I'm a Huge Fan

It's been a slow summer for TV. Sure, Futurama's back in style, but one series does not a season make. But there is another summer show I've been keeping up with - Huge. Never heard of it? Of course not. It's on ABC Family.


I don't usually check out what's on ABC Family - it's generally aimed at the tween-to-teen range - but I tuned in for Huge because the name Winnie Holzman was attached. You may remember her as the creator of My So-Called Life. (Huge was actually created by Holzman and her daughter, Savannah Dooley. You may remember Savannah Dooley as the daughter of the creator of My So-Called Life.) The show follows the stories of a group of teenagers at a fat camp, and tackles some sensitive issues with grace and honesty.

Huge is not perfect by any means, but I'm finding it to be quite watchable, at times downright enjoyable. Well, let's be honest. It's kind of knocked my socks off. And the fact that it stars Nikki Blonsky and Gina Torres is sort of just the icing on the cake.

I like that the show doesn't preach a message, and it could have easily gone into that territory. It doesn't say "if you work hard you can make a better, more beautiful you", and it doesn't say "you're beautiful just the way you are". It just raises questions and ideas about body image, self-esteem, and healthy living. It lets the viewer sort it out. Which is kind of nice.

One last thought, from Winnie Holzman herself. In this interview with the Huffington Post, Holzman talks about the importance of seeing yourself on TV. Take it away, Winnie:
"I really learned that when I got into television, I really learned the power, how deeply it affects people to see themselves on television, to see something that they can relate to, that they feel is like them in some way, people feel validated. Its not a little thing, it really means a lot to people."

Am I That Elitist Critic Who Hates Everything?

I don't really like movies so much. By which I mean: I don't like movies. I usually hesitate to mention this to people, because the reactions I receive are frequently more than I can bear.

FRIEND

What do you mean you don't like movies?

ME
Don't really like 'em. They're... not really... my thing.

FRIEND
You can't dislike all movies.

ME
I've liked some movies before, but generally I don't want to watch a movie.

FRIEND
But you like TV? TV is the same as movies but not as good.

ME
That's not really accurate... Let's just forget about it.

FRIEND
No. You have to explain this to me.

ME
It's just not really a form of storytelling that appeals to me.

FRIEND
I mean, some movies are bad, but you can't tell me you didn't like Gone With the Wind/The Godfather/Shawshank Redemption/Lord of the Rings/The Dark Knight/Inception!!

ME
I didn't see those movies...

FRIEND
You DIDN'T SEE the best movie of the year/our generation/all time?!

ME
No... because I don't like movies?

FRIEND(?)
How can you say you don't like movies when you haven't seen Citizen Kane/Aliens/Schindler's List/Iron Man/Avatar?!!

Then they all look at me with the same expression - a mix of contempt and pity. Disappointment. "I thought I knew you," their eyes say.

Someone actually once said, "This makes me lose respect for you."

Look, here's what it is. I prefer a form of storytelling that can explore greater depths of character. Features don't have the time for it. But besides my personal preference in the types of stories I want to see, think about this:

Most movies are trash - just like most of what's on television is trash and most books are trash. The thing about movies is that it is way more difficult to sift through the rubbish to find the good. It's harder to walk out of a movie than it is to change the channel or put down a book. It just is. What books and television offer me is a much greater potential for hours of enjoyment. A TV series or a novel or a feature film is equally likely to be terrible, but if you find a good television show you've found 13, 22, maybe even 100 hours of fun.

Even the best movie can only promise you 2-3 hours' amusement.

Sorry, Eddie.