No I’m not talking about weight loss….well perhaps I am. I saw a post about this new ABC TV show and again I’m going to give you a no… this is not sponsored nor did anyone ask me to talk about this show.
ABC's Drama Filled 'Fat' Camp
What made me happy was a lead character that was okay with the way she looked. Yes, perhaps to set an example and to prove her parents wrong but all she wanted was someone to love her for who she was not what she looked like. She wanted loved in that moment.
What made me really angry and thinking that the show Huge was missing out – well huge. Was the moment a character had a “real” problem they sent her home. Instead of dealing with it and letting all the kids learn from it they sent it away like it never happened. Kind of like she was doing. She had a real disease by throwing up every time she ate. So what message did it send to kids across the nation. That you know what even though you may be really sick you can’t stay were people could help you in a safe environment. No we are going to send you home to the place you started this and most likely will be continuing.
Then tonight I decided to see if perhaps they brought her back saying they made a mistake and that they are going to work on it as a group – nope. Instead a new character came on and the moment she had a panic attack away she went with her bags. No chance to just see what 24 more hours would do. No chance at what being away from her family and surrounded with peers that are facing similar issues would do. Nope – off to home so you can continue to hide.
I’ve been on the fence about Huge and with this second episode I’m leaning more on the side of another show trying to make fun of a real issue instead of using comedy and fictional characters to help teach children how to face their fears and deal with them.
#1 Nice to meet you!
I haven’t watched episode two yet, on the DVR, but I too am on the fence about this show. I hate when shows try to joke about real issues that are damaging to kids. If they want to address the issue of obesity among kids then face it ALL of it!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Alaina Frederick, Karla B. Karla B said: RT @alainafrederick A HUGE Loss – No I'm not talking about weight loss.well perhaps I am. I saw a post about this ne… http://ht.ly/183Md9 [...]
Alaina,
While this is not a show I have watched, I totally agree with you that helping someone with an issue of not keeping food down or having an anxiety attack would have made it 100% more beneficial. After all, isn’t helping others what life is all about?
I like your blog and look forward to reading more great articles.
Thank you Darlene for stopping by. You can see the full episodes on ABC’s website abcfamily.go.com – I like it when shows take a REAL issue and hit it right in the face and take it on. Not being afraid of “politics” and just making sure that messages of good, you can do this, and you can recover are sent across.
I had wanted to catch a few episodes of this, but after reading your description I think I’ll just pass. Such a disappointment that ABC, a Disney owned station with family values and all that jazz would go down this path without sending a REAL message. Totally disappointed.
I’m also disappointed too – however a part of me wants to keep watching to see if they change or continue and there are some funny parts
I’d still watch a few of the episodes they have online for free and I’d love to hear what you think after watching it!!
I have watched HUGE and I think the one thing we have to remember is that this is a TV SHOW. It is supposed to enteratin which it does. And along with its lead in Secret Life…It’s supposed spark dialogue. How about this: parents can watch with their kids, which I do, and talk about bulimia, food addictions, parental pressure and insane, screaming “motivators” (the female fitness instructor is really intense) and how they affect obese kids, thin kids, popular kids, athletes, whomever.
Weight issues are an American nightmare. We have too much to eat and we can’t seem to stop ourselves. The type 2 diabetes, heart disease, arteriosclerosis, joint and bone problems, off the scale LDL and a host of other ailments are NOT something we pick up at 30. It has to do with unhealthy food relationships we carry into adulthood from our teens and earlier.
Totally agree with you – it is there to entertain. However unlike it’s lead The Secret Life of an American Teenager it doesn’t talk about issues. I’ve seen them talk about abortion – sex – pregnancy – divorce – sex – etc. I wish they would at least talk about the harsher issues. My kids are not old enough to watch nor understand so I like how you watch with your kids and then can be open and all talk about how they feel – that is seriously awesome!!
Alaina,
I’m sorry to hear this show is a “loser”. You might want to try “Drop Dead Diva” for a more satisfying experience. I totally love the show and how they have handled real issues about a woman who suddenly finds herself in a plus-size body. It’s been very good at tackling the issues where “Huge” seems to have failed, from reading your article–I haven’t personally seen it.
Thanks for the recommendation Kim – going to have to check it out and possibly compare them!