Man Vs Food star has show taken off air after "thinspiration" rant

Weljadraak

Adam Richman, the US TV host whose former show Man vs Food has become a cult hit in recent years, has seen his new series Man Finds Food "postponed indefinitely" after he sent abusive comments during an argument on Instagram.

The furore began when Richman posted an Instagram photo with the caption: "Had ordered this suit from a Saville Row tailor over a year ago. Think I'm gonna need to take it in a little …" He added the hashtag #thinspiration.

One Instagram user criticised him for using the tag, saying it "glorifies negative media self-imagery that being thin is better as opposed to any other body style" (the term can be used on social networks and blogs to celebrate unnecessary and unhealthy weight loss). Richman responded by writing "DILLIGAF", which means "Does it look like I give a fuck?" To other critics he wrote, "Oh eat a bag of shit, dummy. No apology is coming. If it inspires someone to attain a healthy thinner body then that was what it was meant to do. Only fuckup it seems was your dad's choice to go without a condom," and "grab a razor blade and draw a bath. I doubt anyone will miss you."

The comments have since been deleted, as have Richman's subsequent apologies, where he wrote: "I've responded to internet hate recently with vile words directed at those hating me. I am sorry, I should know better & will do better."

Now the Travel Channel, which was due to air his new show, has postponed the airing of his new show. The network has not commented on its reasons for the decision, instead stating simply: "Travel Channel is postponing the July 2 series premiere of Man Finds Food."

Richman has made another public apology, issuing a statement to ABC News: "I've long struggled with my body image and have worked very hard to achieve a healthy weight. I'm incredibly sorry to everyone I've hurt."

Source: theguardian

MtnChickaD

He was probably just hangry.

MangoMama82

I'm glad they yanked his show. Too many of these assholes get away with doing shit like this too often.

PinkDahLia44

I'm not so upset about the hashtag he used (although I do understand why it is a problem for some people), but telling someone to take a razorblade to the bathtub because no one will miss them seems a bit harsh.

PinkDahLia44

NM, couldn't gif.

Weljadraak

I don't think his hashtag was that bad, though I fully understand why it could rub someone the wrong way.  I think his responses are abhorrent.  Totally disgusting to recommend suicide to anyone.  He could have handled himself with more class and tact.  I'm not sure if he was personally offended or not, because he does say he struggled with body image but I feel if you've truly been there, you'd show a little more sensitivity. 

Weljadraak

PinkDahLia44 said:

I'm not so upset about the hashtag he used (although I do understand why it is a problem for some people), but telling someone to take a razorblade to the bathtub because no one will miss them seems a bit harsh.

we're twinz.

MangoMama82

The hashtag, in my opinion, wasn't really a big deal. His responses, on the other hand were completely ridiculous. As a public figure he has a responsibility to act with a little decorum. That's the trade off for getting paid as much as he does for eating and traveling. And anyway, I would be equally disgusted by those responses if they came from a non-public figure

carawasa

I think people can make an argument out of anything..I don't think the hashtag was terrible but he was a little extreme in his other comments. Calm down guy.

Weljadraak

btimes3 said:

I believe him (mostly--there's always a chance he's trying to use a defense that he thinks no one will question) when he says he's struggled with body image himself.  Sometimes people who are just barely triumphing over a difficulty can get downright vicious when challenged because they feel like they're barely keeping their head above water.  That's not an excuse, especially not for that razor blade comment, but yeah, I can see it.  If he is telling the truth, I hope that he keeps going and gets help if he needs it.

There, I've probably used up my week's supply of Pollyanna.

Yeah, he could feel that way since it is my understanding his weight loss was recent. It does make sense he'd get defensive about it, considering.  However, the person's response holds truth, too, given the history of "thinspiration" - you'll see it a lot with pro-eating disorder media.  I'm not sure he understands the word and why it could be seen as insensitive.  He very well may have a deeper rooted issue.

Weljadraak

MangoMama82 said:

The hashtag, in my opinion, wasn't really a big deal. His responses, on the other hand were completely ridiculous. As a public figure he has a responsibility to act with a little decorum. That's the trade off for getting paid as much as he does for eating and traveling. And anyway, I would be equally disgusted by those responses if they came from a non-public figure

Totally agree about being a celebrity.  Unfortunately, you're under a lot more scrutiny but that's the name of the game.  It is known.

sleepy33

I want to see what the original post that the girl made to him calling him out on using the hashtag. SHE says it was very polite, but I wonder what it said? Why not post it verbatim if it was so harmless? Not that it justifies his response, but I'd like to see the tone she started with.

txmom13

We could all use #thinspriation. The other comments were over the top.

DanceM

His hashtag wasn't that bad, but his suicide comments horrible. I'm not very knowledge about thinspiration history.  Remember the Yoplait commercials where a woman hangs a bathing suit up as inspiration to lose weight for the summer, and Itsby Bitsy Teeny Weeny played in the background? Isn't that her thinspiration?

Weljadraak

txmom13 said:

We could all use #thinspriation. The other comments were over the top.

I believe he used it for himself in this context, for him to continue with his weight loss.  The word is a trigger for some people which is why it's getting heat.  

carawasa

As I'm thinking about it, though, he kind of opened himself up to criticism. This might get confusing, but he started a TV show about food challenges and how much HE can eat. to me he doesn't particularly scream that he has a body image issue. So now he is going to hash about being inspired to be thin. I'm happy that he is trying to "better" himself and lose weight as it has been a constant struggle but he is kind of going from one extreme to another...

jennlin

i didn't know #thispriation was bad... i have several friends that use it, but they're really into working-out..not in an excessive way, in just a "likes to work out" kinda way.

Weljadraak

sleepy33 said:

I want to see what the original post that the girl made to him calling him out on using the hashtag. SHE says it was very polite, but I wonder what it said? Why not post it verbatim if it was so harmless? Not that it justifies his response, but I'd like to see the tone she started with.

Even so, he's a public figure.  Rando poster on IG isn't going to get a paparazzi flood about her comment. I found this screenshot but haven't read it yet so... I'm looking for more

Weljadraak

Weljadraak

OK to be fair he said it was unintentional and he was sorry.  No excuse but kind of shows he has no clue about the history of the word.  

Weljadraak

carawasa said:

As I'm thinking about it, though, he kind of opened himself up to criticism. This might get confusing, but he started a TV show about food challenges and how much HE can eat. to me he doesn't particularly scream that he has a body image issue. So now he is going to hash about being inspired to be thin. I'm happy that he is trying to "better" himself and lose weight as it has been a constant struggle but he is kind of going from one extreme to another...

I thought this was strange, too.  I guess eating all that food wore on him after a while or he has always had a poor relationship with food.  Maybe he does have an issue. I don't know anything about the filming of the show or his outside eating habits so not accusing him of anything just speculating.

Weljadraak

The thing about eating disorders is they're usually done in secrecy.  So while you think you may not know someone who has a bad relationship with food, you might actually.  Not all anorexics are that stereotypical image of an anorexic.  You don't have to look unhealthy to have an unhealthy relationship with food.  Thinspiration has always been used in eating disorder circles, before hashtags were even a thing.  It's not something the average person would know or recognize or think is "bad" but it's important to be open to how your words affect others.  After reading the screenshots, I believe he did realize his misstep and I think he probably got attacked after that so he lashed out.

PinkDahLia44

For those who don't know, thinspiration is something that is very big in the anorexic community, hence the flack for using the hashtag. I don't claim to know the specifics, but from what I've seen, it can get pretty ugly and sad. One of the less harsh examples of thinspiration is the quote, "Nothing tastes as good as being skinny feels" (or something like that). I know this seems benign to those of us without eating disorders, but for those with anorexia, it becomes an obsession.

PinkDahLia44

Weljadraak said:

show previous quotes

carawasa said:

As I'm thinking about it, though, he kind of opened himself up to criticism. This might get confusing, but he started a TV show about food challenges and how much HE can eat. to me he doesn't particularly scream that he has a body image issue. So now he is going to hash about being inspired to be thin. I'm happy that he is trying to "better" himself and lose weight as it has been a constant struggle but he is kind of going from one extreme to another...

I thought this was strange, too.  I guess eating all that food wore on him after a while or he has always had a poor relationship with food.  Maybe he does have an issue. I don't know anything about the filming of the show or his outside eating habits so not accusing him of anything just speculating.

Do you guys know what he looked like before he lost all this weight? I totally believe he had body image issues. I just saw him on an ad the other day and I thought, "Wow, Adam Richman looks great! Good for him!" Now I'm sad that he has gone and done this.

muffyvonmuff

Ive hung out with him and he's so annoying.  My friend was on Man vs. Food so after the show taped we all went bar hoping in Providence.  His crew hates him and his taste in 1 night stands in gross.  ::end rant::

jennlin

btimes3 said:

show previous quotes

jennlin said:

i didn't know #thispriation was bad... i have several friends that use it, but they're really into working-out..not in an excessive way, in just a "likes to work out" kinda way.

Many people have switched to using fitspiration/fitspo for that, because it places the emphasis on fitness and health rather than appearance and acknowledges that being thin is not the same as being healthy.

gotcha. my friends haven't gotten the memo. they're off posting fitness and low calorie foods while i, on the otherhand, prefer hashtags like #nomnom and #eatallthecalories.

BlessUrHeart29

This doesn't surprise me. I used to follow him on #thetwitters but all he ever did was fight with people. His responses are awful and there is no excuse for those word choices.

#whatajerk

Chrisanna0508

Why does everyone have to get so up in arms about everything? I've had food issues in the past, but I see nothing wrong with his hashtag. Sometimes I feel like people will get offended if I say the sky is blue.
Absolutely no excuse for his responses. It's like a lesson in the completely wrong and childish way to handle being confronted. He should feel like a scumbag.

Weljadraak

has615 said:

Ive hung out with him and he's so annoying.  My friend was on Man vs. Food so after the show taped we all went bar hoping in Providence.  His crew hates him and his taste in 1 night stands in gross.  ::end rant::

Then I guess this is on par.

muffyvonmuff

Weljadraak said:

show previous quotes

has615 said:

Ive hung out with him and he's so annoying.  My friend was on Man vs. Food so after the show taped we all went bar hoping in Providence.  His crew hates him and his taste in 1 night stands in gross.  ::end rant::

Then I guess this is on par.

We went to a bar first where we knew the bartenders, one runs out from behind the bar to give us hugs then goes back to make us drinks.  He goes up to her and says "Im surprised your not saying hi to me, most girls want to hug me when I walk into a bar" she goes "Why? Because you eat a lot? Does that impress people?"  He then insisted we all go to another place.  

Chrisanna0508

has615 said:

show previous quotes

Weljadraak said:

has615 said:

Ive hung out with him and he's so annoying.  My friend was on Man vs. Food so after the show taped we all went bar hoping in Providence.  His crew hates him and his taste in 1 night stands in gross.  ::end rant::

Then I guess this is on par.

We went to a bar first where we knew the bartenders, one runs out from behind the bar to give us hugs then goes back to make us drinks.  He goes up to her and says "Im surprised your not saying hi to me, most girls want to hug me when I walk into a bar" she goes "Why? Because you eat a lot? Does that impress people?"  He then insisted we all go to another place.  
Wow...talk about a winner there
ETA: dumb quote tree

Phalaenopsis

Good. That show is disgusting anyway. It's like, fuck you world hunger, imma eat everything! His comments make him out to be an impulsive asshole.

Weljadraak

breadandbutter07 said:

Given its history, I'm very against #thinspiration being used, even jokingly.  True thinspo is incredibly damaging, especially to people with eating disorders.  More people die from eating disorders than from any other mental health illness, and social media has begun taking steps to fight that.  Pro-ED groups, instagrams, and tumblr feeds are routinely taken down, and self harm is nothing to joke about.

Back in the day, when I had a Xanga, I found a lot of pro-ana blogs on there, and I couldn't believe the ways these girls would restrict their diets.  I tried going on a diet  "just because" (with my mom, lol... super healthy right there.) and didn't mind being hungry all the time, it was an interesting experiment, I thought.  Then I missed a period and that freaked me out that maybe I had an ED, so I started eating normally again.  But I can easily see how another person in my shoes would not have been okay.

Damn, Xanga!  I had a livejournal back in the day and the saw the same thing.  I'm talking...12 years ago?!  I agree about the thinspiration sentiment.  I understand not everyone understands, but I support eating disorder awareness because it is HIGHLY misunderstood as a disease.

Weljadraak

has615 said:

We went to a bar first where we knew the bartenders, one runs out from behind the bar to give us hugs then goes back to make us drinks.  He goes up to her and says "Im surprised your not saying hi to me, most girls want to hug me when I walk into a bar" she goes "Why? Because you eat a lot? Does that impress people?"  He then insisted we all go to another place.  

D-List celebrity complex.  

carawasa

@breadandbutter07‌ I have come across those sites and blogs before and though I personally never had an ed I was very interested in the blogs (I am very big into trying to understand mental health and why people think the way they do) those sites were super disturbing and I remember those terms being used as well. Very sad

Amjoy25

PinkDahLia44 said:

I'm not so upset about the hashtag he used (although I do understand why it is a problem for some people), but telling someone to take a razorblade to the bathtub because no one will miss them seems a bit harsh.

^^Dis, and the condom remark. Ew. I used to love his show! #criesamilliontears #Ineedtoeat2bigmacs2mediumfriesand20nuggetswithoutadrink #thinspiration

Weljadraak

Amjoy25 said:

show previous quotes

PinkDahLia44 said:

I'm not so upset about the hashtag he used (although I do understand why it is a problem for some people), but telling someone to take a razorblade to the bathtub because no one will miss them seems a bit harsh.

^^Dis, and the condom remark. Ew. I used to love his show! #criesamilliontears #Ineedtoeat2bigmacs2mediumfriesand20nuggetswithoutadrink #thinspiration