Fat suits, food tubes and public shaming: how TV shaped our body image

2025-01-27

It’s something anthropologists will no doubt look at with bewilderment in years to come: the extraordinary breadth of TV shows that were aired during the 00s. From Fat Families to How To Look Good Naked, we’re not sure there was anything more ruthless than the presenter of a show commissioned by Channel 4 between the years of 2001 and 2010.From the endless stream of TV shows capitalising on the nation’s almost hysterical fatphobia, to the background hum of misogyny that had weaved its way into every conversation broadcasted at the t...

From the endless stream of TV shows capitalising on the nation’s almost hysterical fatphobia, to the background hum of misogyny that had weaved its way into every conversation broadcasted at the time, this was a truly WILD time to have eyes, ears, or a television license. In this week’s episode - we’re taking a look at the role television has played, and still plays, in our collective body image.

Thanks so much to our amazing guests who feature on this episode: Colette Foster, Dr Joshua Wolrich and Stephanie Yeboah

Colette Foster is the founder and Creative Director of Full Fat TV, a new factual entertainment company based in Birmingham, focusing on factual entertainment and feature formats with an emphasis on emerging talent. You can read about their work here: https://fullfattv.co.uk/

Follow @drjoshuawolrich on Instagram

Read more about Dr Joshua’s work here: https://drwolrich.com/

Follow @stephanieyeboah on Instagram

Pre-order Stephanie’s book Chaotic Energy: The hilarious, heartfelt, must-read romantic comedy now!

And a special thank you to our guest who wished to remain anonymous in this episode

If you would like to get in touch - you can email us on shouldideletethatpod@gmail.com

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Should I Delete That is produced by Faye Lawrence

Music: Dex Roy

Studio Manager: Dex Roy