It's not everyday that you get to be a fly-on-the-wall for a photo session of two people having sex. It was an experience that I won't soon forget - but not only for the obvious reasons.

To be honest, the interview with Michael was a bit…tricky at the best of times. I got the distinct impression that Michael didn't really…well… like me too much.

I think part of the problem was due, in part, to the less than wonderful reputation that media people tend to have in the U.S., especially as it pertains to presenting issues surrounding sex or sexuality or (God forbid)...pornography. This is a challenge that we as the producers of SexTV attempt to overcome on a near-daily basis. Justifying what we do and how we do it becomes downright tiring sometimes, but this is the landscape in which we are thrust; so we have to deal with it.

On the upside of this experience, I must say that the couple from the photo session were an absolute pleasure. I truly admired their frank opinions regarding the nature of Michael's work. As I listened to them grapple with the questions surrounding the nature of pornography, it became obvious that they have a great deal of love and respect for one another. It was amazing to witness two "real" people, totally in love with one another, being sexual. It made me realize how starved we really are for realistic representations of sexuality.

It was definitely a challenging experience, but a worthwhile one.

Cynthia Loyst
Segment Producer, SEXTV