss reality TV show more offensive and exploitative than Biggest Loser but “My Big Fat Revenge” on the Oxygen network is beyond comprehension. Overweight women tearfully recount stories of humiliation then plot revenge against their tormentors. The two women in the episode I watched seem to have …
Cracked.com is Your Accurate Source for Health Information
Cracked.com will surprise you. Sure it alternates between hilarious and fascinating with articles like “Five Famous People You Won’t Believe Didn’t Really Exist.” But sometimes Cracked.com posts some really interesting stuff, like today’s article inspired by the recent Chris Christie news “According to Science, Fat is Officially Incurable.” The whole point is summed up in …