"There is difference and there is power. And who holds the power decides the meaning of the difference." --June Jordan

Monday, November 17, 2008

Did Anyone Just See Big Bang Theory?

A genuine fat girl played a love interest for the character Leonard, which is amazing enough, but here's the coolest part:

NOT A SINGLE FAT STEREOTYPE WAS EMPLOYED.

Not a one. She was portrayed as an attractive and desirable doctor with no self esteem issues whatsoever. The other characters made no mention or issue of her size, and even though she totally got. it. on. with Lenoard, she was in no way hypersexualized. I'm just... floored. I already loved this show, but it just won major points with me.

(I'm not going to mention the interesting fact that maybe the show found it more okay for Leonard to date a fat girl, since his character is also non-traditionally attractive due to his geekiness. I'm too impressed in general to try to diminish it.)

Anyone know who that actress was?

7 comments:

SLiver of Jade said...

Wow, considering the usual blatant stereotyping on that show I am pleasantly surprised. Now if they ever pass the Bechdel test I will have a heart attack.

Tracey said...

Yeah, good point. I like that they made Leslie Winkle a recurring character, but there's never any good reason for her and Penny to be in the same room together, and even if they were, the only thing they have in common is Leonard.

We will have really made it when there could be a similar show about a group of geeky girls, but, alas, geek culture is totally associated with maleness.

Anonymous said...

Everyone knows that boys are geeky because they genuinely care about nerd stuff like computers and video games, while girls only pretend to be geeky to attract boys.

Tracey said...

Oh, is that why we were in marching band in high school?

Anonymous said...

Obvs. How else would I have gotten up the nerve to speak to Josh Ramey? Swoon.

Anonymous said...

Sara Rue. She was also on "Popular" and that Andy Dick/Sherri Shepard show that no one ever watched, but someone it still lasted 4 seasons. She was also the "SHEEP! You are all sheep. Bah!" girl from "Can't Hardly Wait."

Anonymous said...

In her last bbt episode she did in fact exhibit self esteem issues. She was terrible which is why they abruptly terminated that whole story line.