Big Tiny
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Dwarf siblings offer insight into living differently.
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What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
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What's the Story?
The reality series BIG TINY follows the daily lives of the world's smallest siblings, 23-year-old Bridgette \"Bri\" Jordan and her 21-year-old brother Brad. Measuring 27 inches and 38 inches tall respectively, the two young adults live full, active lives with the help of their mom, Christy, and the support of average-height older sister Brandi. From attending college and performing with the cheerleading squad to having squeaky voices and having to use child car seats when being driven around, the pair faces a world that is designed for bigger people with self-confidence and humor.
Is It Any Good?
The series sheds some light on some of the challenges that people with primordial dwarfism (a severe form of dwarfism in which all parts of the individual's body are extremely proportionately small) face every day, like being unable to do simple things like eating while sitting down and coping with medical problems resulting from their condition. But the show's real focus is on the larger-than-life personalities of the siblings, who are enjoying some of the typical experiences of twentysomethings.
Christy's gentle interaction with the pair sometimes makes it difficult to appreciate that Bri and Brad are adults. But her strength and endless efforts to ensure that they can navigate a world that isn't always prepared to accommodate their needs is very evident here. It's definitely voyeuristic, but in a way that allows viewers of all ages to see how this family chooses to live a full and positive life regardless of the obstacles that have been thrown their way.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about dwarfism. What causes it? Did you know that there are different kinds of dwarfism? Aside from being extremely small, what are some of the other effects primordial dwarfism has on the body? (You might want to check out TLC's helpful online FAQ for information about some of these issues.)
What are some of the common TV and film representations of dwarves? What kinds of misunderstandings and/or stereotypes have these representations created about what dwarfism is? Do reality shows like this one contribute to or help eliminate some of these generalizations?
TV Details
- Premiere date: August 13, 2012
- Cast: Bradley Jordan, Bridgette Jordan, Christy Jordan
- Network: TLC
- Genre: Reality TV
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters
- Character Strengths: Empathy, Integrity
- TV rating: TV-G
- Last updated: September 20, 2019
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