It may have already been dubbed “The Fatchelor,” but “More to Love,” FOX’s new reality show that sets out to prove that “love comes in all shapes and sizes,” transcends its shortsighted, condescending nickname. In fact, it does the impossible: Provides a fresh take on the dating reality show genre and giving FOX the opportunity to produce reality tv with, dare I say it, heart.
Produced by Mike Fleiss, who brought audiences the slim, well-coiffed women and square-jawed, six-pack men of “The Bachelor,” the show stars Luke Conley, a 26-year-old, 6’3″, 330 lb., sub-contractor/real estate investor, and his search for the perfect woman, who doesn’t happen to be a perfect size 2. Or as the publicity materials explains, this one-time college football player “is searching for one curvy Cinderella to take on the romantic adventure of a lifetime.”
According to most statistics, the average American woman is now a size 14 and the CDC reports that 66% of U.S. adults over 20 are overweight or obese. While there are arguments to be made about whether a size 14 is a healthy size or if super-thin and healthy are synonymous as media seems to instruct, there is no argument to be made about voluptuous gals not being deserving of the fairy tale romances their size 2 reality show counterparts get. It’s refreshing to see these confident, non-skinny minnie, real people working it.
But there are also heart-breaking stories of rejection in past relationships and tales of weight-related lack of self esteem. These tales are compelling, and make “More to Love” more emotionally engaging than typical reality fare (what woman can’t sympathize?), but it seems that the women have farther to fall if they don’t receive the coveted promise ring than the not-soon-to-be-dateless beauties on other shows. Do you ever feel really sorry for those first few rounds of women not awarded a rose on the “Bachelor?” Not really. But last night’s first elimination was, no pun intended, gut wrenching.
My only real issue with the show: every time a participant was identified, her weight was included. Do we really need to see that? Are we putting together a fantasy football league here? Although, it was nice to see that Luke’s weight was prominently stated as well.
In the end though, it’s the sincerity and empathy of Luke and the ladies that make this show a winner. He genuinely understands what these women have been through and how his decisions effect them. And while the passed-over women may bawl off-camera, they are generous to him upon their exit.
Yes, “More to Love” sums up the stature of those taking part in this reality show, but it is also a tidy review of the show itself.
posted July 29, 2009 at 4:17 pm
To begin, I’ll admit that I haven’t seen the show, but I have heard reviews and comments by comedians who call it a ‘freak show, enabling the lazy and the unhealthy’. Keeping in mind that this was a comedian, it does bother me that they point out the weights of the women.
Is the idea not to put more reality into this ‘reality’ show? It’s as though Fox, with a wink, is showing us what this dating game show looks like with a true representative sample of our population, but then hawking it as a side-show at the same time.
I think they can and should sell it with just the reality and without the pointing and snickering. Let the comedians do that.
posted August 1, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Absolutely, Tv glorifying people who are sickeningly unhealthy and just plain old fat and allowing them to say things on national TV like “I am normal size” or whatever thst girl in the trailer says is just another way the people who shove sugar into the food are getting paid by dummies who are dying for their stupidity. I feel the same way about pigs who make stiletto heels to cripple women and who make capris and midriff-baring crap to make women pay the same as a man for half the cloth and ghet raped for it too. Women, wake up to helathy living and self-respect and resist junk food and junk clothes(the claothes largely made in China, it must be said).
posted August 5, 2009 at 7:04 pm
No. No. No. You’re seeing it all wrong.
There is nothing glorious or great about this train-wreck of a freak show.
“In the end though, it’s the sincerity and empathy of Luke and the ladies that make this show a winner.”
Luke is not sincere. He has the personality of a melting stick of butter, and every line he delivers is canned and cliched. Nothing he says makes me feel like he is genuine; his expressions, statements, and actions denote just how sheerly and utterly vapid he is.
“It’s refreshing to see these confident, non-skinny minnie, real people working it.”
Confident? These women aren’t confident! They cry at the drop of a hat, whining about how they want someone who will love them for them. Don’t we ALL want someone who will love me for me? I know my boyfriend loves ME for WHO I AM, not because I’m a size 4. The majority of the women on this show NEED psychiatric evaluation and intense therapy.
It also amazes me just how fast these women fall in love. “Omg, he’s the PERFECT man!” “I could see myself spending the rest of my life with him!” Are you flipping serious? You INTERACTED FOR SEVEN MINUTES!
This show is no better than Rock of Love or Flavor of Love or the Bachelor. Except with More to Love, the hors d’oeuvres are MEAT STICKS.
Disagree with me? Check out my blog; I’d be interested to hear your arguments.
posted August 12, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Wow Linda, someone needs to eat a calorie and calm down. Yep honey, every fat person is so unhealthy and every thin person isn’t. Just don’t watch. Also Miz, the smaller girls on the other bachelor shows cry when they get eliminated too. These shows fuel everyone with plenty of alcohol to help get the emotions and tears flowing.
posted August 12, 2009 at 3:17 pm
I think the people on this show are all good looking. I like watching these types of shows out of curiosity to see if anyone makes it long term as a couple. I like romance in all sizes because that’s the way the real world is.
posted September 15, 2009 at 10:00 pm
I think I cried HARDER then her …….This was the greatest show ever.I knew from the begining that they would be together..I love it ..Im so excited.I have never been soooooo conected to a show in my life like I have with this one .Absalootly the greatest.I want to go to there wedding..CONGRATS……