Fox isn’t exactly known for its socially conscious programming, so their latest endeavor isn’t exactly surprising. This summer, you can tune into “More to Love,” which is basically The Bachelor, with plus-sized participants.
According to the press release, “the unscripted series follows a single average guy with a big waist and an even bigger heart as he romances several confident and secure plus-size women. Each week, the husky hunk will wine and dine a group of curvy women to determine if they have more love to give or if they are truly more than he can handle. When the size of competition narrows, he will have to decide if one full-figured lady will become his true love.”
How many euphemisms for “fat” can you put in one paragraph?
Of course, Fox is trying to paint this as a body-positive show. They claim their contestants have bodies that are more like average men and women, so it’s more relatable.
“This is a dating show that sends the right message about embracing and loving yourself no matter your shape or size,” said executive producer Mike Fleiss. “When you are comfortable with your own body, you can really allow yourself to be open to the possibility of finding the right person to love.”
Actually, you know what would send the right message about embracing and loving yourself no matter your size? Featuring people of all shapes and sizes (and colors, for God’s sake) on regular, mainstream dating shows.
This show’s premise implies that heavy people are only attracted to other heavy people, and that if you’re heavy, only another heavy person will want you. They point out that he’ll romance “several confident and secure plus-sized women”–because God knows we don’t want any fatties crying into their Ben & Jerry’s or going on diets if they don’t get a rose?
And how long before the lucky winner is on the cover of US Weekly telling everyone how falling in love helped her lose the weight?
Reality TV dating shows are generally made for very attractive, very young, very “athletic” people. The contestants all look alike, from their highlights, to their bleached teeth, to their Botox, to their perma-tans. (And that’s just the men.) To truly make a difference and embrace the average man and woman, the networks should simply cast people who don’t fit that description–and not give themselves a huge pat on the back when they do.
.jpg)
