Addicted (Codeblack Entertainment, 2014)
Sex sells. It’s pretty obvious. Our society just loves big booties, boobs and folks that wear next to nothing. There’s simply no denying the allure of attraction and intimacy. One topic that seems to be on the rise among television producers and movie execs is adultery. Does our infatuation with extramarital affairs reveal our inner desires to test the waters. Or does it just make for good drama? Here’s a look at some popular television shows and movies that focus on infidelity.
ABC
Scandal
Shonda Rhimes knows how to strike television gold. Her ABC hit show Scandal recently premiered its newest season with close to 12 million viewers. People don’t just tune in for the twists and weekly plots, but also the love triangle between Olivia Pope, Jake, and President Grant. Scandal has been one of the few shows that makes you root for the “other woman.”
ABC
Mistresses
Here’s a show that has no problem bringing attention to infidelity. Mistresses is an ABC show that follows four friends (three now that Alyssa Milano quit) who are all involved in their own set of drama and married men. Even though it has been renewed for a third season, their ratings have been less than desirable.
Addicted (Codeblack Entertainment, 2014)
Addicted
Even though this movie isn’t predicted to be a huge blockbuster, that won’t stop many of us from lining up to see it. Addicted stars Sharon Leal (Why Did I Get Married?), Boris Kodjoe, Tyson Beckford, and William Levy. Based on the novel by Zane, this story follows a married woman down a path of sexual destruction and steamy encounters.
BET
Being Mary Jane
Sleeping and shacking up with a married man, and stealing sperm? Gabrielle Union stars in the BET hit Being Mary Jane that’s either going to be a hit or a miss in the eyes of TV goers. The first season commanded an average of 2.5 million viewers with the season finale leading original cable programming for the night. One has to wonder why such a successful individual would waste her time on such bad prospects.
Fatal Attraction (Paramount, 1987)
Fatal Attraction
There’s no way we could talk about television shows and movies based on adultery without bringing up Fatal Attraction. This film hopefully scared many of us out of wanting to cheat on our spouses as Glenn Close’s character was crazy! Opening back in 1987 at the number one spot, it has since grossed over $320 million worldwide. Sometimes it’s safer and less stressful to remain faithful to your spouse.
CBS
The Good Wife
Winner of a Golden Globe and multiple Emmy awards is the CBS hit show The Good Wife. Starring Julianna Margulies, the show originally centered around the scandal and infidelity of a State’s Attorney (Chris Noth) that caused his wife (Margulies) to jump back into the workforce in order to provide for her children. Not looking to be outdone by her husband, Julianna’s character engages in an affair of her own.
The Affair (Showtime, 2014)
The Affair
Even though it won’t make its official Showtime debut until October 12, The Affair has already received pretty good reviews. The series mixes adultery with a detective story. Something tells us you might get consumed by initial appearances and the dark truths that come to light.
Source: Lions Gate
Tyler Perry’s Temptation
If you’re thinking about stepping out on your marriage, you might want to rent Tyler Perry’s Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor. Looking to shed light on the lust and sacrifice that comes with infidelity, the movie had pretty interesting twists–along with unexpected consequences. It would seem folks enjoyed the film as it earned the number three spot during its initial debut, and grossed over $51 million.
How to Get Away with Murder/ABC
How to Get Away with Murder
If you thought this new Shonda Rhimes show was just about law school, think again. Viola Davis stars as law professor and defense attorney who also engages in extramarital affairs on her downtime. As you watch the show, you soon realize her husband is less than loyal himself. Who knows if the other is fully aware of the cheating going on–you’ll have to keep on watching.
Unfaithful (Fox, 2002)
Unfaithful
Unfaithful was a unique film in its own right because it was one of the few times a female lead did the cheating without being a made for Lifetime movie. Starring Diane Lane, Richard Gere and Olivier Martinez, the story centers around a seemingly happy couple who lack passion. Audiences around the world took to Unfaithful as the film was able to gross over $119 million worldwide.
And for a bit of a bonus, here’s a clip that asks the question: Does watching stories of infidelity on television hurt your relationship?
