Popsquire

Popsquire is very disappointed in last night’s episode of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser.”  If you didn’t watch, shame on you, but here’s what you need to know…

TBL typically has a standard format.  Teams exercise, lose weight, and weigh in.  Then, the teams who lose the least weight are subject to potential elimination.  But, not last night!

Instead, one team was given the power to eliminate the team of their choice.  As a result, Popsquire’s favorite team — Bette Sue and Alli — went home, even though they performed well.

TBL is not supposed to be Survivor or Big Brother.  Shame on you, NBC!

Popsquire’s perspective…

Like a good lawyer, Popsquire must separate emotion from law.  In reality, these contestants likely signed a contract informing them that the producers were entitled to change the rules at any time and in any way they choose. 

Popsquire can’t be the only one singing along to Whitney Houston’s hit, “It’s Not Right, But It’s Ok…”  Come on!

Popsquire definitely remains a huge fan of The Biggest Loser, Season 5.  This show has so much heart!  Most importantly, it presents a fascinating collision between pop culture and law.

Last week, Popsquire explained in this post that overweight people generally have no legal recourse if they are victims of discrimination.  Popsquire is happy to report that although Michigan is the only *state* with protections for our larger brethren, the following places have enacted some prohibitions againt weight discrimination:

District of Columbia;

Santa Cruz; and

San Francisco.

As a message to all other cities and states, join Popsquire in shouting “You’re Gonna Love Me” along with Jennifer Hudson.  Come on!

Popsquire loves NBC’s The Biggest Loser, Season 5.  If you didn’t watch tonight’s premiere, you should catch up here.  It has everything you can want from reality tv: competition, emotion, and inspiration.  

Most importantly, it also presents a collision between pop culture and law.  According to the Council on Size and Weight Discrimination (CSWD), discrimination against larger people is rampant.  For example, CSWD claims that heavier workers are paid $1.25 less an hour and, over a 40-year career, they will earn up to $100,000 less before taxes than their thinner counterparts.

Do larger people have legal protections against discrimination in the workplace?  

Not really. 

Michigan is the only state with a law that specifically protects overweight people from discrimination in the workplace.  Everyone else is pretty much out of luck, unless you are disabled or perceived as being disabled due to weight.  This disability exception, however, likely applies to a very limited number of people.

I think this is terrible.  What do you think?  Have you ever witnessed or experienced discrimination based on weight?