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Peak TV may be impressive, but it’s not nearly as impressive as how sex has evolved onscreen. When television was first introduced to the world, showing a couple in the same bedroom or sharing a chaste kiss was taboo. Now, largely thanks to ratings-free cable networks and streaming services, it’s not uncommon to see full-blown orgies on a Tuesday night.
So how did we get here? The actual road from I Love Lucy to I Love Dick is a long and complicated one, but there have been some notable moments along the way. This is by no means a complete guide, but it is a start. Here are 10 shows that helped make steamy scenes the TV norm rather than the exception.
‘Bewitched’ (1964 - 1972)
This ABC show featured one of the first times a married couple was allowed to share a bed.
Where to stream Bewitched Photo: ABC
I Love Lucy is known for being one of the first shows that had a married couple that didn’t seem to hate each other, but Bewitched’s groundbreaking development took place in the bedroom. The witch comedy was one of the first series that allowed its married couple to actually share a bed. Of course, the only thing Elizabeth Montgomery and Dick York (later Dick Sargent) were allowed to do in said bed was talk. However, the show took a decidedly sexy step forward.
‘NYPD Blue’ (1993 - 2005)
One of the most risqué shows of its time, this drama started the trend of allowing more nudity on screen.
Where to stream NYPD Blue ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett C
If you want to know how television went from a medium that could barely handle sexual innuendos to the nudity filled, hook-up fest it currently is, look no further than this ABC show. The show was heavily criticized for its use of nudity, which later contributed to other series following in its sexy footsteps.
‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ (1997 - 2003)
Willow and Tara's relationship marked the first time a lesbian couple had sex on broadcast TV.
Where to stream Buffy the Vampire Slayer ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett C
It’s hard to overstate how influential Joss Whedon’s vampire drama was to television. Not only did it cast a woman as its conflicted, action-loving hero but it introduced mainstream television to the joys of dark sci-fi and fantasy. However, the show was also responsible for portraying the first lesbian sex scene on broadcast television. If you were looking for another reason to love Willow (Alyson Hannigan) and Tara (Amber Benson), that’s it.
‘Sex and the City’ (1998 - 2004)
Where do we start with this HBO show? If it wasn't discussing the merits of going down on women it was having frank discussions about sex toys.
Where to stream Sex and the City ©New Line Cinema/Courtesy Evere
This HBO show contributed so much to how we talk about sex, it’s hard to pick out a specific revolutionary sex scene. What about Samantha’s (Kim Cattrall) relationship with her lesbian lover? Or Miranda’s (Cynthia Nixon) complicated and Weight Watcher-connected dilemma with oral sex? Or even Charlotte’s (Kristin Davis) brief but memorable addiction to her favorite sex toy? There’s so many incredible and uncomfortable moments to recall, you should really just give it a re-binge.
‘Queer as Folk’ (2000 - 2005)
This series helped revolutionized how the LGBT community was portrayed.
Where to stream Queer as Folk ©Showtime Networks Inc./Courtes
This Showtime series did a lot to when it came to changing how LGBT characters were portrayed on television, but one of its most notable moments happened in its pilot. Brian (Gale Harold) and Justin’s (Randy Harrison) during the show’s first episode marks one of the first times a guy-on-guy was ever televised.
‘The L Word’ (2004 - 2009)
This Showtime original about four lesbian women trying to figure out life made its sex scenes feel sweet rather than scandalous.
Where to stream The L Word ©Showtime Networks Inc./Courtes
This Showtime series about a group of lesbian friends just trying to figure out life did a lot to transform women-on-women sex scenes from something that was scandalous to something emotional. It makes sense that something this revolutionary would come from the same network as Queer as Folk.
‘Game of Thrones’ (2011 - present)
Everyone’s favorite fantasy series has largely contributed to onscreen depictions of sex in a deeply uncomfortable way. For years, the series was practically synonymous with discussions of representations of sexual assault. All of that came to a head when Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) was raped onscreen in a plot that was missing from the books. Fortunately, the many, many criticisms of the series have led to more nuanced discussions and portrayals of sexual assault. However, there have been some romantic sex scenes in the series as well.
‘Girls’ (2012 - 2017)
From its very first episode, Lena Dunham’s dramedy was dedicated to depicting what real sex looks like, and it always achieved that goal. From Hannah and Adam’s (Adam Driver) first clumsy and demeaning hook up to watching Marnie (Allison Williams) getting her ass eaten out, Girls often went out of its way to show the dirtier, less glamorous side of sex and fueled countless think pieces.
‘Looking’ (2014 - 2016)
HBO’s Looking gave us many scenes filled with attractive men getting down and dirty with each other. However, what sets this show apart from others on this list is that Looking gave TV one of its first genuinely compelling and romantic LGBT storylines. When Patrick (Jonathan Groff) and Kevin (Russell Tovey) finally hooked up, it was the culmination of oh-so-much pent up romantic energy.
‘Transparent’ (2014 - present)
Since its first episode, Transparent has worked hard to depict its trans and queer characters, particularly Maura (Jeffery Tambor), in a deeply compassionate way. That gentleness has always translated to the show’s sex scenes, but few scenes were more revolutionary than Maura’s reunion with her ex-wife, Shelly (Judith Light). The um, manual bathtub scene took place between two characters in their late 60s, never looked away, and was every bit as compassionate, moving, and intelligent as Transparent always is.
