Sex on TV: Laughter is the Best Medicine

So the other day, while catching up on Bedsider Facebook updates, I stumbled upon this gem of a posting. Now, I happen to laugh innumerable times each day, primarily at my own jokes, regardless of whether anyone else has heard/understood them. But I realize that’s not the norm and that the laughter deficiency crisis is nothing to poke fun at. Therefore, I’m prescribing 50 cc of giggles, 4 doses of silent heaving with tears in your eyes, and one hearty snort in the form of some awkward television sex scenes. Bow chica wow—what?

1. Seth and Summer’s first time on The OC. Do I use this example all the time? Yes. Am I ashamed? Not a chance. It’s too wonderful not to include as much as possible. Seth Cohen’s snarky wit? Check. A heartfelt declaration of teenage love? Check. Well-timed indie music soundtrack? Check. Awkward realization that your first time having sex is uncomfortable, embarrassing and not at all what it looks like in the movies? Check.

Best quote: “I was like a fish, flopping around on dry land. I was Nemo and I just wanted to go home.”

2. New Girl’s Jess and Paul decide they need to get it over with and finally sleep together. But it’s been so long since Jess slept with someone other than her ex that she’s not sure if her skills up to par and up to date. What ensues is five minutes of foreplay that can best be described as Mae West and Humphrey Bogart playing a game of dirty charades. Neither wins.

Best quote: “It’s like an erotic ropes course.”

3. Carrie has “Jackrabbit Sex” on Sex and the City. This episode may have aired when I was 15 and had far from any authority to identify good sex from bad, but even my teenage mind knew I was watching some seriously awkward lovemaking.

Best quote: “That night Howie and I had sex like we were teenagers again. Meaning he didn’t know what he was doing and I didn’t say a thing.”

4. Hannah and Adam on Girls. I can’t even narrow it down to one sex scene in particular because their entire relationship, every interaction and conversation, can best be described as awkward. You can get a taste of the awkwardness in this amazing video (which features the most awkward sex scenes of the entire 2011-2012 television season—you’re welcome). Is it more awkward because you feel for the characters or because it stirs up long-repressed memories? You decide.

Best quote: “That was so good…I almost came.”

*****

Lauren Mann works in The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy’s Entertainment Media department. She’s been blogging about sex, love and relationships among twenty-somethings since she first joined the Campaign as an intern in 2009. Check out her personal blog at whatjewtalkingbout.tumblr.com.