The Diane Sawyer Hooker Special

According to an item in the New York Daily News, Diana Sawyer's show about prostitution (aka the Hooker Special) is being removed from the ABC shelf, dusted off, and given an air date.

Thank-you ABC, for finally confirming that there is a great deal of prostitution in America, where finding a high-priced hooker is easier than locating an Applebee's.

Since prostitution is, anecdotally at least, an area where we might still actually be #1, the initial reluctance of ABC to run the Sawyer show is a surprise. But even though they are hanging it on a particularly radioactive current event, I hope they don't think it's anything resembling news.

The rich and powerful Governor of New York went to a prostitute?

It would be more surprising if he had balanced the state budget.

Forgetting its value as tragedy, comedy, or a combination of both, the idea that a married man of means hired a hooker is about as newsworthy as spring in Central Park (It's pretty, alert the media!), although in today's world it's a great excuse for a television special. Everything here is Dog Bites Man. Even the now ex-Governor's mea culpa had a kabuki aspect to it. The flag, the wronged wife stapled to his elbow, the contrition.

Cue the mob with the pitchforks and torches.

And cue Diane.

I am not an expert on prostitution -- that would be too difficult to explain to the other parents at 8th Grade Back to School Night -- but I have just written a novel about the field. During the course of my research (on the Internet!), I learned that it remains extremely popular. A Google search of the words "escort services" comes up with an eye-popping 2,390,000 hits. Even if we assume doubling, tripling, quadrupling of listings, there is nonetheless an awful lot of sex for sale. A true sign of the economic viability of these sites: Enterprising lawyers advertise on them. I believe this is called "fishing in a stocked pond".

Like the weather, prostitution is everywhere, not just places we associate with bad behavior. If you live in Des Moines, Iowa, there are prostitutes there. If you live in Ulan Bator, Mongolia, ditto. And have these people ever adapted! In today's America, how difficult it is to arrange an assignation? Apparently, getting a prostitute to come to your house is as easy ordering Chinese food and -- good news for all hired sex enthusiasts -- considerably less fattening.

I realize some people consider this is a painful topic for making light. But the farcical aspect of Mr. Spitzer's downfall is as unavoidable as the quick reaction of Edward R. Murrow's old network.

Other than huge ratings for Diane Sawyer, and sales of "Kristen's" song on MySpace, what good can possibly come from this? Human beings are flawed and that, admittedly, provides great entertainment value. But aren't there terrorists to catch? Wait, here's an idea -- the Pentagon can contact the Emperor's VIP Club, order seventy-two virgins, air-lift them to Waziristan, where bin-Laden is allegedly hiding...

We're all entitled to our fantasies. Now that's a special for ABC.

Comments

[nylefty]

The original version of this piece erroneously said that this special would be on "CBS." After a couple of us pointed out that it would be on ABC (where Diane Sawyer has worked since 1989) the piece was changed to correct the mistake (without acknowledging that a mistake was made).

[johntal]

the REAL story on this prostitution issue is the sting on the Govener to get him out of office

[zjemi]

I think the sexy part of the story blotted out the real story: Spitzer apparently used public funds to pay for the sex. Wasn't the initial search because bribery coming from the governor's office was suspected?
So shouldn't he give that money back?

Oh, also, Spitzer made his bones going after prostitution rings. I guess like the undercover cops in some movies, he got hooked (ha ha) on the product.

So it shouldn't be the sex stuff, but the money stuff and the righteousness stuff that does him in. On second thought, Larry Craig survived the righteousness stuff (let's hope he learned better) but he didn't use public funds as far as we know.

Or maybe Geraldine Ferraro wants to tell us how gay people are "lucky"?

[nylefty]

The NY Daily News article made it clear that the special will be aired by ABC (where Diane Sawyer has worked since 1989). CBS is not involved.

[RogerHWerner]

I think you prety much sum up my attitude on prostitution. i would just addthat it is pointless and a waste of money to attempt its eradication but no one can ever accuse America of establishing social policy based on realities.

[BARRISTER]

Really Roger, look at "The War on Drugs". Hasnt that War been successful?? ( Tongue in cheek; fingers and toes crossed)

[jeaton]

I think the major reason for CBS's reluctance the air the special is that Diane Sawyer works for ABC.