Huge Issue

There is an new show coming to ABC Family called HUGE. It is about kids at a fat camp.

Here's the good news: The show -- based on the book by Sasha Paley -- was developed my one of my professional heroes, Winnie Holzman, who created one of my favorite shows MY SO CALLED LIFE, as well as my favorite Broadway show, WICKED. She is a genius, so I'm sure the show will be of the highest quality.

There really is no bad news, so I'll call this the questionable news: Nikki Blonsky, (HAIRSPRAY and QUEEN SIZED) has been trotted out once again to play the big girl in the skinny world who will succeed by staying true to herself. In the trailer, she says things like, "I feel that inside me there's an even fatter person waiting to get out," as well as, "I don't want to change. Why should I?" and, "I don't want to get kicked out, nor do I intend losing weight."

This I'm-overweight-and-proud message comes at a time when every news report is talking about childhood obesity being the scourge of the decade. I wondered how ABC Family would spin this one and their PR people do not disappoint. They want everyone to Live Huge -- there's even a nation tour.

"At ABC Family, we believe that healthy living means living life to the fullest. In order to live your best life, it’s important to take care of yourself -- physically, mentally and emotionally. Here you’ll be given tips on how to eat nutritious snacks and meals, add exercise into your busy life, and build a stronger, more positive sense of self -- because living a healthy life means having healthy self-esteem too! Love Huge, Think Huge, Act Huge. Whatever you do, do it to the fullest – LIVE HUGE!"

But if you eat nutritious snacks/meals and exercise, you will probably stop being huge, which is a good thing. But then isn't the point to love yourself as you are -- even if you are huge?

It's this kind of double talk that makes kids turn to drugs.