Tony Sclafani over at MSNBC has a great commentary on how stars who push abstinence are really just making you think about all the sex they’re not having.
First there was Jessica Simpson (whose former chastity I mentioned yesterday) and Britney Spears (who also turned out so well), and now there’s the new guard of chaste musicians like Miley Cyrus, Jordan Sparks, and the Jonas Brothers.
I’m tempted to quote the article wholesale but for now I’ll limit myself to this tidbit:
On the surface, the reason why these performers are taking virginity pledges has to do with religion. But why advertise this particular aspect of religion? Because by talking about how they’re not having sex, they’ve discovered a sly way to market their sexuality. There’s an unsettling exhibitionism in all of this. Since these artists are putting issues about their sexuality front-and-center, it’s hard to see them and not immediately think about their sex lives. Do we really need to know Joe Jonas isn’t getting any?
He’s like 18 years old. I don’t care if it’s legal, it’s still pervy.
“It’s hard to see them and not immediately think about their sex lives.” Ya know it’s funny. When I saw a picture of the Jonas Brothers their sex lives never crossed my mind. What do you think I am? A priest?
Hey, it’s the United States! Kids can’t have a sex life until 18!
The Jonas brothers aren’t having sex? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA .. of course they are
Kudos to the late Aaron Spelling, who used this concept in the brilliantly conceived 7th Heaven television show. Those familiar with the show will realize that it was almost entirely about the sexuality of its attracitve young cast. Only it was about their decisions against actually having sex.
Spelling was able to create a viable teen-sex soap opera ala BH 90210, Dawson’s Creek and The OC while appealing to the family values crowd by making his characters choose against sex.
Interestingly, Once and Again, a similar show at that time, went the opposite direction to the point of actually having it’s young star Evan Rachel Wood experiment with lesbianism with Mischa Barton in a ratings ploy that failed.
Spelling was a genius.
I never thought she was capable of cheating, I guess I was wrong.