The Oprah show today was about how porn and erotica are becoming more mainstream. I was very excited to hear about this show, to hear from Jenna and to get the news in regard to the Oprah Show’s views on an industry that’s supported by HappyHer.com.

The first segment of the show featured Steve Hirsch, CEO of Vivid Entertainment, being interviewed by Lisa Ling. Vivid is one of the world’s largest adult film studios.  Steve says 30 to 40% of today’s erotica is bought by women and Vivid is making sure to consider women’s wants in their film projects.

Steve graciously invited Lisa onto the set during filming. I was disappointed to see how awkward, and almost shocked that Lisa seemed. I think Oprah, or a more seasoned, open-minded reporter would’ve handled this interview in a way that would’ve lead the viewers to feel more comfortable about it as well.

Oprah seemed a bit more comfortable talking about pornography and erotica, but of course, you would expect Oprah to be absolutely professional under any circumstances. Oprah states that 1 out of 3 online viewers of porn are women, and that they are “normal/every day” women viewing it. Understandably, women prefer movies that have story lines, more foreplay, and build ups to the actual sex scenes, and more understandably, show respect to women.

The Porn industry is one of the highest paying industries for women. Women porn stars make more than men. At this point in the show Jenna Jameson, biggest porn star in the world, was introduced to the audience. Jenna is credited for bringing porn to the mainstream. She’s been featured in Forbes, featured in movies and is the author of How to Make Love Like a Porn Star. She’s currently retired and taking care of her absolutely gorgeous twin boys.

Jenna wanted to be the number one porn star in the world and wanted to change things for other women in the industry as it’s been run by men predominantly. Great Job Jenna! Jenna gave a quick tour of her gorgeous home on the waterway. She hasn’t done a movie in five years and doesn’t miss it. She is very proud of what she has been able to accomplish and that she did it her way.

Jenna also talked about how once you are a porn star, you are always a porn star. I think that’s an important aspect for all women to think of if they are considering a role in the sex industry. She also talked about when she will have to talk with her sons about it and the judgements that are prevalent when you are an adult movie maker. She is so loving with her sons, I’m sure she will be able to do just fine with that when the time comes.

Jenna also talked about her boob job and what she called the “Monsterization” of her body (constant tanning, eyebrow tattooing, etc…) She said “DON’T DO IT” about the boob jobs.  That was wonderful for an Icon such as Jenna to encourage women not to carve up their bodies for the sake of what they feel “sexy” is.   She had a very positive message overall and it was wonderful that she would agree to interviewing on Oprah and sharing her views and life with us.

Violet Blue, sex columnist for The San Francisco Chronicle and author of The Smart Girl’s Guide to Porn, was another guest on this show. She suggested one of Jenna’s movies “The Masseuse” as one her all time favorite movies, because there is so many layers to it.

Violet has spent thousands of hours reviewing porn for her readers and pointed out the important distinction between porn and erotica. “Porn is something that is a graphic sexual image that conjures up an animalistic reaction in you. You like it or you don’t,” she says. “Erotica also is graphic sexual imagery, but it has an extra component or several extra components that resonate with the viewer—be it artistic, be it passionate, be it something that emotionally engages you, be it something that parlays into a fantasy that you have about sexuality or the way that you relate to the people on screen.”

Oprah asked her why Violet thinks women are becoming more interested in porn. She said to identify with the women on the screens, to fulfill fantasies, to be able to bring some of that back to her partner. “I think every woman desires to be that projected fantasy of the porn star for their lover,” Violet says. “They like the idea of being the most desired, most satisfied woman on the planet—a woman who’s getting what she wants. And they want to share those experiences with their partner.”

Overall I believe this show on pornography and erotica, how it’s becoming more mainstream and “Woman Friendly” was a great Oprah segment. The guests had some intelligent remarks to make and although it seems there is still a bit of an oppressed attitude about it, it was understandable in the light that this was done for daytime television viewing.

My suggestion is that you experiment on your own with some erotica and discover the benefits for yourself. HappyHer.com’s soft porn collection is a great place to start in finding movies that have some substance to them and some incredible sex scenes.  Or HappyHer.com Movies offers Video on Demand, Pay per minute videos, and is like Netflix, but for adults and is a great place to begin your own adventures in erotica.