TLC's new reality show about 'mixed-weight' couples faces backlash for being 'exploitative'

'Problematic' show has been accused of 'fatphobia'

A new TLC reality show called Hot And Heavy that focuses on “mixed-weight couples” is facing backlash for being “exploitative” after it was unveiled on social media.

This week, TLC shared a trailer for the new show on Twitter with the caption: “For these couples, love knows no size. See the highs and lows of their mixed-weight relationships on the series premiere of #Hotandheavy Tuesday, 7 January.”

According to the network, the series will follow the respective difficulties faced by three couples, as the men “defend the honour of their significant others and face judgement due to their mixed-weight relationships”.

However, people on social media were quick to point out issues with the reality show, including the title and the decision to only feature couples where the woman is heavier.

“HOT AND HEAVY??? MIXED-WEIGHT??? TLC needs to be cancelled immediately. This is ridiculous,” one person wrote on Twitter.

Another said: “So are we all just supposed to ignore the fact that they only used couples where the woman is bigger like they aren’t straight making fun of them? Hot and HEAVY? Seriously?

“This is disgraceful TLC, cancel it.”

“Only showing couples where the woman is heavier aka TLC is enforcing societal beauty standards on women, kind of a sad stance to take into 2020,” someone else tweeted.

The phrase “mixed-weight” was also criticised as being offensive, while others accused the show of perpetuating fatphobia as well as the idea that heavy women are a “fetish”.

“Why only heavy women/skinny men? It’s almost like there’s another message here,” one person tweeted.

In response to the trailer, many people have called for the network to cancel the "fat-shaming" show before it airs in 2020.

The Independent has contacted TLC for comment.