Episode
Diet Book Deep Dive: Ed McMahon’s “Slimming Down”
40:40
Published: Tue Apr 27 2021
Description
This week is our first Diet Book Deep Dive, where we dig into some of the worst and wildest weight loss advice we can find. First up: Tonight Show sidekick Ed McMahon's pun, alcohol and misogyny-fueled diet plan from the 1970s. Hope you like broiled steak and Sanka!Clips!Ed McMahon & Britney Spears on Star SearchEd McMahon for American Family SweepstakesSupport us: Subscribe on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase shirts, stickers and moreThanks to Lynn Barbera for editing assistance and Doctor Dreamchip for our lovely theme song!Support the show
Chapters
Michael Hobbs and Aubrey Gordon, two journalists, talk about the science and history behind popular diet and fitness trends.
00:00 - 00:42 (00:42)
Summary
Michael Hobbs and Aubrey Gordon, two journalists, talk about the science and history behind popular diet and fitness trends.
EpisodeDiet Book Deep Dive: Ed McMahon’s “Slimming Down”
PodcastMaintenance Phase
The Sporkful podcast explores the legacy of Ed McMahon, a multifaceted entertainer who was widely credited with making or breaking careers in show business as we know it today.
00:42 - 05:02 (04:19)
Summary
The Sporkful podcast explores the legacy of Ed McMahon, a multifaceted entertainer who was widely credited with making or breaking careers in show business as we know it today.
EpisodeDiet Book Deep Dive: Ed McMahon’s “Slimming Down”
PodcastMaintenance Phase
A look back at a talent show from the past where kids would perform and be judged by professionals, hoping to become the next big star.
05:02 - 07:47 (02:44)
Summary
A look back at a talent show from the past where kids would perform and be judged by professionals, hoping to become the next big star.
EpisodeDiet Book Deep Dive: Ed McMahon’s “Slimming Down”
PodcastMaintenance Phase
Looking back at old diet books, the author reflects on the unhealthy, heteronormative depiction of children on reality TV and the pressure they faced to conform to certain societal expectations.
07:47 - 13:17 (05:30)
Summary
Looking back at old diet books, the author reflects on the unhealthy, heteronormative depiction of children on reality TV and the pressure they faced to conform to certain societal expectations.
EpisodeDiet Book Deep Dive: Ed McMahon’s “Slimming Down”
PodcastMaintenance Phase
In 1973, the ideal body weight recommendations were based on information from life insurance companies on the chances of death, but not according to the BMI which wasn't yet the standard for weight recommendations.
13:17 - 19:44 (06:27)
Summary
In 1973, the ideal body weight recommendations were based on information from life insurance companies on the chances of death, but not according to the BMI which wasn't yet the standard for weight recommendations.
EpisodeDiet Book Deep Dive: Ed McMahon’s “Slimming Down”
PodcastMaintenance Phase
The speaker discusses how jokes about being offered food by beautiful women can have serious effects on individuals dealing with eating disorders, and how these disorders are often passed down from generation to generation.
19:44 - 24:54 (05:09)
Summary
The speaker discusses how jokes about being offered food by beautiful women can have serious effects on individuals dealing with eating disorders, and how these disorders are often passed down from generation to generation.
EpisodeDiet Book Deep Dive: Ed McMahon’s “Slimming Down”
PodcastMaintenance Phase
The speaker expresses frustration with the internalized anti-fatness in a book and how the obesity epidemic is used to treat fat people poorly.
24:54 - 30:57 (06:03)
Summary
The speaker expresses frustration with the internalized anti-fatness in a book and how the obesity epidemic is used to treat fat people poorly. The speaker highlights how the assumption that you need money to be thin is reinforced.
EpisodeDiet Book Deep Dive: Ed McMahon’s “Slimming Down”
PodcastMaintenance Phase
This podcast episode discusses the toxic work culture and personal relationships of a famous talk show host, similar to Johnny Carson, who was described as having close relationships before turning on people who piss him off and mistreating his employees.
30:57 - 38:02 (07:04)
Summary
This podcast episode discusses the toxic work culture and personal relationships of a famous talk show host, similar to Johnny Carson, who was described as having close relationships before turning on people who piss him off and mistreating his employees.
EpisodeDiet Book Deep Dive: Ed McMahon’s “Slimming Down”
PodcastMaintenance Phase
This podcast episode explores the anti-fatness beliefs that still persist in our society.
38:02 - 40:32 (02:30)
Summary
This podcast episode explores the anti-fatness beliefs that still persist in our society. The topic is discussed through the lens of a man's perspective on mid-century weight loss trends that were primarily marketed towards women.