For instance, I believe the appeal in watching Little People, Big World would be because of curiosity and interest in the audience to learn more about a particular group of people, struggling with a disability. Thus, the producers would want the show to appear more sympathetic and have a softer outlook on the lives of these people who receive a lot of media attention in regards to entertainment. Also, I believe the show is also an attempt to pacify little people who feel wronged by the exploitative shows starring “midgets.” As Backstrom points out, dwarfs are seen as a commodity of sorts in modern media and entertainment outlets seem to use this to their best advantage. In contrast to Spike TV’s shows of midget wrestling and even Chelsea Lately’s blatant disrespect to her “midget Mexican side-kick” Chuey, this show provides a different side to the story, which brings support from the population of little people who feel wronged.

In contrast, I believe the audiences for Ruby are looking for one thing, to see someone lose weight. After the success of shows such as The Biggest Loser, it seems as though weight loss becomes a game and a thrill, rather than an issue surrounded by emotions and struggles. In comparison to the tough trainers on The Biggest Loser, a woman being followed in her day to day life battling with obesity is much more relate-able and allows for Ruby to seem like a real person, not just a contestant to root for. Also, I think the show allows those suffering from obesity to relate to another person in a similar situation and see they are not the only one.

Personally, while I think society has unrealistic expectations of body image and the stigmas surrounding obese people may have a psychological effect on them, I believe the expectation of body modification is one Ruby and others suffering from obesity would support. Obesity is a health hazard, and as Backstrom said, is an achieved status, not ascribed. That being said, I don’t think the difference between the two shows is necessarily about a certain type of abnormal body size being more acceptable than another, I think the difference is the audience it is serving. In addition to this, I think both shows have an underlying message of being healthy. While Little People, Big World is focused on the mental health of accepting oneself, Ruby is focused on the physical health of a woman trying to reach a healthy body weight once more.