It's not that the special itself – chronicling the dramatic odysseys of Savipat Kemkajit Chotpintu and Ed Port, two individuals with a rare deformity – isn't compelling material, or that the show treated its subjects especially insensitively. There's something fascinating and even at times very moving about the human struggle at its most extreme ends. The affliction that Chotpintu and Port documented on TLC, after all, is similar to what inspired John Merrick's poignant life story to become "The Elephant Man." On Crushable this week, Jenni Maier wondered, "How they’re still able to remain somewhat positive despite their massive facial deformities … certainly puts my life into perspective and gets me thinking about how fortunate I am," adding that the show ultimately left her feeling "uplifted."

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