Was Martin A. Ragaway irresponsible in writing season one's "Dieting"?

['80sSitcoms]

A few years ago when my sister and I were watching some season one shows, we were watching "Dieting". In those opening scenes where Blair and Sue Ann insult each other for being "fat" and get the scale and decide to diet, my sister remarked that no wonder young girls developed eating disorders if they watched this show as teenagers and looked at their own bodies in a negative light if suddenly slim and trim Blair and Sue Ann were somehow "fat" or "overweight".

It is ludicrous to think those girls were overweight at all and needed to go on any type of diet. I can see why the script was written the way it was for the story, but yeah, it does seem such an unfortunate stretch for these slim girls with great figures to be calling each other fat, and then to picture teenage girls at home with healthy bodies suddenly thinking they were fat and needed to go on a diet to be pencil-thin.

When I think of that, yikes, I'm glad that that episode wasn't seen by many viewers at all. But then, of course, it was seen more in re-runs...oh well...

[RetroGuy2000]

I think part of the point of the episode was that there is tremendous pressure on girls to be thinner, even if they are perfectly proportioned already. They even show the very lanky Nancy trying to fit into skinnier jeans. I think the episode promoted a pretty healthy message: Natalie refuses to diet, and Mrs. G diets, and then realizes it's sending the wrong message to the girls.

'80s, I want to reply to more of your posts in other threads, but I don't have any time left tonight. I promise to reply more tomorrow night.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I think part of the point of the episode was that there is tremendous pressure on girls to be thinner, even if they are perfectly proportioned already. They even show the very lanky Nancy trying to fit into skinnier jeans. I think the episode promoted a pretty healthy message: Natalie refuses to diet, and Mrs. G diets, and then realizes it's sending the wrong message to the girls.

Oh yeah, and thin, thin Nancy "squeezing" into those painted-on jeans, yikes! Although Mrs. Garrett helping her up is such a hilarious sight gag!

Hopefully it did send girls the right message, it's just kind of unbelievable how it starts out at the beginning with girls who don't need to lose any weight at all insulting each other's "fat"ness that isn't even there.