Netflix series receives backlash after scene of man with erect penis leaves viewers outraged
Topics: TV And Film, Netflix
Ben Thompson
Featured Image Credit: Netflix
Topics: TV And Film, Netflix
People have been Netflix and chilling for years, but one series may be taking the sauciness to another level.
In fact, the show's depiction of a fully erect penis has sparked a backlash among viewers.
The mini-series, ironically called A Man In Full, does feature a warning for 'sex, language, sex reference, sexual images, injury detail'.
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However, it does not include a warning for the scene in sixth and final episode.
In the episode, actor Tom Pelphrey's character of Raymond Peepgrass has just taken some Viagra and then drops his bedsheet in front of Charlie Croker (Jeff Daniels) to reveal...well, the result of Viagra.
Although the series as a whole has been praised on social media, this scene in question has divided opinion.
Mary Killen, columnist at the Spectator, wrote: "I don't want to see graphic sexual images when I'm watching a drama. There is too much already and it is reducing us to no better than barnyard animals.
"Viewers shouldn't be forced to see pornography. This trend will end in tears as it's depressing, unmysterious and taking away some of life's magic."
Jen Chaney from Vulture wrote: "Right now you are probably feeling shocked, flabbergasted, disgusted, profoundly confused, or some combination of all of these emotions. That is okay."
Politician Alexander Stafford added: "If Netflix is serving up this sort of low-grade, pornographic rubbish, we need to give Ofcom full oversight of the streaming giant's output as soon as possible."
There are no strict rules from Ofcom about whether or not a penis can be shown.
But the broadcast regulator does have some guidance on the matter.
Ofcom states 'material unsuitable for children should not, in general, be shown before 2100 or after 0530'.
It adds: "Broadcasters must ensure that material broadcast after the watershed, or made available on BBC ODPS, which contains images and/or language of a strong or explicit sexual nature, but is not ‘adult sex material’ as defined in Rule 1.18 above, is justified by the context."
Given that Netflix is a streaming service, it doesn't fall under the remit of Ofcom regulations.
MP Sara Britcliffe noted: "Streaming services are available at any time of day, so watershed protection doesn't apply."
Over on Reddit, a user noted the different attitudes towards male and female nudity.
They wrote: "That explicit male nudity scene in A Man in Full was not a first. Why explicit male nudity is OK to show in TV-MA series but female not?"
Tyla has approached Netflix for comment.