TV & FilmFilm ReviewsTV ReviewsExplicit

Faking It with Ariel and Morgan

Ariel Leigh Cohen & Morgan Smith

Two intimacy coordinators reveal what actually happens behind the scenes of film and TV's most iconic intimate moments.

We're Ariel and Morgan, two professional intimacy coordinators who choreograph sex scenes for film and TV. We pull back the curtain on how intimacy is really made—from the awkward logistics to the craft that makes it look effortless.

On Faking It, we break down:

Heated Rivalry: the back arch, the bed share, and why good gay sex wins over hockey
The hottest no-contact scene in cinema history (Secretary)
Why Brokeback Mountain's tent scene needed more lube
The invisible Buffy sex scene that required flawless pantomime
Barbarella's orgasm machine
PEN15's honest depiction of teenage arousal

Get behind-the-scenes secrets, absurd Hollywood stories, real talk about love and sex, and a front-row seat to the art of pretending.

New episodes every other week. Subscribe now so you don't miss the next breakdown.

Catch us on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, and all podcast platforms.

Follow us
Instagram & TikTok: @FakingItThePod
Patreon: bonus episodes and scene requests
Website: FakingItThePod.com

Play

Open in

24 episodes
fortnightly
Avg 38 min
English

Support the show

Goes straight to the publisher. podnod takes nothing.

Support this Podcast

Episodes 24

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

S2 · E4
October 21 · 48 min
Carrie: 50 Years of Horror & Period Panic
Carrie shower scene breakdown from intimacy coordinators: first periods, body horror, the male gaze, and a whole lot of plasma. An intimacy coordinator's take on nudity, vulnerability, bullying, and how the same iconic scene has changed over 50 years. This week, we're breaking down the infamous shower scene from Carrie (1976), the 2013 remake, and the 2026 Netflix series. We're talking period representation, actor boundaries, modesty garments, camera work, the male gaze, and how each version uses nudity, vulnerability, and body horror to tell a different story about young women and their bodies. Plus: we put the 1976 and 2026 versions through the Spice Scale and even we were surprised by the grades! Carrie White: Sissy Spacek (1976), Chloë Grace Moretz (2013), Summer H. Howell (2026) Watch along timestamps: - Carrie (1976): Shower Scene: 1:11 – 6:45 - Carrie (2013): Shower Scene: 6:57 – 9:42 - Carrie (2026) S1E1 (First Period) | "Shower Scene": 44:23 – 45:20 Subscribe to Faking It the Pod for behind the scenes breakdowns of film and TV's most iconic sex scenes. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Stay real, Fakers. #Carrie #IntimacyCoordinator #SpiceScale #HorrorMovies #FilmBreakdown Research sources: - Stephen King: Carrie - Common Sense Media: Information on nudity in Carrie (1976) - The Film Stage: Behind-the-scenes information on the original Carrie shower scene Support the show Connect & Support the Show Watch video versions on Spotify and YouTube. Suggest a Scene & Get Bonus Content: Join our Patreon to request scenes and unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Follow Us: Instagram & TikTok @FakingItThePod Website: FakingItThePod.com Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode — subscribe wherever you listen. Love the show? A 5-star rating helps other listeners find us. Stay real, Fakers. For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.
- Transcript
S2 · E3
October 7 · 35 min
American Psycho: Business Cards & Bloody Chainsaws
American Psycho sex scene breakdown from intimacy coordinators: chainsaws, sex workers, modesty garments, and a very confused Patrick Bateman. An intimacy coordinator's take on satire, simulated sex, and making the absurd feel intentional This week we cover Patrick Bateman's two infamous intimacy scenes with Christie, Sabrina, and Elizabeth, including the iconic mirror moment and that very memorable chainsaw chase. We get into staging, modesty garments, masking, choreography, actor boundaries, power dynamics, and how Mary Harron and Christian Bale intentionally made the sex scenes feel strange, disconnected, and completely unsexy. Plus: we put both scenes through the Spice Scale, and somehow they got an A. American Psycho (2000) Patrick Bateman: Christian Bale. Christie: Cara Seymour. Sabrina: Krista Sutton. Elizabeth: Guinevere Turner. Watch along timestamps: American Psycho: Patrick Bateman, Christie & Sabrina: 42:19 – 45:27 (uncut version) American Psycho: Patrick Bateman, Christie & Elizabeth: 1:13:46 – 1:16:10 (uncut version) Subscribe to Faking It the Pod for behind the scenes breakdowns of film and TV's most iconic sex scenes. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Stay real, Fakers. #AmericanPsycho #IntimacyCoordinator #SpiceScale #FilmBreakdown Research sources: IMDb: American Psycho https://pro.imdb.com/title/tt0144084/?ref_=ttcst "American Psycho Had To Make Some Cuts To Dodge The Dreaded NC-17 Rating" by Natalia Keogan https://www.slashfilm.com/835664/american-psycho-had-to-make-some-cuts-to-dodge-the-dreaded-nc-17-rating/ Far Out Magazine: American Psycho https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/tags/american-psycho/ MovieCensorship.com http://MovieCensorship.com WHAT WENT WRONG: "American Psycho" with Lizzie Bassett & Chris Winterbauer (Sad Boom Media) <https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/american-psycho/id1512847066?i=1000665854720> Support the show Connect & Support the Show Watch video versions on Spotify and YouTube. Suggest a Scene & Get Bonus Content: Join our Patreon to request scenes and unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Follow Us: Instagram & TikTok @FakingItThePod Website: FakingItThePod.com Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode — subscribe wherever you listen. Love the show? A 5-star rating helps other listeners find us. Stay real, Fakers. For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.
- Transcript
S2 · E2
September 23 · 35 min
Hacks: Hot Showers, Stage Fright, & Fake Gay Panic
Hacks intimacy scene breakdown: nudity, nightmares, a fake lesbian relationship, and the intimacy coordinators behind them. An intimacy coordinator's take on comedy, nudity, and chemistry This week we cover Ava and Ruby's shower scene, Deborah's bizarre no-clothes nightmare, and that kiss between Ava and Deborah. We get into staging, body doubles, actor boundaries, power dynamics, chemistry, and why sometimes an intimacy scene just doesn't quite... sync up. Plus: we put all three scenes through the Spice Scale, and one of them somehow got a D. Hacks: Season 3, Episode 2 & Season 5, Episode 7 Intimacy Coordinators: Chantal Cousineau, Sarah Scott & Adrienne Couper Smith. Watch along timestamps: S3E2 (Better Late) | "Ava and Ruby's Shower Scene": 5:16 – 6:21 S5E7 (Montecito) | "Deborah's Nightmare": 0:00 – 0:43 S5E7 (Montecito) | "Ava and Deborah's Kiss": 16:44 – 17:01 Subscribe to Faking It the Pod for behind-the-scenes breakdowns of film and TV's most iconic sex scenes. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Stay real, Fakers. #Hacks #IntimacyCoordinator #SpiceScale #TVbreakdown Research sources: Rappler (AFP): Nude scenes "incredibly liberating," says Hacks star Hannah Einbinder Support the show Connect & Support the Show Watch video versions on Spotify and YouTube. Suggest a Scene & Get Bonus Content: Join our Patreon to request scenes and unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Follow Us: Instagram & TikTok @FakingItThePod Website: FakingItThePod.com Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode — subscribe wherever you listen. Love the show? A 5-star rating helps other listeners find us. Stay real, Fakers. For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.
- Transcript
S2 · E1
September 9 · 38 min
The Invite: Consent, Chemistry & Couple Swapping
The Invite (2026) intimacy scene breakdown: Seth Rogen, Olivia Wilde, Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton's sexy, cringe swinging comedy. An intimacy coordinator's take on consent, chemistry, and couple swapping This week on Faking It, intimacy coordinators Morgan Smith and Ariel break down The Invite (2026), Olivia Wilde's A24 comedy about a married couple, Joe (Seth Rogen) and Angela (Olivia Wilde), whose upstairs neighbors Piña (Penélope Cruz) and Hawk (Edward Norton) invite them into something far outside their comfort zone. It's one of the most deliciously awkward sex scenes we've covered, and we're here for all of it. We're talking: Why authenticity can be more valuable than instant chemistry What happens when one partner's ready to go when the other is not How characters' personalities can continue when scenes get spicy The psychology of kink, control, and surrender in a sex scene Whether this scene really needed an intimacy coordinator Watch along timestamps: The Invite: "The Scene": 1:13:05 About the film The Invite (2026) is directed by Olivia Wilde, written by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones, and distributed by A24. It's an English-language remake of Cesc Gay's 2020 Spanish film The People Upstairs (Sentimental). It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2026, opened wide July 10, 2026, and is streaming on digital platforms now, with HBO Max to follow. Subscribe to Faking It the Pod for behind the scenes breakdowns of the most iconic sex scenes in film and TV from two working intimacy coordinators. New episodes every other week wherever you get your podcasts. Comment below with the movie or TV intimacy scene we should analyze next! Stay real, fakers. #TheInvite #OliviaWilde #SethRogen #IntimacyCoordinator Research sources: Boston.com: Olivia Wilde on her Boston-area roots, her love of Diane Keaton, and the discomfort of The Invite TIME: Olivia Wilde interview on The Invite SAG-AFTRA Foundation interview Seth Rogen on Jimmy Kimmel Live IMDb: The Invite Deadline: Amy Adams, Paul Rudd, Tessa Thompson join The Invite (2023) Support the show Connect & Support the Show Watch video versions on Spotify and YouTube. Suggest a Scene & Get Bonus Content: Join our Patreon to request scenes and unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Follow Us: Instagram & TikTok @FakingItThePod Website: FakingItThePod.com Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode — subscribe wherever you listen. Love the show? A 5-star rating helps other listeners find us. Stay real, Fakers. For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.
- Transcript
S1 · E29
August 26 · 37 min
Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1 [PLAYBACK]
Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1 sex scene breakdown, from the vault: Edward and Bella's meadow, wedding night, and honeymoon. An intimacy coordinator's take on vampire romance We're on vacation, but this episode was too good to stay in the vault. We're revisiting our breakdown of Edward and Bella's unforgettable Twilight scenes, from that infamous meadow moment to the wedding night, the honeymoon, and all the continuity questions that still keep us up at night. Two intimacy coordinators unpack why these scenes work so well emotionally, where the choreography gets… questionable, and why Twilight manages to make everything feel simultaneously incredibly romantic and deeply complicated. Watch along timestamps: Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1: "Honeymoon Scene": 34:35 – 37:40 Did Twilight redefine the teen romance genre, or are we all just overlooking some truly wild vampire-human logistics? Subscribe for bi-weekly behind the scenes breakdowns of film and TV's most iconic sex scenes. #Playback #Twilight #EdwardAndBella #IntimacyCoordinator #FilmBreakdown Support the show Connect & Support the Show Watch video versions on Spotify and YouTube. Suggest a Scene & Get Bonus Content: Join our Patreon to request scenes and unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Follow Us: Instagram & TikTok @FakingItThePod Website: FakingItThePod.com Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode — subscribe wherever you listen. Love the show? A 5-star rating helps other listeners find us. Stay real, Fakers. For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.
- Transcript
S1 · E28
August 12 · 38 min
Fifty Shades of Grey [PLAYBACK]
Fifty Shades of Grey sex scene breakdown, from the vault: what the film gets wrong about BDSM. An intimacy coordinator's take on consent and power dynamics In their PLAYBACK series, the cohosts revisit two fan-favorite episodes from The Hoa Hoa Universe while Ariel and Morgan take their summer break. They’ll be back in September with new episodes of Faking It. Ariel and Morgan break down the infamous first Red Room scene. What was supposed to be mainstream BDSM became basically vanilla, questionable choreography, and music doing the heavy lifting. In this episode: Why the Red Room reads more like spectacle than negotiated intimacy How the film confuses dominance with control and intensity with compatibility How music, montage, and production design work overtime to create heat that isn't really there What a more grounded, informed, and sexier version of this scene could have looked like Why Christian Grey is a disappointing Dom and lover This episode isn't about kink-shaming. It's about unpacking why a movie that centered BDSM failed to show how consent, agency, and erotic tension actually function in practice. It's part critique, part craft analysis, and part public service announcement for anyone who thinks vibes count as communication. Watch along timestamps: Fifty Shades of Grey: "Red Room Scene": 1:22:10 – 1:29:34 Subscribe for bi-weekly behind the scenes breakdowns of film and TV's most iconic sex scenes. Credits Fifty Shades of Grey (2015) | Director: Sam Taylor-Johnson | Focus Features Hashtags #FiftyShadesOfGrey #BDSM #RedRoom #IntimacyCoordinator #FilmBreakdown Research sources: Duke University, "Unsuitable": Fifty Shades and the BDSM community backlash Literary Hub: "Billionaires Are Bad: Revisiting 50 Shades of Grey in the Age of Mega-Rich Creepers" Entertainment Tonight: Dakota Johnson on simulating sex for seven hours straight People: Dakota Johnson on the creative "constant battle" over the Fifty Shades movies Support the show Connect & Support the Show Watch video versions on Spotify and YouTube. Suggest a Scene & Get Bonus Content: Join our Patreon to request scenes and unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Follow Us: Instagram & TikTok @FakingItThePod Website: FakingItThePod.com Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode — subscribe wherever you listen. Love the show? A 5-star rating helps other listeners find us. Stay real, Fakers. For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.
- Transcript
S1 · E27
July 29 · 40 min
Off Campus: The Greenest Green Flag in TV?
Off Campus sex scene breakdown: is it really the greenest green flag on TV? An intimacy coordinator's take on consent as chemistry Consent can be hot. Who knew? (Us. We knew.) What starts as a classic hockey romance somehow turns into one of the healthiest, hottest conversations about intimacy we've seen on screen. Together, Ariel and Morgan discuss why this scene works so well, how consent builds chemistry instead of killing it, and why emotional safety might actually be the sexiest thing a character can bring to the bedroom. In this episode: How Off Campus approaches sex after sexual assault experiences Why awkward and silly can be incredibly sexy The filmmaking choices that sell emotional intimacy Ariel's very STRONG opinions about the show's nudity choices Three completely ridiculous ways we'd ruin the scene When foreplay becomes... fiveplay? Sixplay? Plus, they kick things off with a spicy industry rant about fake intimacy coordinators, why proper training matters, and why "straight to penetraysh" is almost always the wrong answer. Watch along timestamps: S1E4 (The Breakup) | "Garrett and Hannah's Scene": 13:34 – 23:13 Subscribe for bi-weekly behind the scenes breakdowns of film and TV's most iconic sex scenes. Credits Off Campus (Season 1, Episode 4: "The Breakup") | Based on the novels by Elle Kennedy | Created by Louisa Levy | Showrunners: Gina Fattore & Louisa Levy | Directed by Samantha Bailey | Intimacy Coordinator: Katherine Kadler | Starring Ella Bright and Belmont Cameli Hashtags #OffCampus #RomanceTV #IntimacyCoordinator #BehindTheScenes #TVBreakdown Support the show Connect & Support the Show Watch video versions on Spotify and YouTube. Suggest a Scene & Get Bonus Content: Join our Patreon to request scenes and unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Follow Us: Instagram & TikTok @FakingItThePod Website: FakingItThePod.com Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode — subscribe wherever you listen. Love the show? A 5-star rating helps other listeners find us. Stay real, Fakers. For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.
- Transcript
S1 · E26
July 15 · 41 min
Obsession (2025): The Horror of Non-Consent | Intimacy & Stunt Coordinator Jen Albert
Obsession (2025) intimacy scene breakdown with the film's intimacy and stunt coordinator, Jen Albert: its most disturbing intimacy, violence, and non-consent scenes. An intimacy coordinator's take on horror and non-consent Together, they explore how Obsession evolved from script to screen, where the line between stunt coordination and intimacy coordination begins and ends, and why one of the film's most unsettling moments is terrifying without relying on gore. In this episode: Why the infamous bedroom scene is so disturbing How intimacy coordination differs from stunt coordination The theatrical cut vs. the streaming cut Behind-the-scenes stories from filming Obsession Bloody dolls, Sugar glass, and Foam Bricks How actor collaboration and rehearsal shaped the final scenes When horror and intimacy collide Plus, Jen shares what changed from the original script, how the cast approached portraying non-consent, and what really went into filming the movie's iconic brick scene. Watch along timestamps: Obsession: "Nikki and Bear's Intimate Scene": 44:46 – 45:32 Obsession: "Bear Finds Sarah": 1:36:56 – 1:37:24 Subscribe for behind-the-scenes breakdowns of film and television's most iconic intimacy scenes. Credits Obsession (2025) | Written & Directed by Curry Barker | Starring Inde Navarrette, Michael Johnston, Megan Lawless | Intimacy Coordinated and Stunt Coordinated by Jen Albert Hashtags #Obsession #HorrorMovies #IntimacyCoordinator #StuntCoordinator #FilmPodcast Research sources: Collider: Obsession Has a Blink-and-You'll-Miss-It Scene That's More Unsettling Than Those Brutal Kills Support the show Connect & Support the Show Watch video versions on Spotify and YouTube. Suggest a Scene & Get Bonus Content: Join our Patreon to request scenes and unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Follow Us: Instagram & TikTok @FakingItThePod Website: FakingItThePod.com Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode — subscribe wherever you listen. Love the show? A 5-star rating helps other listeners find us. Stay real, Fakers. For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.
- Transcript
S1 · E25
July 1 · 52 min
Pose: Directing Intimacy & Queer Love | Co-Creator Steven Canals
Pose intimacy scene breakdown with co-creator Steven Canals: how the FX series directed queer love and its groundbreaking sex scenes. An intimacy coordinator's take on directing queer love They discuss how the scene evolved from script to screen, the challenges of directing intimacy before the role of intimacy coordinator was fully established, and why portraying queer love with tenderness, not spectacle, mattered so deeply. In this episode: The collaborative process between director, actors, and intimacy coordinator Balancing choreography with actor freedom and authenticity How intimacy coordination has evolved over the past decade Why queer intimacy deserves the same emotional depth as any love story The importance of consent, vulnerability, and trust in intimate storytelling Plus, Steven shares behind-the-scenes stories from making POSE, reflects on the show's lasting cultural impact, and tells us exactly how he'd ruin his own scene if he had to. Watch along timestamps: S2E8 (Revelations) | "Ricky and Pray Tell": 3:38 – 5:47 Subscribe for bi-weekly behind the scenes breakdowns of film and TV's most iconic sex scenes. Credits POSE (Season 2, Episode 8: "Revelations") | Creators: Steven Canals, Brad Falchuk, Ryan Murphy | FX (2019) Hashtags #PoseFX #QueerTV #QueerIntimacy #IntimacyCoordinator #TVBreakdown Research sources: Metro UK: POSE star breaks down Ricky and Pray Tell's Season 2 love scene Support the show Connect & Support the Show Watch video versions on Spotify and YouTube. Suggest a Scene & Get Bonus Content: Join our Patreon to request scenes and unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Follow Us: Instagram & TikTok @FakingItThePod Website: FakingItThePod.com Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode — subscribe wherever you listen. Love the show? A 5-star rating helps other listeners find us. Stay real, Fakers. For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.
- Transcript
S1 · E24
June 24 · 24 min
Sense8 Finale: Going Out with a (Cluster) Bang [Bonus]
Bonus episode: Sense8 finale orgy scene breakdown, how it was choreographed and why it remains one of the most ambitious intimacy sequences ever filmed. An intimacy coordinator's take on ensemble intimacy From choreography and consent practices to lighting, camera movement, and the challenge of coordinating a massive ensemble scene, they break down how the Wachowskis and J. Michael Straczynski created a sequence that feels emotional, sensual, and deeply connected rather than purely explicit. In this episode: Why foreplay matters for the audience, not just the characters The logistics of coordinating large-scale intimacy scenes Boundary-setting techniques, including touch mapping and traffic-light systems Why scenes of this scale require multiple intimacy coordinators The importance of diversity, representation, and body variety in intimate storytelling Then, as always, they hand out their Spice Scale scores before completely ruining the scene with some truly terrible creative notes. Watch along timestamps: S2E12 (Amor Vincit Omnia) | "The Finale Orgy Scene": 2:21:00 – 2:26:00 Subscribe for bi-weekly behind the scenes breakdowns of film and TV's most iconic sex scenes. Credits Sense8 (Season 2, Episode 12: "Amor Vincit Omnia") | Creators: Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski, J. Michael Straczynski | Netflix (2018) Hashtags #Sense8 #Wachowski #BehindTheScenes #IntimacyCoordinator #TVBreakdown Research sources: Out: Filming That Polysexual Sense8 Orgy Scene Refinery29: Jamie Clayton Spills on Sense8's Famous Orgy Scenes Support the show Connect & Support the Show Watch video versions on Spotify and YouTube. Suggest a Scene & Get Bonus Content: Join our Patreon to request scenes and unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Follow Us: Instagram & TikTok @FakingItThePod Website: FakingItThePod.com Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode — subscribe wherever you listen. Love the show? A 5-star rating helps other listeners find us. Stay real, Fakers. For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.
- Transcript
S1 · E23
June 17 · 38 min
Sense8: The Psychic Orgy | How the Cluster Sex Scenes Got Made
Sense8 psychic orgy breakdown: how the cluster sex scene was actually made. An intimacy coordinator's take on ensemble intimacy across continents From gym workouts and hot tubs to morning cuddles and group intimacy across continents, they're unpacking what makes this sequence so memorable and why it still feels unlike anything else on TV. They get into it all: The surprisingly complicated consent questions that come with sharing other people's experiences The challenge of choreographing a massive multi-location orgy without rehearsal The actors' experiences behind the scenes and how an intimacy coordinator could have helped Plus: German bathhouses, intimacy coordinator wedding hacks, Britney Spears throwbacks, and an extended discussion about what happens if someone in your cluster decides to have sex during your grandmother's funeral. Watch along timestamps: S1E6 (Demons) | "The Cluster Orgy Scene": 32:08 – 39:32 ----------------------------------------- CREDITS — Sense8 (S1E6 "Demons") Creators: Lana Wachowski; Lilly Wachowski; J. Michael Straczynski Directors: Lana Wachowski; Lilly Wachowski Writers: Lana Wachowski; Lilly Wachowski; J. Michael Straczynski Producers: Grant Hill; J. Michael Straczynski; Lana Wachowski; Lilly Wachowski Actors (featured in discussed scenes): Jamie Clayton; Freema Agyeman; Miguel Ángel Silvestre; Alfonso Herrera; Brian J. Smith; Max Riemelt; Tina Desai; Doona Bae; Tuppence Middleton © 2015 Netflix / Studio JMS / Anarchos Productions / Georgeville Television. All rights reserved. ----------------------------------------- It's Pride Month! Give back to your community this month by donating to some of our favorite organizations: The Trevor Project LA LGBT Center Advocates for Trans Equality Subscribe for bi-weekly behind the scenes breakdowns of film and TV's most iconic sex scenes. #intimacycoordinator #tvbreakdown #behindthescenes #queertv Research sources: Out: Filming That Polysexual Sense8 Orgy Scene Refinery29: Jamie Clayton Spills on Sense8's Famous Orgy Scenes Support the show Connect & Support the Show Watch video versions on Spotify and YouTube. Suggest a Scene & Get Bonus Content: Join our Patreon to request scenes and unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Follow Us: Instagram & TikTok @FakingItThePod Website: FakingItThePod.com Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode — subscribe wherever you listen. Love the show? A 5-star rating helps other listeners find us. Stay real, Fakers. For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.
- Transcript
S1 · E22
June 3 · 34 min
Dicks: The Musical | The Incest Factor Explained
Dicks: The Musical sex scene breakdown: the "incest factor" and what the film is really doing with it. An intimacy coordinator's take on absurdist comedy and taboo Megan Thee Stallion. Nathan Lane. Puppet penises. A gay sex scene between twins that somehow becomes a camp masterpiece. The A24 musical is absurd, offensive, and genuinely hilarious. They go behind the scenes that are not safe for work, unless your work is really cool. In this episode: Why unrealistic sex can be funnier than realistic sex Walking 69s and spit takes LGBTQ+ representation on screen Puppet intimacy in theater This episode is for you if: You love A24's weirdest movies You want to hear intimacy coordinators lose their minds You need queer comedy that isn't serious for once Watch along timestamps: Dicks: The Musical: "Opening Scene": 0:50 Dicks: The Musical: "Sleepover Scene": 1:10:26 Subscribe for bi-weekly behind the scenes breakdowns of film and TV's most iconic sex scenes. Credits Dicks: The Musical (2023) | Director: Larry Charles | A24 Hashtags #DicksTheMusical #A24 #IntimacyCoordinator #QueerComedy #FilmBreakdown Support the show Connect & Support the Show Watch video versions on Spotify and YouTube. Suggest a Scene & Get Bonus Content: Join our Patreon to request scenes and unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Follow Us: Instagram & TikTok @FakingItThePod Website: FakingItThePod.com Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode — subscribe wherever you listen. Love the show? A 5-star rating helps other listeners find us. Stay real, Fakers. For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.
- Transcript
S1 · E21
May 20 · 43 min
Secretary: What It Gets Right About BDSM | A Sub Is Born
Secretary sex scene breakdown: what the film gets right (and wrong) about BDSM, plus the sexiest no-contact scene in film history. An intimacy coordinator's take on power, kink, and consent Maggie Gyllenhaal. James Spader. A desk. And a worm that somehow becomes the hottest moment in the movie. Secretary changed how Hollywood talked about kink on screen. But does it hold up? Ariel and Morgan break down the iconic, controversial, and deeply weird BDSM film that people are still arguing about 20 years later. In this episode: • The worm scene — why anticipation and eye contact are sexier than touch • The Peter problem: she's asking for domination. He's giving nothing. • Why "no safe word, no conversation" is doing a LOT of heavy lifting • Kink as emotional connection vs. kink as self-harm replacement • Breath work that deserves awards and hand spasms that steal the show The verdict: No notes. (Okay... some notes.) Watch along timestamps: Secretary: "Peter Scene": 1:08:34 Secretary: "Worm Scene": 1:10:54 Secretary: "Aftercare/Gardening Scene": 1:41:47 This episode is for you if: • You love cult classics from the early 2000s • You want to understand why Secretary is still discussed • You're curious about BDSM representation on film • You're a fan of Maggie Gyllenhaal or James Spader Subscribe for bi-weekly behind the scenes breakdowns of film and TV's most iconic sex scenes. Credits Secretary (2002) | Director: Steven Shainberg | Starring: Maggie Gyllenhaal, James Spader | Lionsgate Hashtags #SecretaryMovie #BDSMfilm #IntimacyCoordinator #CultClassic #FilmBreakdown Research sources: HuffPost: Forget 50 Shades: Feminist Adult Film Producers Pick Their Favorite BDSM Erotica Kamera: An Interview with Maggie Gyllenhaal ScreenSlam: James Spader Exclusive Interview Support the show Connect & Support the Show Watch video versions on Spotify and YouTube. Suggest a Scene & Get Bonus Content: Join our Patreon to request scenes and unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Follow Us: Instagram & TikTok @FakingItThePod Website: FakingItThePod.com Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode — subscribe wherever you listen. Love the show? A 5-star rating helps other listeners find us. Stay real, Fakers. For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.
- Transcript
S1 · E20
May 6 · 39 min
Brokeback Mountain: No Lube, No Warning
Brokeback Mountain intimacy scene breakdown: from the tent scene to what the choreography leaves unsaid. An intimacy coordinator's take on tension, pacing, and queer love Brokeback Mountain changed queer representation forever. It also left audiences with a lot of questions about how these scenes actually function. From the infamous first tent scene to the long-awaited reunion, Ariel and Morgan break down what's working, what's not, and why these moments feel so tense without ever fully landing. In this episode: The reality of prep, lubrication, and pacing for anal penetration How tension overtakes intimacy and why that leaves scenes feeling incomplete The difference between awkwardness that serves the story vs awkwardness from unclear choreography How the intimacy goes from zero to 100 and stays there Plus: beans, spit logistics, near broken noses, and a very real conversation about how an intimacy coordinator would approach these scenes today. A storyteller's lens on queer cinema Ariel and Morgan zoom out to talk about Brokeback Mountain's massive cultural impact, the historical context it exists in, and why representation matters, even when the intimacy itself has room for growth. Justice for lube. That's all they're saying. Watch along timestamps: Brokeback Mountain: "Tent Scene": 27:30 – 29:10 Brokeback Mountain: "Rasslin' Scene": 32:51 – 34:54 Brokeback Mountain: "Reunion Scene": 1:03:07 – 1:04:46 Subscribe for bi-weekly behind the scenes breakdowns of film and TV's most iconic sex scenes. Credits Brokeback Mountain (2005) | Director: Ang Lee | Focus Features Hashtags #BrokebackMountain #AngLee #IntimacyCoordinator #QueerCinema #FilmBreakdown Research sources: IMDb: Brokeback Mountain Wikipedia: Brokeback Mountain Howard University Law Library: Proposition 8 Before Stonewall (1984 documentary) Freddie.com FOLX Health: LGBTQIA+ History Guide Variety: Brokeback Mountain's 10th Anniversary: Ang Lee and James Schamus Look Back (2015) Details (quoted in Southern Voice) TIME: Brokeback Mountain at 20 Towleroad: Mark Wahlberg Not Ready To Do 'The Thing' (2007) VICE: "Sex Scenes: Revisiting the Sex, Violence, Tenderness and Beans of Brokeback Mountain" by Rachel Rabbit White (2019) "Framing Brokeback Mountain: How the Popular Press Corralled the Gay Cowboy Movie" by Brenda Cooper (2008) Support the show Connect & Support the Show Watch video versions on Spotify and YouTube. Suggest a Scene & Get Bonus Content: Join our Patreon to request scenes and unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Follow Us: Instagram & TikTok @FakingItThePod Website: FakingItThePod.com Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode — subscribe wherever you listen. Love the show? A 5-star rating helps other listeners find us. Stay real, Fakers. For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.
- Transcript
S1 · E19
April 22 · 39 min
PEN15: Hormones Gone Rogue
PEN15 sex and puberty scene breakdown: how the show films painfully awkward intimacy with adult actors playing kids. An intimacy coordinator's take on awkward, honest adolescence on screen PEN15 (Season 1, Episode 3: "Ojichan") is one of the most honest depictions of first arousal ever put on screen. From the very first moment of "wait... what is happening to my body?" to the full spiral of can't-stop-won't-stop self-discovery, this episode captures the chaos, confusion, and intensity of discovering desire with absolutely no roadmap. In this episode: The painfully accurate portrayal of first arousal: awkward, obsessive, and completely all-consuming Why casting adult actors as teens allows the show to explore this safely without crossing ethical lines How PEN15 captures the feeling of "I must be the only one experiencing this" How shame, secrecy, and silence around sex education shape those early experiences A masterclass in storytelling through cringe It's cringey. It's deeply familiar. And it turns one of the most private human experiences into comedy gold. We break down why this episode works and how it handles adolescent sexuality with both honesty and humor. Watch along timestamps: S1E3 (Ojichan) | "Maya's First Discovery": 0:41 S1E3 (Ojichan) | "Classroom Montage": 4:17 – 5:29 S1E3 (Ojichan) | "The Closet/Walkman Scene": 9:22 – 12:54 Yes, Ariel mispronounced Maya Erskine's last name. We know. We're sorry. We love her. Subscribe for bi-weekly behind the scenes breakdowns of film and TV's most iconic sex scenes. Credits PEN15 (Season 1, Episode 3: "Ojichan") | Creators: Maya Erskine, Anna Konkle, Sam Zvibleman | Hulu (2019) Hashtags #PEN15 #MayaErskine #AnnaKonkle #IntimacyCoordinator #TVBreakdown Research sources: CONAN: Maya Erskine on PEN15 The Hollywood Reporter: PEN15 Stars Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle, In Studio NPR: PEN15 Creators Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle Return to Middle School Support the show Connect & Support the Show Watch video versions on Spotify and YouTube. Suggest a Scene & Get Bonus Content: Join our Patreon to request scenes and unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Follow Us: Instagram & TikTok @FakingItThePod Website: FakingItThePod.com Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode — subscribe wherever you listen. Love the show? A 5-star rating helps other listeners find us. Stay real, Fakers. For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.
- Transcript
S1 · E18
April 8 · 44 min
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Hardcore Vanilla Sex Scenes
Buffy the Vampire Slayer sex scene breakdown: the show's unhinged sex scenes and what makes them work (or not). An intimacy coordinator's take on supernatural romance The Buffy reboot isn't happening. It's devastating. To soothe their wounds, Ariel and Morgan talk about Buffy and Spike in season 6 — where things are darker, messier, and include a whole lot more property damage. From literally breaking a house down during sex to invisible hookups to whatever is happening on that balcony at The Bronze, they have notes. In this episode: The iconic Buffy/Spike "Smashed" scene: why it's so hot and makes zero sense How the show tries to portray Buffy's rock bottom through sex (and where it succeeds vs. fails) The invisibility scene as a surprisingly perfect example of how simulated sex actually works on set Why the show keeps saying Buffy and Spike are kinky while showing the most vanilla execution imaginable The difference between toxic intimacy and BDSM Plus: pants continuity crimes, mystery penetration logistics, and a full breakdown of Ariel and Morgan's personal histories with Spuffy. A masterclass in storytelling through chaos Ariel and Morgan break down why these scenes still resonate, where they fall short, and what they reveal about Buffy's emotional state. It's a behind the scenes look at one of TV's most iconic toxic relationships. Watch along timestamps: S6E9 (Smashed) | "The House Scene": 39:39 S6E11 (Gone) | "The Invisibility Scene": 28:08 S6E13 (Dead Things) | "The Balcony Scene": 20:25 Subscribe for bi-weekly behind the scenes breakdowns of film and TV's most iconic sex scenes. Credits Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Season 6) | Created by Joss Whedon | 20th Century Fox Television Hashtags #BuffyTheVampireSlayer #SpikeAndBuffy #IntimacyCoordinator #TVBreakdown #BuffyAnalysis Research sources: Vogue: Sarah Michelle Gellar interview The Hollywood Reporter: James Marsters on filming a "problematic" Buffy scene Support the show Connect & Support the Show Watch video versions on Spotify and YouTube. Suggest a Scene & Get Bonus Content: Join our Patreon to request scenes and unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Follow Us: Instagram & TikTok @FakingItThePod Website: FakingItThePod.com Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode — subscribe wherever you listen. Love the show? A 5-star rating helps other listeners find us. Stay real, Fakers. For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.
- Transcript
S1 · E17
March 25 · 37 min
Barbarella: Sci-Fi, Striptease & Orgasms Against the Machine
Barbarella sex scene breakdown: how 1968's most famous erotic sci-fi film staged its striptease and sex scenes. An intimacy coordinator's take on 1960s sci-fi spectacle Jane Fonda strips out of a spacesuit in zero gravity. Later, she defeats a villain using an orgasm machine. Yes. Really. Barbarella (1968) is one of the most bizarre and brazen films of a generation. Ariel and Morgan break down how the cult classic uses erotic spectacle, camp, and absurdity to create scenes that are wildly objectifying and oddly revolutionary for their time. In this episode: How the zero-gravity striptease opening uses choreography, framing, and floating credits to tease and shock the audience Why the "Excessive Machine" scene was extremely bold for mainstream cinema in 1968 The weaponization of pleasure Why early Hollywood treated sex as visual spectacle first and human experience second Ariel and Morgan break down what Barbarella got right, what it got wrong, and why it's still iconic. It's campy. It's chaotic. And it's worth studying through an intimacy coordinator's lens. Watch along timestamps: Barbarella: "Opening Striptease": 0:00 – 4:00 Barbarella: "Excessive Machine Scene": 1:05:00 – 1:10:00 Subscribe for bi-weekly behind the scenes breakdowns of film and TV's most iconic sex scenes. Credits Barbarella (1968) | Director: Roger Vadim | Paramount Pictures Hashtags #Barbarella #JaneFonda #IntimacyCoordinator #CultClassic #SciFiMovies Research sources: The Guardian: on the new Barbarella comic and the original film (2016) Vanity Fair: Jane Fonda on Barbarella and a generation's sexual awakening (2022) Yahoo: Jane Fonda Says Playing a Sex Object Was the "Easy Road" to Fame Support the show Connect & Support the Show Watch video versions on Spotify and YouTube. Suggest a Scene & Get Bonus Content: Join our Patreon to request scenes and unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Follow Us: Instagram & TikTok @FakingItThePod Website: FakingItThePod.com Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode — subscribe wherever you listen. Love the show? A 5-star rating helps other listeners find us. Stay real, Fakers. For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.
- Transcript
S1 · E16
March 11 · 41 min
Booksmart: Diving Into Intimacy with Brooke M. Haney
Booksmart intimacy and sex scene breakdown with Brooke M. Haney. An intimacy coordinator's take on coming-of-age intimacy Olivia Wilde's directorial debut proves awkward queer intimacy doesn't need to be polished to be powerful. This one's about awkward first times. Skinny jeans. Bad geometry. Zero game. In this episode: Why awkward intimacy can still be choreographed and is not an excuse to skip process The storytelling power of wardrobe choices, body language, and the messy logistics of skinny jeans and Converses Why representation of imperfect queer intimacy matters when so many people learn about sex from movies The real production challenges of filming intimacy on beaches, in pools, and under rapidly disappearing sunlight A storyteller's lens on queer intimacy Ariel and Morgan get into shop talk: kit items, choreography language, and what it actually takes to make awkward intimacy read as tender rather than cringe. Guest: Brooke M. Haney Buy her book: A History of Intimacy Professionals in Entertainment Buy her book: The Intimacy Coordinator's Guidebook Listen to Ariel and Morgan guest on the podcast Happier in Hollywood Watch along timestamps: Booksmart: "Pool Sequence": 1:04:00 Booksmart: "Bathroom Hookup Scene": 1:14:42 – 1:18:00 Subscribe for bi-weekly behind the scenes breakdowns of film and TV's most iconic sex scenes. Credits Booksmart (2019) | Director: Olivia Wilde | Annapurna Pictures / Gloria Sanchez Productions Hashtags #Booksmart #IntimacyCoordinator #queerrepresentation #queerintimacy #FilmBreakdown Research sources: New York Daily News: About That Authentic and Awkward Love Scene in Booksmart Cosmopolitan UK: Booksmart's sex and masturbation scenes IndieWire: Olivia Wilde and Booksmart Cast Shocked Airline Censors Lesbian Sex Scene Support the show Connect & Support the Show Watch video versions on Spotify and YouTube. Suggest a Scene & Get Bonus Content: Join our Patreon to request scenes and unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Follow Us: Instagram & TikTok @FakingItThePod Website: FakingItThePod.com Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode — subscribe wherever you listen. Love the show? A 5-star rating helps other listeners find us. Stay real, Fakers. For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.
- Transcript
S1 · E15
February 25 · 36 min
Insecure: The Sex Scenes Have Range | From Nightmare to Nirvana
Insecure sex scene breakdown: why the show's intimacy has real range, from nightmare to nirvana. An intimacy coordinator's take on range in on-screen intimacy Morgan introduces Ariel (who has never seen the show) to two wildly different intimacy moments from Season 4: one jealousy-fueled nightmare fantasy and one slow-burn reunion that might be one of the most emotionally satisfying TV hookups ever. In this episode: How a comedic sex scene can be intentionally not realistic — and why it works The universality of the phrase, "pop the tags" The crackling eye contact, breath work, and micro-choices that make Issa and Lawrence's reunion explode Tender Black love on screen and why we don't see enough of it The position change that tells you exactly who's in control A masterclass in storytelling through intimacy This episode is funny, nerdy, and unexpectedly emotional. It's a perfect example of how a show can pull off slapstick fantasy and deeply romantic intimacy in the same breath. We also discuss the role of the intimacy coordinator on set and how they may have approached the show's intimate moments. Watch along timestamps: S4E1 (Lowkey Feelin' Myself): 11:53 S4E8 (Lowkey Happy): 25:17 Subscribe for bi-weekly behind the scenes breakdowns of film and TV's most iconic sex scenes. Credits Insecure (Season 4) | Creators: Issa Rae, Larry Wilmore | HBO Hashtags #InsecureHBO #IssaRae #IntimacyCoordinator #TVBreakdown #BlackLove Support the show Connect & Support the Show Watch video versions on Spotify and YouTube. Suggest a Scene & Get Bonus Content: Join our Patreon to request scenes and unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Follow Us: Instagram & TikTok @FakingItThePod Website: FakingItThePod.com Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode — subscribe wherever you listen. Love the show? A 5-star rating helps other listeners find us. Stay real, Fakers. For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.
- Transcript
S1 · E14
February 11 · 40 min
Heated Rivalry: Queer Joy & The Craft of Intimacy with Chala Hunter
Heated Rivalry sex scene breakdown with Chala Hunter, the show's intimacy coordinator: the craft behind its queer sex scenes and finding joy in the work. An intimacy coordinator's take on queer joy From her early days of learning the job during #MeToo to stepping onto a set packed with choreography and high emotional stakes, Chala pulls back the curtain on what it takes to build intimacy that feels grounded, safe, and electric. In this episode: How she found her way into intimacy coordination when the field was still being defined Why she prioritizes trust, play, and actor agency over rigid choreography How Heated Rivalry balanced tenderness, heat, and authenticity without losing its heart Why representation doesn't have to feel "authentic to everyone" to still be meaningful What happens when three intimacy coordinators get together and the nerding starts before the mics are even warm A behind the scenes look at the craft It's insightful, funny, incredibly revealing, and a rare behind the scenes look at the craft from someone doing the work at the highest level. This one feels like a milestone episode. Watch along timestamps: S1E4 (Rose) | "The Tuna Melt Scene": 21:07 – 24:29 S1E6 (The Cottage) | "The Phone Call": 20:15 – 22:37 S1E6 (The Cottage) | "Making Love": 32:34 – 33:27 Subscribe for bi-weekly behind the scenes breakdowns of film and TV's most iconic sex scenes. Credits Heated Rivalry | Director: Jacob Tierney | Crave Hashtags #HeatedRivalry #IlyaRozanov #IntimacyCoordinator #Hollanov Research sources: Toronto Life: How Heated Rivalry's intimacy coordinator Chala Hunter choreographed the steamiest sex scenes Out: Heated Rivalry sex scenes, ranked Variety: Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams interview Support the show Connect & Support the Show Watch video versions on Spotify and YouTube. Suggest a Scene & Get Bonus Content: Join our Patreon to request scenes and unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Follow Us: Instagram & TikTok @FakingItThePod Website: FakingItThePod.com Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode — subscribe wherever you listen. Love the show? A 5-star rating helps other listeners find us. Stay real, Fakers. For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.
- Transcript

Showing 1–20 of 24 episodes