The news that WE tv is bringing a live sex show, “Sex Box,” to its network this month has been met with utter shock by parents across the country, and perhaps even more shockingly, with utter disdain for those who would dare speak out against such a show being on TV in the first place.
The Parents Television Council is urging people to take action and sign a national petition to “Stop ‘Sex Box’” from airing for the simple reason that this is a boundary that should NOT be crossed on TV.
If “Sex Box” is allowed to air, how long will it be before the other cable networks start introducing shows featuring couples having sex? And how long after that before the sex is no longer hidden from plain sight? This isn’t hyperbole. Television networks are great imitators, as we saw last summer with the preponderance of “naked”-themed reality shows (“Dating Naked,” “Naked and Afraid,” etc.).
Sex Box is an extreme therapy reality concept that lets couples discuss their relationship issues with a panel of experts and then retire to a camera-free, soundproof box on the show’s set to have sex. They emerge to immediately discuss their experiences in the box and most intimate personal issues with the experts, as the cameras roll before a studio audience. The first season will feature eleven, one-hour episodes.
Sex Box panel of experts includes:
Dr. Fran Walfish, a leading Beverly Hills relationship psychotherapist who treats celebrity couples and LA’s poshest residents through her private practice; Dr. Fran is a published author of The Self-Aware Parent, has appeared on The Doctors (CBS), NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, ABC News, CNN and Fox News Channel. She is also a regular on-camera contributor for the CBS and Fox news affiliates in Los Angeles.
Dr. Chris Donaghue, PhD, a licensed clinical therapist, nationally certified sex therapist (one of only 20 in Calif. and 600 in the world), and doctor of clinical sexology and human sexuality. Dr. Chris has appeared on Logo TV’s Bad Sex, and has been featured in Newsweek, and seen on CNN, OWN, National Geographic and Dr. Drew’s Lifechangers.
Rounding out the panel is Florida-based Pastor Dr. Yvonne Capehart, PhD, the founder of “Healed for Real” healing and deliverance conference and Sister Keeper International Ministries Crusade, a network for women in ministry.
In addition to the expert panelists, Sex Box features comedian and podcaster Danielle Stewart who has been featured on the Ralphie May‘s Filthy Animals Tour, Playboy Channel’s Foursome: Walk of Shame and Hulu’s Comedy Brew.
According to writer, Megan Gibson, while the logic might follow that couples are more open after they’ve had sex, it’s typically with one another — not so much with a host of strangers and millions of viewers.
“In order for a child to watch the Disney Channel, her parents must now also pay for a live sex show on WE tv. Something is terribly, horribly broken in the marketplace when an industry is capable of making that happen,” said PTC President Tim Winter.
“A live sex show on TV is something that might show up on a premium cable network. But in an affront to all families, WE tv is bringing that content to basic cable and potentially exposing millions of children in the process. If some adults want to watch a program like that, let them pay for it. But forcing it into the basic cable bundle and making parents and families pay for it is an outrage. ‘Sex Box’ should never see the light of day on basic cable.
“Families are overwhelmed by today’s toxic entertainment media environment, and a program like ‘Sex Box’ will only cause a further erosion of standards on broadcast and basic cable television. No doubt the network’s promotions team will try to spin the program as some sort of sophisticated, enlightening, reality show. And no doubt other network programmers will see it as the next content boundary that needs to be crossed.”
The Parents Television Council® (www.parentstv.org) is a non-partisan education organization advocating responsible entertainment. It was founded in 1995 to ensure that children are not constantly assaulted by sex, violence and profanity on television and in other media.
This national grassroots organization has more than 1.3 million members and 56 chapters across the United States, and works with television producers, broadcasters, networks and sponsors in an effort to stem the flow of harmful and negative messages targeted to children.
The PTC™ also works with elected and appointed government officials to enforce broadcast decency standards. Most importantly, the PTC produces critical research and publications documenting the dramatic increase in sex, violence and profanity in entertainment. This information is provided free of charge so parents can”make informed viewing choices for their own families.
Visit the new PTC Watchdog Blog at www.parentstv.org/blog.
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