The uproar caused by Janet Jackson’s ‘wardrobe malfunction’ at last year’s Super Bowl triggered an unprecedented outcry – from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, if from few others.

But U.S. broadcasters were spooked, tape delays were instituted and the FCC fined 169 Fox stations US$7,000 for a sexually suggestive scene in the reality show Married by America.

But what about here in Canada? Is there a similar concern of inappropriately pushing the envelope, especially with raunchy series such as Bliss, Show Me Yours and Naked Josh on the air, and the likes of G-Spot on the way?

‘If you look at [conventional, specialty and pay-TV] broadcasters, ‘too sexy’ can mean something quite different to each one of them,’ says Ira Levy, executive producer at Toronto’s Breakthrough Films & Television, producer of the racy series Paradise Falls. ‘There’s also the question – what are you doing with sexuality? Are you using it as a gimmick or as a selling tool, or is it part and parcel of a drama that inherently has that?’

As a moderator, Levy will put these questions to various participants at Prime Time’s Feb. 3 panel Is TV Getting too Sexy?

Speaking for pay-TV casters will be Michelle Marion, The Movie Network’s director Canadian independent productions.

‘Sex on TV for us is fine, and in fact, it’s something that can form a part of our strategy, but only if it’s organic to the story that’s being told,’ Marion says. ‘Because we are doing, ideally, television that does push the boundaries, sex will be a part of that. But what it can’t be – as we do more original production – is a conventional television pitch that didn’t fly, and then someone adds some sex scenes and swear words and brings it to us.’