I just came across a TV documentary that aired on Channel 4 in the UK back in 2007. "Virgin School" follows 26-year-old James Riley, a shy and insecure man with no sexual experience, as he goes through a 4-month sexuality course in Amsterdam called Aquarion. You can watch the slightly edited show in 5 installments on YouTube here. It's definitely NSFW.
In the grand scheme of things, 26 really doesn't feel that old, but let's move past that. Over the course of show, we watch James get coached in intimacy, female anatomy, social skills and solo sex by a female tag-team of three fifty-ish new age therapists. And yes, I'll ruin the suspense by telling you he does eventually 'go all the way.'
On one hand, I found the show, which caused a flurry of both outrage and ridicule when it aired, seriously cringeworthy. There's a real ick factor in listening to him talk about his sad life, watching him get rubbed down in the shower to get comfortable with physical intimacy, and see him peer into the ladyparts of his therapist to learn about female anatomy. Ew. Ew. Ew.
I also have to wonder how someone as shy and awkward as James would ever agree to be the subject of such a stupendously intimate and revealing show. I actually found it easier to listen to the program, rather than watch it (It's about on par ick-wise with watching swinging seniors on HBO's Real Sex.)
On the other hand, having heard so many stories from older virgins – and especially the older guys – it's clear how emotionally crippling that life can be. And listening to James's brutally honest assessment of his life, watching his growing confidence, and his eventual understanding of the difference between sex and intimacy is moving. It's also kind of refreshing to see older women portrayed as so open and comfortable with their own bodies and sexuality.
A follow-up article on James reports:
Since being on the show, the 27-year-old now has a job working at the Odeon cinema in Beckenham High Street and a girlfriend of six months - who he described as a "ray of sunshine" in his life.
He met his girlfriend at work and got together with her after a date at the cinema in August last year. He said: "If it wasn't for the courage the documentary gave me, I would never have asked her out."It made me a stronger person. When I look at the person in the documentary he's like a stranger to me now - that's who I used to be."
6 comments:
If it's legit, then at least he did what he had to do to change his situation.
That counts for something.
It seems totally legit to me. I agree, more power to him. It seems to have made his life a great deal better.
I remember reading some of the stories when that first came out.
There was definitely a twinge when he said "No one's ever been this close to me" as he was sitting on the bed with one of his coaches/therapists.
It is legit, I used to be his next door neighbour. He acted very odd so was a target for bullying at school. Good on him for making the video, truly the funniest thing I have ever watched!
Now in the local pub they refer to him as "shagger"
I happened upon this on some documentary website, and when I was watching it, I couldn't help but think this wasn't real, like it was some student film done by Ralf Fiennes when he was younger.
You're right though--it seems very odd that some guy could be so shy yet agree to be filmed in that way. I don't see how he got it up for those old grandmas.
But obviously, Anonymous, he did. Why would you assume that a woman over 40 (I'd hardly call them 'grandmas') would be incapable of arousing a young man. Not only is your comment ageist, but it's a very narrow view of what's sexually attractive to another person.
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