Sex (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Sex, also known as Sex with Sophie Lee, is an Australian television
series that ran from 1992 to 1993 on the Nine Network
. It was hosted by Sophie Lee
in its first season and Pamela Stephenson
in its second. As the title of the show suggests, the program was about sex
and its related aspects.
Viewer reaction to Sex varied. Some saw the program as useful and valid television, while others felt uncomfortable or found the program exploitative. General Motors Holden announced that it would not advertise during Sex because it wanted to be associated with "wholesome" topics.
In 1993, the show was moved to a later timeslot but despite good ratings, the controversy became too much for then managing director David Gyngell
who announced its departure on the Midday
show with the final show airing on 27 May. However, the show's success sparked a similar series on Network Ten
, Sex/Life hosted by Totti Goldsmith and Alyssa-Jane Cook
, which ran from 1994 to 1998.
's reputation for sexiness, from her time as host of the Bugs Bunny Show, delivered a very high rating for Sex, a 32 share for its premiere. By the end of 1992, she became disenchanted with the show and left the program.
In 1993, comedian Pamela Stephenson
took over as host, presenting in a more humourous style. At that time she was known as a performer, but in later years
was granted a PhD as a psychologist, specializing in the area of human sexuality.
One of the reporters on the show was Dr Kerryn Phelps, who would later go on to become president of the Australian Medical Association
.
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
series that ran from 1992 to 1993 on the Nine Network
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...
. It was hosted by Sophie Lee
Sophie Lee
Sophie Lee is an Australian film, stage and television actress and author.-Career:Early in her career, Sophie Lee worked as a model, both in Australia and Japan appearing in print and on TV...
in its first season and Pamela Stephenson
Pamela Stephenson
Pamela Helen Stephenson Connolly is a New Zealand-born Australian clinical psychologist and writer now resident in the United Kingdom. She is best known for her work as an actress and comedian during the 1980s...
in its second. As the title of the show suggests, the program was about sex
Sex
In biology, sex is a process of combining and mixing genetic traits, often resulting in the specialization of organisms into a male or female variety . Sexual reproduction involves combining specialized cells to form offspring that inherit traits from both parents...
and its related aspects.
Controversy
The program caused controversy for a number of reasons, these mainly being the graphic depictions it featured of the subject and featuring such depictions in the early 8:30pm timeslot. Sex pushed boundaries, with explicit shots of genitalia, simulated sex and discussion of controversial topics such as abortion and homosexuality.Viewer reaction to Sex varied. Some saw the program as useful and valid television, while others felt uncomfortable or found the program exploitative. General Motors Holden announced that it would not advertise during Sex because it wanted to be associated with "wholesome" topics.
In 1993, the show was moved to a later timeslot but despite good ratings, the controversy became too much for then managing director David Gyngell
David Gyngell
David Gyngell is the CEO of Australian commercial broadcasting network Channel Nine. He is currently serving his second stint as CEO after resigning from the job in May 2005...
who announced its departure on the Midday
Midday
Midday is a television show that aired on Australia's Nine Network from 1985-1998. The show aired, like its title suggests, at noon on every weekday and was a 90 minute variety programme with international and local guests. It featured interviews, musical performances and comedy spots...
show with the final show airing on 27 May. However, the show's success sparked a similar series on Network Ten
Network Ten
Network Ten , is one of Australia's three major commercial television networks. Owned-and-operated stations can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, while affiliates extend the network to cover most of the country...
, Sex/Life hosted by Totti Goldsmith and Alyssa-Jane Cook
Alyssa-Jane Cook
Alyssa-Jane Cook is an Australian actress.She is best known for her regular role as Lisa Bennett on the Australian television soap opera E Street...
, which ran from 1994 to 1998.
Cast
Sophie LeeSophie Lee
Sophie Lee is an Australian film, stage and television actress and author.-Career:Early in her career, Sophie Lee worked as a model, both in Australia and Japan appearing in print and on TV...
's reputation for sexiness, from her time as host of the Bugs Bunny Show, delivered a very high rating for Sex, a 32 share for its premiere. By the end of 1992, she became disenchanted with the show and left the program.
In 1993, comedian Pamela Stephenson
Pamela Stephenson
Pamela Helen Stephenson Connolly is a New Zealand-born Australian clinical psychologist and writer now resident in the United Kingdom. She is best known for her work as an actress and comedian during the 1980s...
took over as host, presenting in a more humourous style. At that time she was known as a performer, but in later years
was granted a PhD as a psychologist, specializing in the area of human sexuality.
One of the reporters on the show was Dr Kerryn Phelps, who would later go on to become president of the Australian Medical Association
Australian Medical Association
The Australian Medical Association is a professional association for Australian doctors and medical students.The AMA uses a representative structure involving state branches and committees to work with members to promote and protect the interests of doctors.The mechanisms that allow this include:*...
.