'Mike & Molly' Star Speaks Out About 'Fatties' Furor
Some insults are so outrageous, they can't be ignored. This week, a star on TV's most-watched new sitcom, 'Mike & Molly,' says a controversial dig at their series, and at overweight people in general, will be referenced on their turkey-day-themed episode airing Monday.
After a post called
'Should Fatties Get a Room?' appeared on Marie Claire magazine's site last month, 'Mike & Molly' fans were in an uproar about the opinions of the blogger, who wrote that she wasn't a viewer, but felt "grossed out" seeing or even imagining plus-size people romancing one another. In other words, the premise of the series -- two Overeaters Anonymous members begin dating -- bothered her. 'Mike & Molly,' a hit for CBS, averages more than 12 million viewers.
'Mike & Molly' creator Mark Roberts originally said he wanted to ignore the slam in future scripts. But he did admit the incident simply struck him as cruel: "I'm really not that angry. I'm hurt for my two friends [stars Melissa McCarthy and Billy Gardell] who had to read horrible things that some woman said about them," he told
EW.com in October. "I feel more sad."
Now, Gardell (who plays Mike) tells EW that in the Nov. 22
episode, he gets to make a
"tiny nod" to the brouhaha. "It's a very eloquently put thing that I get to say at the Thanksgiving speech, that kind of says everything we feel," says Gardell.
Regarding the controversy's notoriety, Gardell says, "It did give ['Mike & Molly'] a lot of attention, but I rather attention be got by the good work we're doing. Overwhelmingly, people from the Internet came to our side. And not just to our side, but to the side of overweight people, which was nice."
He adds, "Comedy is comedy, but when you say you hate someone for how they look, then that changes the atmosphere...[Creators] Mark Roberts and Chuck Lorre both have said that if by episode six, we're only relying on fat jokes, we won't have much of a show. [Weight] is completely secondary. It's about those two trying to keep a relationship together, which is what everybody goes through. That's the main focus of the show now."
And what kind of holiday will it be for the couple on Monday night? "The whole cast of crazies will be at the Thanksgiving table, which is how a good working-class Thanksgiving should be," Gardell hints. "I get to light the grill. The turkey ends up having to be done on the grill, and I ruin that, too."
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I absolutely love this show, it is the funniest thing since sliced bread (no pun intended). Being overweight myself, I can identify with their issues, but all the characters on this show are great. Keep up the good work!
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I think the show is great. It's an outlet and away to stop worrying about what anybody else thinks. We need to stop being so judgmental about appearance and start looking a charactor instead.
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I love Mike and Molly! This is the real world and there are a lot of overweight people, myself included! But people seem to forget that the Roseanne show had two overweight people who were in bed together all the time! People need to start respecting each other whether were fat or skinny or whatever race we may be! Wake up world-- RESPECT EACH OTHER!!!!
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With all the different types of people in the world, and all the different types of television shows, why not have a show like Mike & Molly. I love the show, laughing heals, and sometimes with us that are over weight, we do need humor in our lives.
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I love this show! - I am overweight, as much of america is now - and I can identify with the struggles that they are going through. Finally a show that relates to real people! - I think the actors are awesome and I look forward to this show every week! Keep up the good work :)
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Love the show to bits, especially the girl who plays Molly's sister, Katy Mixon. Having said that, i've noticed that the couple are never shown in bed or in lingerie/underwear like other tv couples (think Charlie Harper and his many women). I guess that the network doesn't want to see fat folks in bed either. Sad !
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The best!
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I was appalled by the bullying tone of the article in Marie Claire and taken aback that they had published something so hate-filled. With so many Americans overweight and struggling with their health i found it beyond insensitive to suggest that overweight people should hide themselves away from the rest of us so that we aren't subjected to seeing them living their lives. Everyone has the choice to switch channels but personally I find it really refreshing to have a show with real people with real issues that a lot of people can relate to, with the added bonus that it is laugh-out-loud funny.
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My sentiments exactly; change the channel if something bothers you. I couldn't believe that Marie Claire published the article on the magazine site. I have always enjoyed the magazine, but just bought my last copy. I will no longer support the magazine.
It is a shame that Marie Claire, known for some good articles about women & women's issues, would have published that nasty opinion piece. Obviously some skinny people have issues, too. One of them might be being flat out nasty.
I always loved "Sookie" on Gilmore Girls. Hope her new series is a hit.
This is one of the best new shows on tv. The one I can not stand is the new Hawaii Five-0. There is no replacing Jack Lord and crew!
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I love Mike and Molly. It's a damn funny show and I love it. Keep it on!!!!!!!!!!
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While I tried to like the show, I can't get past the tacit acceptance of obesity, let alone see the humor in it. I would feel the same if the stars were reed thin. How can anyone get past the
revulsion of either weight extreme depicted as even quasi-romantic?
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It's easy, edbersilv. You "get over it" by recognizing that we are far more than what we weigh or look like. You get over it by recognizing that there is enormous value to each of us, regardless of how we look on the outside. You get over it by valuing what is truly miraculous -- that we each live in a body of unimaginable intelligence and miraculous ability to adapt and heal itself. You "get over it" by not being a shallow twit who doesn't know the difference between glitz and substance. Save your revulsion for child abuse. Save your revulsion for the way animals are treated in this country. Save your revulsion for the fact that we have created a trash slick twice the size of the state of Texas and ninety feet deep in the Pacific ocean. To waste it on some fat couple trying their damnedest to live happily? That, my friend, is lunacy.
Consider that the couple met at a support group for folks who are trying to recover from overeating. This is not an acceptance of obesity.
Many people have tried diet and exercise and yet not been able to lose weight. It's not the same for everyone. The main characters are talented actors -- give them a break.
WOW-you should probably stay inside your house then-and hide under the bed.....good grief--you have issues that have nothing to do with obesity...
I LOVE THE SHOW AND STUPID PEOPLE LIKE THE BLOGGER SHOULD REFRAIN FROM OPENING THEIR MOUTHS STUPID THINGS WILL ALWAYS FALL OUT.
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Why would we be happy to see such morbidly obese people on TV? This just makes another excuse for American to remain fat and lazy. I don't think they are funny. They are sick people who are just waiting to have a heart attack. Quit eating like pigs and do other exercises other than lifting the fork to your fat mouths. Disgusting.
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Ever heard the following?
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."
Or "beauty only goes skin deep while ignorance/stupidity goes to the bone."
Lighten up, Jennifer..