Drugs and sex mesmerize Americans and TV executives could not be happier about it. Take one or two hot leads, show them having lots of sex, throw in some good acting and before you know it, you have a hit.
FX's Nip/Tuck is living proof that scandal equals ratings. Where most season premieres continue a dramatic cliffhanger, "Nip/Tuck" opened with a ménage à trois involving a mother-daughter duo. This steamy twist is not far-fetched for the provocative series.
"Nip/Tuck" follows two Miami plastic surgeons, Sean McNamara (Dylan Walsh The Lake House) and Christian Troy (Julian McMahon Charmed), through their professional and personal debacles.
The controversial issues brought up by clients each week bring a unique life and interest to the show.
The show does it all, without batting an eye. From rampant incest to a serial killer called "The Carver" who botches up plastic surgeries, the show pushes the limits of cable television. The jaw-dropping and eyebrow-raising factor is more frequent with each new episode. Despite its gory nature, audiences are hooked.
Due to the show's graphic nature and crude storylines, critics heavily scrutinized the FX network. In 2005, many advertisers pulled out from the series, stating they did not support the issues featured on the show.
Viewers, on the other hand, do not see the content as a problem and embrace the series by religiously tuning in every week.
Despite the constant criticism Nip/Tuck gets for its raunchiness, it is hard to change the channel when the words "Make me beautiful" come on in the opening credits. The steamy soap opera's affairs and lies continue to hook audiences, especially since there never seems to be a good day in the doctors' lives.
Other censor pushing shows like Sex And The City and Six Feet Under, originally on HBO, are now syndicated on TBS and Bravo. Although much cursing is cut out, there are still plenty of taboo issues shown.
From a boyfriend with a "micro-penis" to racy sex between gay couples, the two shows echo the provocative themes featured on the medical series. Even Showtime has created an entire show based on a suburban mom dealing marijuana in "Weeds". In the past, these ideas would have been frowned upon, but America's appetite for vulgarity has made them hits.
Cable has gone that questionable step by eliminating Brady Bunch-like families and adding illegal and rebellious themes to many of its shows.
Television execs have chosen bold themes for their shows and the decision proves that sex does sell.
Booze and promiscuity have become the norm for today's TV content, and despite the few shows that refuse to conform to this newfound trend, ratings continue to grow.
Whether it's patients on Nip/Tuck's operating tables or various affairs on Sex And The City, graphic scenarios are cashing in on ratings. These shows do not leave much to the imagination, and that is exactly the way viewers like it.
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