What does an old lady know about sex toys? Plenty.

June 30, 2023 7:34 PM

Beloved Canadian sex educator, legendary host of the "The Sunday Night Sex Show" and "Talk Sex With Sue Johanson", Sue Johanson has died aged 93.

I could only find a few clips of her show that were serious (Crystal, Susie from Alabama, Ilene) but here she is on Mike Bullard, Conan, and Letterman.

A clip from CBC about Sue from 1986.

Sue putting a condom on with her mouth.

Trailer for Sex with Sue, a documentary about Sue.

posted by Mitheral (40 comments total)

🍌
She was a seminal part of my childhood and adolescence, from Degrassi to Victoria College. Pleasure Chest forever.
posted by avocet at 7:43 PM on June 30, 2023 [10 favorites]

She was a seminal part of...

I see what you did there.

More seriously, to the quote in the post title, who on earth would have more credibility than someone who has been doing this a long time? I'm sorry to hear this news, she was amazing.
posted by Dip Flash at 8:27 PM on June 30, 2023 [3 favorites]

🍌
posted by Halloween Jack at 8:50 PM on June 30, 2023

Not Canadian but I will mourn any funny sexy lady.
posted by Uncle at 8:52 PM on June 30, 2023 [3 favorites]

🍌
posted by inkytea at 8:55 PM on June 30, 2023

She was such a delight to watch. I used to turn friends on to it late night, especially while high, by saying "I'm telling you absolutely NOTHING shocks this lady, and she's so sweet and knowledgable!"

You'd have some 19yr old gal calling in about how her new boyfriend is into pegging and piss play and she'd be over there with suggestions on rubber sheets and strap-ons within seconds. Just "ohh okay, that's lovely, so here's what you can do ..."

We always need more people like that. It's a shame she wasn't more of a mainstream voice. In a fair and just world, she would've been in the time slot that was given to that windbag of shit, Dr Phil (Or, hell, another windbag of shit, Dr Oz!) and changed the world.

Anyway, I guess we're doing this ...

🍌
posted by revmitcz at 8:57 PM on June 30, 2023 [31 favorites]

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posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 9:04 PM on June 30, 2023

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posted by JoeXIII007 at 9:18 PM on June 30, 2023

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posted by brujita at 9:25 PM on June 30, 2023

. I remember watching her bits at around 1 or 2 am. after going out during college
posted by greatalleycat at 9:29 PM on June 30, 2023

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posted by Glinn at 9:49 PM on June 30, 2023

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The radio segment I remember most was when someone called in to talk about their full-body rubber (or vinyl? I don't recall specifically) condom fetish, and she was so intrigued and wanted to talk to him about it for a solid half-hour because she hadn't encountered a lot of people with that particular fetish and wanted to know more. It sounded like they both got a lot out of the conversation, honestly.

The world is poorer for not having her in it anymore.
posted by chrominance at 10:03 PM on June 30, 2023 [11 favorites]

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posted by joannemerriam at 10:09 PM on June 30, 2023

A voice of reason in an imperfect world. She should have been in charge of everything.
posted by ovvl at 10:11 PM on June 30, 2023

I watched Sue’s show illicitly on very low volume as a young teen, until my mom found out and enthusiastically encouraged it. I didn’t ever really think until just now about how important it was for her to create that space for a teenage kid. Sue’s out here teaching me things even today.
posted by lilac girl at 11:05 PM on June 30, 2023 [13 favorites]

I remember her! Part of my 80/90s Canada.

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posted by Meatbomb at 11:11 PM on June 30, 2023 [2 favorites]

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posted by sudasana at 11:52 PM on June 30, 2023

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posted by Ms. Moonlight at 12:31 AM on July 1, 2023

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posted by james33 at 4:16 AM on July 1, 2023

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posted by AbelMelveny at 4:18 AM on July 1, 2023

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posted by whatevernot at 4:23 AM on July 1, 2023

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posted by fourpotatoes at 4:27 AM on July 1, 2023

I wish there was a butthole emoji that I could use in place of the traditional period.
posted by rhymedirective at 5:50 AM on July 1, 2023 [1 favorite]

@rhymedirective *?
posted by hearthpig at 5:59 AM on July 1, 2023 [2 favorites]

My first introduction to her was through the most unlikely source: a “cameo” in a late 1980s YA novel The Ten Speed Babysitter . The teenaged protagonist is flipping through the late night TV channels when he comes across a weird old lady saying how sex was good for you and good for your hair. Didn’t think much of it until I also ran across her on late night TV and made the connection that this was the lady from the book.

No judgement for her callers , just always solid advice compassionately given.

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posted by dr_dank at 6:17 AM on July 1, 2023 [2 favorites]

She came to speak at Sex Education Week at my Catholic high school. The two things I remember were her advice that if you did not want to have sex and did not want to get carried away then french kissing was the line. Don't french kiss if you're not ready to go further. I feel like that's wrong/not true, but I guess this is from the perspective of an adult, who has a little more self-control than a teenager might.

I think the school was ok with "stop at french kissing if you don't want to go farther" though they weren't necessarily happy that she was neutral on whether or not you wanted to go farther (as long as you used a condom if you did) and when she suggested relieving any tension while alone, including miming masturbation they didn't look thrilled.

I remember watching her late night show on tv, like everyone else. She was very kink-friendly in a time when lots of even sex-positive people weren't necessarily.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:35 AM on July 1, 2023 [10 favorites]

Definitely part of my high school/undergrad education and giggle-inspiration. I really want to find that documentary.
posted by stevil at 8:26 AM on July 1, 2023

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posted by suetanvil at 10:36 AM on July 1, 2023

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posted by LobsterMitten at 10:49 AM on July 1, 2023

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posted by wicked_sassy at 11:41 AM on July 1, 2023

I had two coworkers 20+ years ago who were also roommates, and we were all big fans.

They both just called her “Sex Lady.”

They were virgins at the time, but I suppose it doesn’t matter.

🍌
posted by armeowda at 12:20 PM on July 1, 2023 [1 favorite]

I have never heard her, but watching the Letterman clip, what a treasure.

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posted by Windopaene at 1:00 PM on July 1, 2023

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posted by hydrobatidae at 1:14 PM on July 1, 2023

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posted by annieb at 3:36 PM on July 1, 2023

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posted by Canageek at 5:00 PM on July 1, 2023

She's getting her back blown out in heaven now.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:08 PM on July 1, 2023 [2 favorites]

She was such a wonderful, kind, and amazingly compassionate person. Our world is definitely less without her voice in it.

Thanks for the all the advice, Sue. You helped me make my sex life worth living.
posted by Lizard at 7:51 AM on July 2, 2023

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posted by Mutant Lobsters from Riverhead at 3:20 PM on July 3, 2023

I have much to thank her for. She made me proud to be Canadian. Her loss is deeply felt.
posted by signsofrain at 5:07 PM on July 3, 2023 [1 favorite]

The best tribute to her I've seen came from the Beaverton on the site whose links no longer work.

"Blushing God approaches Sue Johanson with sex question no one else has been able to answer "
posted by peppermind at 6:01 PM on July 3, 2023 [3 favorites]