Our Huge Problem

“Houston, we have a problem.”  As does San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Memphis, and most other cities and towns across the US.
 
And the problem is….we consume way more calories than we burn. Two thirds of Americans are overweight and over 12 million are severely obese (more than one hundred pounds overweight).  Michelle Obama’s big cause isn’t literacy or AIDS awareness, but rather Obesity Awareness and Prevention.  She understands we’re a country with a serious health crisis and something drastic needs to be done.
 
It’s no wonder TV shows about people with weight problems have become popular.  The Biggest Loser has an audience of over 10 million every week and has received high Nielson ratings for years.  The movie, Precious about an overweight and pregnant teen, received numerous Academy Award nominations.  Now there’s a new drama called “Huge” about a weight loss camp for teens starring Nikki Blonsky (Hairspray).
 
They always say when you’re writing fiction, make sure there’s conflict on every page. Huge took that concept and ran with it.  In fact, there’s so little “normalcy” in the show and so much conflict, you start to crave a few more characters that aren’t extremely awkward and struggling. Adolescence is ripe with discord, even when things are “well” and your thighs aren’t rubbing against each other.   When you throw together fat bullied adolescents, each with a wide variety of family issues, the angst rises faster than the needle on a scale.
 
Blonsky (Willamina or Will for short) does a great job in her angry teen role.  Her parents, both fitness instructors, are embarrassed by her and send her to camp against her wishes. Will is brash, unkempt, ornery and says things like, “I’m down with my fat”.  She boldly strips down to her underwear, flaunting her size and shape as if she doesn’t care. But, her true insecurities shine through as she deals with the rejection of her parents.
 
Then there is Chloe who attends camp with her gay brother Alistair, but is so embarrassed by him, she hides the fact they’re related.  She even finds a secret place in the woods to quickly hand him his share of care package items.
 
Hayley Hasselhoff (yes, daughter of David) plays Amber.  Amber has a Marilyn Monroe-esque quality about her – she’s platinum blonde, wears thick mascara and constantly bats her eyelashes.  Of course, she’s not nearly as overweight as the others.  In fact, many don’t understand why she’s at the camp at all because she’s so close to normal size. Therefore, her presence alone causes tension, especially for the smitten boys and jealous girls.
 
Huge does a good job portraying how extremely difficult it is to be fat while simultaneously dealing with typical adolescent issues.   Even while attending “fat camp” the campers can’t escape being viciously taunted by the athletic and good-looking kids attending the neighboring tennis camp.  
 
The leaders struggle too.  The director of the camp not only was a former camper who continues to deal with food issues, but also has a strained relationship with her father, a tense relationship with the director of the adjacent camp, and insecurities about how the previous Camp Victory director was more appreciated.  You wonder who’s more stressed, she or the kids under her watch.
 
The show is well written and acted.  The kids and counselors try and form deeper relationships and honest dialogue creates deep connections.  Blonsky does a terrific job of portraying a character both angry and vulnerable.  Though some of the dialogue and storyline is exaggerated and a couple of the counselors too quirky for my taste, Huge realistically portrays the ugly issues facing overweight/obese teenagers.  It’s hard to watch. Unfortunately, more and more of our youth will live this difficult reality if we don’t do something about our overindulgence.
 
Huge can be seen on Mondays at 9PM EST on ABC Family