October 18, 2009

The Big Reveal

Chris J. Haston, The Kobal Collection, NBC-TV

The Biggest Loser is part of a steady diet of “makeover” shows on television. The desires of their enthusiasts should not be discounted, writes a professor at Indiana U.

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Chris J. Haston, The Kobal Collection, NBC-TV

The Biggest Loser is part of a steady diet of “makeover” shows on television. The desires of their enthusiasts should not be discounted, writes a professor at Indiana U.

By Kacie Glenn

You try not to get caught, but sometimes there isn't time to change the channel. Your roommate or spouse arrives home early, opens the door without knocking, and catches you enthralled as a formerly obese woman parades in front of her family and friends in a size-six dress, beaming and crying. Perhaps you are crying, too.

Makeover-themed reality-television shows are more popular than ever. More than 250 aired this year across all broadcast media in the United States, with a wide range