10 Sex Scenes That Changed TV History

Photos: Getty Images, YouTube ; Illustration: Dillen Phelps

Bewitched
This ABC show featured one of the first times a married couple was allowed to share a bed.
Where to stream Bewitched

Photo: ABC

NYPD Blue
One of the most risqué shows of its time, this drama started the trend of allowing more nudity on screen.
Where to stream NYPD Blue

©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett C

Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Willow and Tara's relationship marked the first time a lesbian couple had sex on broadcast TV.
Where to stream Buffy the Vampire Slayer

©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett C

Sex and the City
Where do we start with this HBO show? If it wasn't discussing the merits of going down on women it was having frank discussions about sex toys.
Where to stream Sex and the City

©New Line Cinema/Courtesy Evere

Queer as Folk
This series helped revolutionized how the LGBT community was portrayed.
Where to stream Queer as Folk

©Showtime Networks Inc./Courtes

The L Word
This Showtime original about four lesbian women trying to figure out life made its sex scenes feel sweet rather than scandalous.
Where to stream The L Word

©Showtime Networks Inc./Courtes

Game of Thrones
The fantasy series has been heavily criticized for its depiction of sex, which has influenced how assault and sex is portrayed on screen.
Where to stream Game of Thrones

Photo: HBO

Girls
Lena Dunham's show did a lot to portray the awkward side of sex.
Where to stream

Photo: HBO

Looking
This HBO series gave viewers the best combination possible -- lots of steamy hookups and a homosexual will-they, won't-they that had real emotional (and sexual) weight.
Where to stream Looking

Photo: HBO

Transparent
Three words: That bathtub scene. Not many shows would show two 60-year-olds having sex.
Where to stream Transparent

Photo: Prime Video