Fat Actress

First of all, I think Kirstie Alley is charismatic, talented, and funny. I also love the premise, especially given Hollywood's hyper-shallowness and the unbelievable, dehumanizing scrutiny put upon high-profile people in America. That said, however, this show is probably doomed -- and if it hasn't already been canceled, I fear it will be soon.

Let's face it : how long can she really milk this idea? That's the first and fundamental problem I see. The second -- and equally important -- is the writing, which is uneven and hackneyed, at best. There have been a few great moments : Kirstie on the 'casting couch' with the handsome black network exec, who whacks her on the butt and croons hilariously about the "groceries" in her "trunk"; the jail scene where the lesbian guard wants to play slap and tickle with Kirstie, whose ex-boyfriend turns out to be gay; the whole Kid Rock thing was mildly amusing, as well. But when everything started slipping into midgets and toilet humor, I saw big FAT trouble looming on the horizon!

Lastly, Kirstie's accomplices, Bryan Callen and -- sorry, I can't remember the blonde's name -- seem like attractive, telegenic, capable performers but they're so befuddled in the bad writing that they end up looking very sad and superfluous. They're weak, annoying characters who add little to the overall entertainment value, and that's a shame because they could be such an asset if they had been granted a bit of depth, quirky individuality, and genuine humor.

Kirstie Alley, Bryan Callen and Rachael Harris need to be in every television show and movie (TV movies included) ever. The three of them are amazing. I have always been a fan of Kirstie's, but "Fat Actress" was my introduction to Callen and Harris. I can't believe I have never seen or heard of them before, they are amazing.

The fact that Kirstie was fat shouldn't really matter. What's wrong with a "fat actress" starring in a blockbuster film? There are plenty of fat and over weight men starring in films and television, but women? That's almost unheard of, and often scrutinised when they are. I applaud Kirstie for taking such a risk with "Fat Actress", as it is such a fantastic show, but in all honesty, i think to the general viewer it was mostly a "hit and miss" sort of show. A lot of the humor would have gone straight over the head of people who don't necessarily know what Kirstie, Bryan or Rachael were talking about.

Another gripe I have with the show overall is that it wasn't long enough. 7 episodes? Is that all we get?! I know she was losing weight towards the end of the series, but it would have been fantastic to have at least 12 episodes. The episodes that we do have though are hilarious and can be watched over and over again (if one desires).

Being sort of a mockumentary style show, as it isn't really a sitcom being that Kirstie is playing herself, the flow of the show is different to regular comedies, and there will be extended times where Kirstie, Bryan and Rachael will just be sitting down talking - which is fine, they were some of the funniest moments! Be warned though, there is a lot of swearing! Kirstie is in top form here, as usual, her comic timing is great, and she (despite making fun of herself) carries so much sophistication with her. Bryan Callen is a real hottie, and amazingly funny. Rachael Harris has the best hair, and she is super smart. The DVD features an episode with commentary by the three of them, and it is so fun to hear them talking about their show. They seem to all really get on well, and enjoyed working on the show.

Their are guest stars galore in "Fat Actress", from Kirstie's good friend John Travolta playing himself, and his wife Kelly Preston playing super-bitch Quinn Taylor Scott who eats tissue paper for lunch, to NBC executive Jeff Zucker playing himself (so funny), Melissa Gilbert and Rhea Perlman both make small appearances, McG plays himself, Leah Remini is terrific playing herself, and Mayim Bialik is awesome, but only features in two episodes. There is also a lot of name dropping and references to Kirstie's other works, which is very fun.

So, while the series was short lived, this seven-episode show was a terrific gem. I hope to see a lot more of Bryan and Rachael in the future, and that Kirstie continues her success throughout her career. Overall, I give this series 8/10, it losing points for reasons mentioned earlier. Give it a watch, as long as you prepare to be offended, and end up laughing hard out.

I think Kirstie Alley is fantastic! She is hilarious and so is her ensemble cast. Bravo to Kelly Preston - she was hysterical! ...I recently gained a lot of weight and am an actress - paid? no, recognized? no, but I do understand how hard it is to get parts and how you just want to hide away, but yet you love the acting so it's a freakin' vicious cycle. Especially when the parts you want to get are for skinny people. And understandably so. It takes physical energy to be an actor. Being obese is not healthy nor is being anorexic.

I'm glad Kirstie has found solace in Jenny Craig. That's not my weightloss option of choice, but hey whatever works and different strokes for different folks....in saying all of that...

I still think that she could have continued the show for another season even though she lost a lot of weight. There were still topics to explore and I think she would have done that marvelously.

I can't wait to see Kirstie in more roles soon!! Keep it up girl!

Being fat is something that has been taboo in Hollywood, as well as in fashion. Talk about an actor that has gained weight, and it will be the worst fate that happens to anyone in the movie industry.

Kristie Alley, is playing herself, and she's having a ball doing so. At least, it appears that way. If anyone could pull this off is Ms. Alley, who together with Brenda Hampton, has created this series for Showtime. It should be seen in network television as it brings down the myths about how being fat will be the end of a film or television career.

Enter Kristie Alley. She is one of the most natural and real persons in working in television these days. Sure, she has lost her figure, but is she a bad person for doing so? I don't think so. She's still the great fun person we met in movies and TV series where her uncanny knack for having a winning personality and telling it like it was, stole our hearts. We have a feeling what we see on the screen is pretty much like the real Kristie Alley.

The opening episode was good. The idea of being the ideal of a black man's fancy is carried out well. Ms. Alley and the cast played well together and we look forward to new installments to see what ensues in the life of this gorgeous woman.

...but unfortunately with this first episode of "Fat Actress," I don't think that she is. Overall, it just wasn't very funny. Moreover, I thought it was embarrassing for her. The jokes were forced, the plot was dental floss thin, and when my TiVo cut off the last minute of this show, I was relieved! I'm very happy that Kirstie Alley is able to make fun of her own weight. And I'm glad that she appears to be on the road to getting down to a more "comfortable" weight. But the show really missed the boat on what makes her story interesting.

Honestly, I think a reality show about her battle with losing weight would have been a HECK of a lot more interesting than a fictional comedy about the same topic.

Kirstie, I love you, but I hope you can come up with something better to bring back your career.