This blue dog really should be more respectful, I think.
I mean, come on, folks.
Folks.
Folks.
Folks.
Beloved Aussie children’s series Bluey is facing some rare backlash.
Parents and viewers have called out 30 seconds of the latest episode, titled Exercise, which shows Bluey’s parents Bandit and Chilli weighing themselves on scales.
After both fictional dogs jump on the scales, they declare they need to do more exercise – rallying the entire family together in the name of health.
“Aw man,” Bandit said after seeing the number on the scales, touching the skin on his stomach.
Viewers had mixed reactions to the moment, with many taking offence – slamming the program as being “fatphobic”.
“We watched today’s new Bluey episode on catch-up and I tuned out 10 seconds in when Bandit stood on a set of scales because Bluey has a really, really damaging way of portraying food, exercise and being ‘healthy’,” one Twitter user wrote.
“‘Oh, Chilli and Bandit are such good parent role models!’ Are they really? They’re fatphobic and are going to give their kids eating disorders.”
“I love #bluey but today’s new episode, starting with Bandit and Chilli jumping on the scales and being disappointed with their weight, followed by Bandit grabbing the skin on his tummy, was not it,” agreed a second.
“I adore @OfficialBlueyTV and the messages it sends. Except in the latest episode, Exercise, where weight becomes a trigger for exercise,” said another.
“Watching Bandit stand on the scale and squeeze his belly, frowning, sends a message to kids that fat = bad and exercise = weight loss. Very upsetting.”
Also to speak out on Instagram was pediatric dietitian Dr Kyla Ringrose, who called for the first 30 seconds of the episode to be cut.
“Watching Bandit and Chilli weigh themselves, and openly hate on their bodies in front of the kids, was really uncomfortable,” she said.
“I love the message about being active with your kids but this wasn’t good watching at the start.
“Kids do not need to be watching parents hate on their bodies or exercise to get thinner.
“Exercising to look differently isn’t the message I want my kids to receive.”
Meanwhile, some disagreed – with one asking for others to “not get offended by everything”.
“People getting triggered because a Bluey episode is encouraging exercise? Grow up,” one said.
“Imagine tweeting outrage at a children’s cartoon, because the Dad grabs his tummy and weighs a bit more than he’d like. Apparently, to some, it’s irresponsible of Bluey to send a message that it’s important to maintain a healthy weight, and do exercise. Ok then…,” a second said.
“The fact is… so sorry to hurt those sensitive ‘fatties’, and l am one myself, but being overweight is bad for your overall health! That’s just a fact! No fat shaming about it! Toughen up you softies!” added another.
Also to weigh in was Sunrise entertainment reporter Peter Ford who remarked “I’m not outraged”.
“If they were showing this in every episode where mum and dad were obsessing about their weight on the scales, maybe I’d be outraged if they were saying, ‘I’m going to go on a radical diet and I’m going to lose 20 kilos by Saturday’.
“But that, no, sorry, I reckon people are just really overreacting.”
They are not overreacting at all.
This is worse than a war.
This creature has the right to vote