The size euphemisms are disgusting. But I'm glad that they have the "husky hunks" dating plus sized women, honestly. I see so many media representations of overweight men dating petite supermodel types, it gives me a headache. So for them to have the "husky" guys going after someone who is not an unattainable ideal of size and beauty appeals to me.

I agree. For one thing, I'm sick of these type of shows, so I already have got a chip on my shoulder about it. Secondly, they're "claim" to prove that loves comes in all different shapes and sizes... I bet they won't be looking to prove that if a lesbian dating show was introduced to them. All shapes and sizes, sure but what they really mean is all Straight shapes and sizes.

My first assumption as I started reading the summary was that it would be about 'husky' guys seeking love with model-type, conventionally beautiful women. At first I wasn't sure which would be more obnoxious, but I think I agree with Lydia. At least this show will presumably portray their 'curvy' women as sexy and desirable, unlike shows (and movies and everything else) with chubby guys going after supermodel ladies, which seem to me to all send the same message. "Look! He's an underdog with a heart of gold! That means he deserves a girl whose actually pretty! Not one of those ugly fat girls who actually consider themselves in his league!"

Not that it makes this show (and it's euphemisms) any less tasteless. Seriously, this guy's shows have enough problems. Now you're going to have a special, segregated addition for /round/ people? The Bachelor: Fatties Please?? Start putting 'husky' and 'curvy' contestants in the regular programming, then maybe I'll be impressed.

you all KNOW they will drop a "Bikini Babe" in the middle of the season, where all the women will suddenly become hostile toward her, and the man will choose her over the contestants.

I can already see it in my mind, lol.

If you haven't, go read the Newsday article for the quote at the bottom. Fox is basically saying, "This show is supposed to be "relatable" because it features regular people. But we're going to be as disrespectful and stereotypical as humanly possible, as you can see from our press release. Obviously we're still better than you regular fatties."

Because nothing charms reality TV producers like a 'cat fight.' +10 bonus for bikini involvements.

Kind of off topic, but on the subject of specialized reality shows...Did anyone see or hear much about Britain's Missing Top Model? Has it already come up around here? Can't remember.

Anyway, the premise of the show is that women with disabilities, particularly visually prominent ones are underrepresented in modeling, and we are going to fix this by...well...having a reality show contest. I couldn't figure out whether it was sincere, incredibly exploitative, or sincerely well-intentioned and STILL incredibly exploitative.

I don't know what I dislike more about this...

The fact that they're pushing the notion that "big" people need to be together (separate but equal! One relationship for fatties, one for pretty people!) or the fact that this exists at all.

Different people have different body types and are not always attracted to someone that is like them physically. Thin people can be attracted to thick and vice versa, and you know what, someone needs to say that it's OK. I wish the media would do a show for once about ordinary people that are attracted to others for something besides looks and money. But I guess a show with dates where the participants sit over dinner and discuss world events or things that matter to them personally doesn't sell as much as fighting and drama between overly made-up wannabe actors.

Bah. You know, part of me wishes they would do a dating show with women and men of all shapes and sizes mixed together, but at the same time, I know that with the kind of people they get on these shows and the fact that they don't actually have time to really get to know each other and fall in love, every season would end with the picker choosing the most physically attractive option. Regardless of their gender, because women are 100% as guilty of this as men, and ESPECIALLY women who want to find "love" on TV.

So since such a show would simply reinforce the idea that people always want the most physically attractive partner (which, while true for short-term relationships, is not really love), and segregating into "fat" and "skinny" reinforces the weird hierarchy of attractiveness in society, I think I just will have to continue to not watch these shows.

I hate all those type shows. The only thing I watch on the regular on Fox is "24", yeah I like "24".

2 predictions:

1. These women will all be size 10 (because that's considered "plus size" according to these shows)
2. Every episode will include the contestants stuffing their face at some point or another (although this might be limited to the first half of the season, whereupon they will introduce a weight loss plan for those with enough "discipline")

barf.

Well, I can appreciate the fact that the media is actually acknowledging that larger people exist and that they do things other than diet, like actually date and seek relationships.

However, the idea that larger people only date each other is completely ridiculous and offensive. My weight fluctuates, like most women, but for the most part I'm pretty average sized. Yet, the majority of the guys I've slept with have been "husky" guys. I actually find heavier guys pretty attractive, because I associate chubbiness with kindness and humor (shallow in it's own way, I know) and I prefer nerds into comics and video games over alpha male types who are in the gym all the time. I'm sure there are muscular, fit guys who like larger women, as well. To suggest otherwise is silly.

I have to admit that I have been following Feministing for a relatively short period of time, but when I saw this I just couldn't contain myself. I find it appalling that media execs think that they will appear to be more considerate of the "plus size" community by tossing us a bone in the form of another reality show focusing on size. I really don't think that I can express how mush this irritates me, the words do not exist. I'm a big girl and quite frankly am tired of all the negative images of big girls out there. Knowing that what is considered to be "plus size" is actually half the size I am is so far beyond depressing it's in another galaxy.

I cannot help but think it is portrayals like this that contribute to the stereotype. I think images like this encourage the perception that:
1. all big people are happy, cuddly, and nice. I can be a bitch just like anybody else!
2. that there is no way a skinny person could ever have a real, satisfactory relationship with a big person or vice versa. Or if they are that the man is weak or can't get anybody else.
3. that "husky" or "curvy" people are just here for your entertainment. Seriously, you know that there are going to be a lot of people who probably watch this so they can laugh at the 'big fat slobs try to find love' or some similar load rubbish.

The fact that they created a show with that specifically seperates large people from smaller people just screams "LOOK THESE PEOPLE AREN'T NORMAL!" It's this kind of seperation, classification, and objectification that fuels hate and discrimination.

While I'm glad they're finally moving away from the "men can be any size, but women always have to be perfect" norm, I'm still not sure I like the underlying message of this show. Why is it that they need to make an entirely different show for "plus sized" people? Isn't this still a form of alienation? I find it a bit insulting, and exploitative.

Then again if they had bigger guys and gave them skinny-model types wouldn't that be worse? (claiming that men are lovable when they are bigger but not women perhaps?)

Well, if this truly was meant to uplift fat people, and portray them as sexually desireable, then it wouldn't make much sense to have the prize be a skinny girl.

However, this is probably just going to be 12 episodes of fat jokes and other forms of ridicule. I can't wait to see the challenges they subject them to.

I have been thinking about this for a few days and I have trouble getting past the disgust and contempt I have for all reality dating shows in order to judge my feelings about this one in particular. On the one hand, the message seems to be, "Look, we're even letting fat people date! But only one another--don't worry, no normal people will have to be involved!" On the other hand, having a contestant panel of thin women would lead to the condescending realization (by the women) that they could--gasp!--possibly date--shock!--a guy who doesn't look like an underwear model. If we were really past all that, dating shows would involve groups of people of different sizes and colors.

I think this is an unequivocally great idea that digs beneath size stereotypes to show how . I don't really understand why we're bashing this show instead of, say, America's Top Model???

This site bashes the MSM out of hand sometimes. Its reflexive to the point of being comic.

If it's really about love at all sizes, why is it that they go from one end of the spectrum of size to the other? Where are all the people in the middle? The fact that they are making a show to mimic other programs that always have contestants who fit the cultural ideal of very thin with people who are heavy suggests that this is all about novelty. It's like kids dressing up in adult clothing or doing adult-like things, "Oh hey, look at the fatties pretending they are like the beautiful people!"

On the other hand, all of these programs are exploitative freak shows so I'm not totally sure it's all that much worse. And I do suspect that intermixed with terrible euphemisms and events that reference their size, they will portray many of the contestants as real people. A show like this can't succeed without the audience developing attachments to the characters as the novelty of fat jokes will wear off very quickly. And sometimes visibility, even in a really stupid context, can help.