"The phrase is a quotation of a famous episode from the perestroika-era TV show US-Soviet Space Bridge (aired July 17, 1986) hosted by Vladimir Pozner when an American asked a question about sex in the Soviet Union, and a Soviet lady (Lyudmila Ivanova) proudly answered "There is no sex in the USSR!" In fact, she said "There is no sex in the USSR... on TV", but the last two words drowned in an outburst of laughter, creating a still-popular catchphrase. It should be noted that in the Soviet mindset the word "sex" was considered dirty by many—nearly synonymous with pornography."
Prior to that, there was not only no mention of sex on TV, its existence was denied. One movie in the early 1960s sparked a debate as to whether Komsomol members could be portrayed holding hands.
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phoenix
no subject
Date: 2008-05-02 01:31 pm (UTC)Prior to that, there was not only no mention of sex on TV, its existence was denied. One movie in the early 1960s sparked a debate as to whether Komsomol members could be portrayed holding hands.