Fat people stereotypes

[Andy008]

Why are fat people so often stereotyped in the media as being "jolly"?

Fern Britton, Russell Grant, Jono Coleman, Alison off Big Brother, that woman off You've Been Framed, Johnny Vegas, Michelle McManus, Pluto off Popeye, Jo Brand, Michael Moore etc, etc....

[Mattk]

its always been like this tho - just think of father christmas !

[LiverpoolLou]

Hi Andy, I love this question as I've asked people this myself, I have a friend who was 5ft and weighed 13 stone, she was a "jolly" person, brilliant personality. She started a diet class, and went down to 8 and a half stone.......she looked fantastic, she couldn't pass a shop window without looking at herself.....and why not, she had so much confidence in herself. But she lost all the lovely personality she was known for when she lost the weight. Sadly she has since put more weight back on from when she started.......she has got the bubbly personality back. I myself was always 9stone for my height which is 5ft 4ins, I thought I look brill, but now in my 40's and seeing pics of me at that weight, god I looked bloody awful........I'm now 42, and 13stone 12LBS, o.k been dieting and lost 23LBS up to now, but, now instead of being a skinny so and so, my target is 10 and a half stone. This is for me to start feeling good about myself again, and not for anyone else. I think this is where it has to start from.......if it's not for yourself.....don't bother.

[Francis Asis]

I'm a fat bird and I'm a miserable old cow!

[richjn242]

Just a case of over compensation.

[LeMarchand]

Because if they were portrayed as miserable, there would be cries of being unfair to larger folk.

[MargeB]

Yes, I agree. I suggested it to a friend of mine (5ft and 14 stone) and she suggested I was being fattist. I told her no, she was fattist. She didn't see the funny side.

[Aschenbach]

Look at the context

Jo Brand - stand up/ comedy/ panel shows

Jono Coleman - gossipy Radio DJ

Russell Grant - camp fortune teller

Lisa Reilly - You've Been Framed presenter

Fern Britton - Light hearted daytime TV host

All of them have jobs that require a less-than-serious TV persona regardless of appearance. The only exception is Michael Moore who is a respected Oscar winning film maker and author. And I've heard him called many things but never 'jolly' (nor Bluto for that matter - athough he lightened up in Popeye & Son)

[derekblue]

i see fern britton as nothing but sexy!!