Melissa McCarthy Gets the Last Laugh

Almost a year ago, a blogger for Marie Claire magazine wrote a horrible post about fat people on television, prompted by the hit TV Show Mike and Molly. (Full disclosure: I have yet to see an episode of the show. I hear they make jokes at fat people's expense, so I'm not sure if I could handle it. You'd think with plus-sized people as the main characters...sigh.)

Here's the worst of the blog post, in case you missed it:

source: justjared.buzzfeed.com

I think I'd be grossed out if I had to watch two characters with rolls and rolls of fat kissing each other ... because I'd be grossed out if I had to watch them doing anything. To be brutally honest, even in real life, I find it aesthetically displeasing to watch a very, very fat person simply walk across a room — just like I'd find it distressing if I saw a very drunk person stumbling across a bar or a heroine [sic] addict slumping in a chair.

Now, don't go getting the wrong impression: I have a few friends who could be called plump. I'm not some size-ist jerk. And I also know how tough it can be for truly heavy people to psych themselves up for the long process of slimming down. (For instance, the overweight maintenance guy at my gym has talked to me a little bit about how it seems worthless for him to even try working out, because he's been heavy for as long as he can remember.)

But ... I think obesity is something that most people have a ton of control over. It's something they can change, if only they put their minds to it.

Wow, right?!? So much wrong there. I won't refute every point; the author does a pretty good job of making clear just how sizeist she actually is. I will say: I intend to write a future post about the control issue. Let's just say that while I'm not an expert, I have learned a few things, one of which is that it's much more complicated than many believe.

Anyway...I remember hearing about this when it happened, and I think I didn't write about it 'cause I just didn't want to get that angry...which would be even angrier than when I first heard about it!. So I'm happy to to be able to write this post!

This week Melissa McCarthy, star of Mike and Molly, won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy. So cool! Oh and at Amy Phoeler's suggestion, all the ladies nominated in the category did something special...it's worth a watch: