Women's website hoping to save 'Huge'

The women's website Jezebel has started a petition calling for the ABC Family show Huge to be rescued.

The series, which starred Nikki Blonsky and Hayley Hasselhoff, focused on a group of people at a weight-loss camp. However, it was cancelled by ABC Family earlier this week.

Jezebel has now called for the programme to be saved and has praised the show for representing overweight people in a realistic way.

"Entertainment comes in so many different forms: police dramas, hospital shows, teen soaps, spy thrillers... and overweight characters are few and far between," writer Dodai Stewart said.

Referring to new sitcom Mike & Molly, she continued: "Fat people can be on a scripted show, as long as fat is the punchline.

"Huge was different, of course, because although the show was about teenagers at a weight-loss camp, weight loss was actually just a fraction of the issues the kids (and adults) were dealing with. The characters juggled dilemmas relating to crushes, self-confidence, popularity, rumours, toxic friendships, sexual urges, family drama, jealousy, embarrassment, sexual orientation, creativity, lying, cheating, rebellion, body odour, nerdiness and body image. In other words, it reminded us that fat people are people. Humans."

She added: "Teenagers are so susceptible to negative thoughts (and messages) about their bodies. Huge created a world in which your body matters, but it's not the only thing to focus on. The characters, played by actual overweight teens, were smart, creative, funny, athletic, caring and generous... so much more than just fat."

So far, over 5,000 people have signed the petition to save Huge from cancellation.

> 'Huge' creators thank fans for support