elvispresleysdearestfangirl

[elvispresleysdearestfangirl]

This is incredibly sweet to me. (I know you don't care for Ginger, but it's clear E held a great deal of love for her from the way he spoke.)

https://youtu.be/4aaTIvyDDoU?si=WS3vejhUuzag9ULF

I find it very sweet, 100%. And yes, I might not be very fond of Ginger, but I can tell Elvis 100% was. And as long as he's happy, I'm happy. And honestly, I love seeing Elvis happy, and he was really happy with her.

[elvispresleysdearestfangirl]

This is amazing. Even though you could tell how sick and worn out he was, he fought through it to deliver. Throughout all his struggles, his voice never failed him.

Plus I love how he pouts/pushes his lips out during this lol!

https://youtu.be/XroLzmY3evk?si=vSLJkC6erhuE6nxB

Right? You can see he’s totally drained, but still gives everything he’s got. That kind of heart—and control—is rare. And yeah, that little lip pout is iconic.

[elvispresleysdearestfangirl]

Apparently this wasn't the only time MadTV made fun of Elvis either.

I can't understand how they thought this was funny.

I mean, yes, there were times the drugs made him act strangely, I don't deny that. But he genuinely thought he needed them because of his health issues and because Dr. Nick and other doctors were prescribing them to him. He didn't know that one can become addicted to prescription drugs the same way one can become addicted to something like heroin or meth; heck, a lot of people didn't back then. In his mind, as long as they were prescribed to him by a doctor, it was okay to take them.

No wonder Dr. Nick eventually lost his medical license.

https://youtu.be/NzbamMyXTys?si=GVF_cLyJ0wgYSDad

https://youtu.be/CS4-DAvSeSI?si=9WjKBZa1_yEZCj1F

You're completely right, and it's honestly frustrating how Elvis was treated, especially by shows like MadTV that chose to mock him instead of digging deeper into the reality of what he was going through. It's easy to laugh at someone when you only look at the surface—his later years, the erratic behavior, the weight gain—but there was a much darker, more human story behind all of it.

Elvis wasn’t some reckless addict. He was dealing with chronic health issues, intense pressure from fame, and a toxic cycle of being overprescribed medication by doctors he trusted—especially Dr. Nick. Back then, public understanding of prescription drug addiction was incredibly limited. Most people believed if it came from a doctor, it was safe. Elvis wasn't trying to party—he was trying to cope. That context matters.

And yeah, no surprise Dr. Nick lost his license. The way he and others enabled Elvis was pure negligence. Yet MadTV and other comedy shows just ran with the jokes, turning his decline into a punchline. It’s that same pattern: take a struggling icon and exploit them for laughs.

Looking back now, especially with what we know about mental health and addiction, it’s honestly gross. The sketches from those YouTube links just highlight how little compassion there was. They didn’t just fail to understand Elvis—they actively reinforced the stigma around addiction.

[elvispresleysdearestfangirl]

It wasn't just Elvis they made fun of either. They also made fun of people like Whitney Houston when she was struggling with her addiction and abusive marriage to Bobby Brown.

Knowing what we know now about her, it's just sickening that they chose to make fun of people who were struggling; they remind me a lot of schoolyard bullies like in "Carrie." No wonder they were popular with teenagers at the time.

Bill Clinton and Michael Jackson were also common targets; I'm surprised neither of them sued.

Also, no wonder they got canceled. They were supposed to be a competitor to SNL since it was not doing well at the time, but SNL bounced back, so MadTV never really got up to their ratings.

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[elvispresleysdearestfangirl]

There comes a point where we, as a society, have to ask ourselves: How far are we willing to go to get a laugh? And more importantly—at whose expense? Because if we're still using Elvis Presley’s weight as a punchline nearly five decades after his death, something’s broken, and it’s not just our sense of humor—it’s our sense of humanity.

Elvis wasn’t a meme. He was a man. A deeply complicated, wildly gifted, heart-achingly human being. A Southern boy with gospel in his soul and pain in his eyes. He gave everything to the world—his voice, his body, his youth, his sanity. And for what? For us to remember him not as the electric, trailblazing force of nature he was, but as some lazy caricature of “fat Elvis dying on a toilet”? That’s not just disrespectful. It’s cruel. And it’s lazy.

What a lot of people forget—or ignore—is that Elvis struggled. He was sick. He was overworked. He was exploited. The same machine that built him up tore him to shreds. He was trapped by fame, chewed up by a system that saw dollar signs where there should have been support. He suffered from health issues, addiction, and intense mental strain. The weight gain? That was a symptom, not a punchline. But people love to reduce things they don’t understand. It’s easier to laugh at a man than to feel empathy for him. But easier doesn't mean right.

We talk so much about mental health awareness and compassion now—but where’s that energy when we look back at someone like Elvis? He gave his life, literally, to entertain us. He died at 42, exhausted and alone. And somehow people still find a way to mock him as if he was some washed-up has-been who let himself go. No. He was a man crumbling under the pressure of being the most famous person on Earth. And we owe him more than jokes at his expense.

What’s even sadder is how this reflects our society’s obsession with body image. As if someone’s weight invalidates their worth. As if a person stops being a legend the second they gain a few pounds. That mindset? That’s toxic. It’s outdated. It’s dangerous. And it needs to end. Because if Elvis can be the King of Rock and still get mocked, what does that say to the rest of us just trying to exist in our own bodies?

He changed the world with his music. He broke barriers. He gave the voiceless a sound. He moved in ways that got people banned from TV and in love all at once. He inspired generations. And even in his worst moments, even in pain, even bloated, broken, medicated, he still sang. He still performed. He still showed up.

If that’s not strength, I don’t know what is.

So maybe instead of laughing at the image of “fat Elvis,” we should mourn the fact that no one helped him when he needed it most. Maybe we should celebrate the man who made music feel alive. Maybe we should respect the legacy, not tear it down for shallow, outdated jokes.

Let’s retire the fat jokes. Let’s stop dragging the dead. Let’s remember Elvis Presley the way he deserves to be remembered—not for the weight he gained, but for the weight he carried.

[elvispresleysdearestfangirl]

Do you think fame ruined Elvis, or was it something deeper?

It was deeper for sure. Fame exposed the cracks that were already there — like his dependency on others, his isolation, maybe even his trauma. Fame didn’t break him, but it gave him the space to self-destruct faster.

[elvispresleysdearestfangirl]

This was something else that popped up in my 'recommended' list on YouTube once. It starts off okay (I thought a skit focused around E making a karate film might have some potential and be a bit clever), but then...ugh.

Again, why do they ALWAYS have to go for the obvious jokes about his weight and such? And of course they insinuate it was just from his diet. Sometimes I wish we as fans could form a class action suit against these so-called "comedians" for defamation.

https://youtu.be/UU7HHBHMsWg

no girl i understand if anything i'm gonna start a community where people who want to defend elvis like me are welcome to join

[elvispresleysdearestfangirl]

I also can't understand why these "comedians" always insinuate E was somehow sloppy or unattractive after he gained weight. That's not true at all; I mean, just look up "big daddy Elvis" and you'll see how many fans still adore him in that era.

Girl, I'm with you there!

[elvispresleysdearestfangirl]

"Until we meet again may God bless you,adios." Elvis Presley.

[elvispresleysdearestfangirl]

I’m kind of surprised that Priscilla or Lisa Marie didn’t sue over that MadTV dreck for defamation; I would’ve done that in a heartbeat.

Totally get you—honestly, I’m shocked too that Priscilla or Lisa Marie didn’t sue. But legally, it’s tough. You can’t defame the dead, and parody is protected under free speech. That’s how shows like MadTV get away with that kind of trash. Still, legal or not, it was tasteless and disrespectful. If I were family? I’d be livid.

[elvispresleysdearestfangirl]

This came up in my recommended feed for Youtube once, and I'm still mad that they had the audacity to make this. Like, okay, I know this is MadTV and they don't always have the best standards for comedy, but seriously; why do comedians ALWAYS have to make fun of E's weight and drug addiction towards the end of his life? I know there were times the drugs made him act oddly, but this just feels tasteless; I almost feel unclean watching it.

Like, how would you feel if someone made fun of your family member who was going through health problems or addiction issues like this? I just can't understand it. If I was Elvis, I'd be pissed.

https://youtu.be/LD7grOl3-ZM?si=b5_fA4E2RLWvhtIr

You're 100% right to feel upset about that. I watched the clip, and yeah—it’s not just unfunny, it’s straight-up mean. There’s a huge difference between poking fun at a public figure's quirks versus kicking someone while they’re down, especially when that "someone" was clearly dealing with real, painful stuff like addiction and health issues.

Elvis wasn’t just some celebrity to roast for clout. He was a person. A massively talented one who, yeah, had struggles—but that doesn’t make it fair game to turn his suffering into a joke. And honestly, people love to reduce him to his worst moments because it’s easy and lazy. It’s always easier to mock than to try and understand what someone was going through.

If someone made fun of a family member of mine like that—especially if they passed away in a really tragic or vulnerable way—I’d be furious. And I’d feel sick, too. Like, it makes you feel gross watching it, right? Almost like you’re being forced to laugh at pain when you know it’s not funny.

[elvispresleysdearestfangirl]

Some people worship gods. I worship Elvis Presley.

Not in a cheesy way. Not like a fan chasing a myth. I love Elvis because when I was ready to end my life, he gave me a reason not to. He didn’t know it, of course. He’s been gone since 1977. But his voice—that voice—found me when nothing else could.

I’ve tried to explain this to people before. Most don’t get it. They hear “Elvis” and think Vegas jumpsuits and peanut butter sandwiches. But I hear heartbreak, gospel, grit. I hear a man clawing through pain and pouring it into songs that reach places no therapist ever could. When Elvis sang, it felt like he was bleeding with me.

I’ve stood on the edge. Literally. I’ve stared down from bridges, counted pills, loaded the gun. The darkness gets heavy like that sometimes—like there’s a hand pushing on your back, whispering, go ahead, no one cares. But then I hear him.

Sometimes it’s “If I Can Dream,” and I swear he’s crying for me. That desperate hope in his voice—that raw, trembling plea for a better world—it grabs me by the collar and yanks me back. Other times, it’s “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” I’ve played that on loop in the middle of the night, shaking and crying, letting the words pull me through one more hour. One more breath.

I know Elvis wasn’t perfect. He battled demons too—addiction, loneliness, the pressure of being everything to everyone. That’s part of why I love him. He didn’t hide his struggle. You can hear it. You can feel the cracks in the facade, the sadness behind the swagger. He was human. He hurt. And yet, he still gave everything he had on stage, in the studio, to the world.

That’s the thing. Elvis didn’t save me with perfection. He saved me by being broken and beautiful at the same time. By proving that someone can be shattered and still shine.

I keep pictures of him on my wall. Some people light candles for saints—I light candles under his portrait when I’m at my worst. I write him letters. I sing along to “Can’t Help Falling in Love” like it’s a prayer. And every time I feel like the world doesn’t want me, I remember: somewhere in his own pain, Elvis still stood up and sang.

He didn’t have to. No one would’ve blamed him if he walked away. But he kept going. For us. For me.

I’m not cured. I still have nights where the darkness comes crawling. But Elvis is my lifeline. His voice is the sound of staying alive when every part of me wants to give up. He taught me that even in your lowest, you can still mean something to someone. That your pain doesn’t make you worthless—it makes you real.

And that’s why I love him. Not just as a singer, but as a soul brother in the storm.

So if anyone asks why I’m still here, I tell them the truth.

Because of Elvis Presley.

[elvispresleysdearestfangirl]

Actually, for me, if I mention anything about Elvis and the person makes the "died on the toilet" joke, that's a huge red flag for me; like, it gives me the impression that they don't respect other people, that sort of thing. The thing was, I'd had somewhat of a crush on this coworker before he made the joke, but after he did, I lost a lot of respect for him.

I honestly would to.

[elvispresleysdearestfangirl]

Sometimes it can be difficult being an Elvis fan. I mentioned it to a male coworker once and he made a stupid joke about E "dying on the toilet." I wanted to deck the guy in the face, but couldn't since I didn't want to get fired. I pretty much just avoided eye contact and pretended like I didn't hear him.

Seriously, I am so sick of those "jokes" it's insane. It's like, forgive me if I don't find the way someone died funny. With very few exceptions, most of us cannot choose how we leave this Earth.

It is frustrating being an Elvis fan sometimes, especially with all the cheap jokes and misinformation that get passed around like facts. The “died on the toilet” line isn’t just tired — it’s disrespectful. No one deserves to be reduced to how they died, especially someone who gave so much to music and culture. People forget he was a human being, not a meme.

[elvispresleysdearestfangirl]

That angel face never changed

[elvispresleysdearestfangirl]

Ugh. I wish people (in general, but especially shitty comedians) would stop making fun of Elvis's weight gain during his last few years (mostly from 75-77). The whole "Fat Elvis" joke/trope just needs to die.

People commonly think it was just his diet or the drugs that made him "overweight" when in reality, that was only a small part of what was really going on. Plus, he wasn't even that overweight in the first place. He was incredibly sick; his body was failing him, and so many just don't understand that. Part of me wishes we could sue people who made jokes/skits about this, just to make an example/deterrent to others.

And to be honest...I don't get why it's a joke. I and many others would still happily rail him into the mattress all night long during that era. Like, I would do everything to/for him. I don't care what his weight is. I would wreck that dude.

In all seriousness, though; why does this persist? I think most of us stopped finding fat jokes funny in high school.

You're absolutely right to be frustrated—there’s a real lack of empathy in how people still talk about Elvis during those final years. The “Fat Elvis” trope has become this lazy cultural shorthand, a punchline that totally ignores the human being behind it—someone who was deeply unwell, struggling with multiple chronic conditions, under intense pressure, and absolutely not just someone who “let himself go.”

The fact is, Elvis was dealing with a cocktail of health issues—autoimmune problems, heart complications, chronic pain, and yes, substance dependence that was heavily linked to medical mismanagement and an industry that treated him like a product rather than a person. And he was still performing—still giving what he could to his fans—through all of that.

The joke persists because fatphobia is still an easy out in comedy. When writers or comedians want a quick laugh and don’t want to do the work of saying something insightful, they fall back on tired stereotypes. And you're right—it’s immature, it’s unoriginal, and it shows a serious lack of depth. The same people who make “Fat Elvis” jokes probably couldn’t last five minutes under the weight of the life he lived.

Also, you're not alone in the appreciation—there are a lot of people who still found him incredibly magnetic in those years. Charisma doesn’t just disappear because someone gains weight. If anything, it’s kind of beautiful that fans like you can see through the surface and still recognize his worth, his talent, and his presence.

So yeah, it’s long past time to retire that joke. Not just out of respect for Elvis, but because we should be holding ourselves to a higher standard when it comes to how we treat people—especially those who struggled publicly while still trying to give the world something meaningful.

[elvispresleysdearestfangirl]

✨ new thing I’m doing: ask me anything ✨

starting a little series where y’all can DM me literally anything— 💌 random thoughts about Elvis (the man, the myth, the drama) ❓curiosity questions (deep, weird, or just fun)

could be about his music, his life, conspiracy theories, or even just "why did he do that" type vibes. you’re also free to send stuff anonymously through asks if you’re shy 👀

if it’s interesting or makes me laugh or I feel like going on a tangent—I’ll answer it publicly (or privately if you prefer)!

let’s talk. I’m bored. you’re curious. it’s a win-win.