VICE TV’S Sex Before the Internet features DR. SUSAN BLOCK in “SEX on TV” (ep. 5) about HBO’s REAL SEX
Size
World renowned sexologist, best-selling author of The Bonobo Way, and host of the Dr. Susan Block Show, Dr. Susan Block, a.k.a. Dr. Suzy, recently appeared on episode 5 of VICE TV’s Sex Before the Internet series, produced by former ABC News President James Goldstone. In the episode titled “Sex on TV,” which first aired on Feb. 7, 2023, Dr. Suzy discusses both her experiences and the impact of HBO’s groundbreaking cult favorite reality show, Real Sex.
“HBO was the place to go for adult entertainment that was as smart as it was sexy in those spicy, sex-exploratory years surrounding the turn of the 21st century,” explains Dr. Suzy. “In many ways, HBO’s Real Sex was unprecedented in television history and unsurpassed ever since. It also happened to be open-minded, informative, educational, empathetic, relatively nonjudgmental, funny and a lot of fun.”
The feeling was mutual. HBO called Dr. Suzy “radio’s sexiest, funniest, most outrageous sex therapist… if conversation is a sex act, then this Yale graduate has a very talented tongue.”
Vice’s “Sex on TV” opens with footage of Dr. Suzy’s signature “Brothers and Sisters, Lovers and Sinners…” which leads into her monologue on ethical hedonism that also kicks off Real Sex 25. The moment is followed by a present-day interview with Dr. Suzy, where she states that Real Sex was “a sexual revolution—for television.”
After making cameo appearances on a few of the very first Real Sex shows, Dr. Suzy was first featured on Real Sex 11 in 1995, then again on Real Sex 25 in 1999. In between her Real Sex segments, HBO launched two half-hour spin-offs hosted by Dr. Suzy, Radio Sex TV (1997) and Radio Sex TV 2: Off the Dial (1998), all about “Sex. Fun. Wisdom.” Both were #1-rated Nielsen specials.
“Sex on TV” also shows a Real Sex 11 clip of Dr. Suzy broadcasting her live syndicated radio show from bed 28 years ago, juxtaposed with her present-day studio as she broadcasts alongside her husband of over 30 years (also appearing in Radio Sex TV and her Real Sex segments), Max Lobkowicz, on F.D.R. Radio, where she still helps callers with their love lives, still educating, exploring and sharing “sex… fun… wisdom.”
The episode also includes interviews with former head of HBO Documentary Films and Real Sex executive producer Sheila Nevins, former HBO President Michael Fuchs, Real Sex lead producer Patti Kaplan, producer/director Deb Wasser, and other members of the female-led Real Sex production team, along with appearances by sex educator Tristan Taormino (another Real Sex featured guest), as well as comedians Nikki Glaser, Lunell, Joanna Briley, Zach Noe Towers, and adult performer Silvia Saige, all of whom say they *grew up on* Real Sex when it aired on HBO, and a few of whom would love to *bring it back* in some form.
In her Vice interview, Dr. Suzy talks about how Real Sex greatly expanded her audience, enabling her to reach people all over the world, as it helped so many others to share their sexual experience, insight and joy via this unique and remarkable TV show.
- For Dr. Suzy’s appearance on Sex Before the Internet, click the arrow above, and for more info, visit com/hbo#Vice.
- To watch Dr. Suzy on Real Sex, as well as her Real Sex spinoff specials, Radio Sex TV and Radio Sex TV: Off the Dial, on HBO, visit com/hbo.
- To see the full episode of Sex Before the Internet episode 5, “Sex on TV,” click here.
“Sex on the Internet” Aquitania Films Shoot Photo Gallery
PHOTOS: HARRY SAPIEN, UNSCENE ABE, SUSAN BLOCK
Bonoboville Photos: Harry Sapien & Susan Block. Frames from Vice TV’s “Sex on the Internet”: Aquitania Films
Explore DrSusanBlock.com
Need to talk? Sext? Webcam? Do it here. Have you watched the show? No? Feel the sex. Don’t miss the Forbidden Photographs—Hot Stuff, look at them closely here. Join our private social media Society. Join us live in studio 😊. Go shopping. Gift shop or The Market Place. DrSusanBlock.tv, real sex TV at your toe tips. Sex Clips Anyone? FASHION, we have fashion! We also have politics. Politics? Have you Read the book? No? How about the Speakeasy Journal? Click here. Ok, how about some free sex advice?
Get The Bonobo Way
You Must Read 
And Also,
03 · 30 · 23 @ 1:02 pm
I listen and learn from the best: Dr. Suzy! My mentor, teacher and friend.
03 · 29 · 23 @ 5:10 pm
A fascinating and sexy look on VICE TV with the world’s sexiest sex therapist Dr. Suzy at what it was like before you could click your way to an orgasm through the impact of HBO’s Real Sex. Having been on Dr Suzy’s show multiple times – I can testify to the power of Real Sex!
03 · 29 · 23 @ 5:08 pm
Another documentary that I will bookend along with #MoneyShot”: “Sex Before the Internet”, episode #5 of the “Sex on TV” series with Sheila Nevins and featuring none other than the great Doc Suzy during her HBO #RealSex era.
03 · 28 · 23 @ 6:07 pm
Yep, it was great education
03 · 27 · 23 @ 8:10 pm
Dr. Susan M Block is as wise and thoughtful about television as she is about sex!
03 · 26 · 23 @ 2:35 pm
Your show was ahead of its time, Dr. Suzy. So much sexy fun.
03 · 26 · 23 @ 2:34 pm
I was too young to see Real Sex when it first aired, but since I found Dr. Suzy and then this Vice show I’ve been binge-watching Real Sex and Radio Sex TV – so good!
03 · 26 · 23 @ 2:31 pm
Wow, what beautiful photos and what a great Vice interview! Love that they used your awesome effervescent Speakeasy monologue to open the whole episode! Though I really wish HBO would bring back REAL SEX.
03 · 26 · 23 @ 2:29 pm
Sheila Nevins is a documentary genius, as her many Emmys and Oscars attest. Dr. Block is an icon of peace thru pleasure, imparting “Sex Fun Wisdom”. Real Sex and RSTV were sex-life-savers in the 2000s. Good on James Goldstone for recognizing TV greatness. Dr. Block should have been on longer, it’s true, but it leaves you wanting more. Fortunately, I know where to go for that: https://drsusanblock.com/hbo
03 · 26 · 23 @ 2:27 pm
I enjoyed your interview on Vice “Sex Before the Internet,” Dr. Suzy, but it also made me sad because I LOVED Real Sex! Oh well… gorgeous pics, elegant and sexy – love the #shades and #lingerie – perfect #RealSex remembrance attire
03 · 26 · 23 @ 2:25 pm
Thanks so much for sharing this! I had what was supposed to be an episode of this (produced by Patti Kaplan) but then Sheila Nevins green lighted it for a stand alone one hour feature in HBO. It was about the country’s first amateur p0rn film festival I started and titled “Real Sex Présents P0rn 101: XXXtra Credit.” Maybe it will pop up on this! ❤️thanks!
03 · 26 · 23 @ 2:24 pm
Yes, HBO’s Real Sex episodes were real popular with the Cable TV crowd back-in-the-day. Especially yours!
03 · 26 · 23 @ 2:21 pm
I wish they would bring real sex back so bad. That’s exactly how I discovered you and many others in the sex positivity world.
03 · 26 · 23 @ 2:19 pm
HBO and Sheila Nevins stole a show from me. May her karma smack her in the face.
03 · 26 · 23 @ 2:18 pm
HBO used a few puppets throughout the series, but I never received credit on HBO. At least you credited me on your non HBO shows.
03 · 26 · 23 @ 2:14 pm
I remember an episode on Real Sex about coulrophilia or clown sex and I became excited knowing there were more people out there like me. If I can’t laugh and get silly while having sex it just seems bland. Later in life I met more women into that fetish and thank Real Sex for being so informative and letting people know they are not alone with their fetish.I need to thank Dr. Gloria Brame as well as you. Sex educators need to be recognized more for what they do. Keep up the good work.
03 · 26 · 23 @ 2:13 pm
Woohoo!
03 · 24 · 23 @ 3:59 pm
The original HBO queen ❤️ and still a queen and goddess ✨️
03 · 24 · 23 @ 2:43 pm
Sex before the internet! What a series! I enjoyed your insights on such a groundbreaking show! It took me back to when I was a young boy learning all about sex. I feel like I grew up with you!
03 · 24 · 23 @ 2:35 pm
Real Sex was indeed a Revolution on television and I am glad that you were able to talk about it! I really enjoyed the documentary and I am so happy to see that you are still educating and stimulating to this day!
03 · 23 · 23 @ 5:38 pm
A ground-breaker and an earth-shattering show. Dr. Suzy is the first and “Real Sex” is the second. What better combination could one ask for? This interview answers that question and many more that inquiring minds want to know.
03 · 23 · 23 @ 12:18 pm
How revolutionary ‘Real Sex’ on television was back in the day. There was no other sex on tv before the internet. This show was the only way you could educate yourself about anything sex because the schools didn’t really teach much. Thank you to Dr. Susan Block and all who contributed to educating me and my friends.