X-Rated: Deep Throat (1972) with Mark Covino

Warning: This episode covers an actual adult movie, and contains discussions about graphic sexual topics.

In this episode of Morally Offensive, the first in our "X-Rated" series, we explore the cultural earthquake sparked by the 1972 film Deep Throat with special guest Mark Covino, director of the award-winning documentary A Band Called Death. We dive into the rise of 1970s “porn chic,” the collapse of the Hays Code, the creation of the X-rating, and how a low-budget film became a mainstream phenomenon seen by public figures like Jackie Onassis and Truman Capote.

We also examine the Catholic response to the mainstreaming of adult media during a period already shaped by Watergate-era anxiety. This includes a look at the Catechism’s teachings on sexual ethics—especially the debates around oral sex, where Catholics, theologians, and commentators often share conflicting interpretations.

Plus, Mark shares personal stories about his father’s life as a celebrity ski instructor and his appearance in an early project by horror icons Sean Cunningham and Wes Craven. If you're interested in film history, 1970s culture, Catholic commentary, or the intersections of media, morality, and censorship, this episode has it all.

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Topics: X-rating, Catholicism, Ex-Catholics, Watergate, Deep Throat, Scandal, Linda Lovelace, 1970s, Indie Film, Guilt, Sex Ed, Porn Chic, Hollywood, Times Square, Comedy