A commentator has a beef with the contestants on 'American Idol' -- they're obese, and that may hurt the kids of American.
The observation that some of the contestants were over weight on is not absurd: some obviously were. But, is her alarm, well, alarmist? Or does she have a point?
Mo Rocca has appeared on a bunch of shows, including 'The Daily Show,' 'I Love the 80s,'...
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Talking Head Thinks 'American Idol' Has a Weight Problem
Posted May 25th 2007 7:50AM by Coates Bateman
Filed under: TV, American Idol, Video
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Mo Rocca appears on a bunch of shows, including CBS News Sunday Morning (with the indescribably wonderful Charles Osgood), The Tonight Show on NBC, and NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! He's a sometime judge on Iron Chef and was featured on Telemundo's Amore Descarado. Last year he starred on Broadway in the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. His expose "All the President's Pets" was published by Crown in 2004.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 30)
1. its rediculous that it always has to be and fat and skinny war.half of the society today is overweight.i dissagree ,i think it shows that everyone is equal without predudice of weight.all the skinny models we have are a fabrication of the real world.under all the make up and the throwing up to stay that way .these are the people that make our young kids feel like they need to purdge and become anorexic to compete..i for one feel its distasteful to emphasize on it so much..talent is talent it doesnt matter what you like ifr you have it...
kathy panzer at 8:17AM on May 25th 2007
2. Jordon is way overwight besides her size would only look somewhat the norm if she stood next to shaq
warren at 8:17AM on May 25th 2007
3. I think it is absolutely crazy to think that someone could loose the chance of succeeding at their dream to become a singer, or any dream that they have just because they are overweight!!!!!!! Who is anybody to judge someone on how they live and how they want to look. Obviously, American Idol is a show for the public and the public has the right to choose the winner based on talent as well as their personal opinion. Therefore, I don't feel anyone has the right to restrict someone from something because of the way they look. How bias is that? Not every woman in this world needs to be a size 4. Isn't that what makes us individuals because we are all different. Not everyone has to look like Barbie either. People are who they are because they want to be that way and that includes looks, personality, etc. What are we teaching our children in todays society if people are being judged by looks alone and not the person that they are on the inside????????
TIFFANY at 8:27AM on May 25th 2007
4. This lady that is making the comments is sad for a human being.. What she sees is diabetes? High Cholesterol? I see someone that sings their heart out. Not all of us are the same. What I would tend to see is a bigot as it comes in all forms. Kids come in different sizes and shapes, always have and always will. Compassion helps more then commentary like we see on this interview as well as education. I would tend to bet she doesn't like other nationalities etc as well. Where did they drag this gal up?
Mike at 8:26AM on May 25th 2007
5. This is nonsense and example of drive by journalism and alarmist sky is falling gobbledygook.
Why such crap is allowed bandwith is beyond me.
This so called journalist should go after the corporate oligarchies who have introduced High Fructose Corn Sysrup into almost everything we eat.
That has the biggest and most direct effect on weight and diabetes in this country.
SalisburysDad at 8:27AM on May 25th 2007
6. Jordin if you've watched this & are reading these I want you to know this lady is (INSANE!) Just ask Simon he will tell you. You are NOT OVER WEIGHT!
247365mom at 8:33AM on May 25th 2007
7. This lady needs to get a life! I guess some people will do anything to get some attention, even if it is bad!
kelly at 8:34AM on May 25th 2007
8. this woman that made these comments needs a good trashing. how dare she propose such stupidity and the press is a sorry institution for reporting it. if the press didnt give her the microphone the public wouldnt need to hear or read such garbage!
anthony ryan at 8:39AM on May 25th 2007
9. I think it is healthy to see people of all sizes, better than seeing people who are anorexic and lead to kids having eating disorders. Yes, there are a lot of people with problems of being overweight, but there are also problems with anorexia and bulimia.
Cindy Bray at 8:38AM on May 25th 2007
10. I completely banned Idol after the best singer they've ever had was eliminated. As for the weight issue- I for one am damn tired of looking at walking skeletons and being told that's sexy. I think the men that run the industry really like boys and the women that wish to be in the industry are happily starving away their boobs and butts to appease them. It's disgusting. And American Idol is dead after this season- that's my prediction.
Erika at 8:41AM on May 25th 2007
11. I think the weight factor is just pure ignorance and we have enoug of that already in the world...and there is no problem with the contestants on american idol. There's a problem with people who want to stereo type and label other people according to size, color and gender..dont we have other important things to change in the world then to be concerned about someone's weight on american idol.. and i'm a thin build woman, very toned..and i feel there is nothing wrong with a bigger person, or a person who weighs more then me should have to live up to some ignorant persons standards..however u look at it its just ignorance..and ignorance doesn't have to be bliss!
amy at 8:40AM on May 25th 2007
12. Anorexic Annies anal retentive obsession on all that is wrong with everybody else in the world will cause her to blow a head or heart gasket long before any happy normal person of any weight will. Type a personality is a lot more deadly then a few extra pounds is. Somebody should sit her down and explain that to her and then give her some valium.
Steve at 8:58AM on May 25th 2007
13. American Idol is a singing competion not an ad campaign for Slim Fast or Jenny Craig
My guess is there is a tad of jealousy among the promoters of the Parris Hilton, Brittany etc lovers...
The drug addicted rehab rejected look took a back page to news for a few hours when a truly talented
17 yr old named Jordin took home the win as the NEW AMERICAN IDOL!! yeah Jordin you got my vote!
star at 8:41AM on May 25th 2007
14. This woman is insane! If it were all skinny contestants people would be saying that AI still has a weight issue where everyone is too thin! Jordin is a beautiful young woman. She is 17 yrs old. You have to remember also, she is like 6' tall. Who cares if she has a few extra pounds on her, she is in incredible shape. You can not go on a stage like she does and perform songs like she does w/o being in shape. I hope she doesn't lose a pound! She is beautiful the way she is no matter what some skinny blonde says!
Audrey at 8:45AM on May 25th 2007
15. To suggest Jordin Sparks has a weight problem is absurd. She is certainly not " anorexic model material", but she is not even near obese.
I sat in a Theater watching Chicago the musical near some young teens and over heard them talk about how fat Catherine Zeta-Jones was. I thought, how skewed are we that our teens are thinking normal size is fat!!!
We do come in all shapes and sizes...that is not to excuse obesity, anymore than to excuse anorexia.
To say someone is less of a person or talent because they are over weight is small minded and very ignorant...almost Nazi typical thinking!
B at 8:48AM on May 25th 2007