TLC Is the New Freak Show
Back in the 1800s the circus was where you saw the disabled. Now, you can see it by turning on your TV.
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I'm not proud of it, but I watch my fair share of TLC programming. What was first established in 1980 as The Learning Channel and showed audiences live surgeries, has transitioned into the reality-centric network devoted to 90 day fiancees and 600-lb lives. Recently, though, TLC is apparently trying to put the "learning" back into their programming by focusing on...disability. Or, specifically, how damn weird disabled people look.
Within the last month alone TLC has unveiled two shows wholly focused on disabled people: Body Bizarre, a show that, as the title implies, looks at odd disabled bodies (and is apparently in its 8th season!), and One Day in My Body which also focuses on disabled people and how they go about their business.
This isn't something new. TLC has been putting out disabled stories for decades, from 2020's World's Smallest Woman, 2022's I Am Shauna Rae, and 2025's Jay & Pamela. In all these shows, the goal is to "celebrate" the unique lives of these individuals with an emphasis on their medical situations, how they react to people's cruelty, and discussing their sex lives. That last one happens a lot. What is new is the idea that they're clearly responding to something viewers are clamoring for: a glimpse at disabled people. And these shows aren't altruistic series meant to illustrate what disabled people go through and advocate for better. The goal is voyeurism. To make the abled audience look at these people and say, "Wow, how bizarre and amazing. Thank God that's not me."
