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Sex and porn go mainstream in Australia

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Folks, it's official...sex has gone mainstream, even "down under" in Australia, by Greg Tingle

Sex and even straight out pornography has gone mainstream in Australia.

Some may argue that it always has been.

Ever since the incredibly popular Number 96 hit Australian television in the 70s, there has been a huge escalation in the omnipresence of sex for general consumption.

In the same era, Network Ten's smash hit, Prisoner, openly alluded to gay sex.

Today, Network Nine has taken it one step further in their reality television show, The Block; that is most well known for its presentation of couples, including a gay duo, unashamedly going about their weekly home beautification, sexual innuendo abounding.

Don't believe me?

The Internet has undoubtedly increased the mainstream acceptance of porn.

Ok, firstly, check out the official MSNBC website, which runs with the headline: XXX-ceptable

Now, click on HighRollersMagazine.com.au (which is closely related to Ms Fleiss Escorts, in Sydney) www.missfleiss.com.au

They are selling or at least promoting a book entitled A Man Selling Sex.

Incidentally the proprietor of the Miss Fleiss escort agency, based in Surry Hills, Mr David John Wade, is booked in to appear at the Downing Centre Local Court on the 21st August, over an alleged breach of an apprehended violence order, lodged by a former employee, who was also his lover.

For those of us without short memories, Miss Fleiss escort agency was reported to being for sale in the $500,000 range, some 12 months ago.

About 1 month ago Miss Fleiss e-mails starting circulating around Sydney, inviting "the rich and soon to be", to an exclusive party. Media Man Australia sent a reply, requesting an interview, but no response was received.

An e-mail campaign, that may have been bordering on spamming is an interesting way to promote such an event, given that they supposedly have high profile, lucrative financial backers and advertisers.

You want to talk about mainstream advertisers? There is a Mercedes-Benz advertising banner, flashing on the top of High Rollers Magazine website. Damiler Benz would be rolling in his grave in he knew.

Even "Big Brother" has got in on the act.

Click on www.missfleiss.com.au/news and you will be glad to see that Big Brother's Aaron Bentley has joined the party. A Sydney based phone number for Aaron is even available, and its not a 1902 number either.

It has long been known, "sex sells", but industry insiders are indeed concerned that sex is not selling as easily as it once did. Are they all over-exposed?

Do we, the concerned public fear that it is the absence of creative thinking that has lead to this rather cheap option, known in some circles as "cheap heat".

If in fact this genre is a substitute for quality, those of us who are involved in creative craft may not relish this trend.

Media Man Australia interviewed Australian sex symbol, Bessie Bardot, who launched her book, Casting Couch Confidential, back in April to much fan fair. Bessie fans will be glad to hear they can see more of her on her official website at: www.bessiebardot.com Her showreel is also available from Fairfax's multimedia portal at: http://media.f2.com.au/?rid=12472

Bessie Bardot says on sex, "Sex has hardly become mainstream!. We still miss out on fantastic advertisements and shows simply because the 'moral majority' deem them too sexy - even within an adult time frame. It disgusts me that people are so hung up on sex and can dictate what the rest of us can and can't see. We are MILES behind Europe in accepting sex as something we all do and getting it out of the closet into mainstream life to be talked about responsibly. GROW UP AUSTRALIA!

There is everything to gain by de-mystifying sex. Why do they restrict the general public viewing sensual material yet allow homicide and other violent crimes on TV and film, as if killing people is so much more acceptable? The Australian media need to fight for the rights of the people and get the censors of their back! And the moral majority need to use the OFF button more often".

Clothing manufactures are selling brands to retailers like "Pornstar" and Fcuk. Purported Fashion TV program, FTV, screens around the clock on FOXTEL displaying half-naked anorexic pubescent girls strutting and around on this program which is now known in many circles as "the nipple show" or "tit TV".

Perhaps, not by coincidence, Media Man Australia, has also previously interviewed Sydney journalist, Yolanda Corduff, whose sassy articles have been published in such places as Australian Penthouse, EROS Magazine and the now defunct, Australian Women's Forum.

"I think sex is slowly coming back to the mainstream after years of being excluded by increasing, and often confusing, censorship policies," says journalist Yolanda Corduff, who also works as a contributing editor of Eros Journal, a national anti-censorship publication. "Back in the 70s and 80s, sex was well and truly mainstream, with TV shows like Number 96 and The Box giving viewers a taste of male and female nudity and exploring all kinds of sexual issues. These programs had huge audiences in their day and were shown in prime time viewing timeslots.

If you've ever wondered why these 70s programs never come back on telly, even as late night repeats, it's because the content is now considered too raunchy by our censors. Channel 10 said as much a few years back, in an interview for a Four Corners documentary on the subject of censorship.

When you look at other media, like motion pictures and publications, you'll find that there is more censorship of sex. Most people don't realise how many Hollywood blockbusters are censored because, in a way, the studios edit the films voluntarily, rather than have their films classified for an adult audience," says Corduff. "What happens is the Office for Film and Literature will view a film, let the Distributor know what rating they're going to get, such as 'PG15' or 'R', and which scenes are most responsible for their decision. The Distributors/Studios then cut the 'offending' scenes out to get a lower rating, thus increasing their potential audience, and no-one's the wiser.

I am offended that this goes on and that it's not common knowledge. I don't like the idea that when I pay to see a film, I'm not seeing the same film that's been distributed in the rest of the world. Needless to say, sex is one of the most contentious issues when it comes to this kind of censorship and the increased vigilance is due to the changes in our censorship laws made by politicians.

I'm glad that TV shows like Big Brother are bringing sex back into the mainstream," adds Corduff. "After all, sex is a natural bodily function, it's fun and it's safe to view. Pity more censorship isn't focussed on violence, instead of sex, but I guess there's just too much profit in violence these days. Or maybe politicians just enjoy viewing violence more than sex, who can tell?

Yvette Moore, sexy Sydney socialite is of two minds on the subject of sex and porn going mainstream. Yvette says, "maybe were are going to become so bombarded with it that perhaps that we will become desensitised and it will loose its appeal and selling power. Anyway, we need to focus more on the heart and relationships and less on porn.

It's an interesting cycle. The advertisers fund the industry, but it's important to remember that the buying public fund the retailers by purchasing what they are selling. What they are often selling is in fact sex. The consumer has the power to vote with their feet and wallet, and if they feel inclined, or outraged, write letters to their local members of parliament and lobby groups.

Reality TV has had a very sexy edge to it over the last few years; with shows like Temptation Island becoming all the rage. One need look no further that Big Brother 3 to see that the scenes are sexier than ever, yet, it has rated the poorest out of all Big Brothers to date.

Even the author of this very article is rumoured to be in a supposed sexy reality TV show entitled Love Bytes.

It's official - sex has indeed gone mainstream in Australia.

Lap it up, or switch of "your box".

Maybe even read to your kids!

We almost forget, it's Sexpo opening day, at FOX Studios, Moore Park. Why not take the family!

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