Demand for more ugly people on TV

aftenposten ^ | 10/17/02

[Ranger]

Lecturer Trond Andresen of the Norwegian Institute of Technology in Trondheim accuses the media of discriminating against the ugly and emphasizing beautiful people whenever possible. Andresen wants higher ugly quotas on television.

"Ugly people should be spotlighted in the media in the same way that the media wishes to emphasize persons from ethnic minorities," Andresen, a lecture at the Department of Engineering Cybernetics, said to newspaper Bergens Tidende.

Andresen blasts journalists, photographers and TV producers for concentrating on beautiful faces and bodies and accuses the press of choosing attractive interviewees from schools or the workplace, and avoiding others.

Andresen compares the phenomenon with racial discrimination. "Ugly people are as ignored today as dark-skinned people. They are told daily that they are inferior. This isn't done openly, but indirectly, by overlooking them, by focusing on appearance in advertising, TV-series, magazines, schools and in groups," Andresen said.

Andresen believes the focus on appearance is a serious social problem that makes young people insecure and increases their own dissatisfaction with how they look. Possible outcomes are eating disorders, psychological problems and cosmetic surgery.

Andresen doesn't find it easy to argue his case.

"If I were chosen for a TV debate I would obviously be assessed by viewers - not for what I had said, but for how I looked," Andresen said.

The academic has suggestions about how to combat the situation; with a choice of subjects to interview, do not approach the attractive ones - instead give the ugly a higher quota. Andresen also advises that media reports ignore mentioning appearance if it is not directly relevant.

Researcher Wencke Mühleisen at the Center for Women and Gender Research backs Andresen and agrees the media should be giving the ugly more exposure.

TV 2 news editor Kjell Oevre-Helland, on the other hand, could not agree less.

"Claiming that we consciously pick out the best looking people to interview is absurd and totally meaningless. That would mean that we depart from the main point of journalism, which is to talk to those who have influence and something important to say. That often means middle-aged men without particularly attractive characteristics," Oevre-Helland said.

[TexKat]

They need to tune in to Jerry Springer. All the uglies one can possibly handled.

[Billie]

It is funny - but should we thank him for pinging us the way he did? LOL!

[mhking]

"Hold muh beer 'n watch this!" PING....

If you want on or off this list, please let me know!
This has come about after much badgering by you, my friends and extended family...

[BuddhaBoy]

Nature descriminates against the ugly, so why not television? This is like having blind pilots, fat cheerleaders and short basketball players.

[Ranger]

I'd be for it if they flashed a warning announcement before a program came on showing a really ugly person. Kind of like a PG rating for language, nudity, ugly, ugly-nude and so on.

[vollmond]

Heck, just watch regular BBC programming if you want ugly people. But if you want beautiful, I suggest any Spanish soap opera on American cable television.

[Ranger]

Your right. My wife can't figure out why I watch Spanish television when I can barely order an enchilada off a menu.

[albee]

"...I would like to take this opportunity and submit myself as a candidate for the position.

Sorry, you've got too much competition. If you don't believe me, go to http://www.uglypeople.com

[JustAmy]

I think not!!!!
Thanks for the ping to the article, ofMagog but we are the beautiful people. LOL

[TC Rider]

What nonsense. If you were an alien that tried to gauge the representation of different ethic groups by watching TV, you would think whites and Asians made up about 50 percent of the population and blacks and latinos made up the other 50 percent.

It the only networks they could pick up were the WB and UPN they'd think we were all black, the women ran the country and the men were buffoons.

[Blue Screen of Death]

This is not so far off the mark. I remember a couple of years ago seeing a local "expose" on the TV where a pair of beautiful talking-head bimbettes did this blockbuster show to demonstrate that pretty women get better jobs than their ugly sisters. They were apalled and it was related to this horrible male-sexist society. These two never seemed to figure out they were on the TV because of their looks, not thier brains. Morons with boobs.

[Bon mots]

You want ugly?

Introducing...
THE CHELSEA SHOW

[Destructor]

Imagine a show like "Baywatch" with a bunch of lard-@$$ dogs waddling down the beach. The thought sends a chill down my spine.

[spoiler2]

So let me get this right....

A "normal" appearing person with sound acting experience could get passed over for an "uglier" person with less experience or skills, because of something like ....Affirmative Appearance Action?

[Grut]

Yes, but there are no ugly Norwegians! Only Swedes.

Uff da!

[shaggy eel]

<

,,, tap me, tap me!!!

[WyCoKsRepublican]

#3 Helen Thomas was so ugly as a child, she had to Treat or Treat over the phone!

[Paul Atreides]

Good grief!

[Paul Atreides]

Helen Thomas has enough sagging skin to start her own business, selling grafts to burn victims.

[wardaddy]

No way...this gal had better be here to stay!