23 replies to this topic

[TWoP Roxy]

Season One general gabbery. For thoughts before we have episodes to discuss, and other general stuff.

[pixie721]

From the old thread:

I find the promos disheartening because of the focus on weight. Hearing them bitch, piss, and moan about their weight seems demeaning to me. Why couldn't they just pick some plus-size contestants who wanted to have a good time and make fools of themselves on TV, without having to harp on their size?

In their defense, if it is anything like the Bachelor (and it probably would be as it has the same people behind it) they were probably asked 8 billion questions about weight and like 2 about anything else

ITA that the show's producers and creators, as well as the network, are the ones who are framing this as a show about heavy people dating and any pain they have incurred as a result of the impact weight has had on their lives and relationships (or lack thereof). Of course these people aren't spontaneously stepping forward to open fresh wounds about the way they've been treated. The bitching, pissing, and moaning will come from the producers trying to get the participants to do so.

What I meant was actually more along the lines of Jr82's comments about the way that the show exploits people because of their weight instead of just taking the weight as an accepted fact.

[WhineandCheez]

What worries me about this show is from what Ive read in articles the women's actual weight is going to be shown on air!

OMFG. Is this really neccessary?? I guess in the exploitation game, in for a penny, in for a pound. If this is going to be a trend, then I want to see dick sizes displayed on screen in the next The Bachelorette.

[DKGirl]

What worries me about this show is from what Ive read in articles the women's actual weight is going to be shown on air!

Yeah this is so stupid. We did not see the weight of The Bachelorettes (Jillian, Melissa, Molly, etc.) on the other show so why the need to tell the viewers their weight? This show is supposed to be about love but yet everything is about their weight. We get it, they are overweight. I don't need to see the numbers.

I would have preferred a show about women of all sizes happy with themselves and the way they look with a cute normal Bachelor. I think this Bachelor is adorable and cute but 26 years old on a reality show? Give me a break, he will probably dump the poor girl and get with another reality show star 2 weeks after the show is done.

I am still unsure about this show. Not only have I lost faith in shows like The Bachelor and The Bachelorette but I feel like this show will be about how desperate overweight people are to find someone and they cannot because of their weight when if you look around you, you can see that overweight people do find love and not just with another overweight person.

I will watch the premiere but I am still unsure about it.

After all these years, Emme still looks great! She is really beautiful and I am saying that as a straight girl.

Edited by DKGirl, Jul 28, 2009 @ 6:05 PM.

[Cynic]

From the old thread:

No way does the Bachelor look 330 pounds. Is he super tall??

I have read that he is 6'3". If he is 330 pounds, he carries it well.

In this interview from Good Day LA this morning, Luke says he's "a three-hundred pound man" and he's probably rounding, so I guess it's true.

http://www.myfoxla.c...o_Love_20090728

All of this talk about the how the guy looks reminds of all the talk of heard about the show King of Queens over the years. The most common complaint with that show is that the main character would not be able to get a woman like Leah Remini because he's too fat. It always upsets me to hear that. People love who they love and sometimes it doesn't matter to them what the size of their mate is.

The typical complaint I hear about shows like the King of Queens isn't so much about the likelihood of the specific couple, but rather the overall trend in sitcoms/film comedies of pairing chubby/average-looking guys with more stereotypically beautiful women. If looks/size don't matter, how come it's never (or rarely unless it's an actual plot point) the other way around? It's like it's okay to not be a looker if you're a talented guy, but a talented girl usually still has to conform to a certain standard of beauty even when she's being paired with a guy who's not conventionally handsome. And if you're one of the few less-than-hot females who have really made it in Hollywood, you're either matched up with less-than-hot males or you're not given romantic lives at all.

So I think it's really telling that this show picked a batchelor that is overweight himself. It appears that even though there are tons of shows and movies with average guy/hot girl combos, the viewing public isn't ready to accept or believe the reverse. Or at least producers don't think we are.

Btw, I do think the prevalence of this has contributed not only to a devaluing of women who "don't measure up" in society's view, but also a certain skewing of expectations. IRL Seth Rogan-types may not be looking for Katherine Heigl-types exactly, but I know more than a few "average" guys who whouldn't think of taking an "average" girl out. One of my guy friend's is probably close to Luke's weight (but not nearly as attractive) and he would definitely have a problem dating a girl whose dress size was in the double digits. If hot guys are looking for hot women and average guys are looking for hot women, where does that leave average women like me?

[Cameltoes]

After all these years, Emme still looks great! She is really beautiful and I am saying that as a straight girl.

I agree - she is stunning. Getting to see Emme might end up being the best part of this show.

Btw, I do think the prevalence of this has contributed not only to a devaluing of women who "don't measure up" in society's view, but also a certain skewing of expectations. IRL Seth Rogan-types may not be looking for Katherine Heigl-types exactly, but I know more than a few "average" guys who whouldn't think of taking an "average" girl out. One of my guy friend's is probably close to Luke's weight (but not nearly as attractive) and he would definitely have a problem dating a girl whose dress size was in the double digits. If hot guys are looking for hot women and average guys are looking for hot women, where does that leave average women like me?

I have a male friend who falls into this category as well. He's a little smaller than Luke, similar looks-wise but with less hair and not only is he only interested in "hot" but also in young (he's in his mid-late 30's and is always chasing 18-23 year olds). I think there is some element of needing a "trophy girlfriend" to bolster his own self esteem. So, yes, there is a valuation of women based on looks, size and age and their value is relative to how much status they bring to the men who they are with.

[raisinthesun]

Luke is DULL AS PAINT, they show the height & weight of the women, and what is up with these women? His eyes this and his eyes that.....bleech, and the girl that flipped out just b/c he gave her his coat. WTF?

Now i can understand being flattered by a guy's attention but these ladies are leaving their self esteem at the door and just trippin over the heels for Mr. Vanilla.

I don't think Im gonna watch this show again. =(

[pixie721]

too soon

I feel you, WhineandCheez. There are so many snark opportunities that it is hard to wait. This made me almost choke on my water:

"WhineandCheez--5'9", 190 pounds. What a porker, Ladies and Gentlemen!"

Yeah, they went there. They actually fucking posted their weights and ages. I watch Biggest Loser. Because of that, I'm used to not just outing people's weights, but outing them in an exploitative and humiliating manner. But, even I find this offensive and unnecessary.

Ok, who wants to volunteer to track the name, height, weight, and BMI of the women week to week?

I missed the first twenty-five minutes, but what I saw made me want to spew. Because, according to this show, fat people must be unlovable. I guess all of the overweight people I see with S.O.'s must be freaks of nature. And, that girl who was both smart (being a rocket scientist) and heavy, well she is clearly the freakiest freak of nature, and must never be allowed to procreate since her genes ensure that she could live through a famine.

I wanted to punch my husband in the arm when he looked at one of the girls and said, "She looks good for her size."Grrrrr. And he doesn't even like skinny women.

Sigh. See y'all after the next episode.

Edited by pixie721, Jul 28, 2009 @ 9:05 PM.

[LeLalique]

Whoa, that was terribly painful. Do all these gals have to reek sad desperation? Couldn't the producers have picked a few that were truly comfortable in their own skin?

Edited by LeLalique, Jul 28, 2009 @ 9:19 PM.

[jackiecarr]

I kind of don't mind the heights and weights being posted. It's exploitative yes, but I find it interesting to see how women of different body types carry their weight.

If this is going to be a trend, then I want to see dick sizes displayed on screen in the next The Bachelorette.

Length and circumference, please.

[TWoP Roxy]

Episode discussion to the episode thread, please. Sorry it wasn't open on time -- I got bad intel on when this show actually aired. Thanks.

[Sunderland1937]

The typical complaint I hear about shows like the King of Queens isn't so much about the likelihood of the specific couple, but rather the overall trend in sitcoms/film comedies of pairing chubby/average-looking guys with more stereotypically beautiful women. If looks/size don't matter, how come it's never (or rarely unless it's an actual plot point) the other way around?

Cynic, this is exactly what bugs me about that trend!

Kevin James and Leah Remini are acceptable. Seth Rogan and Katherine Heigl are acceptable. However, we don't see, say, Kristen Vaughness pairing up with Omar Sharif over on Criminal Minds, even though they have great chemistry. I have to presume that it's because most people in the industry don't think Americans can handle a full-figured geek girl getting the hottie guy. If you look at the dating shows, we've had Average Joe, but not Average Jane. We had Beauty and the Geek, but not Hunky and the Geekettes. I just think it's ye olde double standard at work again.

Edited by Sunderland1937, Jul 29, 2009 @ 3:23 PM.

[snoopval]

I agree with what everyone has stated. I think it was a good concept but Fox mishandled it (I know, I know, shocking)

1. While I myself like large men, this gentleman from what I read, and frankly saw is pushing three hundred pounds, as everyone said to me the show would mean more if they had heavier women competing for a guy more like the past Bachelors.

2. The whole average thing is completly unaverage, these women are heavy, which is great, but they went from one extreme to the other, and I must say that while I'm not skinny by any means, I completly understand why women are offended by being labeled less real or average because they are thin. This isn't a step in the right direction. I want the day to come when women are not judged by there bodies, period. To call one too thin, anorexic, unreal, and the plethora of other things thin women are called is just as abusive as insulting heavy women.

3. I have to reiterate these women are not average, yes they are heavy but they all look like plus size Barbie, perfect hair, skin, proportions, etcetera, this is still a far cry from what the average American woman looks like. In the real world a guy that looked like this Bachelor (or even lets face it some of the past Bachelors) would be thanking there lucky stars to get a second look from any of these 'average' women.

Edited by snoopval, Jul 30, 2009 @ 7:04 PM.

[veronaz]

this gentleman from what I read, and frankly saw is pushing three hundred pounds,

Luke weighs 330 lbs.

[alapaki]

I'm reserving judgment on this show so far. Part of me thinks they're exploiting these women. But then another part of me thinks that the idea that women of a certain weight shouldn't be eligible for the same exploitation as thinner women (as if that's some prize, but whatever) is condescending in its own way.

I just hope we see more of an example of contestants who are strong and empowered regardless of their weight than of women who appear to be rather emotionally fragile over their weight who are on their way to yet another rejection (and this one more public than any other).

However, I must say I think they did a good job casting the Bachelor guy. Casting a conventionally trim, fit guy would just lead to lots of talk about him probably being a "chubby chaser". Yet I think he's still within a height/weight range where he can't be totally dismissed as unable to "get thin girls" anyway. If they want the focus to be on the ladies, the casting of the guy was right on the mark.

[pixie721]

I'm reserving judgment on this show so far. Part of me thinks they're exploiting these women. But then another part of me thinks that the idea that women of a certain weight shouldn't be eligible for the same exploitation as thinner women (as if that's some prize, but whatever) is condescending in its own way.

I follow your logic and agree with it. Why should thin people be the only ones allowed to make fools of themselves for our entertainment? That's not fair or equal. I just wish they exploited them (can't believe I just wrote that) in the same way instead of focusing on the weight. Treat them as if they were a run of the mill reality 'ho as opposed to a fat reality 'ho.

[alapaki]

I agree with that pixie721. I think that listing the ladies' weights is gratuitously assholish. It's not like they need to do that to establish or even reinforce the concept. We get it. These women are fat.

It is a fine line though, and one I'm sure that Fox is constitutionally incapable of walking, because the fact that these contestants are not the run-of-the-mill size 0 to 2 typical Bachelor/ette contestants is the entire raison d'etre of the entire series.

[Alma Flamenca]

I hope that if they do do a second season that they cast a normal sized, good looking guy. There are plenty of attractive guys out there who like size 12 and over, my husband included!

I was really disappointed when I saw that Luke was 300 plus pounds.

[Carolyn15]

I like the show.I wish there was one for ladies who are over 30 or 40
and are plus size.I have a few friends who would be good for the show.I would have tried out for it if I was single.

Edited by Carolyn15, Aug 31, 2009 @ 12:55 PM.

[ummbrella]

Does anyone know if there will be another season? If so, I'm vaguely tempted to try out (though I'm not sure I hate myself enough to actually do it).

[eblairj]

I think Luke is good-looking. Above-average, at least. I personally am more interested in an average-to-above-average guy than a Ken doll. I am never attracted to the guys on The Bachelor. My issue with Luke is with his personality, but lookswise I think he's fine. (Fine like, acceptable. Not like, "You so fine!")

The kissing on this show is so over the top. It doesn't bother me now quite as much as it did when there were 20 women in the house, but still. I'm no prude, but I wish some of the women would have the self respect to say, "I don't want to make our with you the first minute I've met you when I know you're doing the same with 19 other women. Let's get further in the game and then we'll see."

[shimshamsqrl]

All the girls talking about french kissing like it's high school is weirding me out. I donno, it's just...odd. It's not the same as giving a BJ within the first week! Geez. These chicks aren't 13, they're real grown women with real grown desires.

If they have a show where it's plus sized women going after a cute tall skinny lanky bachelor who's shy about always having been the "skinny dude," sign me up! I'm not into big dudes, or buff dudes.

I think it'd also be much more interesting to have the comparison between big girls and tall skinny guys.

A lot of the hang-ups are the same - not wanting to dance in public for fear of looking stupid, not wanting to wear a swimsuit, and if you do, putting on the huge t-shirt. The whole sticking out in a crowd thing whether you like it or not.

They can even go cheezy and call it "Jack Spratt" if they wanna, I don't care.

They never cast pear-shaped women for these shows. It's kinda annoying. Yeah, you can tell, I'm pear-shaped...

[piotruslalka]

Ok,
So my friends and I have started playing this pretty entertaining drinking game on Tuesday nights... I guess an appropriate name for it would be "More to Drink"!

Basically the rules are...
1) Anytime ANYONE says the word "NEVER". (This was a lot more fun in the first few episodes.)
2) Anytime the girls (or Luke) talks about their weight or refers to their size in any way.
3) Anytime the word "Connection" is used.

Lots of fun.. but watch out for times when the girls say phrases like : "I've never felt a connection with a guy like this before because of my size."

O boy!

Edited by piotruslalka, Sep 11, 2009 @ 9:43 AM.

[TWoP Roxy]

You can start a Whimsy thread for stuff like this -- it would be more appropriate.