I Think This is the First Article About Melissa McCarthy's... Emmy Win!

Melissa McCarthy won an Emmy for her acting ability in the comedy series, "Mike & Molly." I do not watch sitcoms. I did not even realize they were being made anymore since the reign of 'reality' took over-- until this week's news about Ashton and Demi kept reminding me about "Two and A Half Men." Charlie Sheen's antics have been going on for 30 years, so I just ignored news about his career and most TV. The series must be good as it has been on air for nine years, but I'm sure all the articles written about it were centered on Sheen. Poor, under-rated Jon Cryer. I just loved him as Ducky in "Pretty in Pink."

Yes, back to Melissa. She must be a really great actress to have snagged an Emmy over Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Martha Plimpton, Laura Linney, and Edie Falco. I know her series is about her life with Mike after meeting him at a weight loss group. But, really, I do not know too much more.

Most articles are focusing on how a plus-sized, forty-something woman beat out the much slimmer competition. Another focused on how she felt more secure in her 'after-baby' body having given birth to two children. She wants to bring the concept of body acceptance to plus-sized ladies. She says she used to focus on those things in her 20's. Now, in her early forties, she says she hopes the many other things that define her are worth a lot more than those petty things she use to worry about.

Yet, I still have not found one article since her win on Sunday evening which alludes to her acting ability as the point of the article written in the first place was her win as Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. Such a great achievement for a thin, fat, blonde, brunette, straight, lesbian, black, white or magenta woman in my opinion. If Tina or Amy would have won, would the focus of interviews center a bit more on comedic acting, women in entertainment, or juggling acting careers with motherhood?

Melissa has a line of plus-sized fashions in the works which she readily discusses. She does have education in fashion design, so I find it credible for her to use her famous name to develop a clothing line as another career. She says it is hard to find fashionable clothing to fit women her size. In fact, she had to design her own dress for the Emmy Awards ceremony. She wants to bring the concept of body acceptance to plus-sized ladies. Wonderful! But, that interview should appear in Women's Wear Daily or Vogue and not be a central theme of a piece regarding a once-in-a-lifetime achievement that occurred not even a week ago.

I feel like I know nothing about Melissa McCarthy except for her mixed messages about how important body image is-- or is not--in her life today. Does that have something, or nothing, to do with winning an Emmy? I read that she is glad to be recognized for talent rather than something trivial like size. Yet, the common theme of all of the press this week has been about her weight, whether it is the new pounds and shape of a mommy-body or her capitalizing-and focusing-on developing a plus-sized fashion line. Why not chat about creating a line for all sizes to demonstrate her talents as a fashion and textile expert? Or, how 'bout just concentrating on that shiny, gold-plated Emmy right now? Please, for those of us who do not know who you are?

If weight should be an issue in these articles at all, it should be on the premise of Mike and Molly meeting at an Overeaters Anonymous group. That would bring the attention back to the Emmy for acting she does on the show.

I do hope she clears up the mixed messages that so many actresses get caught up in. Kirstie was "accepting" herself as a "Fat Actress," then, signed lucrative contracts with weight loss companies. Jennifer Hudson said the same after winning the Academy Award for "Dreamgirls." However, she, too, signed on to drop to a size 6. She flaunts her body in the media and on the red carpet as much as she did when she was heavier and "proud" to be a role model for larger women.

Valerie Bertinelli, Oprah, Marie Osmond, Carrie Fisher, Kathy Ireland and countless other stars were all public about "finally" being comfortable in their own skin and not having to starve, or worse, do drugs to stay 'Hollywood thin.' They lectured millions of women on how to be proud and comfortable as larger women as long as their weight did not become a source of health problems.

This was until companies came along offering big bucks for public weight-loss campaigns. All of the sudden, the actresses tearfully told the public how uncomfortable it was playing with their kids, being turned down for roles, and feeling the aches and pains from extra pounds. Many fans felt betrayed by this. But, unfortunately, in many cases, there is a public rebound of putting the weight back on. This leads to embarrassment for all involved, but the public sympathy returns. Why? Because over 60 percent of Americans are overweight and need rich role models to "identify" with, feel their pain--again, tearfully-and be sold expensive plans to skinny-down.

So, I hope this rising star is happy with herself as an award-winning actress, a fashion designer, a wife and mother. I hope I never turn on the TV late one night and see a slim-down shake infomercial starring Emmy winner Melissa McCarthy. Now, that I know who she is.