obese tv anchor attacks bully on air

[Ksandra]

Most of you have probably already heard about this since it's everywhere, but curious as to people's take on it.

http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-...ticism-2012310

Jennifer Livingston has gone from reporting the news to becoming the news.

The WKBT News 8 anchor received a letter from disgruntled viewer Kenneth W. Krause, which Livingston read aloud on TV October 2. "It's unusual that I see your morning show, but I did so for a very short time today," Livingston quoted Krause as saying. "I was surprised indeed to witness that your physical condition hasn't improved for many years. Surely you don't consider yourself a suitable example for this community's young people, girls in particular."


Krause continued, "Obesity is one of the worst choices a person can make and one of the most dangerous habits to maintain. I leave you this note hoping that you'll reconsider your responsibility as a local public personality to present and promote a healthy lifestyle."


Wisconsin-based Livingston then addressed Krause directly, telling viewers, "The truth is, I am overweight. You could call me fat, even obese, on a doctor's chart. But, to the person who wrote me that letter, do you think I don't know that? That your cruel words are pointing out something I don't see?"

"You don't know me. You are not a friend of mine," Livingston continued. "You are not a part of my family and you have admitted that you don't watch this show, so you know nothing about me but what you see on the outside. And I am much more than a number on a scale."

Livingston, a married mother-of-three, received words of encouragement from other viewers on WKBT's Facebook page. She also received support from Ellen DeGeneres, 54, via Twitter. "What a powerful message against bullying," the comedienne told Livingston. "I would love to meet you in person."


During her on-air response, Livingston also reminded viewers that October is National Anti-Bullying Month. "That man's words mean nothing to me. But what really angers me about this is there are children who don't know better, who get e-mails as critical as the one I received -- or in many cases, even worse -- each and every day," she said. "Learn from my experience that the cruel words of one are nothing compared to the shouts of many."

Do you think Krause was right, or Livingston (or both)? Should tv personalities be models of perfect health, or should they be expressing diversity? Was this even a case of bullying?


Irrelevant note: she's Ron Livingston's sister, which surprised me as there seems to be no resemblance lol

[Gryffes]

Since when did accurately labelling someone count as bullying?

If she was drunk regularly or did meth on air it would be fair criticism of a stupid choice - the viewer who complained is pretty accurate that it ( barring health reasons as a root cause ) is a terrible and avoidable life choice on display to a wide audience.
Her argument seems to be that we should shit unicorns and piss rainbows.

[Conrad]

I really really like that she used it as a platform to address bullying and anti-bullying month. Lady killed it.

edit:

Since when did accurately labelling someone count as bullying?

If she was drunk regularly or did meth on air it would be fair criticism of a stupid choice - the viewer who complained is pretty accurate that it ( barring health reasons ) is a terrible and avoidable life choice on display to a wide audience.
Her argument seems to be that we should shit unicorns and piss rainbows.

shut up

[Salodin]

You would be the one to post this in it's own thread.

Big todo about nothing. Girl should try a little harder to live a healthier life style, not attack a dude one way for his opinion that she should try a little harder at living a better life style. Dudes an ass, shes just as big an ass for calling him out on TV like that.

[Gryffes]

shut up

I could be convinced by a decent argument that she shouldn't be criticised for her poor decision making, but "shut up" isn't one.

[Xtrasweettea]

I'd hit that (not being sarcastic).

[Brill Weave]

Since when did accurately labelling someone count as bullying?

If she was drunk regularly or did meth on air it would be fair criticism of a stupid choice - the viewer who complained is pretty accurate that it ( barring health reasons as a root cause ) is a terrible and avoidable life choice on display to a wide audience.
Her argument seems to be that we should shit unicorns and piss rainbows.

You're an idiot.

Surely you don't consider yourself a suitable example for this community's young people, girls in particular.

With that comment, he basically is saying that because she is fat she has no redeeming qualities that would make her suitable to be a role model. That she's unworthy of the spot that she's in. How is that not bullying?

In answer to your question K, tv personalities should not be the model image of perfect health. Because that's not how the world works.

[Aurara]

I agree, she was very well spoken and put that douchebag on blast.

[Manako]

Definitely is bullying regardless of how you feel about "being a model of health" and I think her message is important and very well said. Pisses me off that I go to facebook and see my In-Laws harping on how its OK to be fat, totally ignoring the point that her issue is bullying. Does she say its ok to be fat? NO, she's says her fat is none of your business. Bullying, racism etc is a huge issue and I think she hit the hammer on the head as far as that is concerned.

[Conrad]

I could be convinced by a decent argument that she shouldn't be criticised for her poor decision making, but "shut up" isn't one.

shut up please

[Ksandra]

You would be the one to post this in it's own thread.

they won't shut up about it on the news so figured I'd post it. Doesn't mean I side with the anchor. While I don't think tv personalities should be conformed into being all thin, and approve of seeing different weights on the air, I think she she really over did it The guy didn't say "LOL YOU'RE FAT" It wasn't "bullying" just honest criticism. And while I may not agree with his criticism, I don't think she should have gone the route she did.

[Warudo Ecksu]

I just saw this article. You know, as a child I don't recall ever wanting to have the same body-type as the people I saw on TV. I think the dude was wrong to just email her up and call her a bad role model for girls because of her weight. I also lol'd at how he called obesity a "choice." This lady is a mother of three so I just easily make the assumption she put on weight while pregnant and never lost it. She was definitely right in behaviors being learned and that if little Timmy hears daddy call the lady on tv fat he's probably going to do the same at school.

If we make everyone on TV look like a Barbie doll, then aren't we just telling our kids that you have to be skinny and pretty or you're not fit to be seen?

[Pharaun]

You're an idiot.

With that comment, he basically is saying that because she is fat she has no redeeming qualities that would make her suitable to be a role model. That she's unworthy of the spot that she's in. How is that not bullying?

In answer to your question K, tv personalities should not be the model image of perfect health. Because that's not how the world works.

Brill pretty much nailed it. Just because she is overweight doesn't mean that she is setting a horrible example for people. I'd actually argue that if we required everyone who is considered to be a public personality to have a perfect body type to be even worse since it can set unrealistically high standards that not everyone can achieve.

[Conrad]

The worst part of this was the idea that she should be a "role model" to kids and fix her body. This is the kind of shit that propagates the low body image among young girls, and has been shown to begin at fucking 4-5 years old. Kindergarteners shouldn't be dieting and trying to look thin, and that's exactly the kind of mindset that letter is trying to impose upon others. Guy is a scumbag

[Ashmada]

I think it's time to take a stand. Draw a line in the stand. This far, no further!


It's "much ado about nothing", not "big todo about nothing". Do not tolerate such egregious mixups!

Oh, yeah, fatty vs trolly. Well, successful troll is successful. Come on, the dude managed to derail her TV show just by calling her fat, that's pretty masterful trolling.
He should do a follow up for MOAR LULZ.

[hey]

Brill pretty much nailed it. Just because she is overweight doesn't mean that she is setting a horrible example for people. I'd actually argue that if we required everyone who is considered to be a public personality to have a perfect body type to be even worse since it can set unrealistically high standards that not everyone can achieve.

You don't need to be "perfect" to not be a bad role model (i'm not saying she's a bad role model).

The guy is a douchebag but to some (small) extent, he does have a point.

I also lol'd at how he called obesity a "choice." This lady is a mother of three so I just easily make the assumption she put on weight while pregnant and never lost it.

Weight doesn't lose itself. If she didn't lose any weight after, it's because she didn't work (hard enough) on it.

Some may have a harder time than others, but it is NEVER impossible for anyone to stay at a healthy weight, if they really want to.

[Ksandra]

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertai...onds-to-bully/

emailer commented about his statement:

“Given this country’s present epidemic of obesity and the many truly horrible diseases related thereto, and considering Jennifer Livingston’s fortuitous position in the community, I hope she will finally take advantage of a rare and golden opportunity to influence the health and psychological well-being of Coulee Region children by transforming herself for all of her viewers to see over the next year, and, to that end, I would be absolutely pleased to offer Jennifer any advice or support she would be willing to accept.”

I think the problem here is huge ignorance. I don't know if they guy registers how this is making her feel or w/e but I imagine with this statement anytime she does her running (husband in that article mentions she exercises) dude is gonna think it's because of what he wrote.

[Xajii]

I'm not surprised people on BG are defending this guy, given the proclivity to e-bullying around here

Good on her, she could've ignored the entire thing but chose to make an example of the guy.

Really, "he has a point"? I don't think there's really any point to calling someone fat for the sake of calling them fat and that's what this guy did.

[Warudo Ecksu]

Weight doesn't lose itself. If she didn't lose any weight after, it's because she didn't work (hard enough) on it.

Some may have a harder time than others, but it is NEVER impossible for anyone to stay at a healthy weight, if they really want to.

I understand that. I lost 20 pounds last year, and it took a whole lot of running and then more running and not having a life outside of running and work. I see moms at work struggle with their weight all the time though because their hands are full with a bunch of kids running around their house raising hell. It's really situational because you have the moms who sit at home on their butts all day and do nothing and stay fat. Then you have the moms who can't even get a minute to themselves b/c they're constantly doing stuff for their kids and working and taking classes etc so going to the gym is the last thing on their minds. I don't know what that lady's home life is like so I can't really judge her.

[hey]

I think the problem here is huge ignorance. I don't know if they guy registers how this is making her feel or w/e but I imagine with this statement anytime she does her running (husband in that article mentions she exercises) dude is gonna think it's because of what he wrote.

Really, "he has a point"? I don't think there's really any point to calling someone fat for the sake of calling them fat and that's what this guy did.

Replace being fat with smoking, and see if that makes more sense. Both are bad health choices.