Log in

goodpods headphones icon

To access all our features

Open the Goodpods app
Close icon

Maintenance Phase - "Super Size Me"

Transcript Summary

In this episode titled "Super Size Me," hosts Michael Hobbes and Aubrey Gordon critically analyze the controversial documentary "Super Size Me" and its impact on society. They discuss the film's premise, where Morgan Spurlock eats only McDonald's food for 30 days, and question the validity of health claims made in the movie. Aubrey highlights her criticism of using fat bodies to provoke disgust and the portrayal of McDonald's as villainous. The hosts delve into the class and race politics surrounding fast food consumption, discuss the difficulty in proving a direct causal relationship between McDonald's and obesity, and critique the misrepresentation of facts in the documentary. They also touch on the MeToo allegations against Morgan Spurlock and reflect on the narrative of personal responsibility when it comes to fast food choices. Overall, this thought-provoking episode challenges the popular notions associated with fast food and offers a nuanced perspective on the issues presented in "Super Size Me."

Transcript

Michael: Welcome to Maintenance Phase, the podcast that has 30 days to fatten you up, or knock you down, or whatever that movie is about [crosstalk].

Aubrey: [laughs] All of a sudden, we're just like the witch in Hansel and Gretel.

Michael: I know. It doesn't hold together as a metaphor. I apologize.

Aubrey: [laughs]

Michael: I'm Michael Hobbes.

Aubrey:

"Super Size Me" Top Questions Answered

Who directed the documentary film "Super Size Me"?

Morgan Spurlock directed the film "Super Size Me."

When was the documentary film "Super Size Me" released?

The film "Super Size Me" was released in 2004.

What is the premise of the documentary film "Super Size Me"?

The film explores the effects of eating only McDonald's food for 30 days on the filmmaker's health and well-being.

Did the documentary film "Super Size Me" receive positive attention?

Yes, the film received a lot of attention and became popular.

What controversies are associated with the director of "Super Size Me," Morgan Spurlock?

Morgan Spurlock faced MeToo allegations and admitted to sexual assault and harassment during the MeToo movement.

Did fast food chains like Subway, KFC, and Wendy's make PR moves to appear healthier after the release of "Super Size Me"?

Yes, Subway and KFC made PR moves to appear healthier, while Wendy's eliminated the Biggie size but renamed their sizes for optics.

Did "Super Size Me" contribute to the passage of any legislation in the fast food industry?

Yes, the film contributed to the passage of Cheeseburger Bills, which protected fast food companies from lawsuits.

What criticisms have been made about the documentary film "Super Size Me"?

The film has been criticized for its accuracy, portrayal of causality, and its stigmatization of fat people without addressing underlying factors.

What impact did the documentary film "Super Size Me" have on McDonald's portions?

McDonald's claimed to have eliminated supersize portions as a result of the film, although the changes were not substantial.

Does the documentary film "Super Size Me" accurately depict the relationship between fast food and obesity?

Some aspects of the film, such as its portrayal of obesity and its impact on health, have been questioned for their accuracy and oversimplification.

Did the documentary film "Super Size Me" address the larger systemic issues related to food inspection and production?

Critics argue that the film focused more on criticizing fast food without adequately addressing larger systemic issues in the food industry.

Show more Questions

Toggle view more icon

Episode Comments

5.0

out of 5

Star filled grey IconStar filled grey IconStar filled grey IconStar filled grey IconStar filled grey Icon
Star filled grey IconStar filled grey IconStar filled grey IconStar filled grey Icon
Star filled grey IconStar filled grey IconStar filled grey Icon
Star filled grey IconStar filled grey Icon
Star filled grey Icon

1 Rating

Star iconStar iconStar iconStar iconStar icon

eg., What part of this podcast did you like? Ask a question to the host or other listeners...

Post

Megan Farnel's profile image

Megan Farnel

@invinciblepodmegan

Feb 18

horizontal dot icon

I swear this podcast gets better every week. Rage with me about Super Size Me!

not liked icon

Like

Reply

Joseph W's profile image

Joseph W

@teachergoals

May 21

horizontal dot icon
Star Filled iconStar Filled iconStar Filled iconStar Filled iconStar Filled icon
not liked icon

Like

Reply

Generate a badge

Get a badge for your website that links back to this episode

Select type & size
Open dropdown icon
share badge image

<a href="https://goodpods.com/podcasts/maintenance-phase-168293/super-size-me-19470340"> <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/badges/generic-badge-1.svg" alt="listen to "super size me" on goodpods" style="width: 225px" /> </a>

Copy