In the Nineties, the networks tried to combat the stampede of audiences from broadcast television to edgier cable channels by loosening their reigns. NYPD Blue put its stars' barest assets on full display. Mariel Hemingway soul kissed Roseanne. Ellen came out. While Puritans blanched and balked, audiences ate it up.
Commerce is king, and so cable is going even further.
To be candid, Sunday's group sex scene on The Sopranos wasn't a wholesome, three-way sexcapade. Also, she doesn't make it to the end of the episode alive. That '70s Show will be the day to celebrate. All rights reserved.