ArtNewsTelevision

“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.

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

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.

Latest Articles

Kyle Jackson

Kyle Jackson (He/Him) is Senior Staff Writer at Gray Jones Media, and additionally works as a writer, editor and theatre artist/actor. A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, he studied at Dillard University, received a BA in Theatre from Morgan State University, an MS in Arts Administration from Drexel University, and completed the British American Drama Academy’s Midsummer in Oxford Programme in 2017. Having lived in Baltimore, the Washington, DC area, Philadelphia and New York City, he now resides and works in London, United Kingdom.

×