Ep 5. Everybody Hates Fat Mike

Chris Rock's autobiographical sitcom, Everybody Hates Chris, takes on the daily struggles of an African-American teen growing up in Brooklyn in the 1980s. In season 1, episode 5, titled "Everybody Hates Fat Mike," Chris faces a dilemma when his teacher pairs him with the school's overweight kid, Fat Mike, for a project.

As Chris begins to work with Mike on the assignment, he quickly realizes that he can't keep up with his partner's eating habits. Mike is constantly snacking on junk food while Chris tries to resist temptation by sticking to his mother's healthy meals. Chris attempts to offer some guidance to Mike, but it falls on deaf ears, and he continues to live life at his own pace.

The situation comes to a head when Chris's classmates start to mock Fat Mike for his weight. Chris initially tries to defend his partner, but the constant ridicule begins to wear him down. He starts to distance himself from Mike in an attempt to protect his own reputation, but soon realizes that he's not the only one being hurt by the situation.

The episode tackles the issue of bullying in schools and puts a spotlight on the isolation and hurt it can cause. It also deals with the topic of obesity, showcasing the various struggles overweight students can face in a school environment. The show's sense of humor offers some levity to the situation, but it never loses sight of the gravity of the topic it's addressing.

Overall, "Everybody Hates Fat Mike" is a heartfelt exploration of what it means to be different in a world that values conformity. Chris's struggles with his own identity and those of his classmates are relatable to anyone who's gone through the trials of adolescence. The episode is a standout in the show's first season and serves as a reminder of the power of empathetic storytelling.