Home / Arts and Entertainment / Feminist Magazine Meets Adult Entertainment: The Unlikely Partnership That Captivated the 70s
Feminist Magazine Meets Adult Entertainment: The Unlikely Partnership That Captivated the 70s
8 Nov
Summary
- HBO Max premiered Minx in 2022, a period comedy-drama about creating a women's erotic magazine in the 1970s
- Despite rave reviews and a second season renewal, Minx was canceled by HBO but later saved by Starz
- The show explores themes of intersectional feminism, sexual freedom, and equal rights through the lens of the 1970s
In 2022, the period comedy-drama series Minx premiered on HBO Max, captivating audiences with its unique premise. The show follows Joyce Prigger, a Vassar-educated liberal arts graduate who aspires to launch a feminist magazine in 1970s Los Angeles. Unable to find a publisher willing to back her political magazine, The Matriarchy Awakens, Joyce ends up partnering with an adult entertainment publisher to create a women-focused erotic magazine.
This unlikely pairing between Joyce and Doug Renetti, the sleazy but well-meaning publisher, forms the heart of Minx. The show tackles timely social issues like intersectional feminism, sexual freedom, and equal rights, all while set against the backdrop of the 1970s. Despite rave reviews and a second season renewal, Minx was unfortunately canceled by HBO Max while the new season was in development. However, the series was later saved by Starz, only to be canceled for good in 2024.
Minx's unique appeal lies in its ability to balance humor, wit, and intelligence without being heavy-handed. The show's willingness to explore full-frontal male nudity, in contrast to the often gratuitous female nudity seen in modern media, adds an element of sexual rebellion. Minx's joyous romp through the evolving sexual politics of the 1970s has left a lasting impression on audiences, making its cancellation all the more bittersweet.
