Mo'Nique's F.A.T. Chance

Review

Common Sense Media says

Inspiring beauty pageant for tweens and up.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this show celebrates plus-sized women, giving them a chance to shine and strut their stuff. It's nice to see a change from the typical "thin is in" mindset. Quite a few tears are shed by contestants as they re-live painful memories of being made fun of or being held back by their size. Some of their stories might upset sensitive kids.

  • Positive messages3
    The message here -- that plus-size women are just as sexy and desirable as petites -- is invaluable, even if it is presented in a beauty pageant wrapper.
  • Positive role models2
    Hostess Mo'Nique is confident in herself and proud of her appearance -- attitudes she tries to convey to the often less-confident contestants.
  • Violence0
    Not applicable.
  • Sex2
    The contestants dress to show off their assets. Competitions include a lingerie contest.
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What's the story?

In Oxygen's beauty pageant MO'NIQUE'S FAT CHANCE, plus-size women compete for the chance to be named Miss Fabulous and Thick, proudly strutting their stuff in an arena that usually ignores women like them. Mo'Nique hosts the pageant, which includes evening gown, jeans, and lingerie competitions. Contestants stay in swanky digs for the week leading up to the main event and are given spa treatments, makeovers, and runway walking tips. What's more, they're able to enjoy themselves and bond over shared experiences related to being big in a small world. Finalists are chosen from auditions; once the pageant begins, the group is pared down to five semi-finalists, then two finalists. The winner -- who gets $50,000 and a one-year modeling contract -- is chosen by a group of judges that includes magazine editors and entertainment industry notables.

Is it any good?

 

Pageant addicts will gravitate toward this show, but even those who've had their fill of Miss America-like contests will find much to like here. The show's messages about body image are refreshing, and the finalists have hearts of gold -- they're so open about the daily prejudices they face that it's nothing short of illuminating. It's also very inspiring to see their confidence soar on stage.

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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about size discrimination. Why is it important not to judge someone because of what they look like? What kind of challenges do overweight people face?

  • Why is society so conditioned to equate slenderness with attractiveness? How do TV and other media contribute to that view?

This review was written by Lucy Maher
Kid, 13 years old
February 18, 2010
AGE
11
 
WELL, I THINK THAT IT IS AWSOME AND THAT ANY KID THAT US 11- AND UP SHOULDN WATCH THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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This review was written by Lucy Maher
TV rating:TV-PG
Network:Oxygen
Cast:Mo'Nique
Genre:Reality TV
This review was written by Lucy Maher
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
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