CMU School of Drama


Wednesday, July 25, 2018

‘Insatiable’ Accused of Fat Shaming; Petition Calls for Cancellation

Variety: A woman’s petition to cancel Netflix’s upcoming dark comedy series “Insatiable” gathered more than 118,000 signatures on Change.org on Tuesday. Signatories have decried the project as a “tone-deaf” venture that encourages “fat shaming.”

2 comments:

Maggie Helfst said...

I think the Netflix original show, Insatiable, is trying to show and bring awareness to the controversial issue of fat-shaming not defend it. As mentioned by Debby Ryan and Alyssa Milano the Netflix show is trying to address the issue not shame the character. For lack of a better explanation, I think the people who are having issues with this show are unaware of what day and age we are in right now. People more than ever are addressing difficult topics in new and innovative ways in order to tackle them effectively. I can understand why it might be difficult for some to realize that comedy can be used to address serious issues. I am also confused in some situations in media today when a touchy subject is being tackled with comedy. I think this method of discussing and debating new topics it is a great way to reach a younger audience and shed some light on something like body shaming which has been in the dark for so long. I hope this Netflix show has the good intentions I believe it does and if so I am excited to see more of it.

Mia Romsaas said...


Although I understand how the Netflix show is claiming to be trying to raise awareness to fat-shaming, I think they presented it in a questionable way. Between playing on the trope that once you get skinny then you will be popular, and the depiction of Patty’s binge eating, I can’t take this film seriously as an fat-shaming awareness piece. The film doesn't address either obesity, bullying or fat-shaming as a serious topic. Furthermore, the film also stereotypes other characters such as “trailer trash” people or religious organizations. Within the film, there are questionable jokes regarding race, sexual harassment, and sexual orientation. How is a movie showing an overweight girl being harassed and ridiculed turn popular when she loses weight tell young girls that loving your body regardless of shape is the most important? And that there is more to a person thank weight? Doesn’t this film does exactly the opposite?