The first thing I noticed in this article, and which really offers a look--for the unfamiliar-- into the conservatism that is Saudi Arabia, is how tight-lipped officials were when asked to comment. Fear of rebuke and punishment is quite effective.

'Abduljawad [the man who described his active sex life in saudi and showed sex toys on tv which were censored by the station] was sentenced to five years in jail and 1000 lashes.'

First, I am appalled at how a Saudi, aware of the ultraconservative society he resides in, didn't think twice before agreeing to go on the show. The sentencing is indeed horrific to those of us with a more open mind, and a mentality that isn't in opposition to addressing sex as a social issue. However, he us not completely without blame. How wise was it to boast of 'luring' single women into premarital sex, when that in itself is considered not only taboo, and illegal, but punishable by death?

Second, he says he was 'duped by the TV station and was unaware in many cases that he was being recorded.' What happened to consent forms? Aren't they required?

The fact that 'sex show' and 'Saudi female' are part of the same sentence, signals the ushering in of a new era for the kingdom. Not necessarily a more liberal one, but one in which these issues can no longer be kept off the public radar.