Bluey Episode Edited Following Complaints of Fat Shaming
Australia’s massively popular kids’ show Bluey has edited one of its episodes after concerns of fat shaming were brought to light by viewers.
In the Season 3 episode titled “Exercise” (which has yet to hit Disney+ Stateside), Bluey’s dad Bandit begins a fitness regime after he weighs himself on a scale and grabs his belly. When the episode does hit the States, it will be the edited take.
“The recent episode of Bluey, ‘Exercise,’ has been republished by the ABC following a decision by the makers of the program,” the ABC said in a statement. “The new version provides families with the opportunity to manage important conversations in their own way. As the home of Bluey, the ABC supports the decision to re-edit the program and we have updated the episode on our platforms. BBC Studios will use this revised version for global distribution and also support this decision.”
Viewers online sparked the change after claiming the episode promoted a toxic message about weight. One TikTok user, Aussie Girl Margie, noted that Bluey’s parents’ disappointment after stepping on a scale was problematic, while a pediatric dietitian, Dr. Kyla Ringrose, wrote, “Watching Bandit and Chilli weigh themselves and openly hate on their bodies in front of the kids was really uncomfortable.”
This isn’t the first time the cartoon edited its content following controversy. In 2020, Ludo Studio producers removed the term “ooga booga” from two of its episodes after fielding complaints about negative racial connotations for Indigenous Australians.
Did the show make the right call to edit the episode? Drop your thoughts below.
…*sigh*…
Listen, I’m all for loving yourself and your body but it is not bad for kids to see this. Speaking as a former overweight child, real parents have this reaction.
Obesity is the leading cause of health problems and death. It is negative. It’s not fat-shaming showing someone reacting negatively to being overweight and taking action to get in shape. With so many children obese and with diabetes, it’s an important message.
Your right but today’s world you cannot say anything negative about obesity. If you do it is handled with kid gloves and have to add “but you should love your body”.
In defense, us middle aged folks need to watch our weight to better manage BP, cholesterol, sugars, etc. If the child was doing it, then I could see the argument.
In my family, we skinny-shame, the opposite of “fat shaming.” My mom and I are very slim people due to high metabolism and we ea very healthy, and I have GI issues in which low weight is a symptom.
While it sounds complimenting, it’s not because it messes with our perception with ourselves. However, it’s also a natural reaction because our brain tends to feed on negative and we want to do something about it. Not doing anything is only making the issues worse.
Although, in both I’m my mom and I’s, we can’t gain for the sake of gaining.
I mean, it sounds like the episode will still be about health and exercise, just it’ll be more about trying to be health… There’s a huge difference between wanting to improve/maintain your body and actually hating your body. Hating your body is the wrong message to send, sounds like this edit is probably the right choice.
But the parents didn’t hate; they just shown a natural, realistic reaction. No one is going to feel good about what they see on the scale, but taking appropriate action is how it’s handled.
Wake up, everyone. The culture wants you fat, sick, and emotionally unstable. Ask yourself why.
health care and meds are costly obesity related health issues will definitely make the rich happy.
Lol bless their little, sensitive hearts.
Having just watched the unedited episode, it’s a really much ado about nothing. Bandit steps on the scale, says “Aww, man!”, pinches his belly and realizes he needs to resume exercising.
As a overweight middle-aged man, I’ve done that a lot in front of my kid. I think it’s important for her to know that neglecting to exercise is not good for her health.
Huh? What about “thinshaming/skinny shaming” that’s also a thing that isn’t talked about. I know what it’s like to be thin and people assuming that I have an eating disorder or telling me I need to eat. It works both ways. But this topic on a kids show is taking it too far because kids cannot comprehend the complexity of the matter.
Lolololololol.
It is clear this audience needs to read up on the more recent research around weight. Namely that many have a genetic predisposition to be obesity, and sustainable weight loss is near impossible (the body actively fights it, trying to hang onto the weight when you go into a calorie deficit, its survival). Movement and nutritious eating are very important with many, many benefits, and should absolutely be modeled. However, shaming people is not “motivating.” They know they’re in a bigger body; they do not need you to remind them.