Did Channel 4's Sex Box Open Discussion Around Sex? It Made Us Cringe, But Taught Us A Thing Or Two (REVIEW)

Did Channel 4's Sex Box Open Discussion Around Sex?

At 10pm on Monday 7 October a large proportion of the British population tuned in to Channel 4's Sex Box.

(If you're not au fait with the premise of the programme, it's where couples have sex in a box and then discuss it with a panel of sex experts - or sexperts.)

But did the "ground-breaking" programme live up to its intentions and open discussion around sex or did it make us all cringe to high heaven, sink into the sofa and make jokes? We're on the fence.

Here's what Twitter had to say

Twitter Reacts To Channel 4's #SexBox

Although she applauds the broadcaster's attempt to address the issue of 'real sex', the programme runs the risk of reinforcing the very stigma it is trying to break down.

"The programme would be much more effective if sex was taken out of the box," she tells HuffPost UK Lifestyle. "If people were filmed having sex rather than hidden away, the effect would be much more in tune with what Channel 4 are trying to achieve."

In response to Cindy's suggestion, a spokesperson for Channel 4 doubted the programme would be broadcast if it contained such sex footage.

"The show is a sex talk show," the spokesperson told HuffPost UK Lifestyle. "It's not about imagery or the mechanics of real sex. We explore what sex means in the context of a relationship."

Channel 4's Sex Box

Tracey Cox, relationship expert who featured on the panel for the show, says the programme is less about voyeurism but opening dialogue.

"The box enables the sex to remain private but the conversation to be honest and open," she tells us. "We got the idea from sex researchers who often get their clients to talk about sex immediately after they've had it, so the emotions and thoughts are fresh in their minds."

She added: "Sex Box is a sex show with a twist, but that twist is vital in enabling an open and honest discussion. It is grown-up and intelligent, dispeling all the myths surrounding sex."

Close