ABSTRACT

Disciplinary practices on the gendered fat body are a central aspect of weight-loss makeover TV shows; however, they are subtle and hard to identify. I ask how surveillance and control are legitimized as appropriate methods for achieving bodily change in the Finnish makeover shows Jutta ja Superdieetit (Jutta and the Super Diet) and Jutta ja Puolen Vuoden Superdieetit (Jutta and the Half-Year Super Diet) and how the experts reinforce unequal power structures. The ethos of equality is very strong in Finland, which is also apparent in the special construction of the expert as “one of the team”. The research material is examined in light of Michel Foucault’s theories of power and the concept of docile bodies, and as part of postfeminist media culture in which the ideas of “freedom of choice” and “submission as empowerment” are crucial. The choices for the participants of the makeover shows are, however, very limited, leaving just enough freedom so that they accept the power dynamics they are entangled in. I argue that control and surveillance are legitimized as means of helping participants achieve their ideal body and life. Instead of breaking existing power dynamics, the construction of the expert as attentive and caring works to reinforce these structures since discipline is enacted in the “best interest” of the participant. The dynamics of (disciplinary) power are thus subtle and work in a particularly hidden way.

摘要

对性别脂肪体的纪律处分是减肥改头换面电视节目的一个核心方面；然而，它们很微妙且难以识别。我问在芬兰改造秀Jutta ja Superdieetit（Jutta 和超级饮食）和Jutta ja Puolen Vuoden Superdieetit（Jutta 和半年超级饮食）中，如何将监视和控制合法化为实现身体变化的适当方法以及专家如何强化不平等的权力结构。芬兰的平等精神非常强烈，这也体现在专家作为“团队中的一员”的特殊建设中。研究材料根据米歇尔·福柯的权力理论和温顺身体的概念进行审查，并作为后女权主义媒体文化的一部分，其中“选择自由”和“服从即赋权”的思想至关重要。然而，改头换面的参与者的选择非常有限，只留下足够的自由，以便他们接受纠缠在其中的权力动态。我认为控制和监视是合法的，可以帮助参与者实现理想的身体和生活。与其打破现有的权力动态，由于纪律是为了参与者的“最佳利益”而制定的，因此将专家构建为细心和关怀的工作以加强这些结构。因此（纪律）权力的动态是微妙的，并且以一种特别隐蔽的方式起作用。