Why is it that on modern sitcoms, the husband is often fat and unattractive and the wife is beautiful and fit?

Question

Of course, this is not always the case; but I have found it to be so on several shows. What message does this send?

Answer 1

Just goes to show you who they're directing the show at....fat, middle aged, sloppy dumb guys who in reality would NEVER get to hook up with Courtney Thorne Smith unless they had a really nice size wad of money.
These shows just leave out the "wad of money" part.

Answer 2

I don't know the proper answer to this question but, I have noticed the fat guy/hot wife format on a lot of shows...

It just seems like yeah, he's a fat guy but look at him with this hot chick...that can be you, dude, crack open another beer and come up with some crazy scheme and your wife will come in the room, wearing a pair of Sevens, looking hot as hell and serve you a plate of Nachos, too...

I was actually refreshed at the fact that on Reba, the new wife was not a skinny young stick...even though I think men shouldn't cheat, of course...

And truth be told, the women my husband thinks are the hottest on sitcoms are the one from Grounded For Life and The War At Home, these are not super skinny girls but, they have a hotness that cannot be denied...

Answer 3

TV often uses stereotypes and you see this in real life too. There are a number of factors involved.

Women and men are not held to the same standards. I've known fat men (like 75+ overweight) who won't consider a woman even 10-20lbs over weight. Even in TV and movies stars, the actresses must stay perfect but the actors can develop a tummy over the years and it's okay.

I've also know a number of really thin women who love feeding their husbands. I think they can't eat much so they compensate by feeding people.

I hate to stereotype this way guys, but I've noticed over the years that personality can override unattractive and fat for women more often than men.

Answer 4

Have you ever noticed that on every show- the women are always really skinny, The only one that was not that way was Roseanne, but she was still not as large as her hubby.

I think having women who have perfect bodies on tv is not a good thing. It is not a realistic view of what we really are or even should be. However, if we are looking to the television to give us our values or a sense of reality, then we are in serious trouble.

Edit***

It is not that only skinny women try out for these parts, it is that the Pigs who do the casting for these shows will only choose skinny women. Then they require them to stay skinny. Look at the story of Judy Garland. Her studio would not let her gain any weight, they got her hooked on weight loss drugs. In Hollywood, it is okay for men to put on a few pounds, but if a woman does it then it is completely taboo. I mean look at how everyone is screaming about Tyra Banks. She looks great, but everyone is saying that she is fat. That is insane. But when a guy gains a little wieght, nobody says anything.

Answer 5

Even tho it's kinda messed up, I think guys get away with it more because honestly if you put a women and a man together that are about the same amount over weight, the man looks better than the woman unless the woman holds her weight really well or is really pretty in the face. Also I think chubby guys are more attractive then fit guys, and a lot of women are the same way.

Answer 6

I've noticed that too. What I also don't like is that they make the wives come off as mean to the husbands. They are always yelling at the men - King of Queens, Malcolm in the Middle, Everybody Loves Raymond - just to name a few. It's kinda degrading and makes the men look worthless and stupid which I don't find very funny.

Answer 7

Having two unattractive people would be unappealing to audiences.
Having two very attractive people would be a bit too removed from reality.
Both men and women in the audience would probably rather look at a nice looking woman with an average or unattractive male spouse, than the reverse.

Answer 8

Because fat unattractive men are big on the comedy scene. They have the show built around them. They are usually the star. Why would they want to have a fat ugly leading lady playing their wife?

Answer 9

Television is trying to push the fact that most women love someone for more than their looks. Men are the ones that go for looks and thats how its alsways shown. Personality is a great thing but the looks have to be tolerable! As much as people don't like to admit it there has to be something physically attractive about their mate. Woman aren't as fussy but if there isn't a phyisical attrction there wont be sex.

Answer 10

Fat and ugly guys are funny. By the end of the show I think the fat ugly guys are cute because they are so funny. Plus the attractive women can be mean....who wants to watch a fat ugly woman be mean???

Answer 11

I think in sitcoms, we want to see the husband as "the teddybear type".

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