Summer TV trend: Plus-size characters, contestants
Call it the TV summer of plus-size love.
That's the lead on a trend story I just finished writing for the Sunday Sun in my "Z on TV" column. The piece reports and explores the arrival of new series featuring plus-size contestants and characters.
I am wondering if readers have seen Oxygen's Dance Your Ass Off, which debuted last week -- and if you did, what you think. Described as Biggest Loser meets So You Think You Can Dance, it combines a weight loss competition with dance contest. Marissa Jaret Winokur is an engaging host -- and I thought the pilot was promising.
How about the second season of Ruby, which started last week the Style channel? This documentary series follows a woman who lost 100 pounds last season. It did very well in Season 1.
Sunday night, Lifetime debuts Drop Dead Diva starring Brooke Elliott (Wicked) in a comic series about a self-absorbed model who is killed in an auto accident anmd returns to earth in the plus-size body of super-smartattorney. The pilot has a strong cast and very good writing.
My piece raises the question of whether or not these series could mark a change in depictions of plus-size people on TV. Dating back to The Honeymooners in the 1950s, being heavyset was generally a bad thing on television -- and overweight characters were often put down in various ways.
If you have seen any of the reality shows including NBC's long-running Biggest Loser, let me know what you think.
Here's a link to the full piece that will appear in Sunday's Sun: http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/tv/bal-zontv-plus-size-tv-0710,0,477407.story
Comments
Stephen Fry, the british comedian is a good example recently of how determination can pay off. Who would'nt want to lose weight and become more healthy. I am motivated by his weight loss, so shows that promote this can only help people who struggle with weight issues. Hopefull the rest of the viewing world will be supportive. I would like to see more overweight people on shows.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1194024/STEPHEN-FRY-How-I-lost-stones-just-months.html
Posted by: Sherry T. | July 10, 2009 12:05 PM
I watch Ruby and love it. Link to your story doesn't work. Sorry just catching up here.
Posted by: xsandlapper | September 24, 2009 3:23 PM