“Me and My Penis” makes history on British television, praised by critics

The Channel 4 documentary Me and My Penis, which made history by showing an erect penis for the first time on British television, has been applauded by audiences as a vital and eye-opening, and has been highly praised on Twitter for its groundbreaking examination of masculinity. 

In Me and My Penis, gay, Black British artist Ajamu X photographs and talks to a range of men about their penises, which executives at Channel 4 explained as “a gateway through which to explore all sorts of aspects of masculinity”. The documentary, which aired on Monday, August 31, explored the changing landscape of how men think about their penises, and examined what it means to be a man in 2020.

One social media user hailed Me and My Penis as both “powerful” and “moving”, while others described it as “so much more” than just nudity, and urged others to watch it. Many others praised the documentary for tackling many taboo subjects that center masculinity.

If you’re missing Me And My Penis on Channel 4, it’s a real shame. It’s powerful, it’s moving and it’s about 20 years too late. Men’s bodies are NEVER spoken about/celebrated in this way. Definitely a very important documentary that all men should watch.

— Alice (@AliceTheSausage) August 31, 2020

Thank you @Channel4 for releasing such a powerful show like Me And My Penis. For those who are scared about the nudity, don’t be; it’s so much more than that. Other topics like (toxic) masculinity, fatherhood, abuse are discussed super openly and I’m glad they took that risk

— Liam (@LiamGBFF) August 31, 2020

Brilliant documentary on @Channel4 called 'me and my penis'. Tackling so many taboos in one documentary. Well done Channel 4.

— Adam Rhys Kennedy (@AdamRhysKennedy) August 31, 2020

Popular sex therapist Gloria Braume remarked that the documentary signifies a “turning point in sex history, TV history, and sexual health history”.

If you're in the UK, tune into Me and My Penis on Channel 4 tonight to witness this turning point in sex history, tv history, and sexual health history in this uncensored documentary art project on male genitals. https://t.co/aw2slX5jiJ

— Gloria Brame (@DrGloriaBrame) August 31, 2020

However, the show was not without controversy, as many others took to social media to complain about the nudity and erect penises, and cis heterosexual men proclaiming how they wouldn’t be watching just so others wouldn’t mistakenly think they were gay. The praise for the show, however, outweighed the negative responses. 

The documentary featured eight men — each one offering their own stories ranging from infidelity to sexual abuse and violence. It also features a trans man, who spoke about his grievances with undergoing puberty before transitioning.

“It’s been exhilarating working with Ajamu and a brilliant cast of courageous and honest men, prepared to share their most formative and intimate experiences – so often not heard,” said Susanne Curran, executive producer. 

“In this funny and moving film, the penis becomes a gateway through which to explore all sorts of aspects of masculinity”, said Shaminder Nahal, commissioning editor at Channel 4. 

Me and My Penis is available to stream on All 4.