This post was motivated by two things: 1) I spent all weekend listening to 60s on 6 on Sirius XM and 2) I recently read a good article about how pregnancies are hidden on sitcoms. Anyway, I’m on a bit of a The Mamas and the Papas kick today, and decided to look up some of their albums. That’s when I noticed it: they use TV pregnancy tactics to hide Mama Cass Elliot’s weight. It’s a known fact that the band feared her physical appearance would hinder their success, but I never knew they had been so blatant in hiding her size. So, let’s a take a trip through time and play “Where’s Mama Cass?”
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry! Sure, Cass had a weight problem, but the rest of the group members weren’t without their problems: Michelle with her affairs, John with his OCD, Denny with his drinking, etc. Still you can tell by the body language that Cass wasn’t another “member of the family”, even in the pics where they aren’t hiding her in shadow or behind a shrub. That must’ve been some good money for her to put up with that kind of behavior. Anyway, I leave you with the sleepiest version of “Twist & Shout” you’ve ever heard, to help you along with your midday nap.
Hilarious. Love the one pic in the car where she’s barely peeking over the windshield. She’s like a human photobomb
It’s such a shame, too, because Cass was the key to their success. Without her voice, they wouldn’t have been what they were.