LogFAQs > #924556817

Today's trope is Fat B******. Here is the link: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FatBastard

Also called fatbastarditis. Once a television character reaches a certain level of tubbiness, the show they are in will lose sympathy for them. It is generally assumed that overweight people are either pathetic, obnoxious losers or greedy hedonistic Corrupt Corporate Executives. They also tend to be portrayed as ludicrously obsessive eaters. Furthermore, most are portrayed as lazy, having poor hygiene, bad grooming, and no fashion sense. Glandular conditions, genetic tendencies, a natural endomorph body type, low metabolism, and weight gain as a side effect of prescription drugs are treated as lame excuses alongside the "I'm just big-boned" mold.

This trend first shows up with the introduction of synthetic, high-fat foods in the early twentieth century, which enabled people from most social classes to gain weight quickly. Prior to that point, being fat was considered high fashionexamples include Adipose Rex and how having a fat wife proved that the Railroad Baron had enough money to feed her a lot. Nowadays, obesity is more associated with the poor, as processed food is far cheaper than healthier alternatives. Hence how we can go from the Santa Claus character type of rich and jolly to the modern character type of greedy, lazy, and evil.

TL,DR: These characters are as unpleasant as they are overweight.

Nominations:
Fat B****** (Austin Powers)
Billy Bunter (Greyfriars)
Garbageman (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2003)

Honourable Mentions:
Mr Creosote (Monty Python's The Meaning of Life)
Krew (Jak II)
Dennis Nedry (Jurassic Park)
Augustus Gloop (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)

Lots of good choices for this one, I could be here all day!