jiggle television

English

Alternative forms

• jiggle TV

Etymology

Coined by Paul Klein in the 1970s to criticize the strategy of theABCtelevision network underFred Silverman;three successful series on ABC at the time -Charlie's Angels,Wonder Woman,andThree's Company- were described as havingspearheadedthis term.

Noun

jiggletelevision(uncountable)

1. Thegratuitoususe ofscantily cladwomento appeal totelevisionaudiences.
   • 1981,Phyllis Diller,The joys of aging--and how to avoid them: can sex keep you young?,→ISBN:

     It's hard to believe that in these days of X-rated motels,jiggle television,and sexual relief through vending machines... that some women can be sexually deprived, but it's true.

   • 2003,Josh Ozersky,Archie Bunker's America: TV in an Era of Change, 1968-1978,→ISBN:

     For Paul Klein, as astute an observer as there was inside television, the defining programming trend of the time was sex, particularly in the form of "jiggle television."

   • 2004,Kelsey Roberts,Bedside Manner: The Landry Brothers,→ISBN,page88:

     "Classicjiggle television,"he explained as he cupped his hands to create a platform for her foot.

   • 2013,Robert B. Parker,The Widening Gyre,→ISBN:

     Alexander worries about unisex bathrooms andjiggle television.

See also

• sexploitation