If we told you that HBO’s new Westworld was going to be a sexually-explicit series you probably wouldn’t be that surprised. Game of Thrones is famous for its use of sex and nudity and is, purely coincidentally we’re sure, a huge hit. However, based on the contract that extras are being asked to sign, Westworld may make Game of Thrones look like an after school special.
Deadline has the details of the contract which went to an unknown number of background cast members. It outlines the specific actions which may be required of these extras. The list starts with obvious things like appearing fully nude, then, it get weird.
Perform genital-to-genital touchingHave your genitals paintedSimulate oral sex with hand-to-genital touchingContort to form a table-like shape while being fully nudePose on all fours while others who are fully nude ride on your backRide on someone’s back while you are both fully nude
So yes, to be on this series you must consent to be ridden like a horse while naked. If this is the contract of the extras, what exactly will the main actors be doing? Nevermind, we don’t want to know. All of this is apparently part of a single scene that will be taking place on the show. Unsurprising SAG-AFTRA, the television actors union, will be on hand to monitor the unconventional scene. The consent form is actually a little odd in that the union’s television contract allows actors to withdraw consent at any time if they decide they’re not comfortable with the scene. This would make whatever the extras are signing unenforceable. Although, we suppose it’s good that they took the time to spell out was was expected. Contort to the form of a table? Seriously?
Apparently this is not your father’s Westworld. The series is based on the 1973 film by Michael Crichton starring Yul Brynner about androids in a western-themed amusement park who go a little nuts and start killing people. Apparently, in the HBO version, the park is not suitable for all ages. The program has an unbelievable cast which includes Anthony Hopkins, Evan Rachel Wood and Ed Harris among others.
Cable TV sex has been getting so explicit in recent years that the standard operating procedure has been to hire people who professionally have sex on camera to take on the roles. BothTrue Detectives and Game of Thrones have hired porn stars in the past to handle both the more graphic sex, as well as the more “traditional” (if we can use the word) nudity. It wouldn’t be surprising if the same ends up happening here.
So now we know a little more about what is to come from Westworld, although we were expecting a little more in the area of gunfights, and a little less in the “naked table” department.
