REALITY TV vs. PORN: Two Masters, Same Game?

RuPaul's Drag Race judge Santino Rice and adult auteur Chi Chi LaRue on why reality TV and porn hit the same sweet spot in the brain (and in the crotch).

By Sean Carnage

Intimate activities you were never meant to see— that is the juicy carrot that pornography has always dangled before us. But now porn isn’t the only entertainment genre that’s dangling things (both literally and figuratively) in front of viewers’ eyes. Unscripted— a.k.a. “reality”—television has taken over the airwaves, and did it by mimicking adult entertainment’s low-budget, real-and-sexy aesthetic and production strategies.

In the process, mainstream producers have toned down the salaciousness of the material only slightly. While it might take a few drinks at the bar to get your friends and coworkers to discuss their favorite porn performers, it seems perfectly acceptable to chat around the watercooler about which Survivor contestant has the biggest schlong.

Is it inevitable, then, for porn and reality TV to become one? Survivor's Brian Heidik and Ozzy Lusth have done soft-core; Conveyor Belt of Love stud Kekoa Nalu has appeared on the cover of Men magazine and done hardcore scenes at RandyBlue.com; gorgeous Design Star competitor Mikey Verdugo was outed as a gay bondage performer (Verdugo subsequently lost his day job as a cop—a situation he is currently fighting in court); Bravo’s Chef Academy bragged about the participation of former straight porn megastar Jean Val Jean (a.k.a. Emmanuel Delcour); and Big Brother’s Steven Daigle is doing gay porn for Chi Chi LaRue.

Now that porn has its hot hands down the front of reality TV’s jeans, where will this scandalous (and attractive) couple go next? We asked one of the biggest names from each genre what they think is going on here.

GAY.COM: Sitting around, gossiping behind people backs, eating, hooking up... Why do the things people do every day become so intriguing when shown on a video screen?
Santino Rice: Most people’s lives aren’t very interesting. So there’s an aspirational quality for viewers. The second reason is that people like to laugh at other people’s misfortune or cluelessness. That’s the guilty pleasure. Some people watch fools and ugliness so they can feel better about themselves. When it comes to adult, I think some people watch porn because they feel superior to those engaging in the various sex acts.

Chi Chi LaRue: It’s almost like peeping through a hole. Like in the old days when they would drill holes in the bathroom stalls to watch someone else in action. Reality TV is the ultimate peep. You get to witness these people who can’t watch you back.

What’s it like to be one of the watched?

Rice: If I had to choose, I would always rather be watched then to watch. I ignore the cameras and don’t let them bother me. There’s a very psychological aspect of reality shows that the viewer doesn’t pick up on. Reality show producers play mind games and use tactics that are of Abu Ghraib proportions. Some cameramen are instructed to really get into your personal space and purposely fluster a contestant. I could always turn it back around on the unfortunate cameraman who was trying to do that to me. Pornography is definitely less manipulative then reality TV, but maybe I just think that because I don’t make porn. [Laughs]

So does that mean that reality TV is merely acceptable porn?

Rice: Well, no. Reality TV has yet to show penetration. I don’t like the word “acceptable,” though. Acceptable to who? I don’t think that pornography is “unacceptable”—the Christian Right wouldn’t condone MTV’s Jersey Shore any quicker than it would Barebacking Buddies Part 100.

LaRue: I definitely think reality TV’s a form of porn, because we are voyeurs looking in on these exhibitionists who have chosen to play themselves for us to watch. And I love to watch. Big Brother is so addicting, it’s crazy. And shows like The Bad Girls Club and the shows where they fight—the controversial shows are the funnest ones. I guess the dirtier and the grittier reality shows get, the more people want to watch them.

A lot of porn is gritty, too.

Rice: There are great similarities in how people perceive both reality TV contestants and porn stars. In some circles you’re held up on a pedestal and in others, completely dismissed, disregarded, and held in contempt. Whichever someone wants to believe becomes their reality. Both kinds of performers take risks by putting themselves out there, and each get a type of fame. But neither reap the financial rewards from the product that they helped create. [Some] reality producers think that anyone can be a reality contestant. Just like some porn producers look for any young body who is willing to have sex on-camera.

Both reality TV and adult performers are known for being themselves. People approach them quicker and with more ease than other recognizable famous people.

LaRue: As far as I’m concerned these reality television personalities are TV stars. They’re fabulous. To me, it’s like meeting Jennifer Love Hewitt.

Rice: Some experiences with fans are pleasant, but often [people] step over the line. You have to take the bad with the good. Your existence [beyond] both genres depends on your own ability to evolve and persevere. The trappings of fame are all there waiting for you. The occupational hazards in both are huge. But for what it’s worth, porn is probably a better career choice for most.

What’s the ultimate in reality TV right now, from the pornographer’s perspective?

LaRue: I’m watching Judge Judy. She’s the ultimate reality because she’s…the queen. And that’s how the whole reality thing started—with those judge shows. I watch Celebrity Rehab. The reality hottie right now is Joey Kovar (left) from MTV’s Real World: Hollywood, who is now on Celebrity Rehab. He would be amazing in a porn. He looks like that Guido, straight-ish, “worship me” kinda guy. Which is right up my alley.

Do you think Joey’s gay?

LaRue: People who work so hard on their bodies to the point where they constantly look in the mirror and worry about how they look are obviously narcissistic. They are trying to achieve the ultimate perfection. And when you worship something in the mirror that is masculine, and you love the muscles and what the abs look like, and when your ass looks good and your legs… Well, you know, you gotta be attracted to that.

What advice would you give to prospective unscripted video participants?

Rice: The last thing you want is to be guarded and dishonest with yourself and the camera. A reality show won’t make someone a star, just as a porno won’t make someone sexy.

Is it only a matter of time before these two worlds are fused?

LaRue: If they do, I’d like to think that I am one of the ones who helped bring them together by bringing Steven Daigle over from Big Brother. This has been a big thing of mine—going to these Big Brother parties and meeting these people. It’s always been a fantasy to get one of the people from this show I worship to be in a movie for me. [Steven and I] talked long and hard about him doing this, and it was definitely his decision. But I didn’t hesitate to ask. So it was kind of exciting when he said yes.

Rice: Sure, the possibility that pornography and reality TV will become unified is inevitable. Especially on cable, where anything goes. Everyone is watching porn of some sort, but people are still scared of the word porn. It’s only a matter of time before adult entertainment is completely accepted, just like legalization of marijuana.

LaRue: That gorgeous guy Russell—the first week he was on Big Brother he came out of the shower with a semi-hard-on. And that was all over the Web. On the London version [of the show], those people are having full-on sex. And the 24-7 live cameras on the Web don’t edit out anything when they get naughty; they continue to roll. So it’s kind of started in Europe already. They let you in on everything. Except going to the bathroom. I think that’s the only area that’s off-limits.

Rice: The next generation is growing up so fast. The Girls Gone Wild generation is already flashing their bits on ChatRoulette.com. People have been idolizing celebrity sex tapes for a while now; what’s the difference between a sex tape and porn? Nothing to me. It’s the age of pocket porn on your cell phone. It’s everywhere already!

The future holds more extremes; technology will make sure of that. Those who work within each genre and do it with style will be the ones that win. François Sagat and Sasha Grey are two performers that are already changing the way people imagine porn stars. Both are sexy, intelligent, and creative—fully clothed or otherwise.

Morals, ethics, and standards will all continue to be questioned. America’s Next Top Porn Star is probably being filmed as we speak. Tim Gunn’s Guide to Anal, coming this fall on Bravo. Watch what happens!

Get real with Chi Chi LaRue and Santino Rice on their websites.