There are a few about liking cakes and things, yes.
But I tend to see that more as her being unhealthy and a bit childlike.
If it was someone like Dawn French doing it then I would see it as a fat joke. but I just don't see Miranda as fat. It's all about the viewer's perception, I suppose!
Yeah it's much more obvious when Dawn French or Jo Brand do them defo, but the point is I think that Miranda does see herself as fat, even if it's touch and go if we do. She is using the gender fat thing in her act even if she's a borderline fatty in reality.
I think Sarah Millican is doing this too. Now I'm not saying they're purposely putting on weight to use one of the most obvious and key female gender specific comedy topics that exists, to their advantage...but maybe I am.
Fatness is relative.
The glamour girls of the 1950s weren't considered over-weight but were colossal compared with those of subsequent years.
Miranda is an altogether odd shape and she's certainly overweight by current standards.
If she and her writers would ignore her shape and weight, it would be useful to larger women everywhere in the same way that seeing black people in high-status dramatic roles is useful to the black community.
TV should not reinforce negative stereotypes.
You try telling that to comedians! Stereotypes and especially negative stereotypes are a key component of any comedian's act. Leave them out and I doubt you'd get very far, even in today's supposedly PC climate. They are vital to comedy.
Quote: dellas @ December 18 2010, 3:26 AM GMT
I am posting a critique of someone's material, viewed by millions, if I find it boring and 'fattist', I can say so. This stuff only perpetuates the notion of women as 'fat', ergo; 'funny'.
I'm not sure it's a woman thing. I've seen loads of male stand ups, for example, do material about their weight. You make jokes about what you know, so it's natural.
Incidentally I have a fair bit of material about weight, but not mine as such.
Quote: Veronica Vestibule @ December 18 2010, 12:24 PM GMTIf she and her writers would ignore her shape and weight, it would be useful to larger women everywhere in the same way that seeing black people in high-status dramatic roles is useful to the black community.
As a chubby lady I disaggree with this! I don't feel like I'm being 'set back' because of people making fat jokes. I rather like it. If us chubbos were that bothered, we'd do something about it. Just look at Bigfella (I hear he has a book out).
Sorry I am drunk.
Miranda is an altogether odd shape
If there were a competition for TV's 'oddest shape', the podium finish would be:
1 - Miranda
2 - Jane from EastEnders
3 - The Honey Monster
Quote: Alfred J Kipper @ December 18 2010, 12:02 PM GMTHmm, don't know, direct jokes maybe but there are an awful lot of indirect fat jokes about her eating cakes and puds, having to go to the gym, and the visual gags that wouldn't work if she was slim, are you not being too dismissive of this huge wad of fat related material? I know I've seen it all and I've not kept up with this 2nd series. It's a big part of her act imo.
<3 Alfred I love you!, feel warm and loved for first time. Felt a bit pilloried for 'fattist' comments, what would most guys know about it anyway, Zooo.....
Or is YOU fat?..
I'm not sure if you're asking if I'm fat, or asking if I'm fat and also saying I'm a man.
Quote: don rushmore @ December 19 2010, 2:44 AM GMTIf there were a competition for TV's 'oddest shape', the podium finish would be:
1 - Miranda
2 - Jane from EastEnders
3 - The Honey Monster
Is Jane a funny shape?
Surely Heather's a funnier shape?
Quote: Nat Wicks @ December 19 2010, 12:54 AM GMTI'm not sure it's a woman thing. I've seen loads of male stand ups, for example, do material about their weight. You make jokes about what you know, so it's natural.
I can only vaguely recall a couple of male stand-ups with weight-based comedy. I make no judgement about whether it's good, bad, or whatever, but I have to agree that such issues are overwhelmingly within the female domain. Men just aren't as obsessed with - and certainly not as bothered about to talk about - their appearance.
Quote: Nat Wicks @ December 19 2010, 12:54 AM GMTIf us chubbos were that bothered, we'd do something about it. Just look at Bigfella (I hear he has a book out).
Yeah ... the whole reason he has a book out though is because he was bothered and did do something about it. So you've kind of argued against your own point with that one...
Johnny Vegas used to go on about being fat a lot, but linked it to how much he drank I seem to remember. Jack Dee used to bang on about being short. Greg Davies talks about being tall and a funny shape. That ginger one goes on about being weird looking and ginger. I think a lot of comics talk about the way they look. I'm not sure if men talk about fatness less or not, I just haven't taken note!
Many comedians tend to talk on stage about their own insecurities, and fatness just isn't the issue for men that it is for women.
For many reasons (some dating back to pre-history), physical attractiveness is a colossally important asset to females in our society.
Essentially, if you're not beautiful you're f**ked.
Except that you're not, of course.
(Do you see what I did there?)
Quote: Aaron @ December 19 2010, 12:09 PM GMTYeah ... the whole reason he has a book out though is because he was bothered and did do something about it. So you've kind of argued against your own point with that one...
That's what I was saying you silly fool. He's a great example of someone who's done something about it. If I and other overweight people were that bothered, we'd follow his example.
