One Big Happy Fat Joke
TLC channel, the experts in exploiting individuals with some form of disadvantage, handicap, or special life circumstance has done it again. They have a knack for finding odd individuals and making them into side show circus characters. First came the amazing baby makers Kate and Jon Gosselin and now comes One Big Family starring an African American morbidly obese family. When I first discovered this show I thought that it was about an obese family that wanted to lose weight and have a healthier lifestyle. I was wrong. The show displays the family doing their day to day, which includes eating a large amount of unhealthy food regularly.
My annoyance is not with the fact that TLC gave a fat family a TV show. It is more so that they gave a fat family a TV show because they knew American audiences would find a group of overweight African Americans comical and in some instances stereotypically just. Audiences will watch them go to amusement parks where they cannot fit into the rides, see the teenage daughter become revolted by the site of vegetables and complain that “this is cow food” after the Doctor informed her that she is becoming “morbidly obese” due to her diet. Then see her eat a funnel cake covered in powdered sugar only to then see her race off to get more sugary delights moments later. All while the parents who are aware of her health issues stand by and watch her suck down an “icee” cup. The portrayal of the Black Father is equally unnerving. He is a stay at home dad who acts as if he is one of the kids while the mother works two jobs to support her family. Then hear the son say that when he thinks of something good he thinks of burgers. This is sad on so many levels. The show is insulting and ammo to racist who believe that all Black people are overweight, chicken gobblers with bad parenting skills. It is a joke waiting to happen. I am not convinced as to whether TLC wants to help these people live a healthier lifestyle or cash in on the running fat jokes that will ultimately come from some of the crude audience members.
My only hope is that the family actually does decide to make a change for a healthier lifestyle and stick with it. There is nothing comical about an obese African American family being filmed leading themselves down the road of heart disease, diabetes, and other health issues when so many African American people die from those same issues daily. It is a curse that has been plaguing African Americans for years. Not a joke. I can only take some solace in the fact that TLC probably has paid them a substantial amount of money for this side show act.
For more of La’Juanda “LJ” Knight check her out @ yeahshesaidit.com.
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Yikes! I had no idea this show existed. (But then again I don’t have cable) Let’s hope TLC is trying to help them find a healthier lifestyle before the season is over. What a mess.
well who agreed to go on television?
and why do they have to represent all black people. that is annoying.
These people signed a contract with TLC to have their lives broadcast to the entire world. Only an idiot would think that these people represent ALL black people. I don’t feel sorry for them. If they want to live unhealthy lifestyles that’s their problem.
These people are not being taken advantage of. They’re getting paid to entertain.
In my family we are all slim and athletic. So my black jamaican family is the opposite of these people.
But in the end all I can say is “daaaayyyuummm”. Can I buy them a treadmill and insulin?
exactly, i co-sign 100%.
lmao @ dayum.
Well, I think the author only watched the trailers for the show and not the actual show. There was a scene when the parents took their son the the doctor, only to discover he gained 28 pounds and is on the road to developmental diabetes in less than two years. The boy is only 14. It was a hard realization, but a real one. The boy actually took the initiative and said that he needs the entire family’s support. They seem like a loving, supportive family, and I hope they can do it. They’re a very likable family, and by the end of the show, you realize they are not circus freaks. They’re just a normal family trying to live better everyday, despite their weight.
And I find nothing wrong with a man being a stay at home dad. In the show, the wife said that he cooks, cleans, and takes care of the kids. I missed the issue in that…
Whenever African American people are on TV, we tend to get sensitive so I can understand the writer’s apprehension. But all Black families on TV are not going to be the ideal family. There IS no ideal. Its just not reality. America is obsese and sedentary PERIOD. The Coles represent not only a Black reality, but an American one. Its important to see their struggle and their bad habits in order to reflect on our own. In the end, its ultimately about entertainment though. I do think this family seems to be very supportive and happy, dispite their unhealthiness, which is one thing I can’t say about most families portrayed on reality television. I think the show will be insightful, and I hope the family becomes more aware of their health issues. Whether the husband works is none of my concern. The typical gender roles (man goes to work, woman stays home) in the American family system are relative and not the reality for many of us. They’re getting paid, so he doesn’t have to work if he doesn’t want to. Let him make his lasagna (LOL).
I saw the preview a few days ago and I felt the same way. I feel like its just reinforcing a lot of negative stereotypes about African Americans and also about fat people. Not all fat people eat or act like this. And this family definitely should not be a representation of all black families. I’ll give the show a chance. Maybe it won’t turn out to be as bad as I expect it to but the preview makes me a bit weary.
I no longer blame AA for how other ignorant people feel about them. When I see white people on shows, or Hispanics, or Asians, I am smart and intellectually superior enough to know that they don’t speak for the whole. In other words, yes this may seem stereotypical and yes, this feels like it makes black people look bad, but the ones who cannot separate black people from each other are the idiots. Further more, I do think all Americans need to reexamine how we eat and take care of ourselves.
I saw the show for the first time last night and frankly, I think the episodes will change to become more of an eye opener for the family and the other families watching. Maybe I’m not so black and white in my thinking but I’ve read articles on this site before and I find many laughable. Sometimes we as people take the whole black pride thing a bit too far and become so ridged in thinking that everything boils down to racism. I’m sure people who sit down to watch this show isn’t thinking all black people eat fried chicken and if so who cares because the ignorant closed minded person isn’t the type you would want to impress anyway. This family to me doesn’t just represent the struggles with weight for black people but for Americans in general. It’s obvious this article was bias and not clear if the person watched the entire episode because when I walked away from the show I understood that this show was a journey into a more healthy life. There are more pressing issues in the world than to worry about how this family is portraying the black community because people of all color come in a wide spectrum of sizes and shapes.
Lol @ Taj Let him make his lasagna
Well said, and I completely agree. Rigid thinking like this keeps this ‘us’ vs ‘them’ thing going on and it gets tired. Everything on television that is centered around a black family isn’t automatically a lampoon or misrepresentation (*cough* MeetTheBrowns *cough*) so we shouldn’t be so quick to judge a show that isn’t even 5 episodes in. Their situation is true for a lot of Americans, not just black people so a bit of everyone could benefit from watching.
Umm…. yea I agree with cheerbear. If anyone watches this show & judges all black people based on what these people do, then that person is a simplified idiot.
and like I said in another article. We dont need to prove anyhting to anybody. If people want to think black people act a certain way, why should we care?
are black people still looking for validation? i hope not. Life is too short.
I said the same in another article as well. Sadly a lot of people completely disagreed. We need to move on. I’m watching the show as I write this and I sort of like it. They seem like a nice family.
I watched both back to back episodes. As mentioned earlier, I think this could be an enlightening show for people of color that constantly disregard their health. In fact, I allowed my dad who isn’t morbidly obese but does need to cut exercise consistently watch. My father has the same sentiments as the author about the father’s nonchalant mentality however I think that this show has many teachable moments. I don’t think TLC is trying to exploit every stereotype but to show what is possible with love and support. We could be analytical act acrimonic regarding every moment of this family but I will cheer them on because by the second episode you could see that the miseducation of not eating healthy led to their current demise.
I agree with the sentiments of those that have expressed how it’s simply a waste to care about what ignorant-minded ppl who sterotype think but equally, I concur with the author’s views on TLC reasoning behind deciding to chose an African-American family. Why not a Caucasian family or Hispanic family??
Makes you wonder. Can’t help but to. I think it’s easy to brush off things and say, “Well, this family agreed to it.” or “They’re getting paid to be on this show.” and THAT too really sparks some questioning and discussion in my mind.
I feel as if the mother is educated about the consequences of binge eating but she doesn’t know what to do about it.
As soon as I saw the commercials for this show, I just knew ppl were going to have something to say about this family. While most ppl probably see them as a joke, I see them as an inspiration to AA who have weight issues and are trying to make a change. I’m sure when the Coles family signed up to do this show, that they knew they were signing up for ridicule and negativity from viewer. As long as they make healthy changes, why not make that money!
this is TLC we’re talking about–they’ve had specials about fat people of all different races, nationalities, and ethnicities. this is just TLC doing what they do best: exploit people. unfortunately there are many (blissfully) IGNORANT people who will go “lol fat black people” but i know that this doesn’t represent me, and so i will just shake my head at TLC and these people letting themselves be exploited.
I completely agree. TLC does have some good shows but I have noticed recently that they subliminally exploit many of the people that they put on their shows whether the issue is obesity, suicide or even a person who has tumors growing on their legs. I just know that that is not me that they are representing so its all good.
Obesity and poor diet is a huge problem in america and its a problem that all family households needs to fix but this show and like most TLC shows are, seem to be a very interesting eye opener rather there funny or not they always have a way of making others think about there lives and the individuals lives in the show and i find this show to be entertaining and insightful about health and the choices we make so rather u laugh your ass off or feel pity it will leave you thinking.
so i guess i’m looking forward to it :D
I watched both episodes of the show and I was actually glad to see that the family appears to be very loving to each other and very likable as a whole. Both the parents and the children are respectful to each other, well spoken and obviously a functioning and successful family unit, besides of course the fact that they all weigh nearly 400 lbs. a piece.
I particularly was touched by the teenage daughter who is initially reluctant to get on board with the new healthier lifestyle. This 16 year old girl basically spoke about how she had perfected being the “fly big girl” and now they want her to change. I think what she said speaks to the complexities that many young girls in our community face who have been taught to have a positive self image, regardless of their size.
I think the author of the article is rushing to judgement. Of course these first episodes depicted the family’s bad eating habits and some of the struggles they face daily because of their weight. They need to show how the family got to the point that they are. I do believe that in subsequent episodes, the show will reveal more layers to this family and hopefully they will be able to provide an inspiration to others (of all races) to take their health more seriously.
The only problem I have personally is with dad’s braided and beaded-up hairdo. I mean, really?
I agree! Well said.
I think its hilarious how many people pretend to care about someone’s weight as a mask to criticize them. Some of you don’t care about this family! You just want to be able to point out their weight and look down on them in shame because of your healthy lifestyle *not to anyone in particular on here, just a generalization*
I wish this family all the best. I hope they lose weight for them and their family, and no one else.
well don’t blame tlc. sheesh.
i’m so sick of us being so fearful of what everyone is gonna think. truth is there are a lot of families whose eating is out of control. this family just happens to be black. so what.
exactly. it seems as if when there is black people involved, they have to represent the whole race. but if its any other race, they represent one individual (like it should be for everyone).
kisha i totally agree with you. black people are always so preoccupied with what everyone else will think of us. smh. this family does not represent all of black america. if other people what to believe that, that’s their business. we have a happy, healthy, successful black family in the darn white house. jeez louise!
I agree whole-heartedly. They’re black and obese, so what. We take offense to everything!! EVERYTHING! People are complaining about the Princess and the Frog because she was a frog most of the movie! We will find something wrong with everything. I’ll be glad when we can stop playing the victim.
Why is it that anytime African-Americans are featured on TV they all of a sudden represent ALL African-Americans? I’m sorry, but when I wake up in the morning, I don’t carry the African-American community on my shoulders. I represent myself and myself only. As someone mentioned earlier, these people got a check for being on this show. You can’t save those who don’t want to save themselves so why the outrage?
The author brings up valid points, but the family IS getting paid. Hopefully they will continue their journey on the biggest loser and gain a healthier lifestyle.
my problem with the show is this….ok so their obese…i get it…ok they need to lose weight or serious health problems as well as death….i get it…they need to eat healthy…i get it….. what i don’t get is what purpose besides entertainment does this serve?How is this helping the family? I watched both episodes and i can see the point and concept, but unlike the better show “Biggest Loser” there was no clear goal. Why isn’t TLC hooking them up with a trainer? a nutrionist? Or hell AT LEAST a meal plan!?
I understand that the normal American family does not have access to these things, but us as viewers are accustomed to seeing major results, not a few pounds….
oh and as far as the father goes..i get the whole role reversal thing….but as A MAN…he should feel some kinda way about his wife working not 1 but 2 jobs…i commend him for being a stay at home dad…but his kids ain’t at home..they are in high school…you mean to tell me a part time would not take the load off his wife’s back a little?…just a thought
I think TLC is trying to show people that with hard work and support, it can be done with out several weeks at a ranch with trainers and nutritionist-things the average person can’t afford anyway,