The other side of HUGE | CONTROVERSY

There are a number of “absolutes” in life and one that stands out with respect to HUGE is: there are two sides to everything. And even as I type the words “two sides” a question rises up above me like a cartoon bubble…

Why is it we always have to take sides?

What would the world feel and look like

if we tried to see each other’s points of view?

You know—the kind of world where

people join hands and are tolerant?

Yeah that world…

What does any of this have to do with the TV show HUGE?

Before I go there I need to share something about looking for images…I was limited while searching for clip art to write my piece (pictures above) do you know that I could not find one photo that was of average looking people? Now, I need to be clear—I did not search Google Images or Lightbox. This is simply clip-art that comes with the word processing program that I use on my computer.

In photo #1— Cute white boys (sorry girls I guess tug of war is a boys game, and if you are a person of color? Nope, not you either)—all the boys pictured would be considered average body weight for their age (if you are an overweight child I guess you don’t play tug of war either).

Photo #2— Beautiful boys and girls depicting togetherness. Getting better—at least now everyone isn’t only white. But one might surmise that people carrying extra pounds, don’t want togetherness.

Oh and when I asked for a picture of a “fat” person?

WOW…I guess “fat” people don’t get their faces in the picture and one might think based on this depiction that all fat people are: male, inactive, and…well you decide.

Do you see how absurd all this is?

NOW…What this has to do with HUGE:

Apparently there has been a line drawn in the sand.

A line that seemingly was drawn by

Mimi Roth of Action Against Obesity

during an interview broad casted on

CNN’s Showbiz Tonight

Just in case you missed it:

KAREEN WYNTER: Bodacious actress Nikki Blonsky is once again making a big splash in Hollywood and offering no apologies for being, well, she said it, fat . It`s not just her scantily clad scenes where she strips down to a bra that has anti-obesity critics like Mimi Roth cringing.

MIMI ROTH: I find the concept behind “Huge” alarming.

KAREEN WYNTER:But the show`s blaring publicity billboard, a blatantly unflattering shot of an overweight Blonsky in a one-piece.

MIMI ROTH: I think our reaction should be the same as if we were amusing ourselves on television about anorexia.

Really?…did she just say that watching an overweight woman bare her skin is alarming and, that I, as a viewer, should feel as if I am amusing myself by watching her playing the character…of a girl at camp? Oh and that I should somehow muster up the same emotions I felt when watching the Karen Carpenter Story?

Thank goodness Showbiz Tonight had the sense to interview Nicky Blonsky next:

KAREEN WYNTER: I caught up with the young star on the set of “Huge” where she plays a rebellious teen whose parents force her to attend fat camp.

NICKY BLONSKY: When I see propaganda that I know is destroying girls` brains, it is my duty as an angry feminist to destroy it.

KAREEN WYNTER: Don`t expect an extreme makeover. Blonsky`s character, Wilhelmina smuggles in snacks and sells them to other overweight kids. She eventually smartens up and starts making healthy choices. As for “Huge`s” ad campaign, Blonsky says she is the perfect poster child for those who packed on the pounds.

KAREEN WYNTER: It has to be pretty exhausting. Some people are saying this sends not the best message there.

NICKY BLONSKY: By no way, shape or form are they putting out a bad message. Everybody sees skinny girls in a bathing suit. That`s the norm. You open any magazine, it`s there. Nobody has ever had a plus-sized girl on the cover in a bathing suit.

HUGE - A NEW ABC FAMILY ORIGINAL SERIES

KAREEN WYNTER: But “Action Against Obesity’s” Mimi Roth says Blonsky is no role model, that living large means living on the edge.

MIMI ROTH: It has become commonplace to see obesity, yet it doesn`t make it any less dangerous. Anyone who cares anything for her as an actress or as a human being should be alarmed and wanting to intervene, just as if she were starving herself.

Commonplace? Not sure how commonplace seeing overweight teenagers starring in situational comedies is…last I checked most of what is aired is—well, like the clip-art I mentioned.

It is a known fact that America is battling with a weight problem but hiding obesity is not going to create a healthier society. Bringing the issues to the forefront and providing a platform to create real conversation and awareness has opportunities that are far more reaching then simply standing in opposition to obesity.

KAREEN WYNTER: You don`t feel like you`re being exploited or -

NICKY BLONSKY: Not any chance, because I feel so privileged that it was me, that I`m the first one to be out there. Here I am, world. I`m in a one-piece. Take it or leave it. I don`t care. I`m just comfortable with me. If I was a size zero, it would be against who I am.

KAREEN WYNTER: And who she is a healthy representation of society, says author and self-esteem expert Jess Weiner.

JESSICA WEINER, AUTHOR AND SELF-ESTEEM EXPERT: I knew that this was a conversation started about women and girls everywhere had to have. This population that I work with was going to just want to see these characters succeed because that is a reflection of them in their every day lives.

KAREEN WYNTER: Lives ABC Family hopes will become more enriched, adding, quote, “If it leaves audiences thinking and talking about these important issues, we couldn`t be more proud.”

Together over the past three weeks with two of my children I have watched the season premier of HUGE. The show has been the catalyst for some very interesting conversations—at the end of each episode armed with the conversation guides provided by Jess Weiner we have deconstructed the show.

The conversations have run the spectrum: social issues, discrimination, negative self-talk, obesity, health issues, empathy, boy/girl dynamics, attitudes, what we expect from a leader, quitting, trying over, family dynamics, surrender, standing up for what you believe, being your own person, feeling comfortable in your own skin, asking for help, communication….and a list of other apparently “alarming” kinds of things.

KAREEN WYNTER: The network`s new health initiatives surrounding the show include the “Live Huge” bus that has toured the country and is filled with personal messages from fans.

NICKY BLONSKY: This is unbelievable.

KAREEN WYNTER: How does this make you feel, Nikki?

NICKY BLONSKY: Amazing – to write what they feel, “You only live once.” These are beautiful words.

The Live Huge Tour, Summer 2010

Follow the HUGE Bus Tour

KAREEN WYNTER: There are also PSA`s airing in each episode, linking viewers to “ABC Family.com” where experts like activist and author, Katherine Schwarzenegger, daughter of this famous dad, blogged about body image.

KATHERINE SCHWARZENEGGER: People need to just own what they have, need to rock what they have got is the title of my book. If they are confident in themselves, there`s nothing more, nothing better than that that you can have.

KAREEN WYNTER: As for critics concerned that “Huge” is serving up unhealthy programming -

MIMI ROTH: No reason to glamorize obesity or hold it up as a health and beauty ideal.

Interesting, somehow to me I don’t see bringing real life issues to the family rooms across America as the same thing as “glamorizing obesity nor holding it up as a beauty ideal”—

Are we watching the same program? Last I checked all these teenagers were enrolled in a “fat” camp to help them focus on choices that seek to improve their health and emotional well being: exercise, group discussions, meal planning, and conquering personal fears during a time in life that is unmistakably confusing.

KAREEN WYNTER: The show`s supporters say there is a new plus-size population taking over.

JESS WEINER: This is an evolution and a revolution. I think we have to stir things up.

I LOVE THAT! An evolution and a revolution—look around you…we don’t all look alike…sound alike…or think alike. I agree Jess “Let’s stir things up” and put an end to one view of the world on Television. Thank you Nicky Blonsky and cast it is refreshing to see through your eyes and learn yet again that no matter our size, color, or ethnicity, we are all people.

KAREEN WYNTER: Blonsky`s bringing viewers along for the ride.

NICKY BLONSKY: Kids want to see something they can relate to.

KAREEN WYNTER: With a series she says is not just entertaining but empowering and finally puts plump people in the driver`s seat.
So join the revolution and live your own HUGE life!