Seniors and Sexuality in the Media

George Clooney, Harrison Ford and Richard Gere are all still considered some of the sexiest men in the movies. Although older women are not afforded the same amount of recognition, several are starting to show up as well preserved seniors in television shows and movies.

A few years ago In the movie "Something's Gotta Give" Jack Nicholson's character changes his focus from a daughter to a mother, played by Diane Keaton. It is no secret that both Nicholson and Keaton are senior citizens -- at least well over 50. And this wasn't just a hand-holding kind of romance; it developed into a relationship that was expressed on screen through scenes portraying obvious sexuality.

This was not Nicholson's first on screen appearance in a sexual situation as a senior. He appeared as a widower looking to find his new place in life in "About Schmidt," (based on the book by Saul Bellow) where he shared a hot tub with Kathy Bates, much to his embarrassment, in one scene.

Diane Keaton, now a 61 year old cover girl on MORE magazine, has another movie about to be released called "Because I Said So." It is apparent from the previews that Keaton is once again cast in a role as a senior citizen who becomes romantically involved with a co-star.

Television is also treating seniors differently. The hit show "Boston Legal" features main characters, Denny Crane, played by William Shatner and Shirley Schmidt, played by Candice Bergen (both senior citizens) living very sexually active lives. It is reminiscent of Friends but with seniors playing the roles. Crane is constantly chasing women, and Schmidt has had affairs with a number of male characters in the show and references previous sexual encounters with her ex-husband, played by Tom Sellick, another sexy senior.

The newest television show to present a widowed senior in romantic situations is "Brothers and Sisters," with Sally Field (a former AARP cover girl) playing a widow who is ready and eager for some new male companionship. She not only has spent the night out, but is now involved in blind dating. In this show, many of the grown children are comfortable with and supportive of her situation.

"Judging Amy" is now appearing on TNT. Tyne Daly, in the role of a senior citizen working for the Department of Families and Children, has several romantic encounters, some with sexuality implied. She seems to enjoy more success with men in her senior years than Amy, her daughter, is having in her youth as a divorced, single mother.

"Six Feet Under" is being shown on BRAVO, and provides another example of the mother of three grown children, a senior citizen, finding pleasure in her own sexuality, much to the amusement and sometimes horror of her children. This is sometimes seen as more shocking than the homosexual intimacy that is openly part of the show.

It isn't difficult to see why this trend is occurring. Obviously, the baby boomers are reaching a "certain age" and are not willing to give up the lifestyle in which they participated for so long. Those that are single, whether divorced, widowed or never married, are actively seeking partners and friends. To quote a phrase from "Boston Legal," many are also looking for "friends with benefits" - in this case the benefits being referred to are not related to health care and pension funds. A lot of older people don't want to marry; they want someone with whom to go out to restaurants, movies, shows and bridge games. But they may also want to find someone to share dinner at home, watch television, and then enjoy an intimate relationship.

Seniors are now using Match.com, putting personal ads in newspapers and magazines, meeting strangers through senior activities and clubs, but not as a result of these activities being shown in the media. The movies and television shows are more a reflection of real life. Television shows using ensemble casts are able to appeal to people of all ages by including families and senior citizens in their shows. The young members are sexually active, and more and more, the senior members are exploring their sexuality on the screen, as well. It's only a matter of time before "Grey's Anatomy" features a case of a senior citizen who is suffering from AIDS or another sexually transmitted disease. Being the most popular show on television, it would be doing the senior population a favor; reminding them that it's great to enjoy life and intimacy, but even seniors shouldn't ignore the risks.