'Drop Dead Diva' - Would You Rather Be Thin or Smart?

Photo: Lifetime

Recently, I caught a couple of episodes of Lifetime's new show "Drop Dead Diva." It's about a young, gorgeous, self-centered aspiring model (Deb) who dies in an accident, but comes back in a different body (Jane). A bigger, smarter, kinder (but still totally gorgeous) body. And so, as the Web site says, "Now, by a twist of fate and a bolt of divine intervention, Deb must come to terms with inhabiting Jane's plus-size frame and learn to reconcile her beauty queen ways with her brilliant new mind."

Now, I'm not plus-size, but I'm probably closer to that than I am to that elusive size 2 that many actresses wear, so I immediately feel the need to give props to Lifetime for creating a show that features a lady who doesn't wear sample sizes. And the show is cute, fun and mostly lighthearted -- not a bad way to spend part of an evening.

However, although I know it's not the intent of the show, by showing the brilliant, plus-size attorney next to her thin, blonde, ditzy best friend, it almost makes it seem like you have to choose one or the other -- would you rather be thin or smart? And we all know that's not the truth. "Drop Dead Diva" is definitely showing that having the brains is a far better bet, although having the looks makes plenty of things in life much, much easier.

However, it makes me wonder -- if you were given the choice, what would you choose? What would make you happier? Being thin and beautiful (but a bit dim), or having brains and a big heart, but also wearing a big dress size?

But don't worry. For further proof that you don't really have to choose one or the other, read about which exercise actually makes you smarter.