# Porn on the TV **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 31, 2012, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/porn-on-the-tv/611268 "2012-01-31T03:46:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/porn-on-the-tv/611268/21 "2012-01-31T15:10:01Z")
It’s not TV, it’s HBO. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/porn-on-the-tv/611268/22 "2012-01-31T15:13:43Z")
> [@Furious\_Marmot](#): > > Hell if I know. The fact that HBO allocates production capital and screen time to phony sex scenes and the odd flash of nudity suggests that the company believes that it contributes to the number of viewers, hence the bottom line, more than the additional 5 minutes of fully-clothed people talking that could have been put in it’s place. They’ve been in the business quite a while, so I expect they’ve done their homework. To be fair, the women who plays the red haired prostitute in Game of Thrones needs to be naked as much as possible. Regardless of how it is for business. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/porn-on-the-tv/611268/23 "2012-01-31T15:14:03Z")
> [@Chicagojeff](#): > > BTW Rome kicked ass.. I did enjoy a few episodes. But, I did a lot of eye-rolling as well. And, was often taken out of the story by gratuitous and explicit sex and violence. I did really like the death of Caesar, though. > [@Loach](#): > > YMMV of course but to me two people pretending to have sex is not porn. Well, maybe porn is not the best word, as some people often have a very specific definition of what counts (kind of like, I’m still a virgin if I only take it up the ass). But, to me, it’s porn. It’s the object of the thing, not the content. And, IMHO, those scenes are clearly designed to get people wet/hard. Which is what I feel is a little disconcerting about watching them publicly. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/porn-on-the-tv/611268/24 "2012-01-31T15:15:29Z")
If you think _Rome_ is bad, you’ll want to avoid _Spartacus_. It’s like _Rome_ with any subtlety completely removed and the sex and violence turned to 11. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/porn-on-the-tv/611268/25 "2012-01-31T15:23:35Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > I did enjoy a few episodes. But, I did a lot of eye-rolling as well. And, was often taken out of the story by gratuitous and explicit sex and violence. I did really like the death of Caesar, though. > > Well, maybe porn is not the best word, as some people often have a very specific definition of what counts (kind of like, I’m still a virgin if I only take it up the ass). But, to me, it’s porn. It’s the object of the thing, not the content. And, IMHO, those scenes are clearly designed to get people wet/hard. Which is what I feel is a little disconcerting about watching them publicly. The scenes are designed to titillate possibly. Porn is so people can jerk off. A couple minutes of people pretending to have sex in an R rated way for 5 minutes in an hour long drama is not porn. Nothing R rated is porn. You can have your own definition but in this case you would be wrong. ETA if you just said it was gratuitous and you were uncomfortable with it that’s a matter of opinion. But Rome, Tru Blood, Game of Thrones: not porn. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/porn-on-the-tv/611268/26 "2012-01-31T15:27:02Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > It’s weird when I walk into the living room and a person I’m not having sex with is watching writhing and moaning naked people on the TV. What’s stoppin ya? ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/porn-on-the-tv/611268/27 "2012-01-31T15:31:27Z")
I would be more upset at the people having sex on top of my TV than the person watching them, but hey, that’s just me. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/porn-on-the-tv/611268/28 "2012-01-31T15:56:18Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > It’s weird when I walk into the living room and a person I’m not having sex with is watching writhing and moaning naked people on the TV. “More tea, vicar?” ---
**Author:** ![shiftless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@shiftless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiftless)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/porn-on-the-tv/611268/29 "2012-01-31T15:57:40Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > If you think _Rome_ is bad, you’ll want to avoid _Spartacus_. It’s like _Rome_ with any subtlety completely removed and the sex and violence turned to 11. True. They could turn the blood back down to a 10 and I would like Sparticus better but otherwise an awesome show. The cable channels are walking the line between squeeky clean TV and outright porn - shows with real stories and some sex too. If the OP wants to complain, why not complain about actual porn? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/porn-on-the-tv/611268/30 "2012-01-31T15:58:58Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > Call me old fashioned You’re old fashioned. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/porn-on-the-tv/611268/31 "2012-01-31T16:19:33Z")
> [@lazybratsche](#): > > That’s what HBO and Showtime do: otherwise ordinary TV but with tits, characters that say “fuck”, and more violence. The first couple of seasons of _Stargate SG-1_ were originally run on Showtime (then later syndicated). I recall a few bare breasts, at least, which were pretty much inconsequential to the stories (though certainly lovely to look at), as evidenced by the fact that they had no-nudity versions of the episodes which went to syndication. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/porn-on-the-tv/611268/32 "2012-01-31T16:25:48Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > I would be more upset at the people having sex on top of my TV than the person watching them, but hey, that’s just me. 😛 [I too object to all this sex on the television.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLMBHvDNYiU) ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/porn-on-the-tv/611268/33 "2012-01-31T16:26:25Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > which were pretty much inconsequential to the stories (though certainly lovely to look at), as evidenced by the fact that they had no-nudity versions of the episodes which went to syndication. A lot of HBO shows are made in two versions like that – _Dream On_ and _Sex and the City_ come to mind. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/porn-on-the-tv/611268/34 "2012-01-31T16:35:27Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > The first couple of seasons of _Stargate SG-1_ were originally run on Showtime (then later syndicated). I recall a few bare breasts, at least, which were pretty much inconsequential to the stories (though certainly lovely to look at), as evidenced by the fact that they had no-nudity versions of the episodes which went to syndication. Wow I don’t remember that at all. Maybe I came onboard later and never saw those versions. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/porn-on-the-tv/611268/35 "2012-01-31T16:55:53Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > The first couple of seasons of _Stargate SG-1_ were originally run on Showtime (then later syndicated). I recall a few bare breasts, at least, which were pretty much inconsequential to the stories (though certainly lovely to look at), as evidenced by the fact that they had no-nudity versions of the episodes which went to syndication. Wasn’t that confusing, though, when the characters would later make references to earlier boobs? ---
**Author:** ![Baboonanza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f475e1/32.png) [@Baboonanza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baboonanza)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/porn-on-the-tv/611268/36 "2012-01-31T16:59:29Z")
I’ve noticed that with almost all HBO shows there is T&A in the first couple of episodes even if it then disappears for the rest of the season. It’s clearly a tactic to try and get viewers into the shows. It works on me. > [@Eonwe](#): > > It’s weird when I walk into the living room and a person **I’m not having sex** with is watching writhing and moaning naked people on the TV. I think I have a solution. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/porn-on-the-tv/611268/37 "2012-01-31T17:05:59Z")
> [@CandidGamera](#): > > It’s not TV, it’s HBO. > > 😃 This. It’s something you have to voluntarily sign up for and you can cancel your subscription if you want. It’s not ‘public’ by any means. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/porn-on-the-tv/611268/38 "2012-01-31T17:09:39Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > The scenes are designed to titillate possibly. Porn is so people can jerk off. A couple minutes of people pretending to have sex in an R rated way for 5 minutes in an hour long drama is not porn. Nothing R rated is porn. You can have your own definition but in this case you would be wrong. > > ETA if you just said it was gratuitous and you were uncomfortable with it that’s a matter of opinion. But Rome, Tru Blood, Game of Thrones: not porn. Eh, I don’t know. Based on aural stimuli it sounds like porn. The fact that if I happen to watch I don’t see a penis or vagina almost feels irrelevant. To me, while drawing a line with regards to the definition might be useful for regulatory purposes, quibbling over porn/erotica/smut/whatever just seems like a fruitless, subjective endeavor, pursuing an endlessly moving target. One man (or woman’s) smut is another’s porn. I mean, I think it’s reasonable to call Playboy pornographic, while there are those who say that it’s not, because they don’t show penetration. > [@Acsenray](#): > > You’re old fashioned. Simon didn’t say call me old fashioned, you lose!🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/porn-on-the-tv/611268/39 "2012-01-31T17:13:41Z")
**Update:** Just walked into the living room with my penis in my hand. Tried to sit on top of the flat-screen while waggling my member at my roommate in a come-hither fashion. The TV tipped over, I hurt myself quite badly, and my roommate says the police will be meeting me at the hospital. The things I do for you guys! ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/porn-on-the-tv/611268/40 "2012-01-31T17:31:19Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > The first couple of seasons of _Stargate SG-1_ were originally run on Showtime (then later syndicated). I recall a few bare breasts, at least, which were pretty much inconsequential to the stories (though certainly lovely to look at), as evidenced by the fact that they had no-nudity versions of the episodes which went to syndication. IIRC it is only the pilot episode that had nudity. And it was full frontal female nudity. It is still available on DVD (the version in my “ten seasons plus films” boxset has it, but there is a re-edited version available on DVD now as well). Seems I am right, looking at Wikipedia: > **[Children of the Gods](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children_of_the_Gods#MPAA_rating_and_subsequent_edits)** > > "Children of the Gods" is the first episode of the military science fiction television series Stargate SG-1. It was written by producers Jonathan Glassner and Brad Wright and was directed by Mario Azzopardi. The episode first aired on July 27, 1997, on Showtime. Originally presented as a television movie, the episode would later be split into two parts for repeats and syndicated viewings. A new, updated cut, which is entitled "Children of the Gods – The Final Cut" was released on DVD on July ... > [@](#): > > The episode’s original airing on Showtime in 1997 featured full-frontal nudity during the scene showing the possession of Sha’re (Vaitiare Bandera) by Amonet. This has never been repeated, and future airings in the United States have had the nudity cut out for syndication. The DVD version, however, retains this scene. This episode is the only one in the series to be rated R by the MPAA, while in the UK the episode is rated 18 by the BBFC. It is rated M in Australia, recommended for (but not restricted to) viewers 15 and older. All other SG-1 episodes have generally been rated PG, or 15, at most.[5] > Executive producer Brad Wright has revealed that the Stargate SG-1 pilot episode (“Children of the Gods”) is being re-cut into a Stargate SG-1 direct-to-DVD film with brand new visual effects and scenes not previously included in the television version. The beginning will be slightly altered, a new scene will be added, and the nudity scene will be taken out, although the final movie will be roughly 7 minutes shorter than the original episode. Joel Goldsmith will re-score the music. It was released on DVD on July 21, 2009 in 16:9 widescreen format, and may also be aired on television.[3 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/porn-on-the-tv/611268.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/porn-on-the-tv/611268.md?page=3)