Newspapers / University of North Carolina … / Sept. 4, 2018, edition 1 / Page 10
Part of University of North Carolina at Asheville Student Newspaper / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
Netflix’s new show “Insatiable” presents a prime example of fat-shaming and how it affects the people watching it MADELYNDEPODESTA Opinion Staff Writer mdepodes@unca.edu Over the past couple of years, Netflix has proven to be capable of producing thought-provoking, mean ingful television shows and movies. Between the creative genius of “Stranger Things,” the heartwarming plot lines of the “Queer Eye” reboot and the diversity of “Orange Is the New Black,” Netflix has something for a variety of audiences. Yet, Netflix’s new show “Insatiable” falls short on progressiveness. If anything, it moves in the opposite direction. Featuring former Disney Channel star Debby Ryan, “Insatiable” follows the story of overweight high school student Patty Bladell, who constantly faces bullying and harassment for the way her body looks. When a punch in the face leaves Patty’s jaw wired shut for three months, she loses an incredible amount of weight and returns to high school with not only a “revenge body,” but also with an insatiable desire to get revenge on everyone who wronged her. Under the guidance of struggling beauty pageant coach/accused pedophile Bob Armstrong, played by Dallas Roberts, Patty dedi cates her time to becoming a glamorous beauty queen and pageant winner. Prior to her drastic weight change, Ryan (as Patty) wore a fat suit along with drab, ill-fitting clothes. Even before the show’s re lease on Netflix, “Insatiable” received backlash from crit ics and viewers alike accus ing the show of fat-shaming. After the trailer for the show aired on Netflix, a petition was created to cancel the show’s release, gathering more than 230,000 signa tures. It’s easy to agree or want to sign, with an episode title like “Skinny is Magic” or how Patty’s character be comes a fashionista after she loses weight. Several topics presented in the show are used as jokes or comedic tools, rather than 1 Jamie Choate, president of the Active Minds club, hopes to join forces with other organizations on campus to bring more awareness to body shaming. ^^3 LOGO COURTESY OF NETFLIX, PHOTO BY MADELYN DEPODESTA being taken seriously. Patty’s weight, her best friend struggling with her sexuality and Bob being an alleged pedophile all get written off as cheap jokes, rather than progressing the plot or being addressed seri ously. “I heard about the show on social media, and that it was questionable,” sopho more Caitlin Doherty, a Mass Communication major, said. “So I decided to watch it and it is questionable. Not only CONTINUED ON PAGE 23
University of North Carolina at Asheville Student Newspaper
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Sept. 4, 2018, edition 1
10
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75