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,'...
Mo's Blog Roll
Resources
Talking Head Thinks 'American Idol' Has a Weight Problem
Posted May 25th 2007 7:50AM by Coates Bateman
Filed under: TV, American Idol, Video
Mo's Video
The Sound of a Smoke-Free Barack...Almost two years ago we speculated on how Barack Obama's voice would change if he stopped smoking. ...
Most Popular Stories
- Don't Like Goodbyes...
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Is it Time to get some Cheerleaders?
- How NOT to give an Oscar Acceptance Speech
- Could Jim Belushi Win the Nobel Peace Prize?
- Spring Break Sexy T-Shirt Removal Training!
- Quest for the Crown 5: Plastic Wrap to Make you Less Fat!
- Quest for the Crown 4: Work Those Heels!
Most Commented On
-
Coming Soon
Recent Comments
- Roert Dean on General Clark is Absolutely Right!
- not-pboyfloyd on Obama and the Reagan Doctrine
- Saint Brian the Godless on Obama and the Reagan Doctrine
- a2345ss on Do Muslims Back Terrorism?
- Saint Brian the Godless on Obama and the Reagan Doctrine
- Saint Brian the Godless on Obama and the Reagan Doctrine
- not-pboyfloyd on Obama and the Reagan Doctrine
Mo's Bio
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.
Top News Headlines
Political Machine Blog
- Obama Met State Dinner Party Crashers; Secret Service Taking Blame For Breach
- Will Sarah Palin Ever Be President? A Guide to the Predictions
- White House Gate-Crashers: Security Breach or Social Office Lapse?
- A Year Out, Wisconsin Governor's Race Shaping Up to Be Close
- Majority Say Accused 9/11 Conspirators Should Be Tried in Military Court
- Obama Pardons a Turkey, Pastor Spares a President (Coincidence?)
- Mary Curtis on NPR: Obama's Afghanistan Decision, Oprah's Departure
Reader Comments ( Page 4 of 30)
46. Trying any way possible to jump on the Idol bandwagon...we've seen some amazing talent come through, big or small. Find another way to break into the game, Ms Media...with stories that have some merit.
cindi at 11:02AM on May 25th 2007
47. People come in all shapes and sizes America. Deal with it. Would we all like to look like Charles Atlas, absolutley. Can we? Not on your life. You do the best with what you've got.
Dad at 11:03AM on May 25th 2007
48. This women should take a walk. Some of the greatest opera singers are overweight. I guess if Aretha Franklin or the great Stevie Wonder had been on Idol that should not have won? This is more about talent than looks. Aside from that Jordon looks swell
ckbozdog at 11:10AM on May 25th 2007
49. I was glad to see the issue of obesity raised in connection with a popular TV show. No opportunity should be missed to raise the issue of the country's number one problem: overconsumption of everything, and saving of nothing. One third of all deaths each year 463,000 are due to overeating. 18% of U.S. adults have diabetes. I don't think Idol should exclude fat singers, and I don't think you should ignore gluttony.
Michael Anchors at 11:15AM on May 25th 2007
50. THE NEWS MEDIA STILL NEEDS TO LISTEN TO THEMSELVES. HOW CAN JUST BEING THIN ACTUALLY GIVE YOU A BETTER VOICE? WHAT ARE WE SAYING TO OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WHEN THESE KIND OF COMMENTS ARE AIMED AT THEM EVERYDAY. SOMETIMES BEING THIN IS NOT AN OPTION. ITS NO WONDER OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE SO OFTEN CONFUSED OR CAN NEVER FEEL GOOD ABOUT THEMSELVES.JORDIN IS A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG WOMEN AND IT IS OBVIOUS THAT SHE FEELS GOOD ABOUT HERSELF.SHAME ON YOU FOR EVEN BRINGING UP TH FAT ISSUE.
belen villegas at 11:55AM on May 26th 2007
51. Since when did weight become a determining factor of talent? It seems to me that our children are more influenced by smoking, under-age drinking, violence, dishonesty, anorexia, bulimia, bigotry just to name of few of our daily disfunctional behaviors. Maybe we should teach our children that people come in all sizes....tall, short, large and small that we are the same inside. Some people are able to sing. Some can dance. Some are mathmaticians and some just criticize!
Gayle at 11:47AM on May 25th 2007
52. Did a T.V. commentator lose her boyfriend to a younger girl with thicker thighs? Aw, poor baby! Since I'm responding with this post, obviously there is more than one person in the world with too much time on their hands. I'll bet that she doesn't think that Rosie O'donnell is fat; that would be a politically incorrect slur. I'll bet that she thinks that Rosie is a positive role model for young girls. Do you think that we should ask Jordin Sparks if she would turn gay and then her weight would fall into the acceptable positive catagory!
Cdalealden at 1:23AM on May 26th 2007
53. The most talented and revered Opera Singers are plus size women who look absolutely great. The use of weight as a criteria is absurd. Just another way to eliminate deserving contestants from the American Idol competition. This is merely a compelling way to perpetuate DISCRIMINATION! Get over it. This is a very diverse society..Try thinking of an Inclusive society!
Dorothy B at 11:37AM on May 25th 2007
54. That lady needs to get a damn life. There are people in the music business today that are not all skinny as hell. And people like that lady, are the reasons why girls and some guys, develop eating disorders. As long as her doctors think she is healthy, Jordin should keep looking the way she does. I think she looks great.
Alicia Yvette at 11:43AM on May 25th 2007
55. It is a singing contest not a beauty contest. Haven't you heard "it isn't over until the fat lady sings" Lakeisha, Melinda and jordin were the best in the SINGING COMPETITION!!!!!
Sally at 1:23AM on May 26th 2007
56. Of course she looks overweight to this commentator when she looks like she weights 100 pounds. Any one would look overweight to her.
Ashley at 11:50AM on May 25th 2007
57. The woman in this commentary was speaking correctly concerning the problems with obesity, of course. However, my problem with this person is her perception of health and beauty. Even if every person weighed what they should, we wouldn't all look the same. Different races have different standards of beauty because we're built differently. This woman was not judging Jordin according to health standards (because Jordin is no way near obese), she was judging her according to her own standards of beauty.
Judonn at 11:54AM on May 25th 2007
58. Wow people like her make me so angry. Jordin is NOT over weight, its moronic people like that commentator that end up making girls bulimic or anorexic. I am so tired of hearing perfectly normal sized girls saying they have to go on a diet, I don't understand why people try to fuel this dangerous and sick obsession with being the thinnest. Jordin is beautiful the way she is and one hell of a talented singer. As for the commentator trying to put Jordin down for not being anorexic, when you start feeling tired, dizzy, and can't catch your breath, that'll be karma smacking you with a heart attack.
AX at 11:53AM on May 25th 2007
59. I find this video and the women talking is very ... well, stupid. I find the latest obsession of peoples weight who's skinny who is fat is a RIDICULOUS thing. Also, just because someone is obese doesn't mean there are going to become diabetic or have heart issues. And the last thing I want to make clear. THE AMERICAN IDOL'S WEIGHT WILL NOT MAKE ANY KIND OF IMPACT ON THE CHILDREN OF AMERICA BE OBESE! THE CHILDREN OF AMERICA ARE OBESE FOR RESONS WAY MORE COMPLICATED OR TOTTALLY DIDFFERENT THAN THAT! ASK ME HOW I KNOW? I AM A 12 TEAR OLD GIRL IN 7TH WHO IS OBESE! AND THIS VIDEO FULLY INSULTED ME AND I'M SURE ALL OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE OBESE. WE ARE NOT BAD PEOPLE!!! WE MAKE NO DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY OF ANYTHING EXCEPT FOR WE ARE NOT SKINNY LITTLE PEOPLE. PLEASE THE WOMAN IN THIS VIDEO NEEDS TO TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT THAT VIDEO AND THINK ABOUT WHAT SHE SAID!
Shannon at 12:13PM on May 25th 2007
60. ok first of all. i am probably the same size jordan is. i am pissed that this obviously UNDERWEIGHT woman thinks that american idol should stop having "obese" people on the show. Ok lady, where have you been when it comes to the 80 lb 6'1 models? Jordin isnt obese, she is curvacious. I am curvacious. if everyone in America was the same size, life would be boring. I understand that with obesity there comes the issue of a health risk. but lady, you need to get your eyes checked. because jordan is shaped like MOST women in America. don't hate, just because you can't have curves like her!!
sweetbekalee05 at 8:46PM on May 28th 2007