Hello everyone,
Though I'm restricted in what I am allowed to say about this, I thought folks here would want to know that several members of this forum will soon be making an appearance on "The Dr. Oz Show." There's not much I can reveal about it other than that it will air on Thursday, September 22nd and that it deals with BBW/FA related issues. I was invited to appear on the show as a result of having produced the tribute album "WHOLE LOTTA LOVE: An All-Star Salute To Fat Chicks" (info linked in signature below). Though the opportunity to spread the word about my pro-BBW project was a factor in agreeing to appear, that was not the focus of the program.
While I am disallowed from revealing the specifics of the episode, I can tell you that from past experience on TV talk shows that more often than not, the broadcast version usually bears only a passing resemblance to what transpired during the taping. Key moments are frequently edited out and comments from the panel guests are often used out of context, changing the meaning of the spoken words. For my own part, I can tell you that the statements I make whenever appearing on such programs are always intended as positive advocacy for both BBWs and this community as a whole. That said, such on-camera conversations are rarely thorough or open-ended; the host usually has an agenda he or she is hoping to further through discussion with the guests. As such, one must do one's best to put forth the desired message in response to some very specific (i.e., loaded) questions. Again, I am speaking in general about such programs and not about any one in particular.
I post these remarks as a preemptive measure, since I know how these types of shows often evoke harsh criticism of their guests after the fact. Unfortunately, by the time this episode airs, I will likely be homeless. My situation is actually even more dire than that, but the crux of the matter is that I'm about to lose the home in which I've lived all 42 years of my life. This all came about very suddenly, while I was otherwise consumed with ongoing work on the album. I've since spent virtually every waking moment of the past few months attempting to stave off this coming disaster, but by now the situation has turned quite grim. Things will be coming to a head sometime within the next 14 days and I don't know what sort of autonomy I'll be afforded as the date draws closer. That said, I wanted to post about this upcoming broadcast while I am still able.
In closing, I apologize for my lack of participation here in recent years, but efforts to bring my "WHOLE LOTTA LOVE" project to fruition have consumed the bulk of my energies for the past 30+ months. This project has been the largest, most challenging undertaking of my entire life and it's demanded more time, energy and sacrifice than I could possibly have imagined. Please know that my time away was spent in trying to achieve something worthwhile for us all, in effort to spread appreciation and consideration of BBWs beyond the confines of our community. Given my current predicament, I don't know if (or for how long) I'll be able to respond to comments made here but I wanted to alert everyone to this upcoming television appearance before my ability to do so ends.
Please wish me luck in my struggle, everyone, for I am truly in the fight of my life. If I am unable to check in here again, please know that I have relished my Dimensions experience since my very first magazine issue arrived in 1993 and I wish everyone here nothing but happiness and success. Hopefully through forums like this, the world will one day be a more tolerant place for larger people and their appreciators.
most sincerely,
AJ Confessore
WHOLE LOTTA LOVE: An All-Star Salute To Fat Chicks
http://www.Facebook.com/WholeLottaLoveTribute
PS: Here's a frame grab of me from the recent premiere of "Big Sexy" on TLC, getting blown off by one of its leading ladies. Amusingly, these women say on camera that they want a guy "who appreciates their curves," but then they write off every man at the Goddesses BBW event because we're "chubby chasers." Go figure.
Though I'm restricted in what I am allowed to say about this, I thought folks here would want to know that several members of this forum will soon be making an appearance on "The Dr. Oz Show." There's not much I can reveal about it other than that it will air on Thursday, September 22nd and that it deals with BBW/FA related issues. I was invited to appear on the show as a result of having produced the tribute album "WHOLE LOTTA LOVE: An All-Star Salute To Fat Chicks" (info linked in signature below). Though the opportunity to spread the word about my pro-BBW project was a factor in agreeing to appear, that was not the focus of the program.
While I am disallowed from revealing the specifics of the episode, I can tell you that from past experience on TV talk shows that more often than not, the broadcast version usually bears only a passing resemblance to what transpired during the taping. Key moments are frequently edited out and comments from the panel guests are often used out of context, changing the meaning of the spoken words. For my own part, I can tell you that the statements I make whenever appearing on such programs are always intended as positive advocacy for both BBWs and this community as a whole. That said, such on-camera conversations are rarely thorough or open-ended; the host usually has an agenda he or she is hoping to further through discussion with the guests. As such, one must do one's best to put forth the desired message in response to some very specific (i.e., loaded) questions. Again, I am speaking in general about such programs and not about any one in particular.
I post these remarks as a preemptive measure, since I know how these types of shows often evoke harsh criticism of their guests after the fact. Unfortunately, by the time this episode airs, I will likely be homeless. My situation is actually even more dire than that, but the crux of the matter is that I'm about to lose the home in which I've lived all 42 years of my life. This all came about very suddenly, while I was otherwise consumed with ongoing work on the album. I've since spent virtually every waking moment of the past few months attempting to stave off this coming disaster, but by now the situation has turned quite grim. Things will be coming to a head sometime within the next 14 days and I don't know what sort of autonomy I'll be afforded as the date draws closer. That said, I wanted to post about this upcoming broadcast while I am still able.
In closing, I apologize for my lack of participation here in recent years, but efforts to bring my "WHOLE LOTTA LOVE" project to fruition have consumed the bulk of my energies for the past 30+ months. This project has been the largest, most challenging undertaking of my entire life and it's demanded more time, energy and sacrifice than I could possibly have imagined. Please know that my time away was spent in trying to achieve something worthwhile for us all, in effort to spread appreciation and consideration of BBWs beyond the confines of our community. Given my current predicament, I don't know if (or for how long) I'll be able to respond to comments made here but I wanted to alert everyone to this upcoming television appearance before my ability to do so ends.
Please wish me luck in my struggle, everyone, for I am truly in the fight of my life. If I am unable to check in here again, please know that I have relished my Dimensions experience since my very first magazine issue arrived in 1993 and I wish everyone here nothing but happiness and success. Hopefully through forums like this, the world will one day be a more tolerant place for larger people and their appreciators.
most sincerely,
AJ Confessore
WHOLE LOTTA LOVE: An All-Star Salute To Fat Chicks
http://www.Facebook.com/WholeLottaLoveTribute
PS: Here's a frame grab of me from the recent premiere of "Big Sexy" on TLC, getting blown off by one of its leading ladies. Amusingly, these women say on camera that they want a guy "who appreciates their curves," but then they write off every man at the Goddesses BBW event because we're "chubby chasers." Go figure.
