TV Show Starved

The media department at ObesityHelp.com is interested in finding out what our members feelings are about the new FX tv show titled Starved, which airs Thursday nights at 10 p.m. Do you take offense to the dialogue about four friends dealing with their individual eating disorders or do you find it funny? Please respond to this post telling us what you think.

Ronda Einbinder
ObesityHelp
Public Relations Manager :type:

Hi Ronda I guess I find ...... it can at times be funny but with a caveat.? Weight loss and Obesity is such a intense, emotionally charged subject that its easy to get hurt.... I was near 800 pounds at one point and never left the house. Then diagnosed with sleep apnea.... I lost to around 660.. 640...and stayed there for nearly ten years. I am now happy, 450lbs, 8 months post op, and excited to be alive. But I know that even now I get my feelings hurt sometimes. The MEDIA and entertainment has for so long focused on **cardboard cut out people** that we have not gotten a look **inside** what it means to have an eating disorder. I grew up with a gal pal friend that had bulemia, image issues, and carrot tosis (not sure if its a disease but literally she ate carrots morning noon and night and her hands, feet, and areas of skin changed to slight burnt orange color which ceased when she got help) I have had other friends with morbid obesity as I am (I am now just morbid.. I was super morbid. Its good to be less : P) and other friends with anorexia, and bulimea. Some of them could laugh at the situations in their lives sometimes, and find strength and HEALING from the laughter. But others.. couldnt. I guess the question is.... is it healthy laughter or RIDICULE.. and does the show deal with eating issues in a positive way in any form? I have only seen one episode... it was funny but at the same time... was it a healthy LAUGHTER or at someones ... **expense**? EXCELLENT food for discussion.. food for thought. What does everyone else think? I suggest we monitor the show... I know I will seek it out and watch now to try and see how they deal with issues. I think that perhaps letters to the show and producer urging them to deal with some of the issues meaningfully and not just droll or for a laugh might help too? Im game. Sign me up. I believe that the KEY to weight loss... even MORE than surgery is SUPPORT.. thats why OH and its boards, and in person WLS support groups are so vital. I cheat... in a way cuz my new lovely wife is post op and we have our own support group going just us.. but recently I joined the Toms River NJ group... and I am finding that very uplifting and helpful. We (the WLS post and pre surgery folk of the world) have a VOICE.. we need to monitor this show and if its a cheap, tawdry attempt at humor ONLY... then we need to try to get them to cancel it. I think a little self depreciating humor is healthy? BUT.. what is self depreciating for one is intense and hurtful to another... so its an EXCELLENT idea to monitor the show. Good Idea Ronda !! Timmy Ray Sytsma PS they also replay Starved at other times during the week.. check local listings for date and time.