How can the networks boost their faltering ratings? By putting more lardasses on TV! But they've got to be sensitive in the way they portray their tubby demographic; contrary to popular opinion, not all fat people are jolly. Ad Age looks at the problem.

With the reality that two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese, according to government data, it makes sense that they — and their stories — are better reflected on network TV. But despite the inspirational, life-changing challenge of 'The Biggest Loser,' some critics say overweight characters are often portrayed simply as losers, which may alienate some of the very people the networks need to reach to regain their commercial, let alone their cultural, heft.