Jim Morrison on Why Fat is Beautiful | Blank on Blank | PBS Digital Studios

>> [Blank on Blank intro] >> [Music: The Doors "Soul Kitchen"] >> Jim Morrison: Are you hungry? >> Howard Smith: Why do you ask that? >> Jim Morrison: Well, maybe we could order out for some sandwiches or something. Chicken delight or something. >> [Music: "Soul Kitchen" continues] >> Jim Morrison: You're not hungry? How about you: are you hungry? Oh, it's lunchtime. Did you have breakfast this morning? >> Jim Morrison: You did. What'd you have? >> Howard Smith: Oh, little things like chocolate cake and tea here. >> Jim Morrison: Is that all you had? >> Howard Smith: That's all I want. >> Jim Morrison: You should eat more, Howard. >> Howard Smith: You put on a lot of weight. Are you eating a lot? >> Jim Morrison: Well, um... You know that's something that really bothers me. What's wrong with being fat? That's what I want to know. Why is there such... >> Howard Smith: I didn't say there's anything wrong with it. >> Jim Morrison: Why is it so onerous to be fat? Um... I don't see anything wrong with fat. You know? I mean, I remember when I used to weigh 185 pounds, and I'm the same height. I was the same height that I am now and I weighed 185 pounds and I was going to college. And I had this food ticket at the cafeteria. And the cafeteria food is mainly all based on starch. You know it's cheap food, right? And so I don't know what it was, but in order... I don't know, I just felt like I was... If you missed your meal you just, you know... I just figured: "Well I was getting screwed, right?" If I missed a meal I blew it. [Music: The Doors "Who Do You Love"] So I'd get up at 6:30 every morning just to make breakfast, right? Eggs and grits and sausages and toast and milk. Then I'd go do a few classes. And I'd make it in there for lunch. >> [Music: "Who Do You Love" continues] >> Jim Morrison: Mashed potatoes. Every now and then they'd put a little piece of meat in something, you know? Then I'd go to a few more classes. And then I'd go to dinner and it was more mashed potatoes. >> [Music: "Who Do You Love" continues] >> Jim Morrison: And so about three months later I was 185 pounds. And you know what? I felt so great. I felt like a tank, you know. I felt like a large mammal. A big beast. When I'd move through the corridors or across the lawn, I just feel like I could knock anybody out of my way, you know. I was solid, man. It's terrible to be thin and wispy, because, you know, you could get knocked over by a strong wind or something. Fat is beautiful. [Music: "Who Do You Love" continues] >> Howard Smith: How much do you weigh now? >> Jim Morrison: I don't know to tell you the truth. I'd guess somewhere in the neighborhood of about 150. >> Howard Smith: Really? >> Jim Morrison: You want to compare biceps? (Laughs) You want a dead arm wrestling match, Howard? Are you ready? Are you in shape? >> Howard Smith: All right. Yeah. >> Jim Morrison: We'll wait until the interview's over. >> Howard Smith: (Laughs) >> [Music: Joe Jones "Light my Fire (Doors cover)"]