They're Fat and They're Sassy. What else?

In case ya'll haven't noticed, kids are getting fat. Not chubby, mind you. Fat. Like, morbidly obese. Which is, yes, an issue. But it could also be seen, if you have a super warped mind, as a trend. An unhealthy one perhaps, but it is here and therefore the media is going to represent it in some way, whether it be as a comic relief or a Serious Issue. Being overweight is slowly but surely stretching into the main stream.

One could say this is awesome. I certainly do. Movies are finally displaying their everyman, the sexpots who aren't two pounds (holla Mad Men!) and the talented, beautiful actresses who just so happen to be...well, hey Mo'Nique!

But others, such as myself (again) could note that, while this is certainly opening many doors, it is also bringing with it the stigma that has long plagued Hollywood; being pigeon-holed and, worse, taking advantage of this pigeon-hole in a negative way.

Here's an example.

Nikki Blonsky.

Now, we've all seen Hairspray. Great movie, great music, pretty actors. Our Tracy, a famously robust teeenage girl, was played by Nikki, then a newcomer. She was pretty adorbs. Cheesy, yes, but then again, it's Hairspray. We all sat and took notice of this new young talent, and we just couldn't wait to see what she would do next.

And what did she do next?



Yes. She did a Fat Movie.

I just so happened to be watching this little gem one Sunday afternoon on Lifetime. I noticed the lead star and instantly my heart soared. I was not expecting Tracy Turnblad. But I was expecting the same adoration I held for it's actress during Hairpsray. What did I get, you guys? WHAT DID I GET?

Oh, I'll tell you.

Every single emotional scene involved WHAT? Food. IT INVOLVED FOOD.

I'm not talking a dramatic restaurant walk-out. I'm talking this chick comes home after being horribly bullied at school and runs, crying, straight to the fridge to gorge herself with chocolate mint ice cream, of which has to be pried from her trembling fingers like it's CRACK.

I'm hopefully not fat, but if I was, I would be insulted.

Are you implying, Lifetime/Nikki Blonksy, that fat people immediatly run for the tacos whenever they're under emotional stress? Are you saying that this girl is fat simply because she can not handle life without a choclate bar in her face? It's not a drug movie, Lifetime. And I am almost positive that your mellow-drama has reached new heights of ridiculous.

Anyway, this isn't a review. What I'm saying is that, what does all of Nikki Blonsky's roles since the start of her career have in common? They all involve her playing a fat girl.

What is this/ you are saying. She's a big girl, who else could she play?

Oh, many things, I answer. She could choose movies that aren't written about being fat. She could play characters that aren't struggling with being fat. She could be an actress who just happens to be fat, and not a Fat Actress.

To me, this entire thing sounds way worse then just watching a bunch of movies with bitches are really skinny. Because all Nikki is saying to young, overweight teens is, "Hey, grow up to be just like me and star in TV shows about fat camp!"

No. Just no.

Now let's look at Kathy Bates.

Yes, she's a chubby lady. But was anyone thinking about her weight while she was smashing James Caan's leg with a baseball bat? Hell to the no. They were thinking about what a crazy bitch she was. And that, sirs, is acting.

Look, I don't understand what my point is anymore. Maybe I've insulted someone in this post, but I stand by my ground; plus-size actresses deserve just as much of a shot to make it big as anyone else, but they--like the rest of them--need to have the talent to back it up. And they can't make a career of playing the Fat Girl.

Thoughts? Give 'em to me.