In the Oct. 20 issue of US Weekly, there's a story about an alleged, "weight controversy" on the popular drama, "Desperate Housewives."
A cute 6-year-old, Madison de la Garza, plays 4-year-old Juanita, daughter to spoiled former model Gabby, who isn't happy her daughter is "the fat kid."
In the tabloid' story about the the controversy, they talked about whether it was a.) right to have a fat kid on the show b.) right to pick on the fat kid on the show and c.) if picking on the show's fat kid was wrong.
Hmmm. . . Is it wrong that the young girl is the pit of fat jokes on a show known for pushing the envelope?
As far as the show goes, in Wisteria Lane terms, Gabby is getting her just deserts. The vain, conniving sometimes wife of Carlos has officially been hit with what I like to call, "God having a sense of humor."
The on-screen cruelty is classic Gabby, who is really more worried about what the world thinks of her chubby baby than the child's feelings, even plays a "game" to try to get the child to work out, tricking Juanita into running behind the car.
Cruel, yes, but also deliciously funny. (I know my mom wanted to make me run behind the car sometimes, but not because I was chubby, because I was bad.)
Do I think the show is being mean to this kid? No.
It's creator and brain child, Mark Cherry, was and continues to be pleasantly plump. He didn't take the criticism too seriously, and said they're not making fun of childhood obesity, or obesity in the Hispanic community.
The storyline is as Gabby would have it - all about her - and her inability to deal with not having a "perfect" child.
It appears that folks on the set are mindful of Madison, and are not trying to hurt her feelings.
Also, this may come as a shock, but she's not the first girl to play "the fat kid."
I know, shocking!
I think we should be aware of the obesity problem in America, but seriously, folks, this is a television show. It's a sometimes-hard-to-believe romp in a suburbia that none of hope to live.
If Madison's parents are OK with it (they are), then we should enjoy the show and focus on more important issues. . . like Britney Spears' big comeback. . . (smile)
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