[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/28066212[/vimeo]I have to be honest with you – I’m tired of seeing blog post after blog post depicting the fallacies of the media. I’m tired of reading about sexism, objectification, and disrespect. I’m tired of feeling hopeless about the state of gender representation in the media. Luckily, Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s new, edgy documentary Miss Representation… Continue Reading →
Hair today, gone tomorrow: the politics of reality TV makeovers
A woman’s hair is said to be her crowning glory, her beauty. For young women, hair is not only about beauty but individuality, style, and personality. But what happens when a woman is forced to drastically change her hair style with extreme color, hair extensions, or the ultimate “big chop”? Despite the real video… Continue Reading →
The Biggest Loser tempts disordered eating
We’ve written about the weight-loss reality television show The Biggest Loser before here on the About-Face blog, whether it’s the scariness of trainer Jillian Michaels or the reports of previous contestants developing eating disorders after the show. Recently, About-Face received an email from a concerned The Biggest Loser watcher in Australia. She was disturbed by… Continue Reading →
Size double standards are alive and kicking on primetime TV
Fat girls can’t date skinny guys. At least that’s how some viewers reacted to Glee’s pairing of Noah “Puck” Puckerman (actor Mark Salling) and Lauren Zizes (Ashley Fink). In an interview with Access Hollywood, Rosie O’Donnell spoke about how many plus-sized women actually find the Lauren and Puck combination upsetting since it would “never happen… Continue Reading →
Kirstie Alley diets, forgets to eat, falls over on “Dancing With the Stars”
Kirstie Alley, I love you. Really, I do. Even though you’re a proud member of the Church of Scientology, and you’ve made a few really questionable career moves. I still think you’re awesome. Admittedly, I’ve never made it through a full episode of Dancing with the Stars, but I DVRed this season’s premiere just to… Continue Reading →
“Glee” reminds us we’re on the right track
I’m not what you would call a “Gleek.” In fact, not at all. Sure, I’ve seen a couple of episodes of Glee, but am not by any means a regular viewer. But Tuesday night’s episode certainly made me want to watch it more. A lot more. In the episode, titled “Born This Way” (named… Continue Reading →
Everyone’s equal in “Glee.” Or not.
I am a sixteen-year-old girl, and a Gleek. At my school, at least, it almost seems the two are synonymous. The other night, I sat down with my brother to watch the Glee “Thriller” half-time episode. We were so excited about the show and had been living in suspense for days. The too-short ads, blasting… Continue Reading →
The list of “Fat TV” shows keeps on growing
Reality TV is so passé. Ladies and gentlemen, make room for Fat TV. Granted, this post has been a long time coming, but as usual, the geniuses over at Jezebel finally prompted me to write it. Yesterday, they blogged about the new A&E show, Heavy, which, unlike other shows, doesn’t involve competitions, makeovers, or the… Continue Reading →
Special K rips off body-positive Yay Scales to sell weight loss
As I watched the Today Show the other morning, my jaw dropped in disbelief to see that once again, a body-positive message had been co-opted — nay, full-on stolen — by a corporation selling foods for weight loss, in the name of “health”. The awesome Yay Scales, created by Marilyn Wann (incredible author and fat… Continue Reading →