Exploring Weight Gain Storylines in TV Shows
Many popular TV shows have incorporated weight gain into their storylines over the years. Some aim for comedy, while others use it to show character development or make a statement. When done thoughtfully, these fictional weight gain journeys can teach important lessons or empower viewers.
Comedic Weight Gain Plots
Several classic sitcoms have used temporary weight gain for humor. Episodes show beloved characters suddenly gaining noticeable weight, struggling through the experience, and eventually slimming back down.
For example, iconic shows like Friends, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Saved by the Bell, and Full House all devoted episodes to poking innocent fun at weight gain. Stars like Courteney Cox, Will Smith, and Candace Cameron Bure suited up in padding and fat suits for physical comedy.
Emotional Eating Arcs
Other shows depict characters realistically gaining pounds due to emotional eating. Weight change stems from depression, heartbreak, stress, or major life changes. The emphasis shifts from laughs to genuine life lessons.
Dramas such as This Is Us, Shameless, or Gilmore Girls feature empathetic storylines tracing characters' emotional overeating journeys. While played sincerely, they remind viewers that weight fluctuates naturally.
Pregnancy and Post-Partum Body Image
Pregnancy and new motherhood is another common trigger for TV weight gain plots. Beloved female leads are shown struggling to adjust to their post-partum bodies amidst messy hormones, exhaustion, and anxiety about losing baby weight.
In shows like Jane the Virgin, The Mindy Project, Gilmore Girls, Parks and Recreation, and countless others, these realistic postpartum experiences help combat unhealthy expectations for women’s bodies.
Positive Impact of Weight Gain Storylines
Normalizing Natural Body Changes
Fictional TV narratives about weight gain-whether humorous or serious-can positively impact viewers' body image by normalizing fluctuating weights.
Seeing characters gracefully endure temporary weight gain for realistic reasons reminds us that bodies change naturally over time. It depicts fatness as normal and neutral rather than something requiring dramatic intervention.
Sparking Empathy About Weight Stigma
Following lovable characters through weight gain journeys also cultivates empathy about the experience. Storylines revealing weight-based discrimination or other's negative assumptions demonstrate the realities of weight stigma many face.
The empathy sparked by witnessing fictional characters' struggles builds understanding about the obstacles larger folks encounter. It invites viewers to confront their own biases.
Destigmatizing Taboo Topics
Characters candidly discussing fears over gaining weight, body insecurities, or complicated relationships with food remains rare on television. So, authentic weight gain plots actually help destigmatize once-taboo topics.
Seeing television personalities be vulnerable about weight anxiety or eating disorders creates space for more open, judgment-free conversations in the broader culture.
Critiques of Problematic Approaches
Fat Suits Promoting Stigma
While humor has its place in television, sitcoms that rely heavily on "fat suits" and excessive padding to elicit laughs about weight risk promoting stigma rather than empathy.
Thevisual shock factor of skinny actors transformed by special effects allows for dehumanizing jokes. It centers laughter solely on appearance rather than well-rounded identities or universal experiences.
Lack of Actual Fat Representation
Relatedly, the majority of weight gain storylines still focus almost exclusively on originally thin characters rather than authentically casting plus-size talent. As a result, fatness gets treated as a temporary gimmick rather than lived experience.
Relying on weight gain gimmicks deprives talented plus-size performers of substantive roles. It also denies viewers the chance to relate to authentic fat representation on screen.
Emphasis on Weight Loss Rather Than Acceptance
Many fictional TV weight gain journeys still end with characters quickly losing all the weight to return to being thin, slender women. This tidy conclusion centers thinness as the ultimate dream instead of promoting self-acceptance at any size.
Stories would prove more empowering if characters learned to embrace their new weights through self-love, body neutrality, intuitive eating, and health at every size.
The Future of Weight Narratives
Moving forward, TV shows have room to improve fictional depictions of weight fluctuation to promote body positivity rather than shame. More authentic casting, nuanced writing emphasizing self-care over weight loss, and abandoning predictable fat suit laughs could make stories resonate deeper.
With thoughtful approaches, compelling weight gain storylines in television can shift culture to celebrate the beauty of all bodies equally.
FAQs
Why do TV shows include weight gain storylines?
Weight gain plots are incorporated for various reasons depending on the show. Comedies use padding and fat suits mainly for slapstick laughs. Dramas integrate emotional eating journeys for character development. Others feature it to teach empathy about weight stigma or normalize post-partum bodies.
What are some problems with how TV depicts weight gain?
Critiques note over reliance on thin actors in fat suits promotes stigma, lack of actual plus-size casting misses opportunities for authentic fat representation, and emphasis on losing weight sends negative messages, rather than acceptance at any size.
Do weight gain storylines on TV positively impact viewers?
They can, when handled thoughtfully! Following characters through realistic weight changes combats unrealistic beauty expectations, builds empathy about struggles faced, and destigmatizes once taboo topics like body image anxiety. It teaches that bodies fluctuate naturally.
How can TV improve depictions of weight gain in the future?
Shows have room to grow by swapping thin actors in fat suits for actual plus-size talent, focusing on self-love and intuitive eating over weight loss, and writing nuanced storylines celebrating beauty across all body types. More authentic representation can shift culture.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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