DeepSummary
The podcast episode tells the story of the 'fat suit' - a costume designed to make an actor appear overweight or obese. It explores the history of fat suits, from their origins in Shakespeare's time to their prevalence in 90s and 2000s comedies that often mocked fat people. The episode examines societal attitudes towards fatness and how they influenced the use of fat suits as tools for humor but also reinforced stigma.
As body positivity movements gained momentum, debates arose around whether fat suits were offensive or denied opportunities to actual plus-size actors. While some defended fat suits as just tools for actors, others argued real fat people should play those roles. The episode looks at recent dramas where famous actors wore fat suits purportedly for accuracy but questions if it perpetuates harmful stereotypes.
Ultimately, the episode posits that fat suits are not just physical objects but emblems of society's complex relationship with fatness - they allow thin actors to temporarily embody narratives about fatness without living the experience. It argues for giving fat actors chances to portray authentic, nuanced stories rather than reducing them to sight gags or stereotypes.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Fat suits originated in theater as early as Shakespeare's time, but became more prevalent in 90s/2000s comedies that often mocked fatness.
- While intended to allow thin actors to play fat roles, fat suits have been criticized for perpetuating harmful stigmas and denying opportunities to plus-size actors.
- Attitudes towards fat suits have shifted with the body positivity movement, leading to more scrutiny over their use and intent.
- Recent dramas have featured famous actors in fat suits purportedly for historical accuracy, but some argue this still perpetuates stereotypes.
- Fat suits are not just physical objects but emblems of society's complex relationship with fatness and larger issues of representation.
- Giving fat actors the chance to play nuanced fat roles could change prevailing shallow, one-dimensional narratives about fatness.
- While fat suits may not disappear, their use and the roles they enable should be re-examined through a more inclusive lens.
- The fat suit debate reflects larger questions about authentic storytelling and providing opportunities for marginalized groups.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “People are going to think they need to brown up, yellow up, blast up fat up. But if you create access to opportunity for folks, that will go away.“ by Mia Mask
- “We all recognize that it's problematic in some ways to have an Al Pacino playing a blind character or a Dustin Hoffman playing, you know, an autistic character. Right. We recognize, well, why didn't we employ somebody who was actually blind or autistic to play those roles?“ by Mia Mask
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Episode Information
Decoder Ring
Slate Podcasts
5/22/24
A fat suit is a custom-made costume with one goal: to make an actor appear fat without them actually having to be fat. It’s typically a unitard filled with mattress foam and other wiggly, jiggly bits—but it’s also so much more than that, an embodiment of all our cultural hang-ups about fatness. In today’s episode we’re going to consider the fat suit from all angles: how it’s made, how it’s changed, and why it continues to exist.
You’ll hear from Dawn Dininger, Royce Best, Amy Farrell, Hazel Cills, Mia Mask, and Matthew Mungle.
This episode was written and produced by Katie Shepherd. It was edited by Willa Paskin. Decoder Ring is also produced by Evan Chung and Max Freedman. Derek John is Executive Producer. Merritt Jacob is Senior Technical Director. We had mixing help from Kevin Bendis.
Special thank you to: Mike Marino, Jacqui Lucey, Gina Tonic, Kate Young, Barbara Miller and The Museum of the Moving Image.
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