The sexualization of children [1] is now promoted on “edgier” cable entertainment outlets. “Angry Boys [2],” an Australian “mockumentary” shown by HBO, showed [3] a young girl drinking out of a pink plastic cup shaped like a penis in Episode 12.
The incident is meant to be comedic. But showing a young girl sucking on a penis in a comedic fashion is akin to showing child pornography.
But penis humor is a major premise of “Angry Boys.” Out Magazine reported [4] that the show features a Japanese mother exploiting her teenage son “to create a merchandising empire of cock shaped products.” In one episode, according to Out Magazine [4], the mother (played by a male, the creator and director of the show, Chris Lilley) unscrewed a pink plastic penis and shook it over parmesan cheese.
Lilley’s work has appeared on HBO before. He directed another controversial [5] series, “Summer Heights High [6],” which appeared on HBO in 2008.
But Lilley has no problem with shock value. The creator of the show, he [7] declared in an interview with the Los Angeles Times [8]: “But part of me kind of enjoys provoking people.” ‘Angry Boys’ bills itself as an “outrageous comedy.” [9]
USA Today didn’t remark on the controversy. The paper simply called the show “even less politically correct” than his previous work.
Running a foul program is consistent with HBO’s general marketing plan. The paid TV channel already lists “Real Time with Bill Maher” and the sex-filled vampire show “True Blood” among its offerings.
Promoting child pornography is a comedic way is much more shocking and outrageous than funny.