PassionFile

From Real Sex on HBO to Playboy Channels Various Escapades

It’s like an underground society. Various people having what amounts to strange romantic addictions. I’m not talking about fetishes or sexual voyeurism of the type that includes bondage, dominance or sadomasochism (BDSM). We’ve been introduced to specific people and their sexual habits on television shows like “Real Sex” before, but producers and entertainment executives are always trying to out-do each other with the weird factor.

The most recent addition to introduce what are considered “normal” people to those on the edge of acceptable behavior would be “My Strange Addiction” on TLC, which has become the network for oddities. Kind of like the circus side shows of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. So not much has changed since then, except that the venue is different. Now we seek our freak shows from the television set. Some people may find that description offensive, but when the lead-in to “My Strange Addiction” shows a young man lying under the front of his car and kissing it, passionately, phone numbers for therapists start ringing all over the country.

Sex and voyeurism is alive and well on television

Is this quality television and reality TV, or is it simply shock value?  It may be all aspects, but when we consider romance, passion and intimacy, we’re not talking about inanimate objects. There have been plenty of examples of people practicing sexuality on these types of items, but generally they fall into the sex-toy category. “Fun and unusual sexual practices of real people” is the catch-phrase for Real Sex on HBO and they’ve documented people doing a variety of out of the ordinary things related to sex including; people who enjoy living completely in the nude, all nude photo shoots, striptease schools in Russia, naked stage shows, outrageous lifestyles, Mr. Nude World Competition, a group of sexy girls masquerading as guys, a couples who’s business that is to listen to others talking dirty, a couples only Kama sutra class, a penile puppet troupe from Australia who call themselves “Cock Stars“ as well as a Santa Fe wresting match that turns into an orgy,
As opposed to the more typical strip-clubs, cybersex junkies, erotic video marketers, brothels, adult shops, and swingers conventions that have become mundane (to the chagrin of some conservative soap boxers), these shows are definitely pushing the limit, especially when it is clear that there is a level of mental illness involved, or is there? Car enthusiasts have always equated a sleekly designed car with scantily clad, sexy women. There certainly is a level of sexism and gender ignorance here, but car companies have at least seemed to understand that most of their cars are being purchased or the purchase decision is being influenced by women. Although, the individual in this episode of My Strange Addiction doesn’t seem to care about that.
The trend to bring audiences new and more extreme situations regarding sex will continue. We are continuously bombarded by shows about dating, angry and attitude filled girls (well beyond The Housewives series). The need to fill all of the cable networks such as Oxygen, Lifestyle and so many others will accommodate shows like My Strange Addiction and based upon it’s viewer ratings, it seems we as a society have come to expect  and are becoming  immune to the struggles of  people just like this poor man who prefers the cold steel of an automobile to the warm, soft caress of the female gender.