Body image within comedy

Body image 

Body image is a big problem within today's society, I have chosen his article because it not only speaks about the different representations of body image but how this is also having an effect on the audience.

This article was written by the Author Sara Mills in April 2010. This article focuses on how the problem of body image is represented within the comedy genre, with examples from TV and Film this article answers the following questions:

• Are TV shows and films normalizing negative representations of body image?
• Why do audiences find body image a source of humor?
• Does the size matter within today's media?
• How are different representations effecting groups within society?

Negative representations

This article speaks about how the media portrays life for a 'fat person' and suggesting that characters who are overweight were "less likely to be shown having romantic relationships", and that life is better for 'thin' people. This idea is then followed by an example from the TV show Gavin and Stacey.

This leading on the stereotypical appearance and behavior of 'fat people', speaking about how characters are represented Mills goes on to talk about how body image is portrayed within kids films saying that "The fat characters in 64% of the films were cruel, evil, unfriendly and/or unattractive." and how fat people are often associated with "laziness, gluttony or even poverty and lack of education'.

Mills uses examples from the TV show Gavin and Stacey to back up the points that she has made, "This can be applied to Gavin and Stacey, where the two attractive 'normal' actors are the leads, each supported by a heavyweight sidekick". I agree with this quotation because these character types are frequently used within the media and are shown that the most important thing in their lives are to be a comfort and supporter of the lead actors if their character comes into trouble.

Body image being a source of humor

Examples of body image being a source of humor within children's TV/Films

1. Drake and Josh (TV show)- 'Josh'
2. Willy Wonka & the Chocolate factory (film)- 'Augustus Gloop'
3. Heavyweights (film)-Story about an American 'Fat camp' for children.

Media representations effecting the audience/ normalizing body image issues

Within this article Mills has referred multiple times to how these ideas will effect the audience- Size zero debate and how people are idolizing celebrities due to how they look.